Christmas Day
December 25, 2014
Moorhead, Minnesota
www.trinitymhd.org
218-236-1333
“Welcoming the community to worship and grow in serving God.”
Order of Service
The congregation is invited to participate at the places marked with bold type.
Prelude
“In Dulci Jubilo” -Dupré
Andrew Steinberg, Organ
Confession & Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Word made flesh, the Lord and giver of life.
Amen.
Let us come into the light of Christ, confessing our need for God’s mercy.
God of peace,
we confess that we are not at peace—with others or with ourselves. We bring to you all that tears us apart: discord in our families, violence in our world, our own conflicted hearts. In your mercy, mend us. Reconnect us to one another and to you. Let peace reign over all the earth, through the Prince of peace, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the Word who has come to dwell with us, God has given us grace upon grace: forgiveness that is stronger than our sins, love that can heal every broken heart. Hear this word of God’s pardon and peace: in the name of Jesus our Savior, you are free from all
your sins. Rise, shine, for your light has come.
Amen.
Proclamation
O come, blest Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by your advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.
Those who have dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has the light shined.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of all people.
For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
We have beheld Christ’s glory, full of grace and truth.
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Carol “O Come All Ye Faithful”
#283 vs. 1-3
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… Christ the Lord!
The highest, most holy, light of light eternal, born of a virgin, a mortal he comes;
Son of the Father now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him… Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God in the highest; O come, let us adore him… Christ the Lord!
Prayer of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray together,
Almighty God, you have filled the whole earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading
Jeremiah 31:7-14
7 For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of
the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.”
8 See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. 9 With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. 10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.”
11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. 13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry.
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I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. 14 I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 98
Cantor sings refrain, Congregation sings refrain
Cantor sings verses, Congregation sings refrains
Verses:
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.
His right hand has won vict’ry for him, his holy arm.
The Lord has made his salvation known, his justice revealed to the nations,
Remembering kindness and faithfulness t’ward Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing joyfully to the Lord all you lands, break into song, sing praise.
Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song,
With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully to our king.
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Second Reading
Ephesians 1:3-14
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in
the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up
all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also,
when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.
John 1:1-18
The holy gospel according to John, the first chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and with out him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 5
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of
God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out,
"This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed
was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Pastor Simon Fensom
Offering Carol
“The Bells of Christmas”
#298 vs. 1-4
The bells of Christmas chime once more; the heav’nly guest is at the door.
He comes to earthly dwellings still with new year gifts of peace, good will.
This world, though wide and far outspread, could scarcely find for you a bed.
Your cradle was a manger stall, no pearl nor silk nor kingly hall.
Now let us go with quiet mind, the swaddled babe with shepherds find,
To gaze on him who gladdens them, the loveliest flow’r of Jesse’s stem.
Oh, join with me, in gladness sing, to keep our Christmas with our king,
Until our song, from loving souls, like rushing mighty water rolls!
Prayers of the Church
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
For the increase of peace among nations, let us pray;
Christ the Lord, bring peace on earth.
For the spread of the joyful news that the Savior has come, let us pray;
Christ the Lord, bring joy to the world.
For the renewal of the whole church in unity, let us pray;
Christ the Lord, bring renewal to your church.
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For the poor and those who find no room, let us pray;
Christ the Lord, bring help to those in need.
For those without hope, for the sick and suffering, for those who grieve, and for those to whom death draws near, let us pray;
Christ the Lord, bring hope and healing.
For the light of Christmas to shine on us all, let us pray;
Christ the Lord, bring us the light of your truth.
Rejoicing in your birth O Lord, and trusting in your mercy, we commend all for whom we pray in and through your holy name.
Amen.
Exchange of Peace
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
In this season of colds and flu, please feel free to share the peace, but not the germs by “rubbing elbows” instead of shaking hands.
Offertory
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high, the virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!
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 our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right an salutary...join their unending hymn:
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Sanctus
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all you nations rise; join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic hosts proclaim. “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new born king!”
Words of Institution
On the night in which he was betrayed...
Lord’s Prayer
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.
Communion Distribution
All are welcome at the table of the Lord. Those not communing may come forward for a blessing. If you prefer to receive communion at your seat, please inform an usher.
Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available.
Communion Music
“Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”
#288
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heavn’s door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
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Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
“Away in a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care
And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
“Once in Royal David’s City”
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.
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 meek and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.
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;
And he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by,
We shall see him; but in heaven, set at God’s right hand on high;
There his children gather round, bright like stars, with glory crowned.
#277
#269
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Blessing
Benediction
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
Amen.
Carol
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”
#290
Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Down in a lonely manger the humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
Postlude “In Dulci Jubilo” -Bach
Organ
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Worship Notes
Welcome to worship at Trinity Lutheran Church. We are delighted that you have joined us
this evening and invite you to fill out the pink slip on the front of this Order of Service and take
a moment to introduce yourself to us. Please place completed slips in the offering baskets or
hand them to an usher. Again, welcome to worship!
Electronic Devices: Please check to assure your electronic devices are turned off or set to
vibrate. Your cooperation is sincerely appreciated.
If you have a prayer request, contact the office or use the back side of the pink slip.The
request will appear in the bulletin and on the prayer chain unless otherwise requested. We must
have permission before printing names. Requests will be shared for three weeks unless otherwise
directed.
Hearing aids are available. Please ask an usher.
Prayer List: Selma Hermanson, Zachary White, Jack Evavold, Ruth Siegle, David Kennedy,
Jeffrey Gellner, Ethan Mjolsness, Ryan Hanson, Ben Stein, Darlene Hallstrom,
Robert Jacobson, Gordon Shafer, Vince Gregor, Krista Kern.
Pastor: Simon Fensom
Organist: Andrew Steinberg
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Announcements
Worship with us this Sunday, Dec. 28 at 8:30
a.m. in the Sanctuary and 10:30 a.m. in the
Christian Life Center.
Poinsettias - Trinity expresses appreciation to
everyone who purchased poinsettias in honor
of loved ones. The poinsettias are decorating
the Sanctuary tonight.
Farewell celebration for Pastor Lew Clefisch in
honor of his retirement this Sunday, Dec. 28 at
9:35 a.m. in the CLC.
Sunday school will resume on January 11.
Wednesday evening activities, choirs and dinner will resume January 7. Check the calendar
at www.trinitymhd.org for more details.
Thank you to all who have supported our ministry this past year with your time, talents and
financial contributions. Your support is vital to
our mission. Please note: if you are planning
to make an end of year gift to help us meet our
financial commitments and would like to have
that gift included on your giving statement for
2014, please make sure it is at the church office
on or before December 31st.
If you are looking for a more convenient way
to make regular offerings in 2015, check out
our e-giving option. Visit www.trinitymhd.org
or contact the church office for more information.
Radio Broadcast - Trinity expresses appreciation for the radio broadcast on KVOX (740
AM). The broadcast is being sponsored by
Irene Hogan in celebration of baby Jesus’ birth.
Thank you!
The members of the Trinity staff wish
you a blessed Christmas. Thank you
for your partnership in the Gospel
throughout 2014.
Commitment Cards for 2015
A sincere thank you to the families who have
already responded with their financial commitment to our ministry in 2015. If you have
not yet responded, please give it your consideration. It will take all our families to meet the
challenge before us. Even if you contribute
through direct deposit, please fill out the card we need your estimate to keep our information
accurate. Thank you! Extra cards are available
in the church office or on our website, www.
trinitymhd.org.
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