CHRISTMAS EVE, 2022
Nativity of Our Lord
PRELUDE Redeemer Jazz Trio and Guests
Jerry Fields, Percussion Eric Hassel, Keyboard Bryan Lopes, Woodwinds William Bolick, Vocals
PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
Standing GATHERING HYMN 283 O, Come, All Ye Faithful
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
4. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory giv'n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: Refrain
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the Word made flesh, our life and our salvation. | Amen.
Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin.
Kneeling or seated God of life, | you promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groaning of creation. Have mercy on us. Where we are self-centered, open our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage. Where we are cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again the hope of eternal life in you. Amen.
Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In ☩ Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salvation of God. | Amen.
Standing
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you.
HYMN 289 Angels We Have Heard on High
1. Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav'nly song? Refrain
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain
SALUTATION
The Lord be with you | And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Almighty God, you made this holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that here on earth we may walk in the light of Jesus’ presence and in the last day wake to the brightness of his glory; through your only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen
Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON
Standing GOSPEL
Luke 2:1-20
God's greatest gift comes as a baby in a manger. Angels announce the "good news of great joy" and proclaim God's blessing of peace
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Seated SERMON Pastor Mark H. LarsonStanding
HYMN 270 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
1. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all you nations rise; join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!"
2. Christ, by highest heav’n adored Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, offspring of
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, incarnate deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain
3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris'n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Refrain
Glory to God in the highest, | and peace to God’s people on earth.
Blessed are you, Prince of Peace. You rule the earth with truth and justice. | Send your gift of peace to all nations of the world.
Blessed are you, Wonderful Counselor. You enlighten the heart with steadfast love. | Enliven your church that it might bear good tidings of great joy to all people.
Blessed are you, Emmanuel. You promise to be with us even to the end of the age. | Open our eyes to see your presence in all who are hungry, lonely, or homeless.
Blessed are you, Son of Mary. You share our humanity. | Have mercy on the sick, the dying, and all who suffer this day.
Blessed are you, Light Eternal. You promise life everlasting. | Unite our voices with the saints and loved ones who rest with you.
Blessed are you, Son of God. You dwell among us as the Word made flesh. | Reveal yourself to us in word and sacrament that we may bear your light to all the world. Amen
Standing PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you.
Seated WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE OFFERING
Offering music by the Jazz Trio Please use the Help and Give links to support the ministry of Redeemer.
Standing OFFERING PRAYER
God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration. Strengthen us to share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.| Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Lift up your hearts! | We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
We sing a new song to you, O God of our salvation, for you have done marvelous things. Through your Word all things came into being, and without you not one thing was made. You spoke through your covenant and created a people bound to you. Through promise and pardon, slavery and exile, you showed that what had come into being through you was life. When that day came, and the Word became flesh, your angels sang for joy and put a new song into our hearts. And even when we rejected your Son, you brought forth from his death a resurrection of everlasting glory.
Life-giving God, as your Word became flesh and lived among us, come among us now in the fullness of your grace and truth. Make us holy as you are holy; that your Word may become flesh anew today. Send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine and make them be for us the body and blood of Jesus; who in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
God of glory, make your church a sign of new-born hope in your kingdom. Be born in us today. Where your children are faced with ruin, show them
redemption. Where sorrow endures, bring your holy comfort. Where division excludes, give your grace. Where bondage confines, sing your new song. Restore our hope in you, until the day when all that you have brought into being finds its everlasting destiny in your only Son, through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever. | Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Seated INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Glory to God in the highest! Come to the table of peace.
INSTRUCTION FOR HOLY COMMUNION
All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are invited to receive Holy Communion.
There will be two stations for distribution, one on the main floor in front, one at the altar. All stations will have gluten free and regular bread as well as prefilled cups with red wine or white grape juice. After consuming the elements, please return to your seats by the side aisle, returning the used cups to the receptacles placed there. If moving is a challenge, please let the ushers know and we will bring communion to you at your seat. Most importantly, this is Christ’s table, and it is Christ who welcomes you to the feast.
CAROLS DURING COMMUNION
O Little Town of Bethlehem
1. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.
2. For Christ is born of Mary, And, gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the king, And peace to all the earth!
3. How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heav’n. No ear may hear his coming; But, in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, Still the dear Christ enters in.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; Oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel!
Away In a Manger
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 poor baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
Standing BLESSING AND PRAYER
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.
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen
Let us pray. | God our redeemer, you have fed us at this table with gifts of grace, truth, and life. As you have gathered us in joy, send us forth as messengers of your peace. Make us shine with the good news of your glory, born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
The ushers will light the candle of the first worshiper in each row. Pass the light down the row, holding the lighted candle upright and tilting unlighted candles into the flame.
PROLOGUE TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
HYMN 281 Silent Night, Holy Night!
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!
BLESSING
Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!
3. Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.
God bless you and keep you, ☩ Jesus grant you grace and truth, and the Spirit send peace upon your hearts, now and forever. | Amen.
Please extinguish your candles carefully.
HYMN 267 Joy to the World
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.
3. No more let sin and sorrow grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
SENDING
Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news. | Thanks be to God.
Please return your candle to the usher as you leave.
POSTLUDE The Redeemer Jazz Trio
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CHANCEL DECORATIONS
Our trees are decorated with Chrismons (combining the words CHRISt and MONogram). Each Chrismon depicts a symbol of Christ described in Scripture. We invite you to come to the chancel and take a closer look. The poinsettias as well as tonight’s special musicians have been presented to the glory of God in memory or in honor of loved ones by members and friends of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer whose names are listed on the following pages. Members of the congregation may pick up a poinsettia after the 11:00 pm service tonight or Sunday December 25, if they so desire.
C H R I S T M A S 2 0 2 2
Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Memory of: Given by: Myrtis Carrol.................................................................................
Cathy & Steve Vogel
My parents, Mary Catherine and Norman Pendered, and Aunt Helen and Uncle Louie Van Gorder ............................................................................David Pendered
Pastor Robert F. Sims Diana Hodnett Leona Fehn .............................................................................. Ray & Colin Walker Beth ..................................................................................................................... Jim Dr. Robert L. Carlson ......................................................................... Betty Carlson Jim Daley ................................................... Derek, Jenny, Fiona, and Lars Peterson Our parents Brenda & Dewey Ingham Herman & Edna Schultz ....................................... Stephanie, Charissa, and Tiffany
My husband, John Liz Bair Our fathers: John C. Bair and Andrew J. Currie ...................... Buffy & Bob Currie C.E. & Blanche Barker and D.E. & Callie Burr .......................... Anne & Pete Burr Belle Noland and Treva Poinsett Don & Cindy Noland Vernon & Dorothy White and Betty Bell ................................... Mike & Carol Bell
Our parents Pastor Darrel & Mary Peterson Bob...............................................................................................
The Chunn family
The Chunn family Grandmother and our great-grandparents ................ Savannah, Tanner, and Cooper Mary & Fred Dressel, Jr. and June & Richard Gnann, Jr. ................. Dressel family Al & Sally Miller Arnie & Beth Ludvigsen Our parents .......................................................... Dr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Westbrook Jack Strouss Bob Gibeling Naomi & Bob Gibeling, Sr. .................................................................Bob Gibeling My dad (Pastor Sims) Scottie Dye Our parents ................................................................................. Allen & Julia Gary Louise Werner ............................................................................ Allen & Julia Gary Diane Taylor Julia & Ursula Peyton .............................................................................................................. Gayle
Pastor Ficken
John Leven ...................................................................Suzanne & Charles Bridgers LaVerne, Mark and Scott Ron Nienow Ada Kane .................................................................................................. Ed Kuehn
Our parents and grandparents
The Zenoni family My parents, Naomi and Lonnie Alderman .................................... Penny Scarpucci Our mothers: “Mimi” Arlis Anderson and “Nana” Betsy Dillon ............................. ..................................................................... Hallie, Patrick, and Addie Beth Dillon
Anna Margaret & Harry Baxter ...........................................Amy & Walt Carpenter
Peter & Viola Henningsen and Paul & Eileen Vernor
Joan & Jim Vernor My parents, Sam & June Brown and my sister, Sylvia Brown Franklin .................. Mary Brown
John Dilg................................................................................................ Len Studley Madeline, Herbert, and Bertha Studley ................................................. Len Studley Jerry, Margaret, and Renate Jeanne P. Merritt Joe Troutman .......................................................... David Besherse & Len Studley Bud Besherse, and Viola Anderton David Besherse & Len Studley John & Irmgard Bishop .........................................................
Pat & Susan Shannon William Chardavoyne Patricia Chardavoyne Mother, Nana, and Aunt Marie .......................................................... John Garrigan
My grandparents: Charles & Evelyn Reasor, Sr. and Charles & Mabel Marks, Jr. . Dan Marks
John & Thelma Slater ....................................................................... Niall W. Slater Pat Delbrook Tom & Julie Delbrook Ned Hawbecker ............................................... Sarah Hawbecker & William Fuller Robert & Betty Hamburg and Clinton & Barbara Bastin Lisa & Herb Bastin Emily Payne .......................................................................... Barry & Gail Spurlock
Anna Caldwell, our beloved Mom and Grammy ..................................................... Janet and Tony Preston, Reed and Mary Clara Haury, and Susannah and William Gaskins
Don Eifert, our beloved Dad and Papaw Janet and Tony Preston, Reed and Mary Clara Haury, and Susannah and William Gaskins
Pastor Sims .......................................................................................... Hallie Dillon
Our parents and other loved ones ...................................... Sharon & Paul Hermann My mother, Arlene Herbert Marie Petway Loving memory of Marie Hall.................................................. David L. Hall, M.D. Paul Herbert, Jon Petway, Betty Ginn, Terry Miller, and Carole Johnson ............................................................................................................ Marie Petway
Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Honor of: Given by:
Redeemer’s Altar Guild ............................................................... Cathy & Steve Vogel
Our parents: David and Ida Coopersmith, Bob and Hazel Boyd.............................. Bob and Elizabeth Boyd
Suzanne Sims ..................................................................................... Diana Hodnett
Liz Bair Diana Hodnett
My family who are friends and my friends who are family ............ William Bolick Darrel & Mary Peterson and Ruth Daley .. Derek, Jenny, Fiona, and Lars Peterson
My children and grandchildren Liz Bair
Dan, Henry, and Shirley Marks ............................................................... John Garrigan
My parents, Henry & Shirley Marks Dan Marks Our mothers: Liz Bair and Jeanette Currie; our siblings and our children .................... Buffy & Bob Currie
Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren ............................Anne & Pete Burr Special Musicians ................................................................................ Colin Cooperider Our family ................................................................................... Tom & Julie Delbrook Steve Bell ...........................................................................................Mike & Carol Bell
Our family and friends Kevin & Nikki Chunn With gratitude for all of our family, especially Violet .................................................... Dr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Westbrook Suzanne Sims ......................................................................................... Scottie Dye
Our daughter, Caroline Bridgers .................................Suzanne & Charles Bridgers Our parents: Sandy & Caroline Bridgers and Barbara Leven .....................................................................................Suzanne & Charles Bridgers
“The Grands”: Bob, Lillie, and Bo Gayle The music ministry .............................................................................. Pat Cornwell Peg, Amy, and Linda – gratefully Jeanne P. Merritt Nicholas, Wesley, Greg, James, Emery, Colin, Lydia, and Elyse ............................ ...............................................................................................
Pat & Susan Shannon
In honor of Emily and Grace with love Mimi & Papa Florence Jane, John and Beverly Nienhiser.................................. Carol McCloskey Our family Cheryl, Caroline and Lindsey Iverson Staff and Ministers of Redeemer ............................................ Ann & Rob Blatecky Heather, John, and Max Susan To the glory of God ........................................................................ Jacquelyne Carr
Thank you for joining us in service today. If you would like additional information about Redeemer’s exciting programs please visit www.Redeemer.org or call a member of the redeemer staff, as listed below.
We look forward to hearing from you.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 404-874-8664 731 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.redeemer.org Emergency Line: 404.874.9759
The Rev. Mark H. Larson .......................................................................... Senior Pastor, ext. 201
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Bonner ................................ Pastor for Community Engagement, ext. 203
The Rev. Jonathan Trapp Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233
The Rev. Jenny McLellan............................................. Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224