HOLY TRINITY, HILDERSHAM Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Christmas 2016 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 PLEASE TAKE THIS SOUVENIR SERVICE SHEET HOME WITH YOU
Welcome to Hildersham Church We Wish You All a Very Happy Christmas ------------------------------------- You are cordially invited to stay for Seasonal Refreshments following this Service The Readers this year are representatives from the Seven Churches in which we are grouped; they are mainly drawn from the Seven Churches Choir which we hope represents the unity and common purpose in which we all work. We thank our Readers, the Choir and all who have worked tirelessly to make our Church so beautiful this Christmas
Processional Carol Once in Royal David s City Soloists only: 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. All: 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 (1818-1895), Music: Irby (Henry John Gauntlett, 1805-1876) Welcome, Bidding Prayer and the Lord s Prayer Choir Carol E en so Lord Jesus, quickly come Paul Manz Carol (all) O come, O come Emmanuel O come, O come Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save, And give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Refrain O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height, In ancient times didst give the law In cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain Latin 13th century translated by John M Neale (1818-1866) First Lesson Michael Gorman (West Wratting) God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent s head Genesis 3. 8-15
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. Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis! Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis! E'en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen, And 'Io, io, io!' By priest and people sungen: Chorus Pray you, dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers! May you beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers! Chorus George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934) Second Lesson Diana Licence (West Wickham) God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the Earth be blessed Genesis 22. 15-18 Choir Carol O holy night Words: Placide Cappeau - Music: Adolphe Charles Adam
Carol (all) God rest you merry, gentlemen 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. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy! From God our heavenly Father A blessèd angel came, And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same, How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name. Chorus The shepherds at these tidings Rejoicèd much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind, And went to Bethlehem straightway This blessèd Babe to find. Chorus But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereat this Infant lay, They found him in a manger Where oxen fed on hay; His mother Mary, kneeling, Unto the Lord did pray. Chorus Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace. The holy tide of Christmas All others doth efface. Chorus Anonymous Third Lesson Maureen Garrod (Weston Colville) 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 is love, and wonders of is love, and wonders, wonders of his love. Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748), 1719 Music: Antioch (George Frederick Handel, 1685-1759, arranged Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
Fourth Lesson Stephen Johnson (Gt. Abington) The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown Isaiah 11. 1-4, 6-9 Choir Carol The little road to Bethlehem Words: Margaret Rosel - Music::Michael Head Carol (all) It came upon the midnight clear 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, good will to men 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 heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world: above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering 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 man, at war with man, hears not the love-song which they bring: O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.
For lo, the days are hastening on, by prophet-bards foretold, when, with the ever-circling years, comes round the age of gold; when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendours fling, and the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing. Edmund Hamilton Sears (1810-1876) Music: Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) Fifth Lesson Jenny Richards (Balsham) The Angel Gabriel salutes the Virgin Mary St. Luke 1. 26-35, 38 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. 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 (1835-1893) Music R Vaughan Williams(1872-1958) Sixth Lesson Mary Miles (Lt. Abington) St Luke tells of the Birth of Christ St Luke 2. 1, 3-7
Now the Work of Christmas Begins When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart. And to radiate the Light of Christ, Every day, in every way, in all that we do and all that we say. Then the work of Christmas begins. Howard Thurman 1899-1981
Carol (all seated) The Gift Nearly two thousand years ago, under a starlight sky, many events were taking place as the ancients had prophesied. And a gift was given from heaven to earth, the everlasting light, so let us adore the Saviour born Emmanuel here tonight. Heavenly hosts of angels, praising God on high, sang of the promised child to come the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Chorus Darkness was over Bethlehem, brightly the stars did shine, showing the way to where he lay in a manger for all to find. Chorus Never before in history had there been such a sign; for God was born in human form for the sake of all mankind. And a gift was given from heaven to earth, the everlasting light, so let us adore the Saviour born Emmanuel here tonight. So let us adore him, Christ the Lord Emmanuel here tonight! Helen Johnson (p.1991) - Mark Johnson (p.1991) - 1994 Out of the Ark Music - Used by Permission. CCL Licence No. 882241 - Copied from HymnQuest: Copyright Licence Users' Edition - HymnQuest ID: 42818
Seventh Lesson Sam Logan (Hildersham) The shepherds go to the Manger St Luke 2. 8-11 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 (1652-1715)
Music: Winchester Old, arranged William Henry Monk, 1823-1889) Eighth Lesson Andrew Westwood-Bate The Wise Men are led by the Star to Jesus St Matthew 2. 1-11 Choir Carol Gaudete XV Century Anonymous Carol (Soloists and all) We three kings The Kings (soloists) We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star: Chorus All O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. Melchior (solo) Born a king on Bethlehem plain, gold I bring, to crown him again- King for ever, ceasing never, over us all to reign: Chorus All Caspar (solo) Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a deity nigh: prayer and praising, all men raising, worship him, God most high: Chorus All
Balthazar (solo) Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb: Chorus All All Glorious now, behold him arise, King and God, and sacrifice! heaven sings alleluia, alleluia the earth replies: Chorus All John Henry Hopkins (1820-1891) Please remain standing Ninth Lesson - Keith Day (Authorised Lay Minister) St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation St John 1. 1-14 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 (1802-1880), 1841; - William Thomas Brooke (1848-1917). Adeste fideles probably John Francis Wade, 1711-1786); Collects and Blessing 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 (1707-1788), 1739; Mendelssohn (Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholody, 1809-1847) ---ooo000ooo---
You are cordially invited to stay for Seasonal Refreshments following this Service ----------------------------- We wish you all a very Happy Christmas Our Candle-Lit Christmas Day Service Will take place at 9.15 am Holy Eucharist with Children s Activities PLEASE TAKE THIS SOUVENIR SERVICE SHEET HOME WITH YOU The PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Holy Trinity, Hildersham: Charity Registration No. 1153435