CHRISTMAS EVE The Song of the Angels December 24, 2024
CHRISTMAS EVE The Song of the Angels December 24, 2024 AS WE GATHER Throughout our Advent mid-week services, we heard the humbling song Zachariah sung over His son, John the Baptist, pointing to Christ. The humbling song Elizabeth sung in response to pregnant Mary’s visit. And the humbling and powerful song of Mary herself, singing about her son growing in her womb, the Messiah who comes to save her and His people from their sins. Tonight, the song of the angels is sung, and it is filled with Glory and peace, to those who would “...believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31). Merry Christmas, Christ your Savior is born! COMMUNION STATEMENT: For generations, The Lord’s Supper has been celebrated by men and women coming forward in the confession and glad confidence that, just as He says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and with one another (Matt; 26:26-29). Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us (Matt. 18:15-35), that they may show forth His death until He comes (1 Cor. 11:26). Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do great harm to themselves (1 Cor. 11:17-34), and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of St. Paul Lutheran Church or from The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, are asked to remain in their seats throughout the Service of the Sacrament. If you are unsure and desire to receive our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sacrament, please contact an elder or the pastor before the service begins. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION + CALL TO WORSHIP/RINGING OF THE BELL PROCESSIONAL (RISE, TURN AND FACE THE CROSS IN THE BACK OF THE SANCTUARY.) HYMN OF INVOCATION LSB 380 HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING SERVICE OF THE WORD + INTROIT Psalm 98:1–4; HYMN LSB #368 ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGHantiphon: Isaiah 9:6 SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY HYMN LSB 370 WHAT CHILD IS THIS OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 9:2–7 (We see a great light.) PSALM Psalm 96 EPISTLE Titus 2:11–14 ALLELUIA LSB 190 HOLY GOSPEL Luke 2:1–20 NICENE CREED HYMN OF THE DAY LSB 367 ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY SERMON HYMN LSB 393 INFANT HOLY, INFANT LOWLY OFFERING PRAYER OF THE CHURCH SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT + SANCTUS LSB 195 LORD’S PRAYER LSB 196 THE WORDS OF OUR LORD LSB 197 PAX DOMINI LSB 197 AGNUS DEI LSB 198 DISTRIBUTION HYMNS LSB 621 LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE LSB 361 O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM LSB 362 O SING OF CHRIST LSB 364 AWAY IN A MANGER LSB 366 IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR NUNC DIMITTIS LSB 199 THANKSGIVING LSB 200 SALUTATION BENEDICAMUS LSB 202 BENEDICTION LSB 202 JESUS CHRIST: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES (The pastor takes the light from the Christ candle and gives to the assistants. They pass the light on to the congregation. When lighting the candles, tip only the unlighted candle. Do not tip the lighted candle to avoid dripping the wax! Hold the candles straight up and the wax will not drip. Thank you.) HYMN TO DEPART LSB 363 SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT
