Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and School Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod 4206 West Elm Street • McHenry, IL 60050

(815) 385-0859 • office@zionmchenry.org

www.zionmchenry.org

Christmas Eve - December 24, 2020

Thank you for worshiping with us at Zion. As you hear God’s Word, we pray that you would find peace and

strength in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Christmas is the celebration of the Nativity, birth, of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Baby in the manger

is God Himself! He feeds us today His Body and His Blood in the Lord's Supper. Christmas is

actually two words: Christ and Mass. It is the Divine Service “Mass” of Christ. The world’s

celebration of Christmas ends on Christmas Day, but the Christian Church’s celebration of Christ’s

birth continues for twelve days ending with the appearance of the Magi on Epiphany.

Communion Practice In the Lord's Supper, our Lord Jesus Christ gives to us His Body to eat and His Blood to drink for

the remission of our sins (Matt. 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-2). Our Lord invites to His table

those who trust His words and repent of all sins. Because Holy Communion is a proclamation and

confession of the Faith which is confessed at this altar (1 Cor. 11:24-26), any who have not been

instructed or who hold a confession different from that of this congregation or the Lutheran Church

– Missouri Synod and yet desire to receive the Sacrament are asked to speak with the Pastors or an

elder before coming to the altar. The lighter colored cups contain the Blood of Christ which has been

diluted by water (John 19:34).

Prayer upon Entering the Church O Lord, our Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter, as we come together to worship You in spirit and

in truth, we humbly pray that You would open our hearts to the preaching of Your Word so that we

may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus Christ as our only Savior, and grow in grace and holiness.

Hear us for His sake. Amen.

D When you see this triangle, please stand. It indicates praise sung to the Holy Trinity.

Rev. Mark Buetow

Pastor & School

Director

(618) 318-3680

buetowmt@gmail.com

Rev. Aden Loest

Pastor Emeritus

(815) 385-0859

office@zionmchenry.org

Order of Service: Divine Service, Setting 3 LSB 184

Marla Foerster “When Love Was Born”

Opening Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” LSB 361

Confession and Absolution

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen. Matthew 28:19b; 18-20

P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto

God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us

forgiveness. Hebrews 10:22

P Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

P O almighty God, merciful Father,

C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which

I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal

punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I

pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter

sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and

merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.

P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant

of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the

command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the

Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. John 20:19-23

C Amen.

Service of the Word

Introit Ps. 2:1-2, 4-6; antiphon: Liturgical Text

When all was still, and it was | midnight,*

your almighty Word, O Lord, descended from the | royal throne.

Why do the | nations rage*

and the peoples | plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel to- | gether,*

against the LORD and against his a- | nointed.

He who sits in the | heavens laughs;*

the Lord holds them in de- | rision.

Then he will speak to them | in his wrath,*

and terrify them in his fury, | saying,

“As for me, I have | set my King*

on Zion, my | holy hill.”

Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*

and to the Holy | Spirit;

as it was in the be- | ginning,*

is now, and will be forever. | Amen.

When all was still, and it was | midnight,*

your almighty Word, O Lord, descended from the | royal throne.

Kyrie Lord, Have Mercy Mark 10:47

Hymn “Angels We Have Heard on High” LSB 368

Salutation and Collect of the Day 2 Timothy 4:22

O God, You make this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the true

Light. Grant that as we have known the mysteries of that Light on earth we may

also come to the fullness of His joys in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ,

Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,

now and forever.

Sit

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 9:2-7

L The Old Testament reading for The Nativity of Our Lord, Christmas Eve is from

Isaiah, chapter nine.

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in

the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 3 You have

multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to

the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You have

broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his

oppressor, As in the day of Midian. 5 For every warrior's sandal from the noisy

battle, And garments rolled in blood, Will be used for burning and fuel of fire. 6

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be

upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty

God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government

and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His

kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time

forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Hymn “Once in Royal David’s City” LSB 376

5 Not in that poor, lowly stable

With the oxen standing by

Shall we see Him, but in heaven,

Set at God’s right hand on high.

Then like stars His children, crowned,

All in white, His praise will sound!

Epistle Reading Titus 2:11-14

P The Epistle Reading is from Titus, chapter two.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us

that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,

and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious

appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us,

that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His

own special people, zealous for good works.

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God.

Stand

Alleluia LSB 156

Holy Gospel Luke 2:1-20

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the second chapter.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that

all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was

governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph

also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of

David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that

while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she

brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid

Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were

in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock

by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the

Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to

them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will

be to all people. 11 "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord. 12 "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe

wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with

the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to

God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 15 So it was, when

the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one

another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which

the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and

Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made

widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all

those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the

shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had

heard and seen, as it was told them.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Nicene Creed

C I believe in one God,

the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth

and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the only-begotten Son of God,

begotten of His Father before all worlds,

God of God, Light of Light,

very God of very God,

begotten, not made,

being of one substance with the Father,

by whom all things were made;

who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven

and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary

and was made man;

and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

He suffered and was buried.

And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures

and ascended into heaven

and sits at the right hand of the Father.

And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,

whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord and giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,

who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,

I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,

and I look for the resurrection of the dead

and the life T of the world to come. Amen.

Sit

Hymn of the Day “What Child Is This” LSB 370

Sermon

Pastor’s sermon begins and ends with the words:

P In the Name of Jesus.

C Amen.

Sermon Notes:

Stand

Offertory “Now Sing We, Now Rejoice” LSB 386

Prayer of the Church 1 Timothy 2:1-4

After each intercession:

P Let us pray to the Lord

C Lord, have mercy.

Sit

Musical Offering ~ Time for Meditation Offerings may be placed in the plate on the table in the narthex after the Service. Thank you.

Marla Foerster “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Stand

Service of the Sacrament

Preface

2 Timothy 4:22

Colossians 3:1

Psalm 136

P It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus

Christ, our Lord…Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the

company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising

You and saying:

Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9

Lord's Prayer LSB 196

C 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.

The Words of Our Lord Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25

P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when

He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat;

this is My T body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the

same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He

gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in

My T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as

you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Pax Domini The Peace of the Lord John 20:19

Agnus Dei Lamb of God John 1:29

Sit

Distribution

In the Lord's Supper, our Lord Jesus Christ gives to us His Body to eat and His Blood to drink

for the remission of our sins (Matt. 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-2). Our Lord invites

to His table those who trust His words and repent of all sins. Because Holy Communion is a

proclamation and confession of the Faith which is confessed at this altar (1 Cor 11:24-26), any

who have not been instructed or who hold a confession different from that of this congregation

and yet desire to receive the Sacrament are asked to speak with Pastor before coming to the altar.

Suggested silent prayer before receiving the Lord’s Supper:

“Dear Savior, at Your gracious invitation I come to Your table to eat and drink Your holy body

and blood. Let me find favor in Your eyes to receive this holy Sacrament in faith for the salvation

of my soul and to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.”

Suggested silent prayer after receiving the Lord’s Supper:

“Almighty and everlasting God, I thank and praise You for feeding me the life-giving body and

blood of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Send Your Holy Spirit that, having with my mouth

received the holy Sacrament, I may by faith obtain and eternally enjoy Your divine grace, the

forgiveness of sins, unity with Christ, and life eternal, through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Hymn “Away in a Manger” LSB 364

Hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” LSB 380

Hymn “Go Tell It on the Mountain” LSB 388

Hymn “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” LSB 374

Hymn “A Great and Mighty Wonder” LSB 383

Stand

Nunc Dimittis Song of Simeon Luke 2:29-32

Thanksgiving LSB 200

Post-Communion Collect

A Let us pray.

We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this

salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us

through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another;

through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the

Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Salutation and Benedicamus

2 Timothy 4:22

Psalm 103:1

Benediction Numbers 6:24-26

Lighting of the Candles

Closing Hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night” LSB 363

The Staff of Zion Lutheran Church and

School wish you and your family a

blessed and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day

9am

New Year’s Eve

7pm

Acknowledgments: Divine Service, Setting Three from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with

permission. Scripture quotations are from the New King James Edition, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc. Used

by permission. All rights reserved.