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Jesus Christ, our Savior, was born as God’s gift of salvation for all people.The gift of Christmas is yours tonight, and is for all who approach themanger with faith and trust. The people and pastors of Hope LutheranChurch wish you a very Merry Christmas, and pray for a blessed New Yearfor you and your family!Worship Check-InPlease take a moment to check-in onlineon the Worship Resource page atwww.hopelutheranwf.org.Wayne PulsSenior PastorOfferingsLew UpchurchAll are invited to make an offering today,as a worshipful expression ofthanksgiving to God, and in support ofthe ministries of Hope Lutheran Church.You may place your gift in the offeringplate as you leave, next to the sanctuaryexit doors. May God bless our offeringsand tithes.Associate PastorJames KirkVicar (Pastoral Intern)2

GATHERING PRE-SERVICE MUSIC“I Wonder As I Wander”WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTSCongregation standsCHRISTMAS CALL TO WORSHIP (from John 1)P:C:P:C:In the beginning was the one who is called the Word.The Word was with God and was truly God.Everything that was created received its life from him,And his life gave light to everyone.P:C:P:C:The light keeps shining in the dark,And darkness has never put it out.The Word became a human being, and lived here with us.We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.P: We worship tonight in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the HolySpirit.C: Amen!3

CAROL“Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” (LBW45)4

CHRISTMAS CONFESSION PRAYERGod, our Father, we confess our sins to you. We admit that we are imperfect andunfaithful. We have failed to love you with our whole heart, and we have not loved ourneighbors as ourselves. We are blessed to be your children, but often we rebel againstyou or ignore you. Please forgive our sins, dear Father, not for our sake, but for thesake of your perfect Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESSCongregation is seatedLIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLECHRISTMAS CANDLE PRAYERO God, as light comes from this candle, may the blessing of Jesus Christ come to us,warming our hearts and brightening our way. May Christ our Savior bring light into thedarkness of this world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. Amen. GOD’S WORD FULFILLED PROPHECY OF THE CHRIST CHILDIsaiah 7:10-14the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep asSheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord tothe test.” 13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to wearymen, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you asign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call hisname Immanuel.”10 AgainCongregation standsHOLY GOSPELLuke 2:1-202 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world shouldbe registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Andall went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up fromGalilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which iscalled Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to beregistered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there,the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn sonand wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there wasno place for them in the inn.5

8 Andin the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch overtheir flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of theLord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said tothem, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all thepeople. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ theLord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothsand lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of theheavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Gloryto God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”15 Whenthe angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to oneanother, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, whichthe Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary andJoseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made knownthe saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard itwondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things,pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praisingGod for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.Congregation is seatedCAROL“Away in a Manger” (LBW67)6

CHRISTMAS EVE SERMON“Unexpected Christmas”Pastor Wayne PulsSOLO“O Holy Night” Joe Walters, soloistCongregation standsPRAYERS FOR CHRISTMAS EVEEach portion of the prayers ends with these words:P: Lord, in your mercy .C: Hear our prayer.THE LORD’S PRAYEROur 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 LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS Please tip unlit candles to receive the flame from those already lit.Parents of small children, please share a candle with your child.P:C:P:C:From the dawn of creation,God has brought us light:The sun to rule the day,The moon and stars to rule the night.P:C:P:C:But now he has brought us the One who is the Light of the world,Jesus Christ the Lord.From this day on, O Jesus,Enlighten us with your love.P:C:P:C:From this day on, O Savior,Enlighten us with your peace.From this day on, O Christ,Enlighten us with your hope.P: From this day on, O Son of God,C: Brighten our lives with your presence.7

CAROL“Silent Night, Holy Night” (LBW65)8

BENEDICTIONAfter extinguishing candles, please hold upright and allow wax to cool.CAROL“Joy to the World” (LBW39)CHRISTMAS DISMISSALP:C:P:C:Christ, the Savior, is born!Joy to the world!Go in peace, and serve the Lord.Thanks be to God!POST-SERVICE MUSIC“Fantasy Of Joy” 9

Christmas PoinsettiasThe following poinsettias were given to the glory of God and to honor and rememberloved ones. Poinsettias may be taken following the 11:00PM Christmas Eve service. Bob & Vickie Herring in honor of Carol Lippard and Barbara Gundersen James & Sandee Kosmar in memory of their parents Agnes & John Millerand Ann & John Kosmar Jerry & Liz Garlington in memory of their dear friend Ann Jinkins Dennis & Linda Hutson in loving memory of Ilga Rady-Pentek and Helen Hutson Wesley Spottiswood in memory of John Spottiswood Wesley Spottiswood in memory of Carol Fender Wesley Spottiswood in memory of Betty Rowe Wesley Spottiswood in Memory of Auggie Mallinson Wesley Spottiswood in honor of Teri Lee Spottiswood's 65th birthday Jerry & Nancy Repak in memory of Josie Repak Jerry & Nancy Repak in memory of Edward, Mary, and June Galusha Dick & Trudy Rogers in memory of their parents Dick Faucher & Diane Ryals in memory of Janice Faucher & Gene Ryals, Roy &Ruth Faucher, and Brack & Mandy Lee Bill & Norine Carter in memory of their parents, William & Janet Carter andLuther & Leona Kelso David & Lisa Rummel in honor of their children Bryce, Stephanie, Connor 10

David & Lisa Rummel in memory of Donna Sharp, Phillip Rummel,and Milton Reupert Todd & Angie Meyer in memory of Sharon Meyer Bill & Darlene McKenney in honor of their children and grandchildren Bryan & Heather Weitzel and family in memory of Heidi Christine Ziegler and theirgrandparents Rosie Miller in memory of Dave Carte and Bill Miller Kimberly LaPorte in loving memory of Shirley Petsuck Kimberly LaPorte in loving memory of Floradell Bournonville Ken & JoAnn Kempel in memory of loved ones Mike Arnum in loving memory of Malven Arnum Peggy Nickola in loving memory of Wayne Nickola Peggy Nickola to the glory of God Paul & Rene Hieter in memory of loved ones David & Ann Hochstrasser in honor of their grandchildren: Catelin, Hannah & Elijah Bryant & Amie Becton in loving memory of Robert Bowie Lankford, Sr. Bryant & Amie Becton in loving memory of grandparents Andy & Nancy Hoh in honor of their children and grandchildren Stacey Giglio in loving memory of Renie Giglio and Jimmy Levine 11

All members and friends of HopeLutheran Church are invited to jointhe congregation in celebrating our25th Anniversary. We are highlightingthe months of December 2021through May 2022 for our celebration,in commemoration of the first worshipservice of the Wake Forest LutheranMission in December 1996 and HopeLutheran church’s Charter Sunday inMay 1997. We rejoice at the countlessgifts of grace God has shared withthe people of Hope through the pastyears, even as we recommit ourselvesto carrying on our mission in thepresent and future.Other 25th Anniversary-themed worship services will take place onFebruary 5-6 (guest preacher former Associate Pastor Tab Cosgrove), April3-4, and May 14-15 (special preacher Pastor Emeritus Preston Wagner). Aspecial 25th Anniversary fellowship reception will be held in the Children’sCenter after each of those services. Watch for more information aboutspecial 25th Anniversary fellowship events to take place at Hope nextspring.In gratitude for God's blessings, you are welcome to make a special 25thAnniversary Thank-Offering. Gifts and contributions will establish a new"Silver Mission Fund" at Hope, to provide annual grants for missioninitiatives in our congregation, circuit, and district. Feel free to contributeonce, or monthly throughout the Anniversary celebration period. Pleasemark your gift "Anniversary Thank-Offering."12

January 5-February 23This winter, you’re invited to Hope for Wednesday Night Alive. There issomething for everyone – dinner, adult education, youth & kid activities,and choir rehearsals – in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Visitwww.hopelutheranwf.org/WNA for more information and the weekly menu.Dinner5:30-6:15 PMThe Men of Hope Small Group provides a delicious meal, dessert, anddrinks each week. The cost is 6 for adults & youth, 3 for children ages 510, and kids 5 and under are free. There is a 22 family maximum.Adult Education6:30-7:30 PMDanielWith visions, unusual number of imagery, and an interest in end-timesevents, the reader should beware of over-interpreting the symbolism ofDaniel’s prophecies. Instead, we cling to the general message: Godreigns, and he works to deliver his people from evil, especially in the gift ofChrist. Join the discussion as we work our way through the entire book! Thisclass is led by Pastor Lew & Vicar James on the Adult Education floor inroom 301.Kids & Youth Activities6:30-7:30 PM3 years-Kindergarten in the Nursery1-4 Grades in the Children's Center5&6 Grade Youth Group in the Youth Center7&8 Grade Youth Group in the Youth CenterMusic6:30-7:30: Adult Handbells in the Sanctuary7:30-9:15: Senior Choir in the Sanctuary13