Christmas Eve Worship

To us, to all in sorrow and fear, Emmanuel comes a-singing,
His humble song is quiet and near, yet fills the earth with its ringing;
Music to heal the broken soul and hymns of loving-kindness,
The thunder of his anthems roll, to shatter all hatred and blindness.
From ‘Awake, Awake, and Greet the New Morn’

This Advent, we have heard of anticipation and hope; of longing and revolution; of apocalypse, darkness, silence, and light. All the way through, God has called us to pay attention and keep alert, for Christ is coming, and it is our work to prepare the way.

Though our separation from one another this season brings weariness and grief, we remember the Christmas proclamation – that to us, to all in sorrow and fear, Emmanuel comes a-singing! We are deeply grateful for the generosity, creativity, and care of the Holy Spirit community this season. God’s steadfast love is made flesh in you. Merry Christmas!

End of Year Giving

In spite of so many uncertainties this year, Holy Spirit is in a good financial position as 2020 comes to an end. Thank you! This community’s stunning generosity has enabled new ministries to grow and flourish, and made it possible for us to share generously with our wider community and world. As you are able, an end-of-year gift will help us enter 2021 in position to continue the work of proclaiming and embodying the compassionate, challenging, inclusive love of God. Donations postmarked or received by December 31, 2020 qualify for the 2020 tax year. We give thanks for the steadfast support of the congregation!

We have a number of ways to participate and contribute when you are unable to attend worship in person. You can make a one-time donation, or manage ongoing giving. You may also chose to use the GivePlus App. Simply download the GivePlus app, and then search for “Holy Spirit Lutheran Church” using our zip code: 98034 (there are two other Holy Spirit Lutheran Churches in the country). Through that app you can also set up one-time or ongoing giving from your phone.

TEXT TO GIVE

Text the amount “$___” to the number 425-287-5486

Permissions Information for Thursday, December 24th

O Come, O Come Emmanuel.  Arrangement by Josh Gottry.  Offered by Quarantone Dan O.

Additional instrumental music originally planned for this service is now a part of HSLC’s Decemeber Music for the Soul series.  Please visit here for musical offerings from past weeks. Music removed from this service will be posted on the afternoon of Sunday, 12/27!

O Come, All Ye Faithful.  Arrangement by David Wilcox.  An excerpt from the ABENDMUSIK AT FIRST-PLYMOUTH Christmas program “O Come, Let Us Adore Him” presented December 12, 2016 at First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska.  Original audio and visual available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=242_gGa8ni8.

Angels We Have Heard on High.  Text:  Music:  Traditional French Carol.  Public Domain.  Offered by Eric and Lanell P, Mark and Cindy W, Stephanie D, Eugenia S, Denise T, and a number of John Ses.

O Little Town of Bethlehem.  Text:  Music:  ST. LOUIS, Public Domain.  Originally offered in worship at First Plymouth Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. December 18, 2016.  Tom Trenny, Minister of Music.  Original audio and video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp3pMclmflY.

In the Bleak Midwinter. Composer is Gustav Holst. Copyright 2014. Viola by Sommer S, Percussion by Heath S.

Silent Night. Piano Adventures Christmas Book 2A by Nancy and Randall Faber ©1996. Offered by Maren S.

Calypso Lullaby.  Music and Lyrics by Joel Raney.  Offered by Quarantones Lorica quartet, Mary S, Eugenia S, Jon C & Dave T.

What Child is This?  Text:  Music:  GREENSLEEVES, traditional English melody.  Public Domain.  Public Domain.  Offered by Eric and Lanell P, Mark and Cindy W, Stephanie D, Eugenia S, Denise T, and John S.

Nocturne on Silent Night.  Music by Daniel Dorff.  Offered by Quarantone Lisa H

Silent Night. Text:  Joseph Mohr.  Music: STILLE NACHT, Franz Gruber.  Public Domain.  Offered by Eric and Lanell P, Mark and CIndy W, Stephanie D, Eugenia S, Denise T, and a number of John Ses. Eugenia

Joy to the World.   Text: Issac Watts, 1674-1748.  Music:  ANTIOCH, English melody.  Arrangement by Steven Amundson. An excerpt from "The Weary World Rejoices: An Abendmusik Christmas" presented at First Plymouth Church, Lincoln Nebraska on December 16, 2018.  Original audio and visual available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHUfGglv0dU.

Spoken Liturgy

Spoken liturgy may be taken from SundaysandSeasons.com, alt., used by permission under Augsburg Fortress License #14006-LIT.  Addition spoken liturgy written by the local community, used by permission of the authors.

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.  Used by permission.

Additional scripture quotations may be taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries.

Additional scripture quotations may be taken from the Spark Story Bible, a paraphrase with contributions by Patti Thisted Arthur, et. al.  © 2009 Augsburg Fortress.  All Rights Reserved.  Used by permission.