12242010

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church † Bingen

11555 N. US Highway 27

Decatur, IN 46733

Website: www.stjohnbingen.com

Worship: 8:00 am & 10:30 am / Wednesday 6:30 pm

Phone: 260-639-6178 churchoffice@stjohnbingen.com

_____________________

The Reverend John Dreyer, Pastor pastor@stjohnbingen.com

Study: 260-639-6585 cell: 260-301-2131

The Reverend Peter Brock, Pastor pastorbrock@stjohnbingen.com

cell: 260-301-1640

Emergency Pastoral Line (rings both Pastors) 260-301-2118

_____________________

WELCOME TO WORSHIP at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church! We are glad that you have come to the Lord's house today to be fed and strengthened by God's holy Word. The Order of Service for tonight is printed in this worship folder. Guests, we extend a special welcome to you this evening and pray that your hearing of God's Word may be a blessing to your life and salvation. If you are visiting with us, please include your name and address in our guest book located in the entry of the church. We are privileged to have you as our guest today and encourage you to worship with us again soon.

OUR NURSERY AND RESTROOMS are located through the south doors (on the left as you leave the sanctuary) and to your left. The service can be heard and seen in the nursery through a live, closed-circuit television broadcast.

ASSISTED HEARING DEVICES are available for your use during the service. Please ask a Deacon to assist you if you would like to make use of one.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church + Bingen

Christmas Eve Candlelight

December 24, 2010 + 11pm

We welcome you to our Candlelight Service at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Bingen! What a blessing it is to gather together late on this holy night to celebrate the Savior who has been born for us. As we gather on this night of mystery and joy, we pray that the peace of Christ will fill your heart and soul.

Guests, we extend a special welcome to you this night, and we pray that your worship with us will truly be a blessing to you. As part of our service, we will be celebrating Holy Communion. We invite and encourage all communicant members of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to commune with us this evening. If you have any questions about our Communion teaching or practice, please speak with one of our pastors.

Pre-service Music

Prelude Choir - " O Child Divine "

Service of the Word

The Processional Hymn Angels from the Realms of Glory LSB 367

Please stand and turn to face the Processional Cross as it enters the Church.

1. Angels from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story,

Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Refrain:

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: Refrain

3. Sages, leave your contemplations,

Brighter visions beam afar;

Seek the great Desire of nations;

Ye have seen His natal star: Refrain

4. Saints before the altar bending,

Watching long in hope and fear,

Suddenly the Lord, descending,

In His Temple shall appear: Refrain

5. All creation, join in praising

God the Father, Spirit, Son,

Evermore your voices raising

To the eternal Three in One. Refrain

The Invocation

P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

           C:      Amen.

The Introit                                                                                 Psalm 96; Antiphon: Liturgical Text
           P:         When all was still, and it was midnight, Your almighty Word, O Lord,                                descended from the royal throne.

C: Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!

P: Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day.

C: Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!

P: For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

C: Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

P: Let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

P: When all was still, and it was midnight, Your almighty Word, O Lord, descended from the royal throne.

The Hymn of Praise

Having omitted the Hymn of Praise during Advent according to ancient church tradition, we now join with the angels in their Hymn of Praise to the newborn Savior.

(tune: "Hark the Herald, Angels Sing")

The Salutation and Collect for the Day

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And with thy spirit.

P: Let us pray. O God, You make this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light. Grant that as we have known the mysteries of that Light on earth we may also come to the fullness of His joys in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen

Sit

Choir “Cradle Hymn”

The Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the trampling warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

The Hymn Response O Little Town of Bethlehem LSB 361

The Epistle Reading 1 John 4:7-16

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

The Hymn Response O Little Town of Bethlehem LSB 361

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life + of the world to come. Amen.

Sit

The Sermon Hymn It Came Upon the Midnight Clear LSB 366

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, goodwill

towards men,

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.

3. All you, beneath your heavy load,

By care and guilt bent low,

Who toil along a dreary way

With painful steps and slow:

Look up, for golden is the hour,

Come swiftly on the wing,

The Prince was born to bring you peace;

Of Him the angels sing.

4. For lo, the days have come to pass

By prophets seen of old,

When down into the circling years

Came Christ as was foretold.

His word of peace shall to the earth

God's ancient promise bring,

And all who take this gift will hear

The song the angels sing.

The Sermon "In This Is Love" Matthew 1:18-25

(Sermon Outline on page 14)

Stand

The Christmas Prayers

P: Rejoicing in the splendor and majesty, the strength and beauty of Immanuel, God-With-Us, let us pray for the church, all creation, and all who yearn for salvation.

P: For the leaders of the Church throughout the world, for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, for Synodical President Matthew Harrison, and District President Daniel May, that they boldly and fearlessly lead the church in declaring that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. We pray,

C: hear us, Wonderful Counselor.

P: For all pastors, teachers, church workers, and for all people, that abiding in the love that the Father has lavished upon us in Jesus, we may offer ourselves freely in loving service to our neighbor. We pray,

C: hear us, Mighty God.

P: For the leaders of nations and for all of our elected leaders, that their governing may reflect the peace, justice, and righteousness of the child born Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. We pray,

C: hear us, Everlasting Father.

P: For all who serve in our armed forces and are far away from home during this festive season, especially for ___________; for our enemies, and for all victims of violence and war, that their lives may be touched by the Prince of Peace. We pray,

C: hear us, Prince of Peace.

P: For those who are sick, hospitalized, or suffering in any way, especially for ___________, that the abiding love of Jesus may be their comfort and health. We pray,

C: hear us, Wonderful Counselor.

P: For all who travel during this Christmas season, that they may arrive safely at their destinations and be brought at last to their heavenly home, we pray,

C: hear us, Mighty God.

P: In remembrance of those who have lived and died abiding in the splendor and glory, the love and peace of Immanuel, God-With-Us, that we too, may rejoice with them in the arms of our Everlasting Father, we pray,

C: hear us, Everlasting Father.

P: For those for whom this time of year brings depression, sadness, and grief, that in the midst of their deep darkness, the ever-shining light of Christ may renew their joy and gladness. We pray,

C: hear us, Prince of Peace.

P: Exulting in the birth of our Savior, abiding in His love, and looking forward to his coming again, we entrust all for whom we pray to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

Sit

The Offering (Hand-bell Choir) "Gentle Mary"

Service of the Sacrament

Stand

The Preface

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And with thy spirit

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them up unto the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.

C: It is meet and right so to do.

The Proper Preface for Christmas

Sanctus

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

heav'n and earth are full of Thy glory.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He, blessed is He,

blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

The Lord's Prayer

P: 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.

C: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Words of our Lord (Words of Institution)

P: Our Lord Jesus Christ...

Pax Domini (The Peace of the Lord)

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: Amen

Agnus Dei

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world,

have mercy upon us.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world,

have mercy upon us.

O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world,

grant us Thy peace.

A-men.

Sit

The Distribution

Holy Communion is offered by continuous distribution this evening. The deacons will dismiss by pew, and the line for Holy Communion forms up the center aisle. Please approach the altar rail

and kneel (or remain standing as you find comfort) as the communicants in front of you return to their pew. The pastors will distribute the Lord's true body and blood continuously as communicants arrive at the altar rail. Once you have received both the host and the cup, you may return to your pew. The dismissal blessing will be spoken to the whole congregation following the distribution.

Angels We Have Heard on High LSB 368

1. Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

2. Oh come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

Who ord'rest all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain

3. Oh come, oh come, our Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height

In ancient times didst give the Law,

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Refrain

4. Oh come, Thou Branch of Jesse's tree,

Free them from Satan's tyranny

That trust Your mighty pow'r to save;

And give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

Refrain

5. Oh, come, O Key of David, come,

And open wide our heav'nly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Refrain

6. Oh come, Thou Dayspring from on high,

And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain

7. Oh come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,

And be Thyself our King of Peace. Refrain

1. Once in royal David's city

Stood a lowly cattle shed,

Where a mother laid her baby

In a manger for His bed;

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ her little child.

2. He came down to earth from heaven

Who is God and Lord of all,

And His shelter was a stable,

And His cradle was a stall;

With the poor and mean and lowly

Lived on earth our Savior holy.

3. For He is our childhood's pattern,

Day by day like us He grew;

He was little, weak, and helpless,

Tears and smiles like us He knew;

And He feels for all our sadness,

And He shares in all our gladness.

4. And our eyes at last shall see Him

Through His own redeeming love,

For that child so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heav'n above,

As He leads His children on

To the place where He is gone.

5. Not in that poor lowly stable

With the oxen standing by

Shall we see Him, but in heaven,

Set at God's right hand on high.

Then like stars His children, crowned,

All in white, His praise will sound!

(Congregation - German Verse)

1. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
      Alles schläft, einsam wacht
      Nur das heilige Elternpaar,
      Das im Stalle zu Bethlehem war,
      Bei dem himmlischen Kind,
      Bei dem himmlischen Kind.

(Congregation)

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.

(Choir sings)

2. Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight;

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heav'nly hosts sing, Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior, is bom!

(Congregation)

3. Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

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 heav'n and nature sing.

2. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ,

While fields and floods, rocks, hills,

and plains,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

3. No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessing flow

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, wonders of His love.

The crucifer, pastors and choir recess during the final stanza. The congregation is invited to greet one another saying, "Christ is born!" and "Joy to the World!" as they exit the church.

A special "Thank You" to the instrumentalists (Bethany Emenhiser and Christina Stockman) and choir members who have shared their talents with us during this Blessed Christmas time.

In this is love, not that you have loved God, but that God sent His Son into a world of death, that we might live.

III. Because of Matthew's story, we can, with Luke and the angels, celebrate Christmas with heaven.

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the first chapter.