ST JAMES S CHURCH, PICCADILLY Piccadilly, London W1J 9LL Tel: 020 7734 4511 Fax: 020 7734 7449 E-mail: enquiries@st-james-piccadilly.org Website: www.st-james-piccadilly.org Rector: The Revd Lucy Winkett. Clergy: The Revd Lindsay Meader, The Revd Hugh Valentine Churchwardens: Joanna Hines, Steve Innes Director of Music & Organist: Malcolm Hicks, Cantor: Elizabeth Lil St James s Church, Piccadilly: Registered Charity No. 1133048 Carols for the Eve of Christmas Wednesday 24th December 2014 at 5.00pm [Tune: Noel; Words: Edmund Hamilton Sears (1810-1876)] It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, goodwill to all, from heaven s all gracious King! The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled; and still their heav nly music floats o er all the weary world: above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hov ring wing; and ever o er its Babel-sounds the blessed angels sing. Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; and warring humankind hears not the love-song which they bring: O hush the noise of mortal strife, and hear the angels sing! For lo, the days are hastening on, by prophets seen of old, when with the ever-circling years comes round the age of gold; when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendours fling, and all the world send back the song which now the angels sing. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION FIRST READING: Isaiah 9.2,6,7 Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day
SECOND READING: Luke 2.1-7 [Tune: Forest Green; Words: Philip Brooks] 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 all the earth. For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond ring love. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav n. 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. THIRD READING: Luke 2.8-15 [Tune: Winchester Old; Words: Nahum Tate (1652-1715)] 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 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 the earth be peace; goodwill henceforth from heav n to earth begin and never cease.' Behold the Star Please join in the refrain: Behold that star, behold that star up yonder, behold that star, it is the star of Bethlehem, oh, it is the star of Bethlehem. FOURTH READING: Matthew 2.1-11 [Tune and Words: John Henry Hopkins (1820-1891) alt.] We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar; field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. Born a King on Bethlehem plain, gold I bring, to crown him again, King for ever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a Deity nigh, prayer and praising, gladly raising, worship him, God most high. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume, breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and sacrifice; alleluia, alleluia, earth to heav n replies. CHRISTMOUSE SHOPPING! Carol of the Magi Please join in the refrain: Ride we swift by night; a star our way to light. Come we far to seek the King of kings! FIFTH READING: The Shepherds by Godfrey Rust SHORT TALK: The Revd Lindsay Meader Star Carol Please join in the refrain: See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas night, follow me joyfully, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary BLESSING OF THE CRIB [Tune: Cradle Song; Words: Anon] Away in a manger, no crib for a 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. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me for ever, and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with you there. PRAYERS [Tune: First Nowell; Words: From WM Sandys Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833) alt.] The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay: in fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter s night that was so deep. They lookèd up and saw a star, shining in the east, beyond them far: and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. And by the light of that same star three wise men came from country far: to seek for a King was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the north-west; o er Bethlehem it took its rest, and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. Then entered in those wise men three, fell rev rently upon their knee, and offered there in his presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense. THE BLESSING Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heav nly Lord, who with the Father we adore and Spirit blest for evermore. Priest: ALL: Go in the peace of Christ Thanks be to God. CHURCH OPENING TIMES The church closes after the 11.00am service on Christmas Day. Then Friday 26th December Saturday 27th December Sunday 28th December 11.00am Parish Eucharist Preacher: The Revd Lucy Winkett Monday 29th December Tuesday 30th December 1.05pm: Eucharist in the side chapel Wednesday 31st December Christmas 2014 at St James s Church Wednesday 24th Dec at 11.30pm Christmas Midnight Eucharist Preacher: The Revd Hugh Valentine preceded at 10.30pm by quiet reflection Thursday 25th Dec at 11.00am Christmas Day Eucharist Preacher: The Revd Lucy Winkett We wish you a blessed and happy Christmas Thursday 1st January 2015