Sunday Dec 24, 2023 - Order of worship at 6 pm - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA USA

CELEBRATION OF OUR LORD’S BIRTH

6:00 pm Worship Lutheran Church of the Redeemer | 731 Peachtree St. NE | Atlanta, Georgia 30308 404.874.8664 | www.redeemer.org

CHRISTMAS EVE, 2023 Nativity of Our Lord PRELUDE

Redeemer Jazz Trio and Guests Jerry Fields, Percussion Eric Hassel, Keyboard Bryan Lopes, Woodwinds Eric Lopes, 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,

3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God… in the highest: Refrain

Refrain O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

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

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

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. Larson

Standing 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 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

Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Trusting in God’s good news of great joy for all people, we offer our prayers for ourselves, our neighbors, and the world God loves.

Glory to you, God, for the song of the angels, proclaiming to the world Christ’s holy birth. Give your church a joyful song to sing, that we bring the good news of peace and salvation to all people. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Glory to you, God, for the stars that shine in the depth of the night. Provoke awe in our hearts at the expansive mystery of the cosmos. Open us to find beauty in the clear darkness of night and in the first glimmers of dawn. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Glory to you, God, for the child born to us who establishes a kingdom of justice and righteousness. Break bonds of oppression, bring reconciliation to warring lands, and establish peace from this time onward and forevermore. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Glory to you, God, for Mary’s loving care. Lead us to tend to one another in time of need. Share the comfort of your presence with all people tonight who are alone or separated from loved ones due to estrangement, incarceration, or illness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Glory to you, God, for the faithfulness of the shepherds in their vocation. Grant rest to any who feel exhausted from their work during this season: retail and restaurant workers, church musicians, administrative staff, and clergy, organizers of charitable-giving events, and service workers doing essential tasks.

Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Glory to you, God, for the multitude of the heavenly host. We rejoice in the zeal of all your saints who have witnessed the appearing of your grace, and who reveal to us your salvation for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Abide with us, O God of mercy, and receive our prayers according to your abundant grace.

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 INVITATION TO COMMUNION Glory to God in the highest! Come to the table of peace.

Seated CAROLS DURING COMMUNION O Little Town of Bethlehem 1. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!

3. How silently, how silently Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The wondrous gift is giv’n!

The silent stars go by; So God imparts to human hearts Yet in thy dark streets shineth The blessings of his heav’n.

The everlasting light.

No ear may hear his coming; The hopes and fears of all the years But, in this world of sin, Are met in thee tonight.

Where meek souls will receive him, Still the dear Christ enters in.

2. For Christ is born of Mary, And, gathered all above 4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend While mortals sleep, the angels to us, we pray; keep Cast out our sin, and enter in, Their watch of wond’ring love.

Be born in us today.

O morning stars, together We hear the Christmas angels Proclaim the holy birth, The great glad tidings tell; And praises sing to God the king, Oh, come to us, abide with us, And peace to all the earth!

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.

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.

Standing BLESSING AND PRAYER 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!

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.

BLESSING 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.

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.

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.

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, if they so desire.

C H R I S T M A S

2 0 2 3

Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Memory of: Given by: Beth .......................................................................................................................... Jim Our parents...................................................................................... Julia & Allen Gary Louise Werner ................................................................................ Julia & Allen Gary Diane Taylor ........................................................................................... Julia & Ursula Bobby Gibeling............................................................................... Julia & Allen Gary Herman & Edna Schultz ........................................... Stephanie, Charissa, and Tiffany John & Irmgard Bishop ........................................................................ Susan Shannon

John & Thelma Slater ............................................................................ Niall W. Slater John Taylor ................................................................................................Darla Taylor Elsie & Martin Monson ........................................................................... Elise Thomas Our father, Rev. Dr. Robert F. Sims............................... His Children & their families Myrtis Carroll ..............................................................................Cathy & Steve Vogel Gilda Jones...................................................................................Cathy & Steve Vogel Bob....................................................................................................................Suzanne Ivar Iverson ............................................................................................. Suzanne Sims Margaret Slocum .................................................................................... Suzanne Sims Max ............................................................................................................. Susan Croft Bob Cupp ............................................................................................. Pam Amy-Cupp Wendell Norvelle and Ann Norvelle......................................................Alisa Norvelle Tom Coonan ...........................................................................................Alisa Norvelle To the glory of God and memory of loved ones ....................... Tracy & Peter Roberts Our parents: Joe & Adell Butterworth and Paul & Jacqueline Hermann ..................... ................................................................................................ Paul & Sharon Hermann Sharon Pike ..........................................................................................Scott Thompson Bob Sims........................................................................................Paul & Sally Rosser Ada Kane ................................................................................................. Edwin Kuehn My grandparents: Mabel & Charles Marks, Jr. and Evelyn & Charles Reasor, Sr. ...................................................................................................................... Dan Marks Mother, Nana, and Aunt Marie .............................................................. John Garrison Our parents and grandparents .......................................................... The Zenoni family Our parents and grandparents .................................................. Amy & Walt Carpenter D.E. & Callie Burr and E. & Blanche Barker and The Rev. Dr. James C. & Sally Barker ............................................................................................... Pete & Anne Burr Michael Thornton ............................................................................................. Beverly Our fathers: John Leven and Sandy Bridgers ................. Suzanne & Charles Bridgers Pastor Ficken ....................................................................................The Chunn family Bob....................................................................................................The Chunn family Grandmother and our Great grandparents ...................... Savannah, Tanner, & Cooper Peyton ...................................................................................................................Gayle Pastor Sims .................................................................................. Jonne & Paul Walter Ivar ............................................................................................................. Jean Iverson Nancy Klotz .............................................................................................. Tim Eastling Our mothers ................................................................................ Don & Cindy Noland Madeline & Herbert Studley and Bertha Studley ......................................Len Studley John Dilg.....................................................................................................Len Studley Bud Besherse and Grandma Anderton ................................................. David Besherse Margaret Slocum and Renate Seybold ...............................................Jeanne P. Merritt Louise ................................................................................................ Danielle Lambert Ned Hawbecker ............................................... Sarah Hawbecker & William Fuller Mimi and Nana ............................................... Addie Beth, Hallie & Patrick Dillon Pastor Sims .......................................................................................... Hallie Dillon Our mother, Elizabeth Ann Bair ...................................... Children & grandchildren Mary Ann and Chastity Julg ....................................................... Mike & Carol Bell Bob Gibeling and Liz Bair.......................................................... Mike & Carol Bell Naomi & Lonnie Alderman ........................................................... Penny Scarpucci Helene .............................................................................................. Tom Bohannon Jim Daley and Evelyn Briggs ............................................ Derek & Jenny Peterson

Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Honor of: Given by: Amy, Peg, and Linda, with gratitude! ................................................Jeanne P. Merritt Our friends and family............................................................... Kevin & Nikki Chunn The “Grands”: Bob, Lillie, and Bo .......................................................................Gayle Pastor Jenny .................................................................................Jonne & Paul Walker Our grandchildren .......................................................................... Lew & Susan Engle Our mothers: Barbara Leven and Caroline Bridgers and our daughter, Caroline ........ .......................................................................................... Suzanne & Charles Bridgers Children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren............................ Pete & Anne Burr My parents: Henry & Shirley Marks ........................................................... Dan Marks Shirley & Henry Marks .......................................................................... John Garrigan Redeemer’s Choirs .................................................................................... Joan Vernor Sally & Paul Rosser ................................................................................... Lauren Gaia Marisa’s birthday ............................................................................... Danielle Lambert Stanley Schubert ..........................................................................Cathy & Steve Vogel The glory of God ................................................................................. Jacquelyne Carr Eda & Art Mathews ................................................................................ Suzanne Sims My children and children...................................................................................... MiMi Peg Wyse ................................................................................................ Suzanne Sims Heather & John ........................................................................................... Susan Croft Suzanne Sims...................................Scottie Sims Dye and Cammie & Randy Tomsic Nick, Wesley, Greg, James, Emery, Colin, Lydia, and Elyse ............. Susan Shannon My mother ................................................................................................ Sheila Brock Ms Rosemary Kolpatski ................................................. Addie Beth and Hallie Dillon Mary & Darrel Person and Ruth Daley .................................. Derek & Jenny Peterson My children, grandchildren, and great grandchild ............................... Tom Bohannon THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 731 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.redeemer.org | 404.874.8664 | Emergency Line: 404.874.9759 The Rev. Mark H. Larson .......................................................................... Senior Pastor, ext. 201 The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Trapp ............................................... Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233 The Rev. Jenny McLellan............................................. Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224 STAFF Kofi Broadnax............................................................................ Property Administrator, ext. 210 Seth Brown....................................................................... Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218 Robin Durdin ................................................................ Office Administration Director, ext. 204 David Hansen ............................................................................... Adult Choral Director, ext. 236 Sarah Hawbecker ............................................... Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206 Deacon Mary Houck......................................... Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227 Jennifer Isaacson ............................................................ Financial Information Director, ext. 237 Kisha Johnson ...................................................................... Interim Preschool Director, ext. 252 Larry Lowe............................................................................................................ Security Officer Hillary Nelson ................................................................ Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org Chase Petersen .............................................................. Organ Scholar, cpetersen@redeemer.org Stacey Williams ...................................................................................................Head of Security