https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHK-LLkbWMk

The Prince of Peace is born into a King sized Manger!

CHRISTMAS EVE – December 24, 2024

ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS

700 Main St.  P.O. Box 220   Clyman, WI  53016  

Rev. Daniel L. Bohn & Church 1(920) 341-2025

Worship Times: Sundays – 8:30am & Wednesdays – 7:00pm

To View Past Services & Other Information: Website – zionclyman.org or Facebook – zionclyman

Watch Live on Sunday @ 8:30am: YouTube – zionclyman

Music –  Dee Dee Wille

Guests.  Welcome to Zion.  We are happy to have you worship with us.  Please sign our guestbook located in the Narthex.

AS WE GATHER  We long for peace in this world but fail to obtain it.  Peace comes only through the gift of God, our Savior, Jesus Christ, come into the flesh for us at Christmas.  Christ alone offers us true and lasting peace in what He did for us in His life, death and resurrection.  Therefore, Jesus is given the title, Prince of Peace.  He rules over creation and gives us peace with God, our heavenly Father and creator.

Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

 Hymn**vs1-5**  “O Come O Come Emmanuel” LSB 357

 Invocation

Confession and Absolution – In the silence of this special night, let us prepare our hearts to receive the Savior born for us by confessing our sin and hearing the forgiveness the Babe of Bethlehem has made possible for us by becoming one of us as promised by the Prophets, and proclaimed by the angels to shepherds as they watched their flocks by night.

All: Holy and gracious God, I confess that I have sinned against You.  Some of my sin I know—the thoughts, words, and deeds of which I am ashamed—but some of my sin is known only to You.  I repent of all my sin, as my unrepentant sin is what stops Your Son, my Savior, from entering my heart, cleansing my soul, and giving me life.  In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord born in Bethlehem, I ask for Your mercy and forgiveness.  Heavenly Father, through Your Son cleanse and restore me that I may rest in peace. 

In the silence of this night, by the mercy of God which comes to us through His Son born in Bethlehem, you are forgiven and redeemed in the one the shepherds went in haste to find and worship.  In the name of Jesus Christ, I announce His forgiveness to you.  Your sins are forgiven.  I do this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  Our hearts and souls rest in His peace and are filled with His joy.  Amen

Micah 5:2-5   In the Little Town of Bethlehem, a King would be born.

Luke 2:1-7   The Journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem

Hymn  “O Little Town of Bethlehem”       LSB 361

The Christ Candle is lit

Choir  “Canon of Praise”     Johann Pachelbel

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 and Psalm 96

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.  Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.  Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come into His courts.  Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.  Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”  Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.  Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.  Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for He comes, He comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.

Luke 2:8-14  Our Lord’s Birth is proclaimed to lowly Shepherds

Choir  “Come to My Heart, Lord Jesus”    Emily Elliot and Timothy Matthews

Luke 2:15-20 The shepherds worship the King and share the news His birth!

Apostles’ Creed – I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 Hymn “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”      LSB 380

Sermon

Prayers of the Church

We gather our Tithes and Offerings

Our Christmas Candle Light Service

As each individual candle is lit in the darkness, the progression of light through the Sanctuary, symbolizes how the light of the world, Jesus Christ and His message of life spread to the entire world.  One person to another, to YOU, and into your heart.  We are now called to be the light of Christ in our world, spreading the same message of forgiveness, light and life in all that we do, to all people.  One heart to another.  Remain seated until Pastor stands the entire congregation to sing, “Silent Night!”

“Silent Night!”

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.

 Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! Alles Schlaeft, einsam wacht.  Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar Holder knabe im lockigen Haar Schlaf in Himmlischen Ruh.  Schlaf in immlischen Ruh.

 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 Thy Holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Lord’s Prayer – ***Spoken softly***     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.

Once the church lights are turned on, please GENTLY blow out your individual candles.

Closing Prayer – Heavenly Father, on a quiet night, in a lowly manger, Your wondrous gift was given to the world.  You gave Your Son as a baby who was held in the arms of a mother and father.  In His love for us, He would go the way of the cross so our sins could be forgiven, our lives filled with an eternal hope, and we could live in heaven with You forever.  With the Babe of Bethlehem as our Lord of life, grant us a quiet night, peace in our lives, and the excitement of the shepherds to rejoice and share the news of Jesus Christ who was born, for all people!  We pray this in the name of the one born for us, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Benediction

Hymn:  “Joy to the World”     LSB 387

Theresa and I would like to thank everyone for their cards, gifts and Christmas blessings.  May God continue to bless all of you through His Son, sent for you and all people, Jesus, our Lord, our Savior Immanuel, the Prince of Peace.

You are invited to join your brothers and sisters at our Christmas Day service tomorrow morning at 8:30am.

Please mark your calendars:   There are no worship services on New Years Eve, Dec. 31^st,  or on Wednesday, January 1^st, New Years Day.

The small Christmas tree on the steps leading to the altar is in memory of Allen Kohlhoff from Mary Jo Kohlhoff and Family.

The flowers on the altar were given in loving memory of Nancy Kohlhoff by Ralph Kohlhoff and Wendy Sampson.