ST. PAUL ’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH , FAIRFIELD
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
2010
Sung on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 5 o’clock in the afternoon
ELCOME TO THIS SERVI CE , which anticipates the great feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The liturgy of Lessons and Carols was first used in the chapel of WKing’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve, 1918, with the candle -lit splendor of the chapel, the prayers and scripture readings, the great hymns and the soaring music of the choir and organ standing in eloquent contrast to the darkness of a cold winter night and the tragic shadows of the recently concluded Great War. The intervening years have seen this service become a much beloved C hristmas tradition throughout the whole world. As in 1918, we in our own day turn again to these sacred words and songs in a world troubled by war and economic uncertainty. Tonight’s service is offered in the spirit of that first service at King’s, wi th fervent prayer for peace, goodwill and understanding among all people rising amidst the strains of glorious hymns and carols. Although much of the music at this service is sung by the choir, the congregation plays a central role. Please listen intentl y, pray and sing with your heart and voice, as indicated below. Hymns listed with a number are found in the blue hymnal in the rack in front of you. Again, welcome ! Of course, a major part of this service involves the joining together of everyone in maki ng a joyful noise to the Lord. Should your child be further inspired to the making of extended joyful noise while others are trying to listen, we do ask that you escort your little one to the gathering area or outside for a brief moment or two until he or she becomes more contemplative. And please do not be shy about doing this – many of the adults surrounding you are parents too, and are very glad that you and your child are here! You are among friends. Nursery care is also available during the service.
ORDER OF SERVICE
ORGAN VOLUNTARIES
Joseph est bien Marié Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)
Noël Étranger Daquin
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen Johannes Bra hms (1833-1897)
¶ The Congregation is requested to be silent during the final organ voluntary. Please rise as the clergy and choir enter the church.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN Stanzas 1-2 sung by the choir, in procession.
1 Once in royal David’s city 2 He came down to earth from heaven stood a lowly cattle shed, Who is God and Lord of all, Where a mother laid her baby and his shelter was a stable, in a manger for his bed: and his cradle was a stall: Mary was that mother mild, with the poor, the mean and lowly, Jesus Christ her little child. lived on earth our Savior holy.
¶ Verses 3 & 4 sung by all.
3 And through all his won drous child hood day by day like us he grew, 4 And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own re deem ing love,
He was lit tle, weak and help less, tears and smiles like us he knew; For that child so dear and gen tle is our Lord in heaven a bove;
And he feel eth for our sad ness, and he shar eth in our glad ness. And he leads his child ren on to the place where he is gone.
Verse 5 – Congregation in unison (descant choir only) Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see him, but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high; Where like stars his children crowned All in white shall wait around. Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895) Music: Irby , melody and harm. Henry John Gauntlett (1805-1876); revised by A. H Mann (1850-1929) and others; descant David Willcocks (b. 1919) THE BIDDING PRAYER ¶ Said by the Rector
ELOVED IN CHRIST, at this Christmas-tide let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go unto Bethlehem and see this thing B which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger. Therefore let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience through the glorious Redemption brought us by this holy Child. But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all his people; for unity and understanding within the Church he came to build, and especially in this Diocese of Connecticut, and in the town and county of Fairfield. And let us remember, in his name, those that he loves most fervently: the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love. Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are one for evermore. These prayers and praises let us humbly offer to God, in the words which Christ has taught us:
¶ All, together
UR FATHER , who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, O thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
¶ The Rector continues May Almighty God give us grace: May Christ give us the joys of everlasting life: and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.
¶ The Congregation may be seated.
THE FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15 Reader: Kelly, a Chorister God tells sinful Adam and Eve that they have lost the light of Paradise.
CAROL Boris Ord (1897-1961)
DAM LAY YBOUNDEN , bounden in a bond, Four thousand winter thought he not too long, A And all was for an apple, an apple that he took, As clerkes finden, written in their book. Ne had the apple taken been, the apple taken been, Ne had never our Lady abeen heavené Queen. Blessed be the time that apple taken was, Therefore we moun singen, Deo gracias. —Sloane MS (modernized), 15th c. English
THE SECOND LESSON Isaiah 9:2-7 Reader: Bill Ingram, A Choir Parent The Prophet Isaiah reveals God’s promise of a Messiah for a faithful people.
ANTHEM Judith Weir (b. 1954)
ERUSALEM , REJOS FOR JOY : With angellis licht in legionis Jesus, the sterne 1 of most bewte 2 thou art illumynit all about. Jin thee is rissin as richtous roy, 3 Three kingis of strenge regionis fro dirkness to illumine thee. to thee ar cumin with lusty rout, With glorius sound of angell gle all drest with dyamantis but dout, thy prince is born in Baithlem reverst with gold in every hem, which sall thee mak of thraldome fre. sounding attonis 4 with a schout, Illuminare, Jerusalem Illuminare, Jerusalem.
The regeand tirrant that in thee rang,
Herod, is exilit and his ofspring, 1 star 2 beauty 3 king 4 at once, together The land of Juda that josit wrang, 5 5 held, harbored 6 worthy and rissin is now thy richtous king. So he so mychtie is and ding, 6 quhen men his glorius name dois nem, hevin erd and hell makis inclyning. Illuminare, Jerusalem. —Anonymous 15 th cent., Scottish MS
¶ Sung by all, standing.
HYMN 92 “On this day earth shall ring” Personent hodie
¶ The Congregation may be seated. THE THIRD LESSON Isaiah 11:2-9 Reader: Joseph Ripka, Organ Scholar God’s peace is revealed to Israel.
ANTHEM Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
SPOTLESS ROSE is growing, Sprung from a tender root, AOf ancient seers’ foreshowing, Of Jesse promised fruit; Its fairest bud unfolds to light Amid the cold, cold winter, And in the dark midnight.
The Rose which I am singing, Whereof Isaiah said, Is from its sweet root springing In Mary, purest Maid; Through God’s great love and might The Blessed Babe she bare us In a cold, cold winter's night.
—15 th Cent. German, tr. Catherine Winkworth
THE FOURTH LESSON Micah 5:2-5 Reader: Fred Jackson, Member, The St. Cecilia Choir The Prophet Micah speaks of Bethlehem’s destiny.
¶ Sung by all, standing.
HYMN 78 “O little town of Bethlehem” Forest Green, desc. Thomas Armstrong (1898-1994) ¶ Please note: Verse 3 is sung by the CHOIR ONLY, unaccompanied. Omit verse 4.
¶ The Congregation may be seated.
THE FIFTH LESSON Luke 1:26-38 Reader: John Abdenour, Director of Music The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
CAROL Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)
огородице Дево , радуйся , Bogoróditse djévo, raduisya, Благодатная Марие , Blagodatnaya Mariye БГосподь с Товою ; Gospod s Toboyu. Благословена Ты в женах Blagoslovenna Ty v zhenakh, и благословен плод чрева Твоего , I blagosloven plod chreva Tvoyevo, яко Спаса родила еси душ наших . Yako Spasa rodila yesi dush nashikh
Rejoice, O virgin Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with you, Blessed are you among women, And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. You have borne the Savior of our souls. —Old Church Slavonic, paraphrase of Ave Maria (with transliteration and translation)
CAROL Mateo Flecha (1481-1553)
IU RIU CHIU , la guarda ribera; Riu, riu, chiu,1 the river bank protects it, Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera, As God kept the wolf from our lam; Dios guardo el lobo de neustra cordera. As God kept the wolf from our lamb. R
El lobo rabioso la quiso morder, The rabid wolf tried to bite her, Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender; But God Almighty knew how to defend her; Quisola hazer que no pudiese pecar, He wished to create her impervious to sin; Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera. Nor was this maid to embody original sin.
Este qu’es nacido es el gran monarca, He who’s now begotten is our mighty Monarch; Christo patriarca, de carne vestido; Christ, our Holy Father, in human flesh embodied. hanos redimido con se hacer chiquito, He has brought atonement by being born so humble a un qu'era infinito, finito se hiziera. Though He is immortal, as mortal was created.
Mira bien queos quadre que ansina lo oyera, He comes to give life to the dead, Que Dios no pudiera hacer la mas que madre, He comes to redeem the fall of man; El quera su padre hoy della nascio This child is the light of day, Y el que la drio su hijo so dixera. He is the very lamb Saint John prophesied.
Pues que ya tenemos lo que deseamos, Now we have gotten what we were all desiring, todos juntos vamos, presentes llevemos; Go we together to bear him gifts: todos le daremos muestra voluntad, Let each give his will to the God who was willing pues a se igualar con el hombre viniera. To come down to Earth man's equal to be.
—Cancionero de Upsala, 1556 1 Song of the Nightingale
THE SIXTH LESSON Luke 2:1-7 Reader: Carol Way, Trinity-in-Motion St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
¶ Sung by all, standing.
HYMN 1 God rest you mer ry, gen tle men, let no thing you dis may, for 2 From God our heav' nly Fa ther A bless ed an gel came, and
3 The shep herds at those ti dings re joic ed much in mind, and v. 4 Choir Only 4 But when to Beth le hem they came, where at this in fant lay, they
Je sus Christ our Sa vior is born up on this day, To save us all from un to cer tain shep herds brought ti dings of the same, how that in Beth le left their flocks a feed ing, in tem pest, storm, and wind, and went to Beth le found him in a man ger, where ox en feed on hay; his mo ther Ma ry
Sa tan's power when we were gone a stray: hem was born the Son of God by name: O ti dings of com fort and hem straight way this bless ed babe to find: kneel ing un to the Lord did pray: com fort and
com fort and 3 joy, and joy, O tid ings of com fort and joy.
Verse 5 – Congregation in unison (descant choir only) 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 doth bring redeeming grace. Refrain. Words: English West Country traditional, 1833 Music: Chestnut, melody from The English Dancing Master, 1651; harm. and descant David Willcocks
¶ The Congregation may be seated.
THE SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2:8-16 Reader: Phil Sidebottom, Lay Eucharistic Minister The shepherds go to the manger.
CAROL R. L. Chilcott (b. 1955)
E STOOD on the hills, Lady, Our day’s work done, WWatching the frosted meadows That winter had won. The evening was calm, Lady, The air so still, Silence more lovely than music Folded the hill. There was a star, Lady, Shone in the night, Larger than Venus it was And bright, so bright. Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady, It seemed to us then Telling of God being born In the world of men. And so we have come, Lady, Our day’s work done, Our love, our hopes, ourselves We give to your son. —Clive Sansom (1910-1981) CAROL Traditional English, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), and David Willcocks
n Christmas night all Christians sing Then why should men on earth be so sad, to hear the news the angels bring – since our Redeemer made us glad, ONews of great joy, news of great mirth, When from our sin he set us free, News of our merciful King’s birth. All for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before his grace All out of darkness we have light, and life and health come in its place; which made the angels sing this night: Angels and men with joy may sing, ‘Glory to God and peace to men, All for to see the newborn King. Now and for evermore. Amen.’ — English traditional, after Bishop Luke Wadding (d . 1686)
THE EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-12 Reader: Charlie Rhudy, Senior Warden of St. Paul’s The magi visit the Holy Family.
ANTHEM Traditional African-American Spiritual, arr. William Dawson (1899-1990)
EHOLD THE STAR ! Behold the star up yonder! Behold the star! It is the star of Bethlehem. B There was no room found in the Inn, For him who was born free from sin. Refrain The wise men came from the East, To worship Him, The “Prince of Peace.” Refrain A song broke forth upon the night. It is the star of Bethlehem, Peace, peace on earth, goodwill to men. Alleluia, behold the star! — Traditional African-American
¶ The Congregation stands for the Ninth Lesson.
THE NINTH LESSON John 1:1-16 Reader: The Rev. Judith Louise Rhodes, Rector St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
HYMN 1 O come, all ye faith ful, joy ful and tri um phant, O come ye, O 2 God of God, Light of light e ter nal, lo! he ab 3 See how the shep herds, sum moned to his cra dle, leav ing their
come ye to Beth le hem. Come and be hold him hors not the Vir gin's womb; On ly be got ten flocks, draw nigh to graze; We too will thi ther
born the King of an gels; Son of the Fa ther; O come, let us a dore him, O come, let us a bend our Joy ful foot steps;
dore him, O come let us a dore him, Christ the Lord.
Verse 4 – Congregation in unison (descant choir only) Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above: Glory to God, glory in the highest. Refrain
Words: John Francis Wade (1711-1786); tr. Frederick Oakeley (1802-1880) and others Music: Adeste fideles, present form of melody att. John Francis Wade (1711-1786); harm. The English Hymnal, 1906; descant David Willcocks
THE COLLECT FOR CHRISTMAS
Priest The Lord be with you. People And also with you.
The Rector says the Collect.
LMIGHTY GOD, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your Achildren by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
THE BLESSING
The Rector blesses the People.
AY HE who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God MAlmighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. Amen.
HYMN 87 “Hark! the herald angels sing” Mendelssohn , arr. David Willcocks
ORGAN VOLUNTARY Variations sur un Noël, Op. 20 (Fugue and Toccata) Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
¶ Please leave the church quietly, so that those remaining can listen to the voluntary.
Thank you for your presence at this service. The People of St. Paul’s wish you and all those you love a blessed and holy Christmas.
The Labyrinth in the Parish Hall will be illuminated by candlelight and available for walking and meditation following the service. All are invited.
The Freewill Offering taken at this service and at the Yule Café will jointly benefit The St. Paul’s Choir Fund and Trinity-in- Motion, a joint outreach and service ministry to the People of Haiti, organized by the parishes of St. Paul’s, Trinity Southport, and St. Timothy’s Greenfield Hill.
We wish to thank Karen Nemiah, Margy Barney, and the Friends of the St. Paul’s Choirs for presenting the Yule Café prior to this evening’s service.
ABOUT THE MUSIC
Boris Ord was Director of Music at King’s Arvo Pärt’s setting of Bogoróditse djévo was College, Cambridge from 1927 to 1957, when he composed for the 1992 Festival at King’s . was succeeded by David Willcocks. Ord’s Utilizing the technique he calls ‘tintinnabuli,’ elegantly restrained setting of Adam lay ybounden is Pärt constructs a bell-like texture based on his only published composition, and has become simple triads, which somehow manages to be a staple of carol services worldwide for many simultaneously minimalist and cheerful . years. The medieval text thanks God for the Finally, we hear The Shepherd’s Carol by Bob incident of Adam, Eve, the apple and the serpent, Chilcott, commissioned by King’s in 2001. for although the eating of the apple opened Active as a composer and choral clinician, humankind to sin and its horrible consequences, Chilcott grew up in the choir of King’s College, it also led ultimately to the incarnation of Jesus Cambridge, and went on to enjoy a career with through ‘Our Lady,’ Mary: The fall of mankind the King’s Singers, before turning to full time into sin, in and of itself a catastrophe, is work as a composer. The Shepherd’s Carol is redeemed by God and becomes the perfect typical of his music – meditative, modern, and vehicle of God’s grace through the coming of very beautiful, with a marvelous moment of Jesus. ecstasy at the words ‘and bright, so bright. . .” Herbert Howells composed A Spotless Rose in The words, from a poem by Clive Sansom, 1918-20, the first of a set of three Carol-Anthems. imagine the Shepherds, in simple language, Typical of his choral music, A Spotless Rose is trying to explain their presence at the manger animated by fidelity to the words and graced to Mary. with melodic invention. It is one of his most well Riu, riu chiu is a 15 th cent. Spanish Villancico, a known choral works. form of strophic, polyphonic song similar to a
Three works in today’s service were originally madrigal, composed by Mateo Flecha the commissioned for the Festival of Nine Lessons elder. The words of Riu, riu chiu are based on and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge. Judith a Spanish legend, and tell of the Blessed
Weir’s Illuminare, Jerusalem was premiered in 1985. Mother and her infant Son, and how God The music manages the remarkable feat of protected them from Satan, the wolf in the sounding both archaic and very modern at the legend. same time, utilizing taut, spare, very linear William Dawson was Director of the music writing almost in the style of Machaut or department and choir at the Tuskeege
Ockeghem, but turning to a modern harmonic Institute for over 25 years, and was widely palette unafraid of dissonance and tritones. known and respected for his composition and Weir’s use of the organ – as a special effect, not arrangement of spirituals. Behold the Star is an accompaniment – is striking. The text is from scored for chorus and soprano soloist. a 15 th century Scottish manuscript, and its combination of (medieval) English and Latin is a perfect example of a carol in the strictest sense.
PARTICIPATING IN TODAY’S SERVICE
Officiant The Reverend Judith Louise Rhodes, Rector of St. Paul’s
Music John R. Abdenour, Director of Music Joseph Ripka, Organ Scholar
Acolytes Olivia, Sophia
Ushers Michael, Lucy
T H E S T . P A U L ’ S C H O I R
Cantoris Choir - Treble Elisabeth, Lydia, Sarah, Fiona, Athena, Ryan, David, Julia, Lauren, Elizabeth (Assistant Head Chorister) , Josephine, Sophia, Hannah, Matthew, Harrison, Sara (Associate Head Chorister)
Alto – Cantoris: Robin, Derek (Section Leader), Eva
Tenor – Cantoris: Christopher (Section Leader), Jimmy
Bass – Cantoris: Eric, John, Lorént (Section Leader), Aidan
Decani Choir - Treble Isabella, Charlotte, Timoney, Kelly, Emily, Lucy, Rachel, Emma (Head Chorister) , Mary, Meghan, Emma, Benjamin, Olivia, Bennett, Eliza
Alto – Decani: Mireille (Section-Leader), Tracey, Janet, Sara
Tenor – Decani: Becket (Section Leader)
Bass – Decani: Timothy, Andrew (Section Leader), Philip
THE SAINT PAUL ’S CHOIR is an ensemble of 45 voices made up of boy and girl trebles with professionally led adults singing alto, tenor and bass. The choir toured England and Scotland in 1998, 2003, and 2007, and will return to England in July, 2011. It has also sung at several of the major Episcopal churches in New York City. Most members of the Choir are parishioners or children of parish families, but the Choir is open to all young people with an interest in singing and a commitment to membership in the choir. Neither membership in the parish nor previous choral training are required. (Membership for altos, tenors, and basses is open by audition, as space permits.) St. Paul’s is also home to the Saint Cecilia Choir, an adult choir that sings at the 11:15 service on Sundays and welcomes all singers. If you would like further information on any of these groups, please contact the Director of Music, John Abdenour.
THE FRIENDS OF THE ST. PAUL ’S CHOIRS is a new organization dedicated to enhancing and supporting the musical education and outreach ministries of St. Paul’s Church, in particular the St. Paul’s Choir, the St. Cecilia Choir, and the Organ Scholar program. Currently, the Friends consists of an Executive Committee, which directs the efforts of a significantly larger body of volunteers. Plans exist for membership in the Friends to become open to everyone, as soon as we can get such a thing organized. If you would like to be kept informed of the activities of the Friends, contact Director of Music John Abdenour, Friends Chairperson Karen Nemiah, the Interim Rector, or the Wardens of the Vestry.
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE ST. PAUL ’S CHOIR
Sunday, January 30, 4:00 PM SIXTEENTH ANNUAL SING PRAISES CHOIR FESTIVAL Choral Evensong, directed by Dr. Barry Rose, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, together with the Choir of St. Paul’s Norwalk and The Cathedral Choir.
Sunday, March 6, 5:00 PM CHORAL EVENSONG For the Last Sunday after Epiphany
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT FOR THE ST. CECILIA CHOIR
Sunday, April 10, 5:00 PM CHORAL EVENSONG & AGAPE SUPPER For the Fifth Sunday of Lent
C HRISTMAS AND E PIPHANY W ORSHIP AND E VENTS A T S T . P A U L ’ S
FRIDAY , DECEMBER 24 – CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY CRÈCHE SERVICE (H OLY EUCHARIST ) AT 3:00 PM FESTIVAL HOLY EUCHARIST AT 5:30 PM FESTIVAL HOLY EUCHARIST AT 11:00 PM
SATURDAY , DECEMBER 25 – CHRISTMAS DAY HOLY EUCHARIST AT 10:00 AM
SUNDAY , DECEMBER 26 – THE FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS HOLY EUCHARIST WITH CAROLS AT 10:00 AM
THURSDAY , JANUARY 6 – THE EPIPHANY FESTIVAL HOLY EUCHARIST AT 7:00 PM (WITH THREE REGAL VISITORS )
SATURDAY , JANUARY 8 THE INSTALLATION OF THE REVEREND JUDITH LOUISE RHODES AS FIFTEENTH RECTOR OF ST. PAUL ’S The Right Reverend James Curry, Presiding The Right Reverend Edward Lee, Preaching FESTIVAL HOLY EUCHARIST AT 11:00 AM
Bulletin compiled and typeset by John Abdenour, typeface Californian FB. Published by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fairfield, Connecticut.
S T . P A U L ’ S E PISCOPAL C H U R C H 661 Old Post Road - Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 - Church Office 203-259-3013 www.stpaulsfairfield.org