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CELEBRATION OF OUR LORD’S BIRTH

6:00 pm Worship Lutheran Church of the Redeemer | 731 Peachtree St. NE | Atlanta, Georgia 30308 404.874.8664 | www.redeemer.org

CHRISTMAS EVE, 2021 Nativity of Our Lord PRELUDE

Redeemer Jazz Trio and Guests Jerry Fields, Percussion Eric Hassel, Keyboard Bryan Lopes, Woodwinds William Bolick, Vocals

PROCLAMATION OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST Standing GATHERING HYMN 283 1. 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!

O, Come, All Ye Faithful 3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God… in the highest: Refrain 4. 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

2. 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 CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who sends the word with angels, who is made flesh among all peoples, and who breathes peace on all the earth. |

Amen. In Christ, we are bold to name our sin and cry out for peace. Kneeling or seated

Holy God, | we confess our sin before you. We replace compassion with competition. We seek what is mighty while ignoring the meek. We are quick to anger but slow to forgive. We have not put on love in harmony with you. Wrap us in the grace of your powerful Word. Swaddle our hearts with your peace, that all we do, in word or deed, may reflect your love born among us. Amen. I bring you good news of great joy for all people: God has come among us in the child born of Mary, Christ the Lord. ☩ In Christ your sins are forgiven and you are clothed in peace. | Amen. Standing 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. HYMN 289

Angels We Have Heard on High

1. Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains.

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav'nly song? Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Refrain

Refrain Gloria in excelsis Deo; gloria in excelsis Deo.

SALUTATION The Lord be with you | And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. 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 only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen

Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON Standing GOSPEL Luke 2:1-20 God's greatest gift comes as a baby in a manger. Angels announce the "good news of great joy" and proclaim God's blessing of peace 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 Savior, 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 favors!" 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. Seated SERMON

Pastor Mark H. Larson

Standing HYMN 270

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

1. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all you nations rise; join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Refrain Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn king!"

2. Christ, by highest heav’n adored Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, incarnate deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Refrain 3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris'n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth. Refrain

Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Glory to God in the highest, | and peace to God’s people on earth. Blessed are you, Prince of Peace. You rule the earth with truth and justice. | Send your gift of peace to all nations of the world. Blessed are you, Wonderful Counselor. You enlighten the heart with steadfast love. | Enliven your church that it might bear good tidings of great joy to all people. Blessed are you, Emmanuel. You promise to be with us even to the end of the age. | Open our eyes to see your presence in all who are hungry, lonely, or homeless. Blessed are you, Son of Mary. You share our humanity. | Have mercy on the sick, the dying, and all who suffer this day. Blessed are you, Light Eternal. You promise life everlasting. | Unite our voices with the saints and loved ones who rest with you. Blessed are you, Son of God. You dwell among us as the Word made flesh. | Reveal yourself to us in word and sacrament that we may bear your light to all the world. Amen

Standing PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you. Seated WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS THE OFFERING Offering music by the Jazz Trio Please use the Help and Give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. Standing OFFERING PRAYER Gracious God, your Word-made-flesh brings harmony to the earth. As we offer ourselves and these your gifts, prepare us to receive the grace and truth you offer at this table and renew in us the song of your salvation, in Jesus Christ our Savior. | Amen. THE 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. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER We sing a new song to you, O God of our salvation, for you have done marvelous things. Through your Word all things came into being, and without you not one thing was made. You spoke through your covenant and created a people bound to you. Through promise and pardon, slavery and exile, you showed that what had come into being through you was life. When that day came, and the Word became flesh, your angels sang for joy and put a new song into our hearts. And even when we rejected your Son, you brought forth from his death a resurrection of everlasting glory. Life-giving God, as your Word became flesh and lived among us, come among us now in the fullness of your grace and truth. Make us holy as you are holy; that your Word may become flesh anew today. Send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine and make them be for us the body and blood of Jesus; who in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. God of glory, make your church a sign of new-born hope in your kingdom. Be born in us today. Where your children are faced with ruin, show them

redemption. Where sorrow endures, bring your holy comfort. Where division excludes, give your grace. Where bondage confines, sing your new song. Restore our hope in you, until the day when all that you have brought into being finds its everlasting destiny in your only Son, through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever. | Amen. 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 Seated INVITATION TO COMMUNION In Christ’s manger, at Christ’s table, come, see what God makes known for you. INSTRUCTION FOR HOLY COMMUNION All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are invited to receive Holy Communion. Please remember to maintain a safe distance from other households has you move through the nave. When ushered forward, pick up a pre-filled glass of wine or grape juice at the head of the aisle. You may commune either at the altar rail or the main floor. Each station will have regular and gluten free wafers available. After receiving the wafer, please move to the side before removing your face covering and consuming both elements. As you return to your seat by the side aisle, place your used cup in the receptacle and receive an individual candle. If you are unable to come forward, inform an usher and communion will be brought to you.

CAROLS DURING COMMUNION O Little Town of Bethlehem 1. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! 3. How silently, how silently Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The wondrous gift is giv’n! The silent stars go by; So God imparts to human hearts Yet in thy dark streets shineth The blessings of his heav’n. The everlasting light. No ear may hear his coming; The hopes and fears of all the years But, in this world of sin, Are met in thee tonight. Where meek souls will receive him, Still the dear Christ enters in. 2. For Christ is born of Mary, And, gathered all above 4. O holy Child of Bethlehem, While mortals sleep, the angels Descend to us, we pray; keep Cast out our sin, and enter in, Their watch of wond’ring love. Be born in us today. O morning stars, together We hear the Christmas angels Proclaim the holy birth, The great glad tidings tell; And praises sing to God the king, Oh, come to us, abide with us, And peace to all the earth! Our Lord Immanuel! Away In a Manger 1. 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. 2. The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes, 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. 3. 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.

Standing BLESSING AND PRAYER The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen Let us pray. | We thank you, wondrous God, for Jesus, God with us, in these gifts of bread and wine. As we have shared this feast of love, strengthen us to share your love with all the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES

The ushers will light the candle of the first worshiper in each row. Pass the light down the row, holding the lighted candle upright and tilting unlighted candles into the flame. PROLOGUE TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN HYMN 281

Silent Night, Holy Night!

1. 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. 2. 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! 3. 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.

BLESSING The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus, the Word made flesh. | Amen. Please extinguish your candles carefully. Standing HYMN 267

Joy to the World

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

3. 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.

2. 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.

4. 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.

SENDING Go in peace. Rejoice in Christ our Savior. | Thanks be to God. Please return your candle to the usher as you leave. POSTLUDE

The Redeemer Jazz Trio

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CHANCEL DECORATIONS Our trees are decorated with Chrismons (combining the words CHRISt and MONogram). Each Chrismon depicts a symbol of Christ described in Scripture. We invite you to come to the chancel and take a closer look. The poinsettias as well as tonight’s special musicians have been presented to the glory of God in memory or in honor of loved ones by members and friends of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer whose names are listed on the following pages. Members of the congregation may pick up a poinsettia after the 11:00 pm service tonight or Sunday December 26, if they so desire.

C H R I S T M A S

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Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Memory of: Given by: Beth............................................................................................................................. Jim Our parents ................................................................................................. Julia & Allen Louise Werner............................................................................................ Julia & Allen DeDe..........................................................................................................................Julia Mark Nienow .......................................................................... Ron & LaVerne Nienow Scott Nienow ........................................................................... Ron & LaVerne Nienow John & Irmgard Bishop ............................................................... Susan & Pat Shannon Doug Glenn, my loving and caring husband ........................................... Shirley Glenn Our parents and grandparents.......................................................... The Zenoni Family Bob, and Pastor Ficken ..................................................................... The Chunn Family Grandmother & Our Great grandparents ........................ Savannah, Tanner, & Cooper Our parents ....................................................................................... Ivar & Jean Iverson David L. Ott, Jr. ................................................................................ David & Susan Ott Jim Daley, Robert McCarthey & John Davis ................................ The Peterson family Pastor Robert Sims ....................................................................................Ellen Lawson Robert Erhard Cupp .............................................................................. Pam Amy-Cupp My parents: Bernice Andrews Roberts and Alton S. Roberts ..........Walter L. Roberts My sister, Sandra G. Roberts .............................................................Walter L. Roberts Daniel Walter Eakin ...........................................................................Walter L. Roberts Rev. Phillip Gaines & Jack W. Strouss .............................................Walter L. Roberts Pastor Robert F. Sims ............................................... Susan & Dick Cordell and family Margaret and Renata ................................................................................ Jeanne Merritt Naomi & Bob Gibeling, Sr.................................................................. Bob Gibeling, Jr. Bob ..................................................................................................................... Suzanne Gayle Oliver Ide........................................................................................ Suzanne Sims The Rev. Dr. Ross H. Larson ................................................................... Suzanne Sims

Brenda’s father, Warren E. Burkhart ....................................................... Suzanne Sims Patsy Dillon Long and Walter Houghton ........................................ Mike & Carol Bell Joe .......................................................................................................Daris L. Ostrander Beloved friends: Theresa Breuer, Jean & Betty Mori, and Lorela Wilkins .................. .................................................................................................................. Donna Matern Edward Scherlacher, Sr. ........................................................... Edward Scherlacher, Jr. My infant daughter, Vicky, my granddaughter, Kathryn, and my mother, Jean .......... ....................................................................................................................Ellen Lawson My parents, Jean & Gordon Misch ............................................................ Leslie Misch Myrtis Carroll................................................................................ Cathy & Steve Vogel Ned Hawbecker and Bob Cupp............................ Sarah Hawbecker & William Fuller My mom Doti Wilson (March '21), and dad Fred Wilson (March '15) ........................ ........................................................................................................... Kathy Wilson-Chu Helen and Louie, Betty and Jack, Mom and Dad. Those not remembered .................. ................................................................................................................ David Pendered Bill West............................................................................................... Kris & Phil West Dan & Millie Hamernik ...................................................................... Kris & Phil West Our Parents, Selmer & Gertie Roiland, Arthur & Leonora Peterson ............................ ....................................................................................... Pastor Darrel & Mary Peterson Dorothy & Bill ....................................................................................................... Susan Paul Herbert, Jon Petway, Betty Ginn, Terry Miller............................................ Marie Grace, Bob, Ruth, Joyce, Merrill, & Carole Johnson ......................................... Arlene My husband, Mack ......................................................................... Mrs. Beverly Alden My parents, Sam & June Brown ................................................................ Mary Brown My sister, Sylvia Brown Franklin .............................................................. Mary Brown Mel Eargle ................................................................................................. John Edwards Pastor Robert F. Sims .................................................... His children and their families My husband, Peyton ................................................................................ Gayle Morgan Our Parents: Bob & Hazel Boyd and David & Ida Coopersmith.................................. .....................................................................................................Bob & Elizabeth Boyd My parents, Naomi & Lonnie Alderman ............................................. Penny Scarpucci Gayle Ide ..................................................................... Karen & Austin Brockenbraugh Herman & Edna Schultz ............................................ Stephanie, Charissa, and Tiffany My grandparents: Charles & Mabel Marks and Charles & Evelyn Reasor .................. ........................................................................................................................ Dan Marks Nana, Mother & Marie ............................................................................. John Garrigan Anna Margaret & Harry Baxter ............................................... Amy & Walt Carpenter To all families who have lost loved ones................................................... Sheila Brock Dawn’s mother, LaVeta Scofield .......................................Dawn & Michael Adamson Ada Kane..........................................................................................................Ed Kuehn Poinsettias and Special Music are given in Honor of: Given by: Nick, Wesley, Greg, James, Emery, Colin, Lydia, and Elyse ... Susan & Pat Shannon Our family & friends .................................................................. Kevin & Nikki Chunn Our family ........................................................................................ Ivar & Jean Iverson Susanah Rox...................................................................................... David & Susan Ott Darrel & Mary Peterson, and Ruth Daley ..................................... The Peterson family The Chunn Family .................................................................................... Suzanne Sims

Scottie, Cammie & Randy........................................................................ Suzanne Sims Our grandchildren ....................................................................................... Mimi & Pop “The Grands”: Bob, Lillie, and Bo ......................................................... Gayle Morgan Linda, Peg, & Amy .................................................................................. Jeanne Merritt Mrs. Barbara J. Howard and David Patrick McGahan ....................Daris L. Ostrander Our mothers: Belle Noland and Treva Poinsett .................... Don & Cindy Noland Stanley Schubert ...................................................................................Cathy Vogel Ellen Lawson ..................................................................... Reagan & Paige Havens Heather, John, & Max ..................................................................................... Susan My family and loved ones. Those who persevere. ............................... David Pendered My mother, Arlene Herbert, my son, Davis Petway ............................... Marie Petway Gayle, "The Redeemer" Betty S. and My daughter, Marie Petway ......Arlene Herbert My family Kelli, Blake, Amanda, Phillip, Staci, Justin, Livi, Brooks .......................... ......................................................................................................... Mrs. Beverly Alden My parents, Henry & Shirley Marks ............................................................ Dan Marks To the glory of God .............................................................. Terry & Connie Eshenour To the glory of God ...................................................................... Angeline Yeah-Perry Henry & Shirley Marks ............................................................................ John Garrigan Thank you for joining us in service today. If you would like additional information about Redeemer’s exciting programs please visit www.Redeemer.org or call a member of the redeemer staff, as listed below. We look forward to hearing from you. THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 404-874-8664 731 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.redeemer.org Emergency Line: 404.874.9759 The Rev. Mark H. Larson ...................................................................... Senior Pastor, ext. 201 The Rev. Ronald Bonner ................................... Pastor for Community Engagement, ext. 203 The Rev. Jonathan Trapp ................................................. Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233 The Rev. Jenny McLellan ......................................... Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224 STAFF Bob Boyd ........................................................... Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232 Seth Brown ................................................................... Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218 Michael Clarke ............................................................... LCFM Chef, mclarke@redeemer.org Robin Durdin ............................................................ Office Administration Director, ext. 204 Kate Elkins .................................................................................... Preschool Director, ext. 252 David Hansen ........................................................................... Adult Choral Director, ext. 236 Sarah Hawbecker ...........................................Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206 Deacon Mary Houck .....................................Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227 Jennifer Isaacson ........................................................Financial Information Director, ext. 237 Sam Long ........................................................................ Organ Scholar, slong@redeemer.org Hillary Nelson ............................................................ Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org Tawanda Searcy ................................................ Receptionist and Wedding Director, ext. 200 Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security