Christmas Service
Mission Developers and Redevelopers
New Jersey Synod
DECEMBER 27, 2020
PRELUDE
WELCOME – Pastor Maristela Freiberg – Director for Evangelical Mission NJ Synod
LITANY
P: The glory of the Lord is seen in a manger, a feeding box. The glory of the Lord is revealed in a baby.
R: GOD IS A GOD WHO IS HIDDEN AND YET SEEN, A GREAT GLORIOUS KING AND A CHILD BORN OF A WOMAN.
P: Our Sovereign Lord comes as a baby, a baby born to a carpenter’s family, not to a mighty monarch.
R: OUR SAVIOR IS COME, RIGHTEOUS AND GENTLE, A KING FOR THIS FALLEN WORLD.
P: Great and glorious is his reign!
R: WONDROUS AND AWESOME IS HIS NATURE!
P: God and human!
R: RULER AND CHILD! NOBLE AND PEASANT!
OPENING HYMN: Pastor Jesse Brown Jr. – Christus Lutheran Church, Camden
JOY TO THE WORLD ELW # 267
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, you made this 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.
THE LESSONS AND CAROLS
SCRIPTURE: Pastor Ramon Collazo – Santa Isabel Lutheran Church, Elizabeth
ISAIAH 40:1-5, 9-11
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
HYMN: Melba Quintana & Ray Collazo – Santa Isabel Lutheran Church, Elizabeth
GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN ELW # 290
SCRIPTURE: Vicar Haydee Colon – Mision Pan de Vida/St. John Lutheran Church, Passaic
ISAIAH 11:1-2
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
HYMN: Vicar Haydee Colon – Mision Pan de Vida/St. John Lutheran Church, Passaic
VENID, PASTORES Libro de Liturgia y Cantico # 312
SCRIPTURE: Carolin de la Cruz – St. Stephan’s Grace Community, Newark
ISAIAH 9:2
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
HYMN: Carolin de la Cruz – St. Stephan’s Grace Community, Newark
VENID FIELES TODOS Libro de Liturgia y Cantico # 309
SCRIPTURE: Josie Sanchez – Bridge of Peace Community Church, Camden
GALATIANS 4:4-5
But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons and daughters.
SCRIPTURE: Mission Developer Eunyoung Kim – Morning Star Fellowship, Ridgefield
MICAH 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
HYMN: Mission Developer Eunyoung Kim – Morning Star Fellowship, Ridgefield
O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM ELW # 279
SCRIPTURE: Lucy Drouaillet – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Dunellen
ISAIAH 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to 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.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
ANTHEM: Pastor Damaris Ortega – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Dunellen
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?
SCRIPTURE: Pastor Erich Kussman – St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church, Trenton
LUKE 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to their own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
HYMN: Jo-Ann and Nick Sciarrotta – St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church, Trenton
HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING ELW # 270
SCRIPTURE: Bishop Tracie Bartholomew – New Jersey Synod
LUKE 2:8-20
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.
SERMON – Bishop Tracie Bartholomew – New Jersey Synod
PRAYERS OF the People – Mission Developers and Redevelopers
Joining our voices with the song of the angels, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
The shepherds sing, “Jesus Christ is born!” Let your church in the NJ Synod, throughout the world proclaim this good news, over the hills and everywhere. Unite the voices of all your faithful people in songs of praise and rejoicing. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Heaven and nature sing, “Joy to the world!” Give respite to flocks, fields, and those who tend them. Come near to us in the beauty of nighttime, the shining of the stars, and the hush of a world at rest. May our wonder at your creation rouse our care for all the earth. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
The angels sing, “Peace on earth!” Come quickly to still the strife of this world. Hush the noise of war and violence in places of unrest, specially here in our country. Inspire leaders of nations to seek lasting peace and sustainable provision for all in their care. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Mary sings melodies of comfort to her newborn child. Bring rest and reassurance to those facing struggles this night. Shelter travelers and those without homes.
Console those who lie awake due to pain or anxiety. Heal those who are sick or hurting. Look upon those who are infected with COVID-19. Heal us, heal our land, heal the world, we ask. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Love sings through the sound of a new baby’s cry. Bless new parents and expectant parents. Comfort those who long for children, especially those running out of hope or options. Surround families of every shape and size with your love and care. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
The heavenly chorus sings, “Glory to God in the highest!” We give you thanks for all the saints who have proclaimed your glory in word and deed, especially all the people lost to various illness including COVID-19. Let us join them this night in joyful praise around your eternal throne. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of mercy, come quickly to us with grace upon grace as we lift these and all our prayers to you, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
ANTHEM: Pastor Damaris Ortega – St. Luke Lutheran Church, Dunellen
MARY DID YOU KNOW
THE SHARING OF THE LIGHT
Pastor Jose Escalera – Epiphany Lutheran Church, Pleasantville
P: I am the Light of the world, those who follow me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
R: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!
P: Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven!
R: ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TO ALL!
THE CLOSING HYMN: Mission Developer Eunyoung Kim, Pastor Damaris Ortega, and Ailton Cruz (St. Stephan’s Grace Community, Newark)
SILENT NIGHT ELW # 281
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