HOLY TRINITY, HILDERSHAM FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

Transcription

1 HOLY TRINITY, HILDERSHAM Christmas 2013 FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS The Star of Bethlehem ( ) by Birmingham-born artists Edward Burne-Jones and Henry Payne. Order of Service Please note that the items will not be announced individually, the Service will proceed as detailed on this sheet; carols with the words printed on this sheet are for all to join in except where indicated. The congregation are asked to stand for the General Carols and for the Ninth Lesson

2 Processional Carol Once in Royal David s City Soloists only: All: 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. 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 meek and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy. And, through all his wondrous childhood, he would honour and obey, love and watch the lowly maiden in whose gentle arms he lay: Christian children all must be mild, obedient, good as he. 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. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; for that Child who seemed so helpless is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing round, 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. Words: Cecil Frances Alexander ( ), Music: Irby (Henry John Gauntlett, ) Welcome, Bidding Prayer and the Lord s Prayer

3 Choir Carol Rejoice and be merry Words: English traditional Music: English traditional melody Carol (all) Lo! He comes with clouds descending 1 Lo! he comes with clouds descending, once for our salvation slain; thousand, thousand saints attending swell the triumph of his train: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign. 2 Every eye shall now behold him, robed in dreadful majesty; those who set at nought and sold him, pierced, and nailed him to the tree, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall the true Messiah see. 3 Those dear tokens of his passion still his dazzling body bears, cause of endless exultation to his ransomed worshipers; with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture, gaze we on those glorious scars! 4 Yea, amen! let all adore thee, high on thine eternal throne; Saviour, take the power and glory; claim the kingdom for thine own: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and thou alone. Words: Charles Wesley ( ) - Music: 18th C English melody First Lesson Joanne Alper God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent s head Genesis

4 Carol (all) Ding dong merrily on high Ding dong! merrily on high In heav'n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky Is riv'n with Angel singing. Glo-o-o-o-o-o-ria, Hosanna in excelsis! Glo-o-o-o-o-o-ria, Hosanna in excelsis! E'en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen, And "Io, io, io!" By priest and people sungen. Pray you, dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers; May you beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers Refrain Refrain Refrain Words: George Ratcliffe Woodward ( )- Music: 16th Cent French and Refrain Second Lesson David Mercer God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the Earth be blessed Genesis Choir Carol The Apple Tree Words: Douglas Gibbs. Carol (all) God rest you merry, gentlemen 1 God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Saviour Was born upon this day, To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray; Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

5 Third Lesson Jean Morton 2 From God our great Creator A blessed angel came; And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same, How that in Bethlehem was born The son of God by name. (Refrain) 3 The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks afeeding In tempest, storm, and wind, And went to Bethlehem straightway, The blessed babe to find. (Refrain) 4 Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All others shall replace. (Refrain) English Carol 18th Century - Irregular with Refrain Christ s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah Isaiah 9. 2,6-7 Carol (all) Joy to the world Joy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns; let us our songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. Words: Isaac Watts ( ), 1719 Music: Antioch (George Frederick Handel, , arranged Lowell Mason,

6 Fourth Lesson Andrew Westwood-Bate The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown Isaiah , 6-9 Choir Carol In dulci jubilo Words: German, trans. R L Pearsall Music: R L Pearsall arranged W J Westbrook Carol (all) Gabriel s message The Angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; 'All hail', said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favoured lady.' Gloria! 'For know, a blessèd mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honour thee, thy son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold; most highly favoured lady.' Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, 'To me be as it pleaseth God', she said, 'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name': most highly favoured lady. Gloria! Of her, Immanuel, the Christ was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, 'Most highly favoured lady.' Gloria! Birjina gastettobat zegoen Basque Carol, Charles Bordes (Collector) ( ), Sabine Baring-Gould ( ) Fifth Lesson Ruth Moore The Angel Gabriel salutes the Virgin Mary St. Luke , 38

7 Scenes from Holy Trinity Church Hildersham Murals The Annunciation The Magnificat (all) MY soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand-maiden. For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations. 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 seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

8 Carol (All) O little town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth! and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth. For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Words: Phillips Brooks ( ) Music R Vaughan Williams( ) Sixth Lesson Jess Logan St Luke tells of the Birth of Christ St Luke 2. 1, 3-7

9 Bethlehem A Christmas poem by Carol Ann Duffy Choir Carol Stille Nacht Stille Nacht! heilige Nacht! Alles schläft; einsam wacht nur das traute heilige Paar. Holder Knab im lockigten Harr, schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! Carol (all) Silent Night Silent 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. Silent night, holy night. Shepherds first saw the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heav'nly hosts sing 'alleluia: Christ, the Saviour is born'. Silent night, holy night. Son of God, love's pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace: Jesus, Lord at thy birth. Stille nacht! Heilige Nacht! Joseph Mohr ( ) translated John Freeman Young ( ) Seventh Lesson David Palmer The shepherds go to the Manger St Luke

10 Carol (all) While shepherds watched their flocks While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around. "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind. "To you, in David's town, this day is born of David's line a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign: "The heavenly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swathing bands, and in a manger laid." Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song: "All glory be to God on high and on earth be peace; good will henceforth from heaven to me begin and never cease." Words: Nahum Tate ( ) Music: Winchester Old, arranged William Henry Monk, ) Eighth Lesson Keith Day The Wise Men are led by the Star to Jesus St Matthew Choir Carol The wise men came by starlight Words: Paul Wigmore Music: Swedish Melody arranged John Barnard

11 Carol (all) As with gladness As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold, as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; so, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee. Please remain standing As with joyful steps they sped, Savior, to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee whom heaven and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek thy mercy-seat. As they offered gifts most rare at thy cradle rude and bare, so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to thee, our heavenly King. Holy Jesus, every day keep us in the narrow way, and, when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last where thy need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide. In the heavenly country bright need they no created light; thou its light, its joy, its crown, thou its sun which goes not down; there for ever may we sing alleluias to our King. Words: William Chatterton Dix ( ) Music: C Kocher ( ) Ninth Lesson - Revd. Dr Julie Norris St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation St John

12 Carol (all) O come, all ye faithful The collection will be taken during this carol 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. God from God, Light from Light, lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb; only-begotten Son of the Father; (Refrain) O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Lo! star-led chieftains, magi, Christ adoring, offer him frankincense and gold and myrrh; we to the Christ-child bring our hearts oblations:(refrain) O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God, in the highest; (Refrain) O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born that happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; (Refrain) O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Frederick Oakeley ( ), 1841; - William Thomas Brooke ( ). Adeste fideles probably John Francis Wade, ); Collects and Blessing

13 Carol (all) Hark! The Herald-Angels sing 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. 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 glory to the new-born King. 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 ( ), 1739; Mendelssohn (Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholody, ) ---ooo000ooo---

14 Christmas Day Service 9.15 : Holy Communion & Carols PLEASE TAKE THIS SOUVENIR SERVICE SHEET HOME WITH YOU We cordially invite you to join us in the New Year for our next Lecture at Holy Trinity; on FRIDAY 24 TH JANUARY 2014 with: Poetry Coat A Journey from Lullabies to Literature with our own CATHY MYER Since 1964 Cathy Myer has had a career in education as primary school teacher, advisory teacher, lecturer and trainer. This talk originated with classes of children and then changed its shape for groups of educators. It has now changed shape again for those, adults and children, who find words fun! During this talk she makes a case for memorising poetry; those poems we learned in early childhood; those we had to learn at school; those we still choose to learn. The talk is helped along with the aid of a coat of many pockets which store a variety of props The Poetry Coat.

15 The Chancel at Holy Trinity Church, Hildersham with Murals by Clayton & Bell 1890

16 The Holy Trinity From a painting by Thomas Fisher in 1802 of a piece of Hildersham Stained glass sadly lost in the Victorian restorations between 1855 & 1890