WELCOME, EMMANUEL

CHRISTMAS EVE

GATHERING

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE

Pastor: Welcome on this holiest of nights. As Mary readied herself to give birth to Jesus, let us prepare ourselves to welcome this birth into our own lives, let us prepare our hearts to receive the wonder of God’s love, let us prepare our minds as heaven and earth sing of great joy. 

People: Come let us worship God! 

Pastor : The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; 

On those who lived in darkness and despair God’s new light is shining! For God has given us great joy, a harvest of good news! 

It is as if a great burden has been lifted from us. 

People: A child has been born for us, 

God’s son has come to us. 

And he will be our ruler. 

Pastor: He shall be known as the Wonderful Counselor,

People: The Mighty God! 

Pastor: Everlasting Father! 

People: The Prince of Peace! 

Pastor : He will rule with justice and righteousness. 

His realm is one of Peace! 

God has done this out of love for us and all people! 

People: God’s promise has been fulfilled. 

Christ is born! 

Come, let us worship God!

“O Come, All Ye Faithful ”

[click on the link below]

Lighting the Advent Wreath

Pastor: Advent, the season of preparing, is over. 

Our waiting is finished. 

Now is a time of fulfillment and celebration.

People: In the darkness of night, we give thanks for light.

We light a candle of hope: 

hope for ourselves, and for God’s beloved world.

Light candle

We light a candle of peace: 

peace in our hearts, and on earth.

Light candle

We light a candle of joy: 

joy to the world, and within our whole being.

Light candle

We light a candle of love: 

the promise of God’s love for us, and for all creation.

Light candle

And now the hour has come and the season is fulfilled. 

Light Christ candle

We light the Christ candle, 

the light of the world, 

the light of possibility. 

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor:  The Lord be with you. 

People:  And also with you. 

Pastor: Let us pray together.

People:  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 Saviour and Lord, whom with you and the Holy Spirit we worship and praise, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“O God, We Long For Better Days”

[click on the link below]

WORD

THE CHURCH HEARS THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD ACTING
IN THIS AND EVERY TIME AND PLACE

FIRST READING:   

Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains
   are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
   who announces salvation,
   who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
   together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
   the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
   you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
   he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
   before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
   the salvation of our God. 

“Love Has Come”        [click on the link below]                 https://youtu.be/MXlQyyVZF-E

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 Saviour, 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. 

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 Saviour, 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 favours!’ 

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. 

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”

[click on the link below]

SERMON

[click on the link below]

HYMN OF THE DAY

“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”

[click on the link below]

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH

 [The congregational response after each petition is:  “HEAR OUR PRAYER.”]

Pastor:  As the heavens and earth are filled with the grace and peace of God in the Word made flesh, let us place our needs and our thanksgiving before the Creator of heaven and earth , saying, “God of grace and peace,” and responding, “Hear our prayer.”

Petitioner: We pray for your Church around the world as it gathers to worship and is sent to serve, that you would clothe us with your compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, and bind us together with your love, so that we might announce your peace and bring good news to all ends of the earth.  God of grace and peace …

Petitioner: We pray for the world suffering under the darkness of sin and death, that you would guide leaders and all citizens of this earth to desire and work for the end of hostilities and bring justice and peace to the whole creation.  God of grace and peace …

Petitioner:  We pray that the people of this earth work for ways to sustain the world you have made.  Turn fear, turmoil, and selfishness into fruitfulness, justice, and provision for the basic needs of all.  Where pollution and exploitation disrupts our air and water and land give us the wisdom and the will to care for the abundant gifts and resources your creation bestows upon us. God of grace and peace …

Pastor: We pray for all who are in need of comfort, peace, hope, and for whom this season is a burden.  We pray for all who are affected by this pandemic. We remember especially those whom we name in our hearts before you ….   Let your Word soothe body, mind, and spirit, and may Christ who is the Light of the world shine brightly on them.  God of grace and peace…

Petitioner:  O Ruler of nations, you surprise us by bringing greatness from the smallest and the least.  Guide the nations and their leaders to listen to the little one ones, the poor, the unemployed, the homeless, the marginalized and the refugees. Through your Spirit turn the high and mighty ways of power and self-interest into humble inroads of security, justice, and peace.  God of grace and peace … 

Petitioner: Welcoming God, reveal your wonder to us in the midst of our Christmas celebration, that the grace and love of Christ and the hospitality of the people of faith, through the wonders of telecommunications and internet and ZOOM, be with all who, although unable to be present in person among us, are still our guests at worship and in our homes throughout this Christmas season.  Help us to ponder with Mary all that God has done for us and fill us with hope and joy.  God of grace and peace … 

Petitioner:  We pray for all those who travel and gather with family and friends.  Be with those who work and those who rest during these days of  Christmas celebration.  Whatever our situation and setting, and especially for those who find the holidays difficult, may we encounter your gracious and loving presence among us. God of grace and peace…

Pastor:   Receive our prayers, Gracious God, and fill us with hope as we behold your presence among us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

People:  Amen.

THANKSGIVING

THE COMMUNITY PRAISES GOD FOR THE GRACIOUS GIFTS OF
 CREATION AND THE SAVING DEEDS OF JESUS CHRIST

THE GREETING AND SHARING OF PEACE

Pastor: Since we are forgiven and renewed by God’s Spirit, let us also be reconciled with one another and share the Peace of the Lord.  

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

People: And also with you.

THE OFFERING

(We worship God with the offering of our selves, our time, our talents, and our possessions.)

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Leader: Let us pray.
Gracious God,

People: we give you thanks for the greatest gift of all, Jesus our Savior, who came to live as one of us and showed that you are never far from us. Accept these gifts that we now offer to you, as a token of our thanks for all that you have done for us. Use us and our gifts to help spread the news that you love all people, and that you always keep your promises. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Pastor: Let us pray with confidence in the words our Saviour gave us:

People: 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.

SENDING

ALL RECEIVE THE BLESSING OF GOD, LEAVE IN PEACE,
AND ARE SENT OUT TO SERVE

BENEDICTION

Pastor: Leader:  May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,

the obedience of Joseph,

the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

the determination of the magi,

and the peace of the Christ child.

May Christ, born into time to bring endless peace,

guide your days and years in righteousness

from this time onward and forevermore.

People: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN

“Silent Night, Holy Night!”

[click on the link below]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DISMISSAL

Pastor: Go out with joy to the world.

Serve in the name of Christ

People: Thanks be to God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMING UP AT KOG

– Sunday, December 26, no in-person service, but an on-line service 

– Sunday, January 2, in-person services resume at 6:30

ANNOUNCEMENTS

King of Glory will hold our regular in-person worship services—following the provincial protocols recommended—on a weekly basis at the regular time 6:30 p.m.  Of course, should there be any significant changes with regard to the pandemic situation the Church Council will revisit the issue.

Thank you to everyone for your support of the Alzheimer’s Society. $226 has been contributed.  Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you to everyone participating in collecting food items for Christmas Hampers.  We had food items for 6 1/2 hampers.  Thank you for your generosity.

Pastor Michael and Renita thank all at King of Glory who remembered them this Christmas season with cards, gifts, many kindnesses, and prayers.  Christmas peace and joy, good health, and the blessing of Christ be with everyone in the New Year.

Offerings.  

Offerings must be postmarked or received by December 31, 2021 to be credited as a charitable contribution for 2021. (Please no cash for mail security reasons)

Send your contributions to:  King of Glory Lutheran Church

    3318 Merritt Street

    Saskatoon, SK  S7M 3P6

Thank you for your generosity.

November, December, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG

2021 Budget:  $49,536       Monthly Budget:  $4,180.50     Weekly Budget:  $964.73

2021income/expenses: –$4,729.03

October income/expenses: –$1,211.92

Weekly contributions for November:  November 7: $ 1,540   November 14: $100

November 21: $70   November 28: $420

Weekly contributions for December:  December 5: $ 1,420  

December 12 and 19: $6190 and $200 for CLWR 

Massive floods and landslides have devastated parts of British Columbia. CLWR is accepting donations now on its website at clwr.org/BCfloods. Donations can also be made by phoning our office at 1.800.661.2597 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 – 16:00 CDT) or by mailing a cheque to 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5.

Checklist and Guidelines for Re-opening Worship Services

Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc before the service

One person preps worship materials [pastor]

Six feet distancing recommended

No sharing of pencils, pens, etc.

No serving of food or beverages

Try not to use the washrooms

Open doors and windows if possible

Use/wear face masks, but you may sing quietly recommended

Hand sanitizer available

No physical contact (e.g. sharing of the peace, no passing of offering plate)

Communion procedure: distribution in a way that maintains physical distancing

Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc after the service