Westminster Church Christmas Eve Choral Candlelight Service 2011
Westminster United Church Christmas Eve, 2011 Minister: Rev. Robert Campbell Associate Minister: Rev. Geza Szemok Voluntary Associate Minister: Rev. Dr. James Christie Director Of Music in Worship: Nathan J. Poole Organist: Don Menzies The Westminster Choir And Soloists: Soprano: Cathryn Harrison Mezzo-Soprano: Nicki Kirton Alto: Mary Ann Taylor Tenor: Jan Nato Bass: Fred Simpson Organ Recital Donald Menzies, A.R.C.T., L.T.C.L., L.M.M. Christmas Carols on the Carillonic Bells Toccata on Joy to the World Gordon Young Variations on an Old Carol Tune Jeoffrey Shaw What is this Lovely Fragrance Paul Manz Still, Still, Still Paul Manz Paraphase on O Little Town of Bethlehem William Faulkes In Dulci Jubilo Johann Sebastian Bach Variation on Greensleeves Richard Purvis This Endrys Night George Oldroyd Behold a Rose is Blooming Johannes Brahms Westminster Church depends upon the offerings of its members and friends to continue its work. It takes about $9,000 a week to finance our congregation s daily work, worship life, and local and international outreach. We welcome your generous support. The church is glad to issue receipts for income tax purposes for offerings of $10.00 or more. To obtain a receipt, write your name and address on the enclosed offering envelope. Electronic Devices: We thank you for your co-operation in turning all electronic devices off or to mute during the service.
Choral Candlelight Service Lighting Of The Advent Candles By Allison Abra Processional Hymn O O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles, #60) 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 of God, light of light, lo, he abhors not the virgin s womb; very God, begotten not created: 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: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. - Latin words, John Francis Wade; Translated by Frederick Oakeley The Greeting And Lord s Prayer Given by Rev. Campbell Carol I Saw Three Ships -John Rutter CC. p.156 Nicki Kirton, Mezzo Soprano; Rita Menzies, Piano
First Lesson Ephesians 1: 3-14 Read by Teresa Young Hymn Of the Father s Love Begotten (Divinum Mysterium, #61) Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be, Christ is Alpha and Omega, Christ the source, the ending he, of the things that are and have been, and that future years shall see, evermore and evermore. Sung by the Women O that birth for ever blessed! When the Virgin, full of grace, by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Saviour of our race, and the babe, the world's redeemer, first revealed his sacred face, evermore and evermore. Sung by the Men At his word the worlds were framed. He commanded, it was done: heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one; all that grows beneath the shining of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore. This is he whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord, whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word; now he shines, the long-expected; let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore.
O ye heights of heaven, adore him, angel hosts, his praises sing; powers, dominions, bow before him, and extol our God and King; let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring, evermore and evermore. - Latin words: Aurelius Prudentius; Translated by John Mason Neale Carol Hodie - Healey Willan H odie Christus natus est: Hodie Salvator apparuit: Hodie in terra canunt Angeli, laetantur Archangeli Hodie exsultant justi, dicentes: Gloria in excelsis Deo. Alleluia. Today Christ is born: Today the Saviour appeared: Today on Earth the Angels sing, Archangels rejoice: Today the righteous rejoice, saying: Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia. Second Lesson Isaiah 60: 1-3, 5, 6b Read by Pamela McLeod Arnould Carol Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day - John Gardner Percussion: Len LaRue, Lauren Shelton Third Lesson Matthew 1: 18-25 Read by John Mort
Hymn Joy to the World (Antioch, #59) J oy to the world! the Lord is come: let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns: let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground: he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found. He rules the earth with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his love. - Isaac Watts Fourth Lesson Luke 2:1, 3-7 Read by Lauren Shelton And lighting of the Christmas Candle Carol Away in a Manger Arranged by Brant Adams
Solo Dormi Jesu - Jacqueline Hairston Given by Cathryn Harrison Dormi, Jesu, mater ridet, Quae tam dulcem somnum videt Dormi, Jesu, blandule. Si non dormis, mater plorat, Inter fila cantans orat, blande, veni, somnule. Sleep sweet babe! My cares beguiling: Mother sits beside thee smiling; Sleep my darling, tenderly. If thou sleep not, mother mourneth, Singing as her wheel she turneth, come, soft slumber, lullaby. Fifth Lesson Luke 2: 8-16 Read by Mary Yanke
Hymn While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (Winchester Old, #75) The congregation will remain seated for the singing of this hymn. An offering will be taken in support of the work and witness of Westminster Church. 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 humankind. 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 swaddling 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 to the earth be peace! Good will to all from highest heaven begin, and never cease. - Nahum Tate Carol The Christmas Angelus - Loisa Puget Sixth Lesson Matthew 2:1-12 Read by Jim Ripley Carol In the Bleak Midwinter - Herbert Sadler - Fred Simpson, bass
Seventh Lesson John 1:1-4, 9-14 Read by Doug Abra Carol Nativity Carol -Arranged by John Rutter Mary Ann Taylor, mezzo soprano Hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Mendelssohn, #48) 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 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
Christmas Prayer - Rev. Geza Szemok Hymn Silent Night! Holy Night! (Stille Nacht, #67) - Violinist: Mary Ann Taylor The congregation will remain seated for the singing of this hymn. 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. Silent night! holy night! Son of God, love s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face, Silent night! holy night! with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ, the Saviour, is born! - Joseph Mohr - Translated by Jane Montgomery Campbell
Closing Prayer And Benediction Choral Postlude Still, Still, Still - Austrian Traditional Carol Christmas Carols On The Schulmerich Carillon
A Warm Welcome to all who are worshipping with us at Westminster this Christmas Eve. If you are a visitor and would like to know more about our congregation or to introduce yourself to us, please fill in one of the Welcome to Westminster cards that are available in the pews or at the visitor s table in the lobby. You may place the card on the offering plate or in the basket at the visitor s table. We also invite you to visit our church s website at www.westminsterchurchwinnipeg.ca. Sundays at Westminster Our worship service begins at 10:30 in the Sanctuary. Nursery for toddlers to age 3, Sunday School for ages 4 to 11, and Youth Class for ages 12 and up are provided. The Choir practices on Thursday nights from 7:00 to 8:30. For more information, please visit our website at: www.westminsterchurchwinnipeg.ca. Upcoming Services of Note Christmas Day, Sacrament of Baptism, 10:30 am Good Friday, April 6, 11:00 am Easter Sunday, April 8, 10:30 am Sacrament of Communion: First Sunday of February, April, June, August, October, December Sacrament of Baptism: Scheduled as needed. Enquire at the Church Office. Westminster Concert Organ Series Sunday, February 12, 2:30 p.m. Scott Dettra Sunday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. Don Menzies and String Quartet Westminster Church 745 Westminster Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 1A5 Phone: 784-1330 Marilyn Thiessen, Office Administrator e-mail: info@westminsterchurchwinnipeg.ca website: www.westminsterchurchwinnipeg.ca