Bulletin: Christmas Eve Worship, 2025

First Lutheran Church                                                                Christmas Eve
PO Box 153 - 240 Elm Street West                                             December 24, 2025          
Amery, WI   715-268-7135                                                            www.flcamery.org
Our mission is to know Jesus and to make Jesus known. Jn. 17    

WELCOME

SOLO by Jon Buss: In the Bleak Midwinter

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
We come to celebrate the Light that no darkness can overcome. God’s love has come to dwell among us.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all the earth!

MUSIC: 4:30: First Lutheran Choir, 9pm Duet: Kathy & Julie

HYMN: O Come, All You Faithful………………….Green 45

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS  On this holy night, we confess our need for God’s mercy. Loving God, we confess that we have turned from your ways and ignored the cries of the vulnerable. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may walk in your light and share your love with the world. Amen.

Hear the good news: God’s mercy is boundless, God’s love is
for all. In Christ, we are forgiven and made new. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES: Tonight we light the Christ candle, for the Light of the World has come. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

A CHRISTMAS CANDLE STORY

Isaiah 9:2–7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined.  You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest…  For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of   David and his kingdom.

HYMN: What Child Is This......................................Green 40

Luke 2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar 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 in the guest room. Now in that same 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!”

HYMN: Angels We Have Heard on High………….Green 71

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, and 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, just as it had been told them.

SERMON

HYMN: The First Noel................(verses 1-3)………...Green 56

OFFERING: 4:30 C. Williamson Family 9 L. Williamson Family

PRAYERS

CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION
Joy to the World Gr 39, 4:30 Sharon B., O Little Town Gn 41

Blessing: May the God who sent angels to sing over Bethlehem fill your hearts with peace that passes all understanding. May the Christ child, born in humility, dwell richly in your lives with joy and hope. May the Holy Spirit, who gathers us as one family in faith, send you forth to bear the light of Christ into the world. And may the blessing of Almighty God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Candlelight: Silent Night…Gr65 & Away in a Manger..Gr67

Go into the night with the light of Christ in your hearts.
We will shine with love, justice, and peace. Amen.