THE GATHERING. PRELUDE Magnificat, op. 18, #10 Marcel Dupré. *HYMN Sing We a Song of High Revolt Veni Emmanuel

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1 December 16, 2012 Third Sunday in Advent 11:00 am Welcome! Thank you for turning off cell phones, pagers and beepers, and for refraining from using flash photography. Please maintain a respectful and meditative quiet throughout the service, except of course when congregational participation is invited. THE GATHERING PRELUDE Magnificat, op. 18, #10 Marcel Dupré *HYMN Sing We a Song of High Revolt Veni Emmanuel * Indicates all who are able may stand Sing we a song of high revolt, Make great the Lord, God s name exalt! Sing we the words of Mary s song, Of God at war with human wrong. Continued next page...

2 : Rejoice! Rejoice! Magnificat anima mea dominum * Sing we of One who deeply cares, Who still with us our burden shares, One who with strength the proud disowns, Pulls down the mighty from their thrones. By God the poor are lifted up, God satisfies with bread and cup, The hungry ones of many lands; The rich must go with empty hands. God calls us to revolt and fight, With Christ for what is just and right, To sing and live Magnificat, In crowded street and empty lot. Fred Kaan * This Latin phrase is the first line of the Magnificat, the song that Mary sings in Luke 1: In English it is My soul magnifies the Lord. *LIGHTING THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE Revs. Richard and Elinor Yeo *PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, as we come to the height of our Advent walk; as we stand in the glow of your hope, peace, and radiant joy, have mercy on us. For all the mourning and pain we have caused, forgive us. In the tears that we have shed, comfort us, and for the tears we have created forgive us. Shine down on us and recreate us so that we might be your agents of change in the face of apathy and your joy in the face of sorrow. Amen 2

3 *RESPONSE Be Not Afraid Harry L. Huff *A SIGN OF OUR UNITY AND RECONCILIATION John M. Edgerton We invite you to greet those around you, wishing them peace or the peace of Christ. WORDS OF WELCOME ANTHEM The Angel Band South Carolina folk song The Children s Choir; Linda O Donnell, director There was one, there were two, there were three little angels. There were four, there were five, there were six little angels, There were seven, there were eight, there were nine little angels, Ten little angels in the band. Oh, wasn t that a band? Christmas morning, Christmas morning, Christmas morning, Wasn t that a band? Christmas morning, Christmas morning soon? Traditional 3

4 THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD SCRIPTURE Luke 1:39-56 Emily Kate O Brien *HYMN Magnificat Erik K. Gustafson My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted those of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath holpen His servant Israel in remembrance of His mercy, As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever. Amen. Luke 1:46-55 (Children and teachers may leave for their Church School classes.) 4

5 SERMON Tense Nancy S. Taylor *CHRISTMAS CREED FROM LATIN AMERICA I believe in Jesus Christ and in the power of the gospel, begun in Bethlehem. I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a small village, of whose coming shepherds saw the sign, and for whom there was no room at the inn. I believe in the one whose life changed the course of history, over whom the rulers of the earth had no power, and who was not understood by the proud. I believe in the one to whom the oppressed, the discouraged, the afflicted, the sick, the blind, the injured gave welcome, and accept as Lord and Savior. I believe in the one who with love changed the hearts of the proud and with his life showed that it is better to serve than to be served, and that the greatest joy is giving your life for others. I believe in peace, which is not the absence of war, but justice among all people and nations and love among all. I believe in reconciliation, forgiveness, and the transforming power of the gospel. I believe that Christmas is strength and power, and that this world can change, if with humility and faith, we kneel before the manger. I believe that I must be the first one to do so. *HYMN 345 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Picardy OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS *CALL TO PRAYER One: God be with you. Many: And also with you. One: May the peace of Christ dwell in your hearts. Many: Christ is our peace, our light and our hope. One: Let us pray. (Please be seated) 5 Maggie Lowe

6 PASTORAL PRAYER AND SILENT PRAYER THE LORD S PRAYER 6

7 PRAYER RESPONSE Esurientes from Magnificat J.S. Bach Carrie Cheron, soloist He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. Luke 1:53 CALL TO THE OFFERING In thanksgiving to God and giving witness to generous hearts, our financial gifts support ministries of mercy and justice. John M. Edgerton OFFERTORY ANTHEM Magnificat George Sargeant Adriana Repetto, soloist My soul proclaims the greatness of Almighty God, and my spirit rejoices in my Savior. God has regarded my lowliness, and behold, all generations shall call me blessed. The Almighty has done great things for me. Holy, holy, holy is the name Yahweh! Behold your Savior with awe. From age to age God s mercy is sure. God s arm is strong! God has scattered the proud in their conceit! God has put down the mighty from their seats and lifted up the lowly. God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich empty away. O chosen people of God, you have been aided. O children of Abraham and Sarah, God made a promise of mercy to them and to you, And now has honored it. Glory be unto the blessed Trinity. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen! Luke 1:46-55 PRAYER OF DEDICATION *HYMN 119 My Soul Gives Glory to My God Morning Song *BIDDING TO MISSION AND BENEDICTION Nancy S. Taylor POSTLUDE Magnificat, op. 18, #15 Dupré Today, following the Postlude, those interested in a tour of the Sanctuary are invited to meet docent Lucy Costa at the front of the Sanctuary. 7

8 Experience Christmas An Advent & Christmas Poetry Fest Today, December 16, 12:30 pm Bring your favorite poem or short prose piece to celebrate the season. Hosted by Theologian in Residence Donald Wells. Congregational Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 23, 9 am, 11 am & 6 pm Join fellow worshippers in traditional carols and music for the Christmas season. Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Family Worship 5 pm We will sing well-loved carols and tell the Christmas story together. Children are invited to participate in an unrehearsed pageant. Simple costumes for angels, shepherds and animals are provided. ASL Interpreter. Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols 8 pm (Preludes 7:30 pm) We will engage in an elegant retelling of the Christmas story. The service features carols and readings with music for choir, strings and organ culminating in the singing of Silent Night in the candle-lit Sanctuary. The pews fill up on this night, so do come early. The service will be projected on a screen in the Chapel for overflow worshippers. ASL Interpreter. For both services FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN: Please plan to park children s strollers in the Chapel (to your left upon entering the Front Door) as they cannot be parked in the Sanctuary aisles. As always, we ask people to keep good track of personal valuables. Candles will be handed to all worshippers above age 10. Children ten and younger will be given glow sticks. Thank you for honoring our concern for safety. ACCESSIBILITY: An ASL interpreter will sign the service. Hearing assistance devices and large print bulletins are available; ask an Usher for assistance. The building is handicap accessible with a gently ramped entrance, accessible bathrooms, and spaces for wheelchairs among the pews. 8

9 TODAY AT OLD SOUTH Welcome to Old South Church in Boston. Our faith is over 2000 years old, but our thinking is not! Old South opens its doors to the city, to tourists from near and far, to the needy, to an array of building users, and to a congregation (of members, friends, and family both the curious and the committed) who call this their church home. Join us immediately following worship for fellowship and refreshments in the Gordon Chapel. The poinsettias are given by Old South Church members and friends in honor and memory of loved ones. A listing of gifts is available in the pews. Today s Scripture Reader, Emily Kate O Brien, is a member of the Youth Group. Today s ASL Interpreter is Old South Church member Chris Breen. Name tags facilitate community and help newcomers feel welcomed. If you don t see a tag with your name on it, let us know. Sunday sermons and services are available as podcasts and text at If you are interested in deepening your participation, or if you just love Old South, it s time to think about CONNECTIONS CLASS. Contact one of the ministers: (617) Audio of the service is available across the Narthex in the Gordon Chapel for those who would like a place to take restless children. For LARGE print bulletins or hearing assistance devices ask an Usher. GARAGE PARKING VALIDATIONS We have arrangements for discounted parking with two nearby garages for Old South worship or church business (excluding weddings and concerts): 1. Park at the Garage@100 Clarendon (behind Back Bay Station), have your ticket validated at our Front Desk, and you pay the discounted rate of $7 for up to 3 hours. Old South bears no cost. 2. Park at the Prudential Garage for up to 3 hours, have your ticket validated at our Front Desk, and the Prudential Garage will bill Old South (costing us $15k - $20k per year). Old South is located a short walk from bus stops, subway and rail lines, cab stands, and walking/ cycling paths. Bike racks are available on Boylston Street. Find directions by transit from your address to 645 Boylston Street at To join the Old South Forum, communications@oldsouth.org. Like us: Facebook.com/OldSouthChurch. 9

10 NOTES ON TODAY S MUSIC Today is Rose Sunday, traditionally referred to by its Latin name Gaudete, which means rejoice. Despite the somber tone of the season of Advent, which has as a secondary theme, the need for penitence, the third Sunday emphasizes the joyous anticipation of Christ s coming. It is therefore fitting that we feature settings of one of the most-beloved paeans of rejoicing of all time the Magnificat. It is the canticle that Mary sang after the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she would give birth to the Savior. One of the many appellations for the Virgin Mary is the Mystical Rose. This text has inspired perhaps more beautiful works of musical art than any other, since the early Middle Ages. It is a standard part of every vesper and evensong service, and there have been a host of expanded concert settings of it, most importantly that of J.S. Bach. The charming Esurientes movement of that work is sung today as the Prayer Response. The Old South Choir is indeed fortunate to present two Magnificat settings by our own composers and congregation members, Erik Gustafson and George Sargeant. Erik s setting was written in heartfelt tribute to Rev. Quinn G. Caldwell, for his ongoing ministry and for his years of dedicated service at Old South Church in Boston, and was first performed on Quinn s farewell Sunday, January 8, The Magnificat is Quinn s favorite text, and it was he who first introduced us to the stunning words by Fred Kaan, Sing We a Song of High Revolt, sung today to the tune Veni Emmanuel as the processional hymn. That paraphrase of the text was created as a protest song, originally sung to the tune of O Tannenbaum. The offertory anthem was originally written in the late 1990s for the choir of Fisk Memorial United Methodist Church, Natick, MA, by Associate Organist and Choirmaster George Sargeant. Today will be the first time it has been heard since its premiere. It is an evocative setting of George s original paraphrase of the Magnificat text. The organ voluntaries for the prelude and postlude are taken from Fifteen Pieces for Organ, op. 18, by French composer Marcel Dupré ( ), longtime Titular Organist at Eglise St.-Sulpice in Paris. 10 Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music

11 CALENDAR Third Sunday in Advent Sunday, December 16 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Nancy S. Taylor preaching 9:45 am Old South Café in Gordon Chapel 10:00 am Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 am Breaking (Good) News 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, Nancy S. Taylor preaching 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in Gordon Chapel 12:30 pm Advent and Christmas Poetry Fest 12:30 pm Mission Trip Meeting 4:30 pm Wade in the Water led by J. Mary Luti 6:00 pm EVENING Worship, reflection by Carrie Cheron Monday, December 17 6:00 pm Faith at the Crossroads Task Force 6:30 pm Communications Committee 7:00 pm Music Committee Tuesday, December 18 5:30 pm Trustees 5:30 pm Old South Ringers Rehearsal Thursday, December 20 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship, Blue Christmas 6:30 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal Friday, December 21 8:00 pm Chorus Pro Musica Concert Saturday, December 22 10:00 am Old South Choir Rehearsal Fourth Sunday in Advent Sunday, December 23 9:00 am FIRST Worship, Lessons and Carols 9:45 am Old South Café in Gordon Chapel 10:00 am Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 am Breaking (Good) News 11:00 am FESTIVAL Worship, Lessons and Carols 12:15 pm Fellowship Hour in Gordon Chapel 12:30 pm Bagels and the Bible 6:00 pm EVENING Worship, Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Monday, December 24 5:00 pm Family Worship 6:45 pm Old South Choir Rehearsal 8:00 pm Lessons and Carols (Preludes 7:30 pm) Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day - Church Closed Wednesday, December 26 Church Closed Thursday, December 27 6:00 pm JAZZ Worship, Nancy S. Taylor preaching 11

12 OLD SOUTH CHURCH IN BOSTON MINISTERS, OFFICERS AND STAFF Nancy S. Taylor, Senior Minister John M. Edgerton, Interim Associate Minister Harry L. Huff, Minister of Music James W. Crawford, Senior Minister Emeritus Brent Damrow, Executive Assistant Minister Donald A. Wells, Theologian in Residence June Cooper, Theologian in Action Calvin Genzel, Wedding Outreach Minister Ken Orth, Healing Worship Minister Shawn Fiedler, Pastoral Fellow Maggie Lowe, Seminary Intern Patricia Hazeltine, Church School Director Adrienne Kisner, Youth Leader Carolyn Davis, Director, Old South Preschool George Sargeant, Associate Organist & Choirmaster Laurel Leslie, Choir Director, First Worship Willie Sordillo, Music Coordinator, Jazz Worship Peter Coulombe, Director, Old South Ringers Amy Budka, Children s Music Director Linda O Donnell, Director, Children s Choir Mark Schueppert, Moderator Kate Silfen, Clerk David Vogan, Treasurer Phil Stern, Chair, Board of Trustees Jeff Makholm, Historian Candace Kosturko, Senior Deacon Vicki A. Newman, Pledge Secretary Helen McCrady, Senior Church Administrator Amy Perry, Administrator & Webmaster Rosemary Clarke, Accountant Janet Butler, Wedding Coordinator Elias Perez, Senior Sexton Ozo Nwodo, Robert Blenman & Jahadul Islam, Sextons Corey Spence, Rubia Reyes & Jim McDonnel, Receptionists (617) A NOTE ON THE INCLUSIVE DIMENSIONS OF GOD S GRACE Old South Church in Boston, in the name of its host, Jesus Christ, and in the spirit of Christ s invitation carved into the stone of this church s portico, Behold I Set Before You an Open Door, welcomes all who seek to know God. Following the One who we believe is Sovereign and Savior, we affirm that each individual is a child of God, and recognize that we are called to be like one body with many members, seeking with others of every race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression to journey together toward the promised realm of God. We invite everyone to join in the common life and mission of our reconciling community through participation and leadership in this congregation, and by fully sharing in the worship, rites and sacraments of this church. As we all move forward with the work of this church, we commit ourselves to making justice and inclusivity a reality in this congregation and in the world. On the threshold of Christ s open door, we rely upon the healing, unconditional nature of God s love and grace to be our help and guide. 12

13 (617) Have you Liked us yet? Facebook.com/OldSouthChurch CHRISTMAS CARD MAKING: 9:45 am and 12:15 pm. Send a Christmas card to someone here at Old South Church or to a loved one. Congregational Care and Support will be in the Chapel following worship with free cards. All you have to do is add a note. We ll even pay for postage! SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 10 am. Prepare to experience worship more deeply by studying and reflecting on the day s preaching text. BREAKING (GOOD) NEWS: 10 am. As you listen to or read the news do you often ask Where is God in this story? Join us as we discuss the topics of the day. ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS POETRY FEST: 12:30 pm. Bring your favorite poem or short prose piece to celebrate the season. Hosted by Theologian in Residence Donald Wells. WADE IN THE WATER: 4:30 pm. Join us for the final gathering in a 3-part series on Christian Baptism for adults considering baptism or desiring to renew their baptismal commitment. Come (re-)discover the power of water and the Spirit. Led by Rev. J. Mary Luti. FIRST WORSHIP: Sundays, 9 am. In the intimacy of the Gordon Chapel we turn our attention to God in an informal service of word and sacrament. Led by Rev. John Edgerton and Seminary Intern Maggie Lowe. FESTIVAL WORSHIP: Sundays, 11 am. Our worship is enhanced by the Old South Choir and the E.M. Skinner organ. Led by Revs. Nancy Taylor and John Edgerton, and Minister of Music Harry Huff. EVENING WORSHIP: Sundays, 6 pm. Be called into worship by the sounds of trickling water and the beauty of the flute. Our worship is a blend of ancient and new, contemplative yet bold, song and story. Led by Pastoral Fellow Shawn Fiedler and the members of Old South Church. JAZZ WORSHIP: Thursdays, 6 pm. The Willie Sordillo Trio, Rev. John Edgerton, Pastoral Fellow Shawn Fiedler, and the Holy Spirit are your guides as you move through a rhythm of music, silence, and spoken word that will freshen the faith of longtime Christians and invite new ones to deeper discipleship. HEALING WORSHIP: Sunday, January 13, 10 am. Tap into God s healing love with a gentle service of prayers and reflection led by Rev. Ken Orth, a pastoral counselor and spiritual director. CONGREGATIONAL LESSONS AND CAROLS: Sunday, December 23, First, Festival and Evening Worship. Join fellow worshippers in traditional carols and music for the Christmas season. SUNDAY FLOWERS: The Sunday Flower Calendar for 2013 is up in the first floor elevator lobby. January 13 is still available. Donating Sunday flowers is a special way to remember loved ones and special events. The cost is $50. Put your name by the date you want and send the message you wish to appear in the bulletin to helen@oldsouth.org. Please note that more than one person can sign up for any one Sunday. Monday, December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY WORSHIP: 5 pm. We will sing well-loved carols and tell the Christmas story together. Children are invited to participate in an unrehearsed pageant. Simple costumes for angels, shepherds and animals are provided. ASL Interpreter. CHRISTMAS EVE LESSONS AND CAROLS: 8 pm (Preludes 7:30 pm). We will engage in an elegant retelling of the Christmas story. The service features carols and readings with music for choir, strings and organ culminating in the singing of Silent Night in the candle-lit Sanctuary. The pews fill up on this night, so do come early. The service will be projected on a screen in the Chapel for overflow worshippers. ASL Interpreter.

14 Monday, December 31 KING OF INSTRUMENTS: 3:30 pm. Experience the Sensurround magnificence of Old South Church s mighty 1921 Skinner orchestral pipe organ affectionately dubbed the Copley Philharmonic Organ played by renowned organist Harry Huff. The program will include Tchaikovsky s Nutcracker Suite, Puccini s Turandot Suite, LeRoy Anderson favorites, and a demonstration of the organ. Entry with a First Night button. ORGAN AND BRASS CONCERT: 6:30 pm & 8 pm. The best of Boston s brass and percussion artists join Harry Huff, an organist with imagination and verve, in a supersonic program of Pipes and Pops, playing electrifying arrangements of popular classics, as well as leading the audience in singing stirring favorites. These programs will include Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra (of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame), Wagner s Ride of the Valkyries, LeRoy Anderson favorites, and music of Bach and Handel. Entry with a First Night button Kurt Gaertner, Stewardship Committee Today is the third Sunday of Advent, a day to rejoice that the Lord is at hand. As we appreciate the church decorated for the season, the beauty of the advent wreath and glowing candles, and familiar holiday hymns, let our hearts be filled with gladness in this joyous season. GIVING ENVELOPES: 2013 giving envelopes are available in the Gordon Chapel through Sunday, January 6. If you have already requested envelopes, there will be a box with your name on it. If you haven t asked for envelopes, but would like to use them, you can acquire a box during Fellowship Hour or helen@oldsouth.org. CHORUS PRO MUSICA: Friday, December 21, 8 pm. CPM presents a joyous celebration of Christmas in the tradition of Victorian England. The performance is enlivened by readings from Charles Dickens, the Victorian-era author of perhaps the greatest expression of Christmas spirit, A Christmas Carol. Tickets $ CHRISTMAS FUND: This special mission offering of the United Church of Christ raises over $1.5 million to help 1,600 lay and clergy individuals or families. The Fund supplements health and pension plans, and affords Christmas Thank You checks for many low-income retirees as well as emergency grants for current clergy faced with unexpected financial crisis. Giving envelopes are available at the Front Desk. Checks may be made payable to Old South Church with Christmas Fund in the memo line. Or visit oldsouth.org/online-giving. ROLLING FOOD DRIVE: We are collecting hearty canned soup to benefit the Allston-Brighton Food Pantry. Donation baskets in stone entryway of the church. SUNDAY S BREAD: December 23, 12:30-4 pm. Help feed the hungry on the last Sunday of each month at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, 35 Bowdoin St. on Beacon Hill. To learn more, or to volunteer, contact Lucy Costa and Mary Ann Lape at (617) or sundaysbread@yahoo.com. OLD SOUTH KNITTERS: Sunday, December 23, 10 am. Join OSC s knitting ministry to practice the art of creating Prayer Shawls. Bethj4013@gmail.com DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS: Sunday, December 23, 12:15 pm. Join members and friends for Old South s monthly celebration of birthdays during Fellowship Hour. We will celebrate all those who are December-born with candles, cake and song. All are invited to join in the festivities. CHILDREN AND YOUTH: The Old South Church School offers programming for children, infant through high school. Infant, toddler, and preschool care is offered 8:30 am - 12:15 pm. Elementary aged children are invited to a multi-age class during First Worship. Graded classes (through seventh grade) and a Confirmation Class (for eighth through tenth graders) are offered during Festival Worship. A variety of enrichment activities are available between services. The High School Youth Group meets at 9:45 am. Churchschool@oldsouth.org SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: Sundays, 10 am. Prepare to experience worship more deeply by studying and reflecting on the day s preaching text. Maggie@oldsouth.org BREAKING (GOOD) NEWS: Sundays, 10 am. As you listen to or read the news do you often ask Where is God in this story? Join us as we discuss the topics of the day. Pstern@yet2.com BAGELS AND THE BIBLE: Second & fourth Sundays, 12:30 pm. Join the Sanctuary in the City Task Force for a no-commitment, homework-free discussion on that Sunday morning s Bible passage. Decapoevans@gmail.com