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    Dec 24, 2020

    Do Not Be Afraid

    Do Not Be Afraid

    Passage: Luke 2:1-20

    Speaker: Rev. Jennifer Eschliman, Pastor

    Category: Christmas Eve

    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. (Luke 2:10-11)
    Christmas Eve
    December 24, 2020 7:00 pm                                   
     
    Click here to watch the service
     
    Pre-Service Music: Of the Father’s Love Begotten
    ~Wilbur Held
         
    Prelude: Sweet Little Jesus Boy                               
    Kathrin Thawley, soloist
     
    Welcome                   
                                                                     
    Call to Worship                                                              
    On this night, more than two thousand years ago,
    the sky rang out with the sound of angels announcing the birth of a Savior: 
    “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those whom He favors!” 
    People of God, may our worship this night echo the angels’ message:
    Glory to God in the highest!
    And hope to every discouraged heart.
    Glory to God in the highest!
    And peace to every conflicted soul.
    Glory to God in the highest!
    And joy to every downcast spirit.
    Glory to God in the highest!
    And unfailing love to all people on earth.
    People of God, come let us worship; come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
     
    Opening Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful
     
    Verse 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;
    O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
    Verse 2
    True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
    Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb; Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
    O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
    Verse 3
    Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
    Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
    O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
     
    Opening Prayer                                                             
    God of glory, Your splendor shines from a manger in Bethlehem into the darkness of human night. Draw us, with the shepherds and wise men, into the light of Christ’s presence. May our visit to His manger renew our hope, dispel our fear and fill us with joy. Then, send us on our way with lives that resound with His praise. We ask this in the precious name of Christ, our Savior and our King. Amen.
     
    Carol: Joy to the World
     
    Verse 1
    Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
    Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,
    And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
    And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
    Verse 2
    Joy to the world 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
    Verse 3
    No more let sins and sorrows 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.
    Verse 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.
     
    Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
     
    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.
     
    Anthem: Tiny Babe of Bethlehem
    Kelly Rardon, soloist
     
    Gospel Reading: Luke 2:1-20             
     
    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.
     
    Leader: This is the Word of God.
    All: Thanks be to God.
     
    Message: Do Not Be Afraid
    Pastor Jen Eschliman
     
    Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts to God
                                                     
    Offertory: Shepherd’s Song
    Christine Martin, Cindy Eigel
     
    Lighting the Christ Candle
    Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
     
    Lord Jesus Christ, You are the brightest revelation of God’s love. May Your light be kindled anew in us, so that we might become beacons of Your unfailing love in a dark and weary world. Amen.
     
    Celebrating the Light of Christ: Silent Night
           
    Verse 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.
    Verse 2
    Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight;
    Glories stream from heaven afar; heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
    Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
    Verse 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.
    Verse 4
    Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
    With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King;
    Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
     
    Benediction
     
    Postlude: The First Noel
     ~Mary McDonald
     
    Accompanists: Adam O’Dell, Ross Merryman
    Liturgists: Adam O'Dell, Darlene & Phil Gobrecht
     
    Song Credits:
    Prelude: Sweet Little Jesus Boy                               
    Robert MacGimsey | © 1934 Carl Fischer Music. Used by permission. One License #401088-M
    Opening Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful
    John F. Wade | Frederick Oakeley | Words & Music: Public Domain. CCLI License # 1011499
    Carol: Joy to the World
    George Frideric Handel | Isaac Watts | Words & Music: Public Domain. CCLI License # 1011499
    Anthem: Tiny Babe of Bethlehem
    Rick Vale | arr. Jay Rouse
    Offertory: Shepherd’s Song
    arr. Cynthia Dobrinski | Used by permission. One License #401088-M
    Celebrating the Light of Christ: Silent Night
    Franz Gruber | Joseph Mohr | trans. John F. Young | Words & Music: Public Domain. CCLI License # 1011499