St. Barnabas Lutheran Church 15600 Old Rockford Road

Plymouth, MN 55446

Website: www.stbarnabaslutheran.org

This bullen provides the full worship service which you can use with the online video file. Whether you

read the service silently and hear the hymns in your head, or you watch and sing out loud with the video,

we hope that these materials assist you in your worship.

Nativity of Our Lord December 24, 2020

Rev. Dr. Jeff Heiderscheit, Pastor Rose Umland, Parish Nurse

Dr. Sue Megrund, Dir. of Children, Youth & Family Ministries

Karl Smith, Lay Minister for Property Julie Hoyme, Parish Assistant

Jeff Whitmill, Director, SB Center for the Arts Mark Rodriguez, Organist

Cheryl Oie, Director, Handbell Choir

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Announcements

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Christ is born; give him Glory: O God, we give you our thanks and praise!

Christ has come down from heaven; receive him! O God, we give you our thanks and praise!

Christ is now on earth; exalt him! O God, we give you our thanks and praise!

Let us dance with delight in the Lord and let our hearts be filled with rejoicing, For eternal salvation has appeared on the earth.

We light this Christ candle on this glorious night. May the light of Christ shine in our lives, and through us, out into the world! Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

Christmas Proclamation

Many ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image; long after the great flood, when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant; twenty-one centuries from the time the promise was given to Abraham and Sarah; thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and Miriam danced in freedom; eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the judges; one thousand years from the anointing of David as king, in fulfillment of the times and years and months and days discerned by the prophets; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome; the forty-second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus; while the whole world enjoyed a span of peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and nine months of growth in the womb of his mother— now in our own times is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, God made flesh.

The grace and peace of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, be with you all. And also with you.

Opening Hymn O Come All Ye Faithful ELW #283 vs.1, 4

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!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: [Refrain]

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Prayer of the Day

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 Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

First 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 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, have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors 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 hosts will do this.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Second Reading Titus 2: 11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading Luke 2:1-20

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. 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

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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.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High ELW #289 1, 3

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.

Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]

Sermon “A Manger Scene Lesson” Pr. Jeff Heiderscheit

Hymn “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” ELW #282 1,2

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 heaven'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.

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Prayers

Gathered with all who seek the Christ child, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

The shepherds sing, “Jesus Christ is born!” Let your church throughout the world proclaim this good news, over the hills and everywhere. Unite the voices of all your faithful people in songs of praise and rejoicing. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Heaven and nature sing, “Joy to the world!” Give respite to flocks, fields, and those who tend them. Come near to us in the beauty of nighttime, the shining of the stars, and the hush of a world at rest. May our wonder at your creation rouse our care for all the earth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

The angels sing, “Peace on earth!” Come quickly to still the strife of this world. Hush the noise of war and violence in places of unrest. Inspire leaders of nations to seek lasting peace and sustainable provision for all in their care. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Mary sings melodies of comfort to her newborn child. Bring rest and reassurance to those facing struggles this night. Shelter travelers and those without homes. Console those who lie awake due to pain or anxiety. Heal those who are sick or hurting. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Love sings through the sound of a new baby’s cry. Bless new parents and expectant parents. Comfort those who long for children, especially those running out of hope or options. Surround families of every shape and size with your love and care. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. The heavenly chorus sings, “Glory to God in the highest!” We give you thanks for all the saints who have proclaimed your glory in word and deed. Let us join them this night in joyful praise around your eternal throne. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of mercy, come quickly to us with grace upon grace as we lift these and all our prayers to you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Offering

Choir “O Magnum Mysterium” M. Lauridsen

Offertory Prayer

Let us pray. Merciful God, it would have been enough for you to give us the fruit of the earth by which we live. But in this meal, by your promise, you also give us your self. Use what we have gathered here in feeding the hungry world with your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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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 God thanks and praise.

O Loving God, we are filled with thanks for all the good things your hand provides, for the gifts of warmth and joy and child-like delight. Your Son, whose birth among us we celebrate tonight, is our chief cause for joy, for in him we have seen you, and have learned the value you place upon us.

It is not only his birth which we hold in memory tonight, but all which he bid us remember on the night before his death. It was then, at supper with his disciples, that he took bread and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his 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.”

So we remember his birth, his death, his resurrection, and his rule over all things. Especially we remember his presence with us tonight, and his promise in this meal of things to come. Send your Holy Spirit upon all your people who celebrate this night, where ever they may be scattered, that Christ may be born anew in them and in us. Send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and this wine that, as ancient shepherds finding Christ in a manger, we may recognize him in this meal.

Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

Communion Distribution (take all the time you need to serve one another, as you enjoy the special music offering)

Special Music “Lo’ How A Rose is Blooming”

Blessing

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen

Communion Prayer

Let us pray. Emmanuel, God with us, you grace us with life and breath and give us bread for the journey. Send us out in service to this world that you love, telling the amazing news of your coming to be Savior and Lord of all. Amen

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Worship Leaders Today

Jeff Heiderscheit, pastor Mark Rodriguez, piano/organ

Sue Megrund, reader, video producer/editor Todd Megrund, reader, photography

Brenda Anderson Audrey Faust

Liturgy reprinted with permission from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright © 2006, Augsburg Fortress. Alternate worship texts from Sundays & Seasons 2019, copyright © 2018, Augsburg Fortress.

The following are reprinted under OneLicense.Net #A-704149

O Come All Ye Faithful, Text: attr. John Francis Wade, 1711-1786; tr. Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, sts. 1, 3-4; tr. unknown, st. 2

Angels We Have Heard on High, Text: French carol; tr. H. F. Hemy, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Text: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876, Music: Richard S. Willis, 1819-1900.

O Magnum Mysterium, text: Latin Mass, arranged by Morten Lauridsen, 1943

“Lo’ How A Rose is Blooming” Tune: ES IST EIN ROS, Arranger: Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621

Silent Night, Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1849; tr. John F. Young, 1820-1885, Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863

Cover Art

St. Barnabas Advent Wreath and altar. Picture taken by Sue Megrund

Hymn Silent Night ELW #281 Light a Candle as we sing

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.

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!

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.

Benediction and Dismissal

Go in Peace, the Christ Child has come. Merry Christmas