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Choral Remembering Refugees and Displaced Persons

May 7, 2017 5:00 PM

The Reverend Amy Doyle Welin, Officiant The Reverend Paul Jacobson, Precentor The Reverend Gregory Welin, Lector Mr. Chris George, Homilist

The Saint Paul’s , John Abdenour, Director Joseph Ripka, Organ

Welcome to this service of Choral Evening Prayer, or Evensong. In the Episcopal Church, the —that is , services of Morning and Evening Prayer—celebrate the sacramental nature of the movement of time. Rooted in ancient monastic tradition, the services focus on the word of God as it is revealed through the Lessons (scripture readings), the (s) (at Evening Prayer drawn from the Gospel of Luke), the Psalm, and the prayers, which are always grounded in Scripture. This service will be conducted as a ‘choir’ service, that is, a service being held in the choir—or chancel—of the church, and sung primarily by the choir and Precentor (cantor). The congregation is invited to sing the hymns and to participate through listening, contemplation, and prayer.

Order of Service

Organ Voluntary Master Tallis’ Testament (1892-1983) The People stand as the Choir and Clergy enter.

Invitatory Sentences Clergy and Choir Responses by (1929-1988) V. O Lord, open thou our lips; R. And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. V. O God, make speed to save us, R. O Lord, make haste to help us. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost : R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. V. Praise ye the Lord, R. The Lord’s Name be praised. Psalm 141 Domine, clamavi Chant by Charles H. Lloyd (1849-1919) sung by the choir, the people seated 1 Lord, I call upon thee, haste thee unto me : and consider my voice when I cry unto thee. 2 Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense : and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice. 3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth : and keep the door of my lips. 4 O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing : let me not be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work wickedness, lest I eat of such things as please them. 5 Let the righteous rather smite me friendly : and reprove me. 6 But let not their precious balms break my head : yea, I will pray yet against their wickedness. 7 Let their judges be overthrown in stony places : that they may hear my words, for they are sweet. 8 Our bones lie scattered before the pit : like as when one breaketh and heweth wood upon the earth. 9 But mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord God : in thee is my trust , O cast not out my soul. 10 Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me : and from the traps of the wicked doers. 11 Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together : and let me ever escape them. 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. Psalm 142 Voce mea ad Dominum Chant by John Abdenour 1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice : yea, even unto the Lord did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaints before him : and shewed him of my trouble. 3 When my spirit was in heaviness thou knewest my path : in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked also upon my right hand : and saw there was no man that would know me. 5 I had no place to flee unto : and no man cared for my soul. 6 I cried unto thee, O Lord, and said : Thou art my hope, and my portion in the land of the living. 7 Consider my complaint : for I am brought very low. 8 O deliver me from my persecutors : for they are too strong for me. 9 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give thanks unto thy Name : which thing if thou wilt grant me, then shall the righteous resort unto my company. 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.

The First Lesson Isaiah 16:1-5 Send lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela, by way of the desert, to the mount of daughter Zion. Like fluttering birds, like scattered nestlings, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon. ‘Give counsel, grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; hide the outcasts, do not betray the fugitive; let the outcasts of Moab settle among you; be a refuge to them from the destroyer.’ When the oppressor is no more, and destruction has ceased, and marauders have vanished from the land, then a throne shall be established in steadfast love in the tent of David, and on it shall sit in faithfulness a ruler who seeks justice and is swift to do what is right. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Magnificat (sung by the choir) Collegium Regale Herbert Howells (1892-1983) My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoicèd in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. 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 showèd strength with his arm: he hath scatterèd 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 forever. 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. The Second Lesson Matthew 2:1-5a, 7-16, 19-23 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea.’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’ When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He will be called a Nazorean.’ Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Nunc Dimittis Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. 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.

Said by all, standing I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Precentor The Lord be with you. Choir (sung) And with thy spirit. Precentor Let us pray . The people kneel or sit. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Sung by the choir Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them That trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen. The Suffrages and the Collects Precentor and Choir V. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us; R. And grant us thy salvation. V. O Lord, save the state, R. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee. V. Endue thy ministers with righteousness. R. And make thy chosen people joyful. V. O Lord, save thy people, R. And bless thine inheritance. V. Give peace in our time, O Lord, R. Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God. V. O God, make clean our hearts within us, R. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us. The Precentor chants three collects. Words of Welcome

Hymn (sung by all, standing)

Homily Mr. Christopher George Executive Director, Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, New Haven

Anthem Richard Causton (b. 1971) THE CHILD on the dirtpath We sleep then awaken finds the highway blocked we rest on the way The dogs at the entrance our sleep might be troubled snarl that doors are locked but hope is our day The great god of kindness we move on for ever has his kindness mocked like children astray May those who travel light Find shelter on the flight: We move on for ever May Bethlehem our feet leave no mark Give rest to them. you won’t hear our voices once we’re in the dark The sea is a graveyard But here is our fire the beach is dry bones this Child is our spark the child at the station May those who travel light is pelted with stones Find shelter on the flight: the cop stands impassive May Bethlehem the ambulance drones Give rest to them. May those who travel light Find shelter on the flight: May Bethlehem Give rest to them. —George Szirtes (b. 1948)

The people kneel for the prayers. The General Thanksgiving Officiant and People Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom thou hast made. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer of St Chrysostom Officiant Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto thee; and hast promised through thy well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name thou wilt be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen. Officiant Let us bless the Lord; People Thanks be to God.

Officiant and People, together The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Hymn

Organ Voluntary Toccata on Ave Maris Stella Flor Peeters (1903-1986)

We thank you for joining us for this service.

PARTICIPANTS Officiant The Reverend Amy Doyle Welin, Interim Rector of St. Paul’s, Fairfield Homilist Mr. Chris George, Executive Director, IRIS – Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, New Haven Precentor The Reverend Paul Jacobson, Director of Music, First Congregational Church, Fairfield Lector The Reverend Gregory Welin, Mission Council, Episcopal Church in Connecticut Ushers Rick Brown, Jim Stirling

We thank Joseph Ripka for joining us today as our guest organist. Joseph is Organist and Choirmaster of Calvary Episcopal Church in Stonington, Connecticut, and a former St. Paul’s . As always, it is good to have him back among us. The Offering from today’s service will benefit Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) of New Haven. IRIS is an independent agency that began its existence as a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, and has during its existence settled thousands of refugees in Connecticut. We thank their executive director, Chris George , for joining us for today’s service as homilist. Would your son or daughter like to sing in The St. Paul’s Choir? The choir offers a superb education in choral music, the prospect of regional and international tours, the opportunity to work with world renowned musicians, and a Christian community of musical friends with whom to grow to maturity. Boys and girls in grades 2 and up are welcome. Membership in the choir is open to all; there is no requirement to be a member of the parish, and no prior musical training is required. For further information, speak to or write ( [email protected] ) John Abdenour, director of music, or for more background and perspective, speak to one of the many choir parents in the congregation today! Our new class of probationer members is being formed right now, to begin rehearsals in the autumn.

MUSIC NOTES Born to a Yorkshire family of modest means in 1929, Kenneth Leighton would go on to an illustrious career as a composer, a career that concluded as professor of composition at the . While in Edinburgh, Leighton composed a set of and responses for the Choir of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh (where the St. Paul’s Choir sang in 2007). According to Andrew Gant, Herbert Howells came decisively to composing music for the church as the result of a bet: “In 1943, while he was acting organist of St John’s College, Cambridge, . . . Howells attended a tea party given by the Dean of King’s, Eric Milner-White. [another Cambridge organist] was there too. Milner-White lamented the paucity of good settings of the morning , particularly the , and offered a guinea to whichever of his two guests first provided him with a decent setting. Hadley demurred, but Howells produced his Collegium Regale, ‘the only Te Deum to be born of a decanal bet,’ as he put it.” Having composed a set of morning canticles for Kings College during the war, Howells soon after produced his Collegium Regale evening canticles, which we hear today, and then a communion service. Together with his settings for Gloucester and St. Paul’s Cathedrals, Howells’ King’s College and Nunc Dimittis are reckoned among his very best. Richard Causton was born in London in 1971 and pursued an education in music, revealing a keen interest in composition from a very early age. His varied and multifaceted musical career landed him in Cambridge, where he is currently a Reader in Composition and a Fellow of King’s College. In 2015 King’s College commissioned him to compose the new carol for the annual Festival of . After a struggle to find a suitable text, Causton collaborated with a poet friend, George Szirtes, setting a new poem by Szirtes entitled The Flight. The words form a frank and, frankly, disturbing picture of the calamitous existence of refugees. The music oscillates between a slow and prayerful refrain (“May those who travel light . . .”) and three verses, which build in intensity and a sense of chaos as the piece progresses. The third verse (“We sleep then awaken . . .”) is a complex and disjointed canon sung by the choir’s lower voices, above which the trebles add falling and sighing glissandi. The overall effect is jarring and very powerful. The work closes with a final thought (“But here is our fire; this child is our spark . . .”) and one last reiteration of the refrain. Featured by the Association of Anglican Musicians at its 2016 national conference as a ‘success story,’ THE ST PAUL’S CHOIR represents this parish’s reinterpretation of the Anglican choral tradition, and stands as an extraordinary example of parish music ministry to young people. The choir consists of 24 treble boy and girl choristers, singing with 18 professional and skilled volunteer altos, tenors, and basses. Last July, the choir completed its fifth tour of the British Isles, singing services in Peterborough and Southwark Cathedrals. More information about the St. Paul’s Choir, and recordings available for online listening, can be found on the “Music Ministry” and “Listen to the ” pages of the church’s web site, www.stpaulsfairfield.org .

The St. Paul’s Choir John Abdenour, Director of Music Joseph Ripka, Organist

Cantoris Choir - Treble Elisabeth B*, Matthew B, Claire D, Julia H, Evan M, Josephine M, Olivia S †, Colin S, Miranda S, Noah S

Alto – : Robin Clark-Smith, Derek Greten-Harrison (Section Leader), Laura Mozier, Eva Uhrich

Tenor – Cantoris: Timothy Barney, Christopher McCormack (Section Leader)

Bass – Cantoris : Eric Andren, Matthew P, Gregory Sullivan (Section Leader)

Decani Choir - Treble Isabella B*, William B, Charlotte B*, Olivia B, Fiona C, Madison Ch†, Madison Cl, Madeline C, Caitlyn G, Maya K, Emma L

Alto – Decani: Tracey Cranston, Elijah McCormack (Section Leader), Sarah McCormack

Tenor – Decani: Bennett S, Becket Greten-Harrison, Jonathan Taylor†† (Section Leader)

Bass – Decani: Benjamin McCormack (Section Leader) , Harrison S, Philip Sidebottom † Soloist, The Flight †† Soloist, Nunc Dimittis *Head Chorister

S AINT P A U L ’ S E PISCOPAL C H U R C H 661 O L D P OST R OAD - F AIRFIELD , CT 06824 203 – 259-3013 www.stpaulsfairfield.org