25 Dec BULLETIN – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022 – CHRISTMAS DAY
WELCOME TO MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
3 Church Street, Halifax, Pa. 17032
Phone 362-4597
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Greta Wright, Music Director
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Christmas Day
GREETING AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD
The Lighting of the Christ Child Candle
Incarnate God, on this Christmas Day we give you thanks for sending your Son to us to bring light to our darkness. Grant that we, like the angels over Bethlehem, may sing your praises in our hearts and lives. In the Christ child, God has given us light and life.
Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may receive your Son with joy. Amen.
Light Christ child candle
The Responsive Reading
Who are these angels who come to earth,
bearing the news of the Christ child’s birth?
Who are these shepherds who run to see,
and worship the babe on bended knee?
Who is this man, who watches and waits,
and trust in God for humanity’s sake?
Who is this virgin, so pale and fair,
whose hands are gently clasped in prayer?
Who is this child, so small, and slight,
of whom the angels sang that night?
Who is this king, a manger his throne,
who humbles himself to make us his own?
Who is this God who sends his Son
into the world, the promised one?
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. Silence is kept for reflection.
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.
ENTRANCE HYMN Angels We Have Heard on High #71
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
KYRIE and HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-58
This Is the Feast… Page 60
PRAYER OF THE DAY
All-powerful God, a holy day has dawned upon us through the coming of your Son, a light which brightens every dark and weary heart. Fill not only our hearts but our lives with your presence and peace. Help us proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ by loving in new ways through the power of our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Alleluia and Amen.
FIRST READING ISAIAH 62:6-12
Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted sentinels; all day and all night they shall never be silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it renowned throughout the earth. The Lord has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: I will not again give your grain to be food for your enemies, and foreigners shall not drink the wine for which you have labored; but those who garner it shall eat it and praise the Lord, and those who gather it shall drink it in my holy courts. Go through, go through the gates, prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, lift up an ensign over the peoples. The Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, “See, your salvation comes; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” They shall be called, “The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord“; and you shall be called, “Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.”
PSALM 97
The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness surround the Lord, righteousness and justice are the foundations of God’s throne.
Fire goes before the Lord, burning up enemies on every side.
Lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens declare your righteousness, O Lord, and all the peoples see your glory. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart.
Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in false gods! before the Lord, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord.
For you are the Lord, most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
You who love the Lord, hate evil! God guards the lives of the saints and rescues them from the hand of the wicked. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart.
Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks to God’s holy name. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the honest of heart.
SECOND READING TITUS 3:4-7
When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth. Alleluia.
GOSPEL LUKE 2:[1-7] 8-20
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.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY Away in the Manger #67
PROFESSION of FAITH/NICENE CREED Page 64
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
With wonder and thanksgiving for Christ coming into the world, we pray for the church, life on earth, the wholeness and holiness of every human family. A brief silence.
The church in every land makes a joyful noise to herald your coming, O God. We give thanks for poets, musicians, and hymn writers who give voice to our praise, for all who lead and participate in church worship. God of grace, hear our prayer.
This day dawns with new hope for all living things, and from ocean depths to mountain peaks the earth rejoices. Inspire in us an urgent zeal to protect the planet and renew its resources. Give us long range vision regarding how to ethically source and responsibly use all fuel and energy. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Bring heavenly peace to this world and an end to conflict that incites violence, the use of weapons, bodily or psychic harm. Raise up leaders in every nation who will honor human rights and establish equal justice for all people. Give courage to all who speak out, advocate, or fight for the powerless. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Guard the lives of any in danger, especially the vulnerable and those who work to protect others. Lead any who are in desperate circumstances to sanctuary, help, and safety. Grant rest to the weary and soothe those who are troubled (especially those on our prayer list). God of grace, hear our prayer.
Bless all who gather to worship on this holy day and also bless those who have chosen not to or simply cannot. Bless whoever’s working today. Be present at every table, whether it’s a table for one or one holding many guests. Give everyone a gift; help each remember some-thing good to celebrate. Watch over those who travel. Sustain charities, ministries, social agencies, food pantries, state and local governments that organize food, goods and resources to help people in need. God of grace, hear our prayer.
In every baby, but most certainly in Jesus, we behold your glory, experience the blessings of life and revel in your loving truth. We give thanks for child born in every generation knowing that each one reflects some light of Christ’s. May our time on earth be one of shining your light forward and further extending your grace. God of grace, hear our prayer.
You constantly remind us that anyone in need or overlooked is sought out by you and never forsaken. Send more angels from heaven to earth. Inspire people from both ends of the social spectrum again and again so they meet at a common place where you wait to greet them. May busyness never interfere with pondering the mystery of eternal love, flesh born of the Holy Spirit, your son in whose name we pray. Amen.
PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERING PRAYER
God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offer-ed. 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.
INVITATION to COMMUNNION
Glory to God in the highest! Come to the table of peace.
LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION Pages 68-72
THE LORD’S PRAYER
POST COMMUNION CANTICLE Pages 72-73
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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. Amen.
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.
CLOSING HYMN Good Christian Friends, Rejoice #55
DISMISSAL
Christ the Savior is born!
Go in peace. Proclaim this good news.
Thanks be to God.
Altar flowers at St Peter have been presented by Glenn and Gloria Yeager in memory of all loved ones
Altar flowers at Messiah have been presented by Sandy and Mike Oxendine in memory of loved ones.
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission. Prayers adapted from Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2019, Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. Psalm readings from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright © 1978. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual Subscription #SB160715 Other quotations from Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, National Council of Churches in Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.