CHRISTMAS EVE SUNDAY 24 th December 2017 11.00pm Rev Ockert Meyer and Rev Belinda Groves Choir Director and Organist Canberra Baptist Church: James Carter Wesley Uniting Church Director of Music: Catherine Lukin Wesley Uniting Church Organist: Brendon Lukin Combined Choirs of Canberra Baptist and Wesley Churches Soloists: Jane Rayner (Flute), Dominic Lukin (Bodhrán) Wesley Scholars: Jonathan Lee (Organ and Cello), Jade McFaul (Soprano) The ministers and congregations of the Canberra Baptist Church and the Canberra Central Parish of the Uniting Church in Australia welcome you to this combined celebration and wish you all hope, joy, peace and love at Christmas.
Prelude Welcome Introit Noël pour les Instruments H531 ca.1690 Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643 1704) Issay Issay! (Hear ye Hear ye!) Up in Bethlehem on this holy morn Up in Bethlehem babe is born. Angels in the air Singing everywhere And they sing Hallelujah They sing Issay Issay Gay-tah-teh-weh-leh-deh Issay Issay Meh-hech-teh-wel-leh-deh Hear ye oh hear ye Jesu* has Come today Issay Issay Gay-tah-teh-wel-leh-deh Call to Worship Text: Based on a Traditional Ethiopian Christmas Song with English words by Philip Kern Music: Arranged by Philip Kern (ASCAP) (b.1957) Source: Alfred Choral Designs, USA, 2000 Hymn 311 Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King, Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all you 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 in human flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel. 2
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 we no more need die, Born to raise us form the earth, Born to give us second birth. Hark the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King. Text: Charles Wesley (1707 1788) and others Music: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015) Source: Together in Song 303 Descant Source: Carols for Choirs 1 OUP, London 1961, no.14 page 39 Christmas Eve Candle-lighting Litany Immanuel, God-with-us, Come and open our eyes to the wonder of this night, that we might catch a glimpse of your glory in the simplicity of these moments. May your light shine! (First advent candle is lit.) Immanuel, God-with-us, Come and soften our hearts to the message of this hour, that we might turn toward you, and have the way prepared in us for your coming. May your light shine! (Second advent candle is lit.) Immanuel, God-with-us, Come and open our minds to truly listen to all who speak and sing this evening, that we might hear your voice cry out from many lips. May your light shine! (Third advent candle is lit.) 3
Immanuel, God-with-us, Come and fill our spirits with the courage to admit when we are lost and the insight to recognize that we have been found. May your light shine! (Fourth advent candle is lit.) The Peace The peace of the Lord be with you And also with you (share the peace with those close to you) Text: Peter L. Haynes: adapted Choir & Congregation: Star Child Star Child, earth child go between of God. Love Child, Christ Child heaven s lightning rod: CHORUS This year, this year let the day arrive when Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive. Street child, beat child no place left to go, Hurt child, used child no one wants to know: This year, this year let the day arrive (Solo) (Duet) (Choir) (All) Grown child, old child, memory full of years, Sad child, lost child story told in tears: This year, this year let the day arrive Spared Child, spoiled child, having, wanting more, Wise child, faith child, knowing joy in store: This year, this year let the day arrive Hope for peace child, God s stupendous sign, Down to earth child, Star of stars that shine: This year, this year let the day arrive Text: Shirley Erena Murray (b.1931) Music: Carlton R. Young (b. 1926) Source: As One Voice Volume 2 no 43 page 84 4
Prayers of Adoration Choir Angels Carol Have you heard the sound of the angel voices ringing out so sweetly, ringing out so clear? Have you seen the star shining out so brightly as a sign from God that Christ the Lord is here? Have you heard the news that they bring from heaven to the humble shepherds who have waited long? Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels sing their joyful song. He is come in peace in the winter's stillness, like a gentle snowfall in the gentle night. He is come in joy, like the sun at morning, filling all the world with radiance and with light. He is come in love as the child of Mary. In a simple stable we have seen his birth. Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels singing 'Peace on earth'. He will bring new light to a world in darkness, like a bright star shining in the skies above. He will bring new hope to the waiting nations, when he comes to reign in purity and love. Let the earth rejoice at the Saviour's coming. Let the heavens answer with a joyful morn: Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Hear the angels singing, 'christ is born' Hear the angels singing, 'christ is born' Lyrics and Music by John Rutter (b.1945-) Source: OUP, London Christmas from the Angel s perspective Ward Cushman; adapted 5
Hymn 300 On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring; 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 we on earth be sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad? Then why should we on earth be sad, Since our Redeemer has made us glad. When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty. When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place; When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place; Heaven and earth with joy may sing, All for to see the new-born King. And so from darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night; And so from darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night: Glory to God and peace descend Now and for evermore. Amen. Readings Psalm 98 page 480 Luke 2:1-14 page 832 (Readers: Natasha Joyce and Chris Chenoweth) Choir O Holy Night Text J.S. Dwight (1813-1893) Music: Adophle Adam(1803-1856) and arr. By John E. West (1863-1929) Source: Novello and Company Limited,1938. Reflection Rev Belinda Groves 6
Hymn 311 Silent night, Holy night (Christ candle is lit as we sing) All is calm, all is bright Round the virgin mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night: Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing, Alleluia! Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born. Silent night, holy night: Wondrous star, lend your light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ our Saviour is born, Christ our Saviour is born. Text: Joseph Mohr 1792-1848 tr. John Freeman Young (1820-1885) Music: Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863) Source: Together in Song 311 The Shepherds Farewell Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) Text: Tr. Paul England (1863-1932) Words and Music: from L Enfance du Christ Opus 25 by Hector Berlioz (18 19) Source: Carols for Choir 1, OUP Great Britain, 1961, no.41, p.142 Choir Flute Solo Prayer of Thanksgiving Hymn 304 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, Come, ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him born the King of angels: Come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 7
See how the shepherd summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with holy fear; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps: Come, let us adore him. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing all ye citizens of heaven above, Glory to God, glory in the highest : Come, let us adore him Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father now in flesh appearing: Come, let us adore him Possibly by John Francis Wade c. 1711-1786 tr. Frederick Oakeley 1802-80, William Thomas Brooke 1848-1917 (vv.3-5) and others Blessing and response Hymn 783 (iii) Sevenfold Amen Music: John Stainer (1840-1901) Source: Together in Song 777 Organ recessional (while we are leaving the church): XII Noel : Suisse, Grand Jeu, et Duo Louis Claude Daquin (1694-1772) Our offering is for the Christmas Bowl plates are at the doors as you leave the church or send off your envelope with your gift if you wish a tax-deductible receipt. CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES Canberra Baptist 9.00am Wesley Uniting 9.30am SUNDAY 31 ST DECEMBER, 2017 Canberra Baptist 10.00am Wesley Uniting 10.00am Parish Service CCLI Licence No 302087 Cover image taken from: http://www.mumsgone2aus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/carols2.jpg 8