Service of Lessons and Carols

Transcription

1 RUBISLAW PARISH CHURCH Sunday 23 December 2012 Fourth Sunday in Advent Minister: Rev William M M Campbell Organist & Director of Music: Allan Bicket Service of Lessons and Carols

2 Preludes Nun komm der heiden Heiland JS Bach Vom Himmel hoch JS Bach Es ist ein Ros entsprungen J Brahms Welcome This morning our worship centres around the words and music of the Christmas Story. The lessons will be read by members of our congregation. The readers are the Conveners or their deputies of our Kirk Session Committees: Caring, Centre Management, Education, Fellowship, Outreach and Partnership, Review and Youth Council, along with our Clerk to the Congregational Board and Session Clerk. The music is provided by our Choir and Organist and Director of Music, Allan Bicket. Introit: Choir Advent Wreath Prayers Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, merciful and gentle; to you be praise and glory for ever! Your light has shone in our darkened world through the child-bearing of blessed Mary; grant that we who have seen your glory may daily be renewed in your image and prepared like her for the coming of your Son, who is the Lord and Saviour of all. Blessed be God for ever. Lighting of the Advent candle Carol Once in Royal David's City (Hymn 315) verse 1 - soprano verse 2 - choir only verses 3 and 4 - all 1. 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. 2. 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 Saviour holy. 3. And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through his own redeeming love; For that Child, so dear and helpless Is our Lord in heaven above; And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone. 4. Not in that poor, lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see Him, but in heaven, Set at God's right hand on high, Where his children gather round, Bright like stars, with glory crowned. Introduction and Prayers (Children leave for Sunday Club in the Church Centre)

3 Carol for Choir Ding-dong, ding: Ding-a-dong-a-ding: Ding-dong, ding-dong: Ding-a-dong-ding. 1. Up! good Christen folk, and listen How the merry church bells ring, And from steeple Bid good people Come adore the new-born King: First lesson Genesis 3, verses 8-15 Up! good Christen folk and listen Piae Cantiones (1582) arr G R Woodward 2. Tell the story how from glory God came down at Christmastide, Bringing gladness, Chasing sadness, Show'ring blessings far and wide. 3. Born of mother, blest o'er other, Ex Maria Virgine, In a stable ('Tis no fable), Christus natus hodie. Carol for Choir Adam lay ybounden AM Bicket Adam lay ybounden, Bounden in a bond; Four thousand winter Thought he not too long. And all was for an apple, An apple that he took, As clerkës finden written In their book. Second lesson Genesis 22, verses Carol for all Hark the glad sound! Hymn 277 Ne had one apple taken been, The apple taken been, Ne had ne er Our Lady A-been heaven queen. Blessed be the time That apple taken was. Therefore we may singen Deo gratias! 1. Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes, the Saviour promised long; let every heart exult with joy, and every voice a song! 2. He comes, the prisoners to relieve, in Satan's bondage held. the gates of brass before Him burst, the iron fetters yield. 3. He comes the broken hearts to bind, the bleeding souls to cure; and with the treasures of His grace to enrich the humble poor. 4. The sacred year has now revolved, accepted of the Lord, when heaven s high promise is fulfilled, and Israel is restored. 5. Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, thy welcome shall proclaim; and heaven's exalted arches ring with thy most honoured name. Scottish Paraphrases, 1781 St Luke 4: 18,19

4 Third lesson Isaiah 9, verses 2, 6, 7 Carol for Choir On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring news of great joy news of great mirth news of our merciful King's birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty. Sussex Carol English Traditional carol, arr David Willcocks Fourth Lesson Isaiah 11, verses 1-11 When Sin departs before his grace Then life and health come in its place; Angels and men with joy may sing All for to see the newborn King. All out of the darkness we have light Which made the angels sing the night: Glory to God and Peace to men Now and forever more. Amen Carol for all The voice of God goes out to all the world Hymn 283 The voice of God goes out to all the world; his glory speaks across the universe. The great King's herald cries from star to star: The Lord has said: 'Receive my messenger, my promise to the world, my pledge made flesh, a lamp to every nation, light from light': The broken reed he will not trample down, nor set his heel upon the dying flame. He binds the wounds, and heals with his strong hand: Anointed with the Spirit and with power, he comes to crown with comfort all the weak, to show the face of justice to the poor: His touch will open eyes that darkness held; the lame shall run, the halting tongue shall sing, and prisoners laugh in light and liberty: Fifth Lesson Luke 1, verses 26-35, 38 Words: Luke Connaughton ( ) Music: Sydney Watson ( )

5 Carol for Choir Sans Day Carol Cornish Traditional carol Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk, And Mary bore Jesus, who was wrapped up in silk: Refrain: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly. Holly, holly, And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly. Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass, And Mary bore Jesus, who died on the cross: Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal, And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all: Now the holly bears a berry, as blood is it red, Then trust we our Saviour, who rose from the dead: Sixth Lesson Luke 2, verses 1-7 Carol for Choir Rocking 1. Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir; We will lend a coat of fur, We will rock you, rock you, rock you, We will rock you, rock you, rock you: See the fur to keep you warm, Snugly round your tiny form. Seventh Lesson Luke 2, verses 8-16 Carol for all It was on a starry night Hymn 302 It was on a starry night when the hills were bright, earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still; then in a cattle shed, in a manger bed, a boy was born, King of all the world. And all the angels sang for him, the bells of heaven rang for him; for a boy was born, King of all the world. And all the angels sang for him, the bells of heaven rang for him; for a boy was born, King of all the world. Czech Traditional carol arr David Willcocks 2. Mary's little baby, sleep, sweetly sleep, Sleep in comfort, slumber deep; We will rock you, rock you, rock you, We will rock you, rock you, rock you: We will serve you all we can, Darling, darling little man Soon the shepherds came that way, where the baby lay, and were kneeling, kneeling by his side, to celebrate his birth bringing peace on earth; a boy was born, King of all the world. Joy Webb (b 1932)

6 Eighth Lesson Matthew 2, verses 1-11 Carol for Choir Infant holy, Infant lowly Polish, arranged by David Willcocks Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new; Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a Gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the Babe was born for you. Ninth Lesson John 1, 1-14 Carol for all O come all ye faithful (Hymn 306 alternative words in v4) 1. O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him, Born the King of Angels: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! 2. God of God, Light of Light, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin s womb; Very God, Begotten, not created; 3. Sing, choir of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above: Glory to God In the highest': 4. Yea, Lord we greet Thee, Born for our salvation; Jesus, to Thee be glory given: Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; Latin, 18 th century, possibly by John Francis Wade (c ) and others Offering during which the choir sings: Ding dong merrily on high 16 th century French arr Charles Wood Prayers

7 Carol for all Hark the herald angels sing (Hymn 301) 1. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled! Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald-angels sing, Glory to the new-born King. 2. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a Virgin's womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the Incarnate Deity, Pleased as Man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel! Hark! the herald-angels sing, Glory to the new-born King. 3. Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild, He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth: Hark! the herald-angels sing, Glory to the new-born King. Charles Wesley ( ) and others Music: Felix Mendelssohn ( ) Adapted William Hayman Cummings ( ) Blessing Postlude Marche Sortie in G. Theodore Dubois ( )

8 RUBISLAW CHURCH NEWS SERVICES TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN RUBISLAW PARISH CHURCH Christmas Eve Monday 24 December 7.00 pm Family Service by Candlelight and Torchlight pm Watchnight Worship Christmas Day Tuesday 25 December am Area Worship in Queen s Cross Church WELCOME to worship today, especially if you are a visitor or newcomer to Rubislaw. We invite you most warmly to coffee after worship in the lounge of the Church Centre at the corner of Beaconsfield Place. LOOP SYSTEM for hearing aid users turn to T position. CRÈCHE FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS every Sunday in Room 3 in the Centre and children may be left there in the safe care of the crèche helpers before the service. REMINDER Anyone requiring the services of a minister should contact the Interim Moderator, the Rev Kenneth L Petrie Tel Members of the congregation should feel free to get in touch with Dick Wallis (Session Clerk) on to discuss any church matter, if they so wish. THE CHURCH OFFICE is now closed until Tuesday 8 th January CHURCH CENTRE is now closed until Monday 7 th January MONDAY LUNCHES are finished for this year and will resume on Monday 14 th January. Help is urgently needed with the catering (not more than once a month). Please see Mary Wallis if you are able to help LIFE & WORK The subscription for next year s magazine is 20 and is payable now. Cheques payable to Rubislaw Church may be given to the Church Office or to Edna Forbes. Please get in touch with Edna if you wish to add your name to the list of subscribers FLOWER ROTA The new flower rota for 2013 is available in the back vestibule of the Church. Please sign up as soon as possible for your chosen date and for all the others! Olive Fraser PEW CARDS are now available should you wish to leave a message/information or request information. Completed cards may be handed to a duty elder. Rubislaw Parish Church of Scotland, Aberdeen Scottish Charity No. SC015841