Christmas Eve

December 24, 2024, 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel and on Facebook Live

Classic Communion Service

We honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose ancestral lands we have made our home.

Holy Communion will be part of this service. Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family or group, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member gathered uses a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.

In the interactive part of the liturgy, the leader’s part is in regular text. The people’s response is in bold. All people are welcome to sing along with the songs where the lyrics are printed.

GATHERING 

WELCOME 

“Joy to the World”             ELW #267 vss 1, 2

1    Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

      Let earth receive her king;

      let ev’ry heart prepare him room

      and heav’n and nature sing,

      and heav’n and nature sing,

      and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2    Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

      Let all their songs employ,

      while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

      repeat the sounding joy,

      repeat the sounding joy,

      repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

CANDLE LIGHTING

In those days, in the beginning, 

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem. Joseph was to be registered and Mary was ripe with child. 

The time came for Mary to give birth

so she delivered her child, wrapped him in cloth and laid him in a manger.

And the angels sang

Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth for all who dwell here.

And yet, we live in a weary and worn world, so how do we begin again? Where do we start?

We begin with hope. 

We begin with peace. 

We begin with joy. 

We begin with love. 

Yes! Let’s begin with love, for love knows your name. So tonight, we light the candles of hope, peace, joy and love, and finally we light the Christ candle, for surely God is in this place. Surely the Spirit is near. Surely love knows your name.

We rest in that good news. Unto us a child is born. A light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth for all who dwell here.

“O Come, All Ye Faithful “                      ELW #283 vss 1, 2, 3

1    O come, all ye faithful,

      joyful and triumphant!

      O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

      come and behold him,

      born the king of angels:

Refrain

O come, let us adore him,

      O come, let us adore him,

      O come, let us adore him,

      Christ the Lord!

2    The highest, most holy,

      light of light eternal,

      born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;

      Son of the Father

      now in flesh appearing!  Refrain

3    Sing, choirs of angels,

      sing in exultation,

      sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

      Glory to God

      in the highest:  Refrain

Text: attr. John Francis Wade, 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2

THEME PRAYER

“It Came upon the Midnight Clear”                  ELW #282 vss 1, 2

1    It came upon the midnight clear,

      that glorious song of old,

      from angels bending near the earth

      to touch their harps of gold:

      “Peace on the earth, good will to all,

      from heav’n’s all-gracious king.”

      The world in solemn stillness lay

      to hear the angels sing.

2    Still through the cloven skies they come

      with peaceful wings unfurled,

      and still their heav’nly music floats

      o’er all the weary world.

      Above its sad and lowly plains

      they bend on hov’ring wing,

      and ever o’er its babel sounds

      the blessed angels sing.

Text: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

“Away in a Manger”                      ELW #277

1    Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,

      the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

      the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

      the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

2    The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes,

      but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

      I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky

      and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

3    Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay

      close by me forever and love me, I pray.

      Bless all the dear children in your tender care

      and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.

Text: North American, 19th cent.

WORD

Isaiah 9:2-7 – “Wonderful Counselor; Prince of Peace”

SPECIAL MUSIC: “He Knows My Name”                                Sung by Debbie Attwood

Words and Music by Tommy Walker

Luke 2:1-20 – The nativity story

“Angels, from the Realms of Glory”                ELW #275 vss 1, 2, 3

1    Angels, from the realms of glory,

      wing your flight o’er all the earth;

      once you sang creation’s story,

      now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

      Come and worship, come and worship,

      worship Christ, the newborn king.

2    Shepherds, in the fields abiding,

      watching o’er your flocks by night,

      God with us is now residing,

      yonder shines the infant light.

      Come and worship, come and worship,

      worship Christ, the newborn king.

3    Sages, leave your contemplations,

      brighter visions beam afar;

      seek the great desire of nations,

      you have seen his natal star.

      Come and worship, come and worship,

      worship Christ, the newborn king.

Text: James Montgomery, 1771-1854, alt., sts. 1-3; Salisbury Hymn Book, 1857, st. 4

SERMON                                                                  Pastor Karla and Deacon Jennifer

“Love Has Come”              ELW #292

1    Love has come—a light in the darkness!

Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies.

See, all heaven has come to proclaim it;

hear how their song of joy arises:

Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior!

Love! Love! Glory to God on high.

2     Love is born! Come, share in the wonder.

Love is God now asleep in the hay.

See the glow in the eyes of his mother;

what is the name her heart is saying?

Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers;

Love! Love! Jesus, Immanuel.

3    Love has come and never will leave us!

Love is life everlasting and free.

Love is Jesus within and among us.

Love is the peace our hearts are seeking.

Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christmas;

Love! Love! Praise to you, God on high!

Text: Ken Bible, b. 1950

Text © 1996 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP) c/o Integrity Media, Inc., 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Sung Response:

“Glory & Praise”                #273

Amen, Amen, Amen

From the collection “Call and Response”

© 1989 by North American Liturgy Resources (NALR), 10802 North 23^rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85029

MEAL

OFFERING OUR GIFTS FOR THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF GOD’S CHURCH

We have prayed. We have sung.  We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION

LORD’S PRAYER 

One: And now, join me in praying as Jesus taught us…

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

now and forever.

Amen.

DISTRIBUTION

Sung during distribution:

“Go Tell It on the Mountain”                   ELW#290

Refrain

      Go tell it on the mountain,

      over the hills and ev’rywhere;

      go tell it on the mountain

      that Jesus Christ is born!

1    While shepherds kept their watching

      o’er silent flocks by night,

      behold, throughout the heavens

      there shone a holy light.  Refrain

2    The shepherds feared and trembled

      when, lo, above the earth

      rang out the angel chorus

      that hailed our Savior’s birth.  Refrain

3    Down in a lonely manger

      the humble Christ was born;

      and God sent us salvation

      that blessed Christmas morn.  Refrain

Text: African American spiritual, refrain; John W. Work Jr., 1872-1925, stanzas, alt.

“What Child Is This”                     ELW #296 vs 1

1    What child is this, who, laid to rest,

      on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

      Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

      while shepherds watch are keeping?

      This, this is Christ the king,

      whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

      haste, haste to bring him laud,

      the babe, the son of Mary!

Text: William C. Dix, 1837-1898

“Angels We Have Heard on High”                    ELW #289 vs 1

1    Angels we have heard on high,

      sweetly singing o’er the plains,

      and the mountains in reply,

      echoing their joyous strains.

Text: French carol; tr. H. F. Hemy, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864

POST COMMUNION BLESSING

SENDING

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSING

OUR DECLARATION OF MISSION 

You are the body of Christ, newly reborn.    

We are newly reborn, indeed!

So go in peace   

To explore the faith

Live in peace      

To express our faith to others

Share the peace  

By inviting others to join us on this journey.

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, NEWLY REBORN, SO LET’S GO BE THE GOOD NEWS WE BELIEVE IN!

THANKS BE TO GOD.

(Transition to the courtyard)

            “Silent Night, Holy Night!”                      ELW #281 vss 1,2

1    Silent night, holy night!

      All is calm, all is bright

      round yon virgin mother and child.

      Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

      sleep in heavenly peace,

      sleep in heavenly peace.

2    Silent night, holy night!

      Shepherds quake at the sight;

      glories stream from heaven afar,

      heav’nly hosts sing, alleluia!

      Christ, the Savior, is born!

      Christ, the Savior, is born!

Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885

Candle Lighting, Prayer of the Day and Blessing are adapted from prayers by Rev Sarah (are) Speed, A Sanctified Art, LLC, sanctified art.org. Prayers of the People adapted from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.