CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP
CHRISTMAS EVE, 2024
Instrumentalists
Aaron Norlund, trumpet
Alexander Freund, trumpet
Erin Cundiff, trombone
Acolytes and Processional
D. Phillip Truex IV, trombone
Todd Mueller, timpani
Jonathan Fuller, cellist
8:00 p.m. Crucifer, Wes Van Hoosear; Acolytes, Colin Van Hoosear and James Van Hoosear
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
PRELUDE
Noël Étranger Louis-Claude Daquin
Chorale prelude on “Vom Himmel hoch” Johann Pachelbel organ
Hear, King of Angels J. S. Bach, arr. Layton James from Christmas Oratorio trumpet and organ
Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace Frederick Frahm Choir and organ
Years in darkness, restless sleep; | starless heavens hopeless keep. | Aching burdens, blinding fears; | haunted slumber all these years.
Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of peace, | break the bonds of night; | brighten every captive heart | with everlasting light.
Whisper truth, now beg me wake; | tell me hope is mine to take. | Tell my heart that morning’s nigh; | grace like rain shall wash the sky.
Word is flesh now, Word is bone. | Daybreak shatters all I’ve known. | Fear and darkness cast away; | fill my soul with endless day.
Barbara David-Pyles
Of the Father’s Love Begotten arr. William Miller
Of the Father's love begotten | ere the worlds began to be, | he is Alpha and Omega, | he the source, the ending he, | of the things that are, that have been, | and that future years shall see, | evermore and evermore!
Oh, that birth forever blessed, | when the Virgin, full of grace, | by the Holy Ghost conceiving, | bore the Savior of our race; | and the babe, the world's redeemer, | first revealed his sacred face, | evermore and evermore!
Let the heights of heav’n adore him; | angel hosts, his praises sing; | pow’rs, dominions, bow before him | and extol our God and King; | let no tongue on earth be silent, | ev’ry voice in concert ring | evermore and evermore.
Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
In the Bleak Midwinter Gustav Holst, arr. Ken Young brass quartet
Ave Maria Franz Schubert cello and organ
O Little Town of Bethlehem Robert A. Hobby trombone and organ
O Holy Night Adolph Adam Choir and organ arr. Shawn Kirchner
Chorale Prelude on “Silent Night” Samuel Barber organ
PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
Standing HYMN 283
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
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
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
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | Amen. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. | Amen.
Kneeling or seated
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God.
Most merciful God, | we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | 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 OF PRAISE
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.
SALUTATION
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
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 8:00 pm CHILDREN’S SERMON
THE READING
John Garrigan, (8:00) and Gayle Morgan (11:00) Lectors
Isaiah 9:2-7
This poem promises deliverance from Assyrian oppression, a hope based on the birth of a royal child with a name full of promise. While Judah's king will practice justice and righteousness, the real basis for faith lies in God's passion for the people: The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
After the reading Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION – Stanza 1
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.
Before the reading
The Holy Gospel according …| Glory to you, O Lord.
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.
After the reading
The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION– Stanza 4
Seated
SERMON
Standing
HYMN 274
On Christmas Night
Pastor Mark H. Larson
1
On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring. On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring: news of great joy, news of great mirth, news of our merciful king's birth.
2 Then why should we on earth be sad, since our redeemer made us glad? Then why should we on earth be sad, since our redeemer made us glad, when from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty?
NICENE CREED
3 When sin departs before his face, then life and health come in its place.
When sin departs before his face, then life and health come in its place.
Angels rejoice with us and sing, all for to see the newborn king.
4 All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night.
All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night:
"Glory to God in highest heav'n; peace on earth, and goodwill. Amen."
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF
INTERCESSION
Wonderful Counselor, increase our joy as the church gathers on this holy night to sing of our dear Savior’s birth. May the story of salvation live in the hearts of all who sing of its wonders. God of grace, | Hear our prayer.
Mighty God, you have broken the yoke of sin’s burden through the birth of your Son. Comfort those whose burdens distract them from the deeper peace of this holy night and grant them a restful mind.
God of peace, | Hear our prayer.
Everlasting Father, uphold all who are in sorrow or need of your divine goodness and mercy. We remember with thanksgiving all who have died and who now rest in your peaceful light.
God of love, | Hear our prayer.
Gracious God, bathe us always in the light of your Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Standing PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you.
Seated WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERING
Please use the QR code or Give link to support the ministries of Redeemer.
ANTHEM Gloria from Mariazeller Messe Joseph Haydn
Sung by the Choir in Latin Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.
Standing OFFERTORY
God of heaven and earth, from the beginning, you have called forth life, in which you take delight. The trees, the fields, and the seas sing for joy. Bless now these gifts, received from your bounty, that we may join the chorus of creation to tell of your salvation from day to day. | Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
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
A child has been born for us, a Son given to us. Come, receive the gift of Jesus.
Seated
INSTRUCTION FOR HOLY COMMUNION
All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are invited to receive Holy Communion.
Please receive individual candles at the side aisles as you return to your pews after communing.
CAROLS DURING COMMUNION
From Heaven Above
"From heav'n above to earth I come to bear good news to ev'ry home! Glad tidings of great joy I bring to all the world, and gladly sing:"
"To you this night is born a child of Mary, chosen virgin mild; this newborn child of lowly birth shall be the joy of all the earth."
"This is the Christ, God's Son most high, who hears your sad and bitter cry, who will himself your Savior be and from all sin will set you free."
"These are the signs that you will see to let you know that it is he:
in manger-bed, in swaddling clothes the child who all the earth upholds."
Now let us all with joyful cheer go with the shepherds and draw near to see this wondrous gift of God, the blessed child to us bestowed.
My heart for very joy now leaps; my voice no longer silence keeps; I too must sing with joyful tongue the sweetest ancient cradle-song:
"Glory to God in highest heav'n, who unto us the Son has giv'n."
With angels sing in pious mirth a glad new year to all the earth!
O Little Town of Bethlehem
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.
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!
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.
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!
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
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.
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.
Standing BLESSING AND PRAYER
And you, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow: look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; oh, rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing!
For lo! The days are hast'ning on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold, when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and all the world give back the song which now the angels sing.
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen
Let us pray. | Merciful God, we thank you for Jesus, who is our heavenly food. Strengthened by this goodness, send us forth to announce your peace, comfort the afflicted, and share the good news of great joy. Amen.
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
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,
BLESSING
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.
The God of love, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, lavish you with grace, illumine your path, and increase your joy, today and always. | Amen.
Please extinguish your candles carefully.
HYMN 270
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!"
SENDING
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
Go in peace. The Word of God dwells in you richly. | Thanks be to God.
Please return your candle to the usher as you leave.
Ding Dong Merrily on High arr. Dana F. Everson brass quartet and organ
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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 4
Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Memory of: Given by:
Betty and Jean Mori .................................................... Sam, Colleen, and Nunn family
Peyton Gayle
Vincent Amy and Bob Cupp ................................ Pam, Sengens & Foster Amy-Cupp
Our Parents and Jeanne Amy & Walt Carpenter
Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Schultz ..................................... Stephanie, Charissa, and Tiffany
Martin and Elsie Monson ...................................................................................Family
Our Parents: Mr. and Mrs. I. S. Roiland and Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Peterson ........................................................................................ Rev. Darrel & Mary Peterson
Bob The Chunn family
Pastor Ficken.................................................................................... The Chunn family
Grandmother and our Great Grandparents ..................... Savannah, Tanner, & Cooper
John Taylor ............................................................................................... Darla Taylor
Our Parents and Grandparents ......................................................... The Zenoni family
Mom and Dad Bob Nichols
John and Thelma Slater ......................................................................... Niall W. Slater
John Dilg Len Studley
Jeanne Merritt ............................................................................................ Len Studley
Jean Lynch ................................................................................................. Len Studley
Madeline, Herbert, and Bertha Studley ..................................................... Len Studley
Our Parents...................................................................................... Allen & Julia Gary
Louise Werner Julia & Allen
DeDe ...................................................................................................... Ursula & Julia
Ada Kane Ed Kuehn
Our fathers, John Leven and Sandy Bridgers .................. Charles & Suzanne Bridgers
Pastor Robert F. Sims ................................................... His children and their families
Louise Lambert and Bill Lepley
Myrtis Carroll..............................................................................
Gilda Jones
Danielle Lambert
Steve & Cathy Vogel
Steve & Cathy Vogel
Our beloved parents ............................................................... Sharon & Paul Hermann
Erna Hauser
Sharon & Paul Hermann
Helene .................................................................................................................... Tom
Our mothers, Treva Poinsett and Belle Noland
Don & Cindy Noland
Jim Daley and Sharon Briggs Davis.......................................Derek & Jenny Peterson
Bob ................................................................................................................... Suzanne
Fond memory of Jeanne Merritt Linda Connelly
Fond memory of Jeanne Merritt .................................................................... Peg Wyse
Our parents Lew & Susan Engle
Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Honor of: Given by:
Sally and Paul Rosser ................................................................................ Lauren Gaia
To the Glory of God..........................................................Natasha Campbell & family
Allen London Esther Connor
Darrel and Mary Peterson and Ruth Daley ............................Derek & Jenny Peterson
“The Grands”: Robert, Lillie, and Bo Gayle
Our family and friends ............................................................... Kevin & Nikki Chunn
Prof. Paula Stephan Amis Paul & Jonne Walter
Gratitude for all our family .......................................... Dr. Joseph & Viola Westbrook
Our daughter, Caroline .................................................... Charles & Suzanne Bridgers
Suzanne Sims Scottie, Cammie and Randy
Marisa Lambert ..................................................................................Danielle Lambert
Our children and grandchildren Suzanne Sims
Choirs of Redeemer ................................................................................ Suzanne Sims
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 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 STAFF
Seth Brown ...................................................... Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218
Brandon Davis ....................................... Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232
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
Larry Lowe .......................................................................................... Security Officer
Nate Humpherys .................................... Youth Director, nhumpherys@redeemer.org
Stacey Williams .................................................................................. Head of Security