Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 ~ a child is born

Christmas Eve

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

Good and gracious God, on this holy night You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Saviour of all, lying in a manger. On this holy night draw us into the mystery of Your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host, that we may sing Your glory on high.

Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the One for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.

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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 9:2-7 (NLT)

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 96 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.
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A Reading from the Letters: Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:1-14 (NLT)

Holy Night (Birth of Christ) Altdorfer, Albrecht, ca. 1511 Gemäldegalerie (Berlin, Germany) — Holy Night (Birth of Christ)
Altdorfer, Albrecht, ca. 1511
Gemäldegalerie (Berlin, Germany)

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
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Intercessions:

Sisters and brothers, standing together in the brightness of this Christmas celebration, let us ask God to fill the whole world with His light.

+ For those who mark the birth of Christ all over the world this night – that the celebration may bring a refreshing new light to their lives…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all whose lives are darkened by war and violence (especially the people of the Middle East) – that the peace and goodwill proclaimed by the angels may become a reality . Lord, hear us.

+ For the hungry, the sick and the homeless – that they may have comfort, healing and friendship…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all the people in our churches who are lonely – that the light Christ may brighten their lives…. Lord, hear us.

+ For our communities and families – that Christ may find the same warm welcome among us as he received from Mary and Joseph and the shepherds that first Christmas night…. Lord, hear us.

+ For our friends who have fallen asleep in Christ, and for all who have died since last Christmas, whom we remember now… – that the peace and joy of heaven may be theirs. Lord, hear us.

Maker of heaven and earth, Your Son is born for us, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God: hear our prayers offered with confidence, through the same Christ, our Lord, Amen.
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Benediction:

We rejoice at the coming of the Saviour in our flesh, and we await His return again in glory. May God the almighty and merciful bless You by the light of Christ’s coming, and enrich Your lives with every grace.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2 Kings 5:14-17; Psalm 98:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:8-13; Luke 17:11-19 ~ glory to God

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!

The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!

A Reading from the Old Teastament: 2 Kings 5:14-17 (NLT)

So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!

Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”

But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused.

Then Naaman said, “All right, but please allow me to load two of my mules with earth from this place, and I will take it back home with me. From now on I will never again offer burnt offerings or sacrifices to any other god except the LORD….”

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 (NLT)

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

This is a trustworthy saying:

If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Intercessions:

Wonder-working God: With a grateful heart, I ask that You, once again, respond to the needs of Your people –

For peace with justice for all in Syria and the Middle East — and an end to war and violence (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For refugees and asylum-seekers — that their dignity may be respected and their rights upheld (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For the men and women chosen to spread the Good News — that they may bear the hardships which come with that task (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For all who suffer disease in our world, that full medical help may be available to rich and poor alike (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For those who suffer isolation today, as the lepers once did — that nothing may deprive them of the support of Christians (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.
For our emigrants and all who are away from home — that our support may remind them of God’s care for them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear my prayer.

God of many wonders, you bring salvation to all the earth: Remember your people and grant my prayer, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” – Translator: Clarence A. Walworth; Author (attributed to): Ignace Franz

Holy God, we praise Thy name; Lord of all, we bow before Thee. All on earth Thy scepter claim, All in heav’n above adore Thee. Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the glad celestial hymn / Angel choirs above are raising; Cherubim and seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising, Fill the heav’ns with sweet accord: “Holy, holy, holy Lord!”

Spare Thy people, Lord, we pray, By a thousand snares surrounded: Keep us without sin today, Never let us be confounded. Lo, I put my trust in Thee; Never, Lord, abandon me.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Reading: Luke 17:11-19 NLT – gratitude

Reading: Luke 17:11-19 NLT

Ten LepersJames Christensen — Ten Lepers
James Christensen

He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

Prayer: Psalm 103