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St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School Fort Wayne, Indiana

Christmas Eve Children’s Service

December 24, 2020

Welcome to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and Merry Christmas. The students at St. Paul’s Lutheran

School are at home in the church’s prayer, song, and worship, and tonight’s service exemplifies this. The

service begins with the Service of Light. As the candlelit procession enters the darkened church, we sing

of how Jesus, the Light of the world, entered our sinful world to enlighten His faithful people through His

Word. The series of Scripture readings, songs by the children, and hymns of the congregation tell of our

need for a Savior and the good news of Jesus’ birth.

For the past 145 years Christmas at St. Paul’s has included the singing of the Ungemach Liturgy. Written in

1875 by J.H. Ungemach, a teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, it presents the prophecies of the coming

of Christ in a responsive setting sung by the pastor, school children, and the congregation.

Service of Light (LSB 243) Stand and face the processional cross.

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Canticle Joyous Light of Glory The refrain is sung the first time by the children only, then repeated by all.

We have come to the setting of the sun,

and we look to the evening light. Refrain (all)

We sing to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever. Refrain (all)

O Son of God, O Giver of life: the universe proclaims Your glory. Refrain (all)

Thanksgiving for Light

P We praise and thank You, O God, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, that You have

enlightened us by revealing the Light that never fades. Night has fallen, and day's allotted

span draws to a close. The daylight which You created for our pleasure has fully satisfied us,

and yet, of Your free gift, now the evening lights do not fail us. We praise You and glorify

You through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; through Him be glory, honor, and power to

You in the Holy Spirit now and always and forever and ever.

C Amen.

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Sit

The First Lesson Genesis 3:8–15

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Hymn Let Our Gladness Have No End (LSB 381)

The Second Lesson Isaiah 60:1-6

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

The Ungemach Liturgy J. H. Ungemach

O that our help from Zion came, and the Lord our captivity redeemed!

Arise and shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!

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This is the day which the Lord hath made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it. Hallelujah!

Hosanna to the Son of David! Hallelujah!

Hosanna in the highest. Hallelujah!

For unto us a child is born.

And the Gentiles shall come to Thy light,

and kings to the brightness of Thy rising.

Glory to God in the highest!

And on earth peace, goodwill to all men. Amen.

C

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The Third Lesson Micah 5:2-5a

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem (LSB 361) 361 O Little Town of Bethlehem

The Fourth Lesson Luke 1:26–38

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

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Hymn The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (LSB 356)

The children sing stanza1; The congregation sings stanzas 2-4.

The Fifth Lesson Luke 2:1–7

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Carol The Holly Bears A Berry English Traditional Carol

Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk,

and Mary bore Jesus all wrapped up in silk.

And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Savior for to be,

and the first tree in the green-wood

it was the holly.

Now the holly bears a berry as red as the blood

and Mary bore Jesus to do us all good. Refrain

Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal,

and Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all. Refrain

Stand Hymn Go Tell It on the Mountain (LSB 388)

Sit

The Sixth Lesson Luke 2:8–16

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Hymn Away in a Manger (LSB 365)

The children sing stanzas 1–2. The congregation sings stanza 3.

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Sit

Sermon

Carol O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild

1 O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

For sinners You became a child.

You came from heaven down to earth

In human flesh through human birth.

O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

2 O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

With God we now are reconciled.

You have for all the ransom paid,

Your Father’s righteous anger stayed.

O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

3 O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

Joy fills the world which sin defiled.

Whate’er we have belongs to You;

O keep us faithful, strong, and true.

O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild!

Hymn Silent Night (LSB 363)

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,

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 Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

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Stand

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer P Taught by our Lord and trusting His promises, we are bold to pray:

C 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.

Benedicamus and Benediction P Let us bless the Lord.

C Thanks be to God. P The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the T Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you.

C Amen.

Hymn Joy to the World (LSB 387)

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 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 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 blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

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 of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love

T T T

Your offering will be received at the door as you exit.

This annual Christmas Eve service is being livestreamed on Facebook (St Paul’s EV Lutheran) and

YouTube (St. Paul’s Lutheran, Fort Wayne).

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Participants

Preacher Rev Josemon Hoem

Liturgist Rev. Peter Cage

Music Director Kantor Ann Fritz

Organist Kantor Kevin Hildebrand

St. Paul’s Faculty and Staff

Mr. Andrew Whirrett

Mr. Barry Mezger

Mrs. Michelle Kuehnert

Mrs. Susan Frerking

Mrs. Jovita Nack

Mrs. Ann Fritz

Mrs. Kristin Hoem

Mrs. Madeline Sheafer

Mrs. Megan Koenemann

Mrs. Sue Johnson

Mrs. Megan Keefer

Mrs. Sue German

Mrs. Stephanie Mueller

Mrs. Pam Richards

Mrs. Barb Wietfeldt

Mrs. Renee Marinko

Mrs. Kari Nolan

Kantor Kevin Hildebrand

Rev. Peter Cage

Rev. Josemon Hoem

Mr. Doug Schwartz

Mrs. Kris Hall

Mrs. Krista Hall

Mrs. Julie Trainer

Ms. Naomi Kavouras

Mrs. Stacy King

Mrs. Lilly Lahey

Mrs. Margo Ernst

Mr. Kevan Davis

Mrs. Shelly Schiff

The pastors, faculty and staff of St. Paul’s wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

St. Paul's Lutheran School exists to educate each child in a Christ-centered environment for a life of service to God and.

For more information about St. Paul’s Lutheran School, visit our website at www.school.stpaulsfw.org

Altar and Chancel flowers are given by Susan Balsamo-Furniss and Harmeyer family

in memory of Michael Harmeyer, Peter Balsamo, Jim & Irene Harmeyer.

portions of Evening Prayer from Lutheran Service Book, used by permission: LSB Hymn License.NET no. 10001620.

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St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

1126 South Barr Street Church: (260) 423-2496

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802-3179 School: (260) 424-0049 Website: www.stpaulsfw.org

The Rev. Peter C. Cage, Pastor The Rev. Richard S. Radtke, Pastor Emeritus

The Rev. Josemon Hoem, Pastor The Rev. John H. Hamer, Pastor Emeritus

Mr. Kevin Hildebrand, Kantor The Rev. Richard G. Maassel, Pastor Emeritus

Mrs. Ann Fritz, Associate Kantor The Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, Visitation Pastor

Upcoming Services at St. Paul’s

December 25

Christmas Day Divine Service,

10:00 a.m.

December 31,

New Year’s Eve Divine Service,

7:00 p.m.

St. Paul’s regular service schedule resumes the week of January 3

Sunday Divine Service, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Spoken Service of the Sacrament 12:00 noon

Masks required at this service.

Wednesday Divine Service 6:30 p.m. Masks required at this service.