Service of Nine Lessons and Carols Welcome! The Candlelight Service at Peace is conducted each year by our high school students. We are privileged to encourage these young people in the faith and also to benefit from their gifts as we worship together. In 1880 E.W. Benson, Anglican Bishop of Truro, England, composed a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, based on ancient sources, for Christmas Eve. In 1918, 34-year-old Eric Milner-White, the new dean of King’s Chapel, King’s College, Cambridge, England, adapted this setting of Scripture and song and called on readers of various ages from school and town. This tradition continues today. This evening’s service is an adaptation of the famous Kings College Service of Lessons & Carols. Customarily nine lessons are read. They span from Creation to the Birth of Christ. The lighting of the candles throughout the service reminds us how Christ came as the Light of the world –the Service of Light. It is the reverse of Good Friday when the candles are extinguished –the Service of Darkness. The white candle on the Advent Wreath is the “Christ Candle.” It signifies Christ Himself. The Christ Candle will be used again on Good Friday to represent His life which could never be extinguished. The candles around the Baptismal Font remind us that our life with Christ begins through Holy Baptism. May God bless our worship this evening!

A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols (Bell rings) EXHORTATION AND PRAYER M: Dear people of God, in this Christmas season it is our duty and delight to hear again the message of the angels and, in heart and mind, to go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us—the Christ-Child lying in a manger. Let us read and learn in Holy Scripture the story of the loving purposes of God from the first days after our fall into sin to the glorious redemption brought to us by this holy Child. But first, let us pray for people all over the world who would delight with us to know the good news of Jesus Christ, and who would join with us in singing his praises. Let us pray for the people of this city and for all those in our own congregation. And, because this would please our Lord, let us remember, in his name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who are sad, the lonely and the unloved, the elderly and the little children. We especially remember all those who do not know the Lord Jesus, or who do not love him, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Finally, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us in heaven, who live in greater light than we, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, who died in faith, and who live before the throne of God and praise him each day in his temple. We confess that we are united with them as we are united with one another. To sum up all these petitions, please stand and let us pray as Christ himself taught us. Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. PLEASE BE SEATED.

Opening Hymn

Once in Royal David’s City

(Students) Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed; Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall; With the poor and mean and lowly lived on earth our Savior holy.

(Cong) But our eyes at last shall see him Through his own redeeming love, For that child, so dear and gentle, Is our Lord in heav’n above, And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.

NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS First Lesson Genesis 3:8-15 The seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. Guitar & Soloist: “To Shepherds as They Watched by Night”

Second Lesson Genesis 22:15-18 God’s promises to Abraham Hymn by Congregation: (Pew Hymnal #54, vs.1-2)

Third Lesson Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light. Hymn by Congregation: (Pew Hymnal #54, vs.3-4)

Fourth Lesson Isaiah 11:1-9 A Branch from the stem of Jesse Instrumental: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”

Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26-35, 38 The angel Gabriel visits Mary. Hymn by Congregation: (Pew Hymnal #67)

Sixth Lesson The birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-7

Instrumental: “From Heav’n Above”

Seventh Lesson Luke 2:8-20 The shepherds visit the manger. Hymn by Congregation: (Pew Hymnal #61, vs.1-2)

Eighth Lesson Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi worship the newborn King. Hymn by Congregation: (Pew Hymnal #61, vs.3)

Ninth Lesson John 1:1-14 The mystery of the Incarnation OFFERING (Guitar Solo during offering)

PRAYER O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only Son, Jesus Christ, grant that as we joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. BLESSING May Christ fill us with joy that comes with the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. The blessing of God Almighty –the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit –be with us all. C: Amen. (PLEASE BE SEATED.)

Please note: While “Silent Night” is being introduced the candles of the congregation will be lit. Two students will bring a lit candle to the person on the end of each pew. Tilt your UNLIT candle to receive the flame.

SILENT NIGHT A vocalist will indicate when to begin singing.

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. Heavenly hosts sing, “Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born!” Silent Night! Holy Night! Son of God, loves pure light! Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth! Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth! TO EXTINGUISH Hold your hand behind the candle and blow gently. You will not be ushered out. Greet people as you wish! Candles may be deposited in a box at the back of the sanctuary as you go out.

PARTICIPANTS Erin True Hanna Schultz Nathan Riley Charlie Pingel Mason DeNoyer Megan Riley Megan Pingel Jerry Weber Ben Runke Elijah Tesch Kyle Anderson

Samantha Anderson Estrella Tesch Maria Werre Tim Grant Sophia Collins Mitch Georgi Matthew Werre Kyle Wiessinger Josh McCrary Will DeNoyer Nick Chesterman

CHRISTMAS DAY DIVINE SERVICE 9:00 AM

Sunday, December 27, 8:00 & 10:30 Monday, December 28, 6:30 pm -No Sunday School or Bible StudyNew Year’s Eve, 6:30 pm (Holy Communion)