St. Matthew Lutheran Church

3620 Red Rose Farm Road

Baltimore, MD 21220

Pastor John Kulczycki

December 24, 2020

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St. Matthew Lutheran Church

3620 Red Rose Farm Road

Thursday, December 24, 2020

The Nativity of Our Lord

Welcome to our Christmas Candlelight Service of 2020. We hope that you will be blessed by your participation. May the light that made this night so bright lighten your heart during this whole Christmas Season.

Prelude: Carol Medley w/Pastor Bill Gies on Violin

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Carol: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – LBW # 45, vs 1 - 4

Confession & Forgiveness

Greeting

Kyrie

Gathering Canticle

Prayer of the Day

First Reading, Isaiah 7:10-14

Psalm # 110

Second Reading, 1 John 4:7-16

Holy Gospel, Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon

Carol of the Day: “First Noel” – LBW # 56, vs 1 – 5

Musical Interlude: Pastorale from the Christmas Cantata

(Archangelo Corelli)

Nicene Creed

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Candlelight Carol: “Silent Night” – LBW # 65, vs 1 - 3

Sending Prayer

Benediction

Dismissal

Sending Carol: “Joy to the World” - LBW # 39, vs 1 – 4

Postlude: Hallelujah Chorus (George Frideric Handel)

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Service Supplement

(Congregational responses are in bold print)

Prelude Carol Medley w/Pastor Bill Gies on Violin

Welcome and Announcements Pastor John

Gathering Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” LBW # 45, 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!

The highest, most holy, light of light eternal, born of a virgin, a mortal he comes; Son of the Father now in flesh appearing! (Refrain)

Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God In the highest: (Refrain)

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be glory giv'n! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing: (Refrain)

Confession & Forgiveness (Pastor)

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 confess our sin in the presence of God and one another…

God of glory, God of peace, we confess that we have shunned the light that reveals the truth about us. We cling to worldly things rather than sharing the gifts of this earth. We trust ourselves above all. Save your people, O God; sustain the rivers and trees that sing your praise; and free us to live boldly in the light and truth of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

The grace of God shines upon us, bringing salvation to the whole world. We are saved, our sins are washed away, not because of anything we have done, but according to God’s mercy in Jesus Christ. Renewed by the Holy Spirit, let us live in hope and joy. Amen.

Greeting (Pastor)

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

Kyrie (Worship Assistant)

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

Gathering Canticle (Worship Assistant)

Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be to all people. Unto us this night is born a savior who is the Christ.

Glory to God in the highest! And peace on earth among all people whom God has chosen to favor.

Prayer of the Day (Pastor)

Let us pray…O God, you have made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Grant that as we have known on earth the mysteries of that Light, we may also come to the fullness of his joys in heaven; 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 7:10-14 (Worship Assistant)

The Word of the Lord came to King Ahaz, encouraging him to be bold and to ask for a sign from the Lord. Ahaz, in his stubbornness, refused to ask God for a sign, claiming that would be “putting God to the test.” Ahaz discounted the reassurance that the Lord was offering him and continued deeper in his sin by rejecting God’s offer. That sign was nothing less than Immanuel, “God with us.”

¹⁰Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: ¹¹“Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” ¹²But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” ¹³And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? ¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

Psalm: Psalm # 110 – read responsively (Worship Assistant)

In this psalm we hear the promise of God to bless the kingly line of David. As Christians, we hear it as the union of king and

priest in the person of Jesus Christ. Not only was Jesus a descendant of King David, he was also David’s Lord and was anticipated by David.

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The Lord will send the scepter of your power out of Zion, saying, “Rule over your enemies round about you.

Princely state has been yours from the day of your birth; in the beauty of holiness have I begotten you, like dew from the womb of the morning.”

The Lord has sworn and he will not recant: “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-16 (Worship Assistant)

St. John makes it clear that we love only because God has loved us first. God sent Jesus to be the Savior of our lives and the one who grants us forgiveness. The love of God is what empowers us to love like Jesus, sacrificially and unconditionally.

⁷Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ¹⁰In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. ¹³By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.

Holy Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25 (Pastor)

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 1^st Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

As the honorable man, Joseph, was wrestling with the situation concerning his pregnant fiancé, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel explained how the child Mary was carrying was the Son of the Most High God, and Joseph was called to care for them and name the child “Jesus,” which means “He saves.”

¹⁸The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). ²⁴When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon Pastor John

Hymn of the Day “The First Noel” LBW # 56 vs. 1 – 5

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.

Refrain: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. (Refrain)

And by the light of that same star Three Wise Men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went. (Refrain)

This star drew near to the northwest, O’er Bethlehem it took its rest; And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay. (Refrain)

Then entered in those Wise Men three, Full rev’rently upon their knee, And offered there in his presence Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. (Refrain)

Musical Interlude Pastorale from the Christmas

Cantata (Archangelo Corelli)

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of the Church (Pastor & WA)

(P): Walking in the light of the coming Savior, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who await God’s justice. A brief silence.

(W): Holy God, you sent your Son, Jesus, to take on our human form and to live among us as one of us in all our fragility. Let us clearly see in Jesus that you are with us, Emmanuel, walking alongside us on this journey of life and faith. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Loving God, you sent angels to bring good news of great joy to all people. On this holy night, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we would know true joy and that your peace would fill our hearts. Help the world to remember that Christ’s birthday has a deeper meaning than just presents and decorations. It was a moment in history when everything changed for the better. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Heavenly Father, you have put us in families so that we would have love, companionship, and be nurtured in many ways. Bring peace to families that are separated, by distance or by strife. Help us to practice forgiveness and mercy toward one another, in this season and always. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): God of life, pour out your healing power on those who are dealing with broken hearts this day. Give them strength to embrace each day, knowing that you are with them. Bring your healing to those who are suffering from illness. May they know your abiding presence and put their complete trust in your never-failing promises for new life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(P): Rejoicing in your glory revealed to the world, we offer these and all our prayers to you, O God of our salvation, through Christ our light. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray the prayer our Savior taught us…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.

Lighting of the Candles

At this time, please turn on your candle provided in the white bag for our Candlelight portion of the service.

Candlelight Carol “Silent Night” LBW # 65, vs 1 – 3

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.

Sending Prayer (Worship Assistant)

Let us Pray...Almighty God, you gave your Son both as a sacrifice for sin and a model of the godly life. Enable us to receive him always with thanksgiving and to conform our lives to his; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Please turn off Candle.)

Benediction (Pastor)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dismissal (Worship Assistant)

Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Sending Carol: “Joy to the World” LBW # 39 vs. 1-4

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive its 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.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sin and sorrow 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.

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.

Postlude Hallelujah Chorus (George Frideric Handel)

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Helping with the Candlelight Service:

Pastor John, Mark Hurley, Pastor Bill Gies, Kathy Duvall

and the greeters and ushers.

Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

From Pastor John, His Family, and the Church Staff!

**Reminder to anyone who purchased poinsettias: please pick up your poinsettias after the 8pm service ends. Thank you!**