SAINT THOMAS CHURCH FIFTH AVENUE in the CITY OF NEW YORK

Transcription

1 SAINT THOMAS CHURCH FIFTH AVENUE in the CITY OF NEW YORK The Reverend Andrew C. Mead, OBE, DD, Rector John Scott, LVO, D.Mus, Organist and Director of Music The Reverend Charles F. Wallace, Headmaster Welcome to Saint Thomas, a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Our mission is to worship, love and serve Our Lord Jesus Christ through the Anglican tradition and our unique choral heritage. Please switch off all cellular telephones and pagers. CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24, 2009 A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS and THE BLESSING OF THE CRECHE 4 p.m. PRELUDE Three Versets on Away in a manger Mark Blatchly (b. 1960) Chorale Prelude on Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, Op. 122 Johannes Brahms ( ) Nativité, from Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23 Marcel Dupré ( ) HYMN Once in royal David s city All stand. IRBY Chorister Only: 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. Choir Only: 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, through all his wondrous childhood, He would honor and obey, Love, and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay; Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he. 4. For he is our childhood s pattern; Day by day like us he grew; He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us he knew; And he feeleth for our sadness, And he shareth in our gladness. 5. And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love; For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above; And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone. 6. 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; When like stars his children crowned, All in white shall wait around. Cecil Frances Alexander THE BLESSING OF THE CRECHE The image of the child Jesus is brought to the Crèche.

2 HYMN Please kneel and join in the singing of the Hymn STILLE NACHT S ILENT 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. Joseph Mohr FIRST LESSON Please be seated. Saint Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary. CAROL A maiden most gentle A maiden most gentle and tender we sing: Of Mary the mother of Jesus our King. How bless d is the birth of her heavenly child, Who came to redeem us in Mary so mild. French Traditional Melody arranged by Andrew Carter (b. 1939) The archangel Gabriel foretold by his call The Lord of creation, and Saviour of all. Three kings came to worship with gifts rich and rare, And marveled in awe at the babe in her care Rejoice and be glad at the Christmas we pray; Sing praise to the Saviour, sing endless Ave. Andrew Carter SECOND LESSON Saint Luke 2:1-14 Saint Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. CAROL The holly and the ivy 1. The holly and the ivy When they are both full grown; Of all the trees that are in the wood The holly bears the crown. O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer, The playing of the merry organ, Sweet singing in the choir. English Traditional Carol arranged by H. Walford Davies ( ) 2. The holly bears a blossom As white as any flower; To be our sweet Saviour. Refrain 3. The holly bears a berry As red as any blood; To do poor sinners good. Refrain 4. The holly bears a prickle As sharp as any thorn; On Christmas Day in the morn. Refrain 5. The holly bears a bark As bitt r as any gall; For to redeem us all. Refrain 2

3 THIRD LESSON Saint Luke 2:15-20 The shepherds go to the manger. HYMN While shepherds watched All stand to sing. WINCHESTER OLD w HILE shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. 4. The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid. 2. Fear not, said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind; Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. 3. To you, in David s town, this day Is born of David s line The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign: 5. Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song: 6. All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace; Good will henceforth from heaven to men Begin and never cease. Nahum Tate SALUTATION AND COLLECT Please kneel. Officiant People Officiant The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. THE LORD=S PRAYER O UR 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, for ever and ever. Amen. The Officiant says the Collect. THE GREETINGS Please be seated. HYMN Please stand and join in the singing of the Hymn. CRADLE SONG A WAY in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. Children are invited to come forward during the Hymn. Traditional Carol Please be seated. THE RECTOR S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO THE CHILDREN Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me for ever, and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there. 3

4 AT THE OFFERING, CAROL If ye would hear the angels sing Peter Tranchell ( ) If ye would hear the angels sing Peace on earth and mercy mild, Think of him who was once a child, On Christmas Day in the morning. If ye would hear the angels sing, Rise, and spread your Christmas fare; Tis merrier still the more that share, On Christmas Day in the morning. Rise, and bake your Christmas bread: Christians rise! the world is bare, and blank, and dark with want and care Yet Christmas comes in the morning. If ye would hear the angels sing, Christians! see ye let each door Stand wider than it e er stood before, On Christmas Day in the morning. CAROL Sleep, little Jesus, sleep Sleep, little Jesus, my gentle dove Sleep, dearest treasure and precious love Sleep, little Lord Jesus, hush don t you cry, Mary will comfort you with her lullaby. Lulaj, lulajże Jezuniu. Rise, and open wide the door; Christians, rise! the world is wide, and many there be that stand outside, Yet Christmas comes in the morning, Christmas comes in the morning. Look down from heaven all over the earth, Bless us with happiness, goodwill and mirth. Sleep, little Lord Jesus, hush don t you cry, Mary will comfort you with her lullaby. Dora Greenwell ( ) Traditional Polish Carol arranged by Roxanna Panufnik (b. 1968) THE BLESSING Please kneel. HYMN All stand to sing. MENDELSSOHN H ARK! the herald angels sing 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 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 Charles Wesley 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 Emmanuel! Hark! the herald angels sing 4

5 VOLUNTARY Noël Tous les Bourgeois de Châtres Claude-Bénigne Balbastre ( ) CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE SCHEDULE È December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 10:15 p.m. (Doors open at 10 p.m.) FESTIVAL MUSIC FOR TRUMPET AND ORGAN 11 p.m. THE SOLEMN EUCHARIST OF THE NATIVITY Sung by The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys Sermon by The Rector È December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 11 a.m. SOLEMN EUCHARIST Sung by The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys Sermon by The Rector È January 10, 2009 THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY: THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD 11 a.m. & 4 p.m. EPIPHANY PROCESSION WITH CAROLS Sung by The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys PARISH NOTICES Saint Thomas Sunday School classes are in recess until Sunday, January 10, when classes will resume for all youth and children from 3 years old to high school seniors. For more information, or to register, please contact Father Erdman at or jerdman@saintthomaschurch.org. Sunday School classes are held on the third floor of the Parish House beginning at 10 a.m. If you are interested in Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church or in learning more about the Christian faith as we have received it, you are invited to the Rector s Christian Doctrine Class. This course is a 14-session comprehensive overview of Christian teaching about God, sin, salvation, church history, sacraments, and more. It meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. beginning January 5, Every Sunday at 10 a.m. we have a class in adult Christian education. There is no homework for the class, and newcomers are welcome to join at any time. To receive weekly information about theology classes at Saint Thomas, kindly drop a line to vaustin@saintthomaschurch.org. Please visit our website at for a complete calendar of all worship services and other events.. 5

6 ASSISTING CLERGY The Reverend Victor Lee Austin, Ph.D., Theologian-in-residence The Reverend Jonathan M. Erdman, Curate and Youth Minister The Reverend Canon John Andrew, OBE, DD, Rector Emeritus STAFF John Scott, LVO, The Nancy B. and John B. Hoffmann Organist and Director of Music Frederick Teardo, Associate Organist Kevin Kwan, Assistant Organist David M. Daniel, Verger and Manager of Communications Edward J. Givins, Assistant Verger Barbara W. Pettus, Executive Director of Administration and Finance Ann H. Kaplan, Director of Development Douglas M. Robbe, Secretary to The Rector HONORARY CLERGY The Reverend J. Anthony Fletcher, Honorary Assistant The Reverend Canon Harold R. Landon, Honorary Assistant The Reverend David F. McNeeley, Honorary Assistant The Reverend William A. Norgren, Honorary Assistant The Reverend Thomas F. Pike, Honorary Assistant The Reverend John C. Smith, Honorary Assistant The Reverend Ivan Weiser, Honorary Assistant The Reverend Canon Prof. J. Robert Wright, Honorary Assistant PARISH OFFICES One West Fifty-third Street New York, New York Church Telephone SAINT THOMAS CHOIR SCHOOL 202 West 58th Street New York, New York A boarding school for choristers in grades 3 to 8 For information: Choir School Telephone The Reverend Charles F. Wallace, Headmaster Mr. William H. A. Wright II, Warden Mr. Jesse D. Adelaar Mr. Colin Fergus Miss Jean Cameron Grainger Mrs. Kazie Metzger Harvey Mr. Fred T. Isquith, Clerk THE VESTRY Mr. Kenneth F. Koen, Warden Mrs. Linda Ellen Ketchum-Pompili Mr. W. Michael Margolin Mr. William R. Miller, OBE Mr. B. Franklin Reinauer III Mr. Karl C. Saunders 6