MARSH CHAPEL AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY
University Interdenominational Protestant Service of Worship
The Reverend Doctor Robert Allan Hill, Dean
All spoken portions of this service were recorded specifically for this year’s 2020 Blue Christmas service. The hymns were performed and recorded by Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett, Director of Music, in his home. Selections sung by the Marsh Chapel Choir are compiled from our broadcast and recording archive.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Prelude “Lux Aurumque” Music: Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) Original text (English): Edward Esch Latin translation: Charles Anthony Silvestri (b. 1965)
Lux, calida gravisque pura velut aurem Light, warm and heavy as pure gold et canunt angeli molliter modo natum. and the angels sing softly to the new-born baby.
Call to Worship Isaiah 40:12, 2731 (adapted) The Rev. Dr. Victoria Hart Gaskell
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to the city, and cry to it that it has served its term, that its penalty is paid, that it has received from God’s hand double for all its sins. Why do you say, O people, ‘My way is hidden from God, and my right disregarded by my God?’ Have you not known? Have you not heard? Our God is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who does not faint or grow weary, whose understanding is unsearchable. God gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for our God shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Welcome The Rev. Dr. Victoria Hart Gaskell
Opening Prayer Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett
One: You who are One, You who are three, One God in holy community, we are here this afternoon to acknowledge the “blue feelings” we have at this Christmas time and in this holiday season. There are days when we even feel guilty or killjoy for having these feelings. All around us, almost relentlessly, people and advertising and churches tell us this is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. Yet it can be one of the darkest times for us. We offer up to you all these feelings that we have and all the situations that trouble us. We ask for your healing of our pains and for a felt sense of your companionship, in your own self and through the people you send to us, through this time. Help us to recognize the pressures of the season that drag us into the darkness and turn them over to you.
Many: Amen. We wait upon our God.
Hymn God of the Ages
Reflection: A Prayer of Howard Thurman (UMH 489) (adapted) Ms. Lauren Kehoe
One: O Holy God, open unto me Many: Light for my darkness, courage for my fear, hope for my despair. One: O loving God, open unto me Many: wisdom for my confusion, forgiveness for my sins, love for my hate. One: O God of peace, open unto me Many: peace for my turmoil, joy for my sorrow, strength for my weakness. One: O generous God, Many: open my heart to receive all your gifts. Amen.
A brief period of silence is kept.
Words of Assurance “Hope in a Difficult Time” Mr. David Ames
There is something deeper than trouble. It is mercy. God’s amazing grace. Carrying, lifting, holding us in all seasons There is something more powerful than despair. It is mercy. God’s amazing love. Seeing us through dark nights, waves of sadness, mountains of grief. There is something longer lasting than pain. It is mercy. God’s healing touch. Bringing us hope, leading us to joy, teaching us to sing.
Peacock, Larry. Prayers for Hope: Words of Faith for Difficult Times. Upper Room Books, 2005
Hymn 196 Come, thou long-expected Jesus HYFRYDOL
Lesson Romans 8:24–25, 31–39 The Rev. Dr. Victoria Hart Gaskell
Lector: A lesson from St. Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, chapter 8, verses 24–25 and 31–39 (adapted):
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? God, who did not withhold the Son, but gave him up for all of us, will God not with the Son also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
‘For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lector: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Music for Meditation Precious Lord, take my hand Music: Thomas A. Dorsey (1899–1993) Arrangement: Roy Ringwald (1910–1995) Text: Joyce Merman
Precious Lord, take my hand, bring me home through the night, through the dark, through the storm, to thy light. I have been to the mount, I have seen the Promised Land: Precious Lord, precious Lord, take my hand.
Precious Lord, take my hand bring thy child home at last, where the strife and the pain all are past. I have dreamed a great dream that thy love shall rule our land: Precious Lord, precious Lord, take my hand.
Precious Lord, take my hand, take thy child unto Thee, with my dream of a world that is free. For that day when all flesh joins the glory thou hast planned: Precious Lord, precious Lord, take my hand.
Psalm 121
The antiphon is sounded twice, first by the piano, and then by the congregation.
¯ Antiphon (sung by all)
Cantor: I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? People: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Cantor: The Lord will not let your foot be moved, the Lord who keeps you will not slumber. People: Behold, the One who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Cantor: The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. People: The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. Cantor: The Lord will keep you from all evil, and will keep your life. People: The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore. ¯
Gloria Deo (UMH 94) LASST UNS ERFREUEN
Gospel Lesson Luke 1:39–56 (adapted) Mr. David Ames
Lector: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke, chapter 1, verses 39–56 (adapted):
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of this servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is God’s name. God’s mercy is for those who follow holiness from generation to generation. God has shown strength with a powerful arm, and has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. God has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. God has helped servant Israel, in remembrance of God’s own mercy, according to God’s promise that was made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to Sarah, and to their descendants forever.’ And Mary remained with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned to her home.
Lector: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Reflection The Rev. Dr. Victoria Hart Gaskell Minister for Visitation
Hymn 730 O day of God, draw nigh ST. MICHAEL
Call to Prayer Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810–1876)
Prayers of the People Ms. Lauren Kehoe
One: In the spirit of this season, let us now ask our God for what we need for ourselves as we participate in the Christmas season as people coping with our loss, pain, suffering, loneliness, grief, sadness. In response to the words, “Loving God, hear our prayer”, you are invited to respond with “And in your merciful love, answer.”
O God, we come to you in this time of Advent waiting with mixed feelings, mixed fears, mixed hopes. As the nights grow longer, so has the darkness wrapped itself around our hearts. In this season of our longest nights, we offer to you the pain in our hearts, the traumas that some of us cannot put into words. Loving God, hear our prayer,
All: And in your merciful love, answer.
One: Compassionate God, there are many of us who grieve over what might have been. A death or loss has changed our experience of Christmas. We too may once have known it as a joyful season, but this year someone has died or moved away. Or we have lost a job, a dream, a goal, a cause. Or a relationship has fractured or has been undone. We find ourselves adrift, alone, confused. Loving God, hear our prayer,
All: And in your merciful love, answer.
One: This Christmas season too much reminds us of all that used to be and cannot be anymore. The memories of what was, the fears of what may be, they stifle us. All around us we hear the sounds of celebration. But in our hearts we hear only the blues. Be near us this day. Loving God, hear our prayer,
All: And in your merciful love, answer.
The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, 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.
Hymn 182 Word of God, come down on earth LIEBSTER JESU
Reflection “I Will Light Candles This Christmas” Ms. Lauren Kehoe
I will light candles this Christmas. Candles of joy, despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch, Candles of courage for fears ever present, Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days. Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens, Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all the year long.
Thurman, Howard. The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations Richmond: Friends United Press, 1985
Candle Lighting and Litany of Remembrance (adapted)
One: Ms. Lauren Kehoe We light this first candle in memory of those persons we have lost through death. We remember them by name in our hearts or aloud. We give thanks for them and for their lives. We treasure our memories in this challenging season.
All: May God’s eternal love shine upon them.
A brief period of silence is kept.
One: Mr. David Ames We light this second candle to redeem the pain of loss: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, the loss of health, the loss of financial security, all the losses that bring sorrow and darkness at this time of year. As we gather up the pain of the past, we offer it to You, O God, as we realize that the pain of loss can be heightened at this time of year. We ask that into our open hands You will place the gift of peace. We thank you for release.
All: Refresh, restore, renew us, O God, and lead us into your future.
A brief period of silence is kept.
One: Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett We light this third candle to remember ourselves this Christmas. We offer up to God the last weeks, months, and for some of us, even years of challenging times: the regret and sorrow, the disbelief and betrayal, the difficult memories, the anger, the grief and sadness, the loneliness and pain. We remember also the hugs and handshakes of family and friends, the prayers offered on our behalf, all those who stood with us.
All: “…the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (Matthew 4: 16) We give thanks for the support we have known.
A brief period of silence is kept.
One: The Rev. Dr. Victoria Hart Gaskell We light this fourth candle to remember our faith and the gift of hope which God offers to us in the Christmas story. We remember that God, who shares our life, promises us rest from our burdens, and life, and light.
All: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Copyright 1996, Wood Lake Books. Used with Permission.
A brief period of silence is kept.
A Prayer from Ted Yoder (adapted) Mr. David Ames
O God of all seasons and senses, grant me the sense of your timing to submit gracefully and rejoice quietly in the turn of the seasons.
In this season of short days and long nights, of gray and white and cold, teach me the lessons of endings; children growing, friends leaving, jobs concluding, stages finishing, grieving over, grudges over, blaming over, excuses over. O God, grant me a sense of your timing.
A brief time of silent reflection and prayer is kept.
In this season of short days and long nights, of grey and white and cold, teach me the lessons of beginnings; that such waitings and endings may be a starting place, a planting of seeds which bring to birth what is ready to be born – something right and just and different, a new song, a deeper relationship, a fuller love — in the fullness of your time. O God, grant me your sense of timing.
From Yoder, Ted. Guerrillas of Grace. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 2005
Hymn 221 In the bleak midwinter CRANHAM
Benediction
Postlude My song in the night arr. Paul Christiansen (1914–1997)
O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night, come to us with Thy tender love, my soul’s delight. Unto Thee, O Lord, in affliction I call, my comfort by day, and my song in the night.
O why should I wander, an alien from Thee, or cry in the desert Thy face to see? My comfort and joy, my soul’s delight, O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night.
—Southern Folk Hymn
The service is read by: Mr. David Ames, Chapel Sacristan
Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett, Director of Music
Ms. Lauren Kehoe, Associate Director of Administration and Finance, Danielsen Institute — [email protected]
Welcome, Reflection, and Benediction: The Rev. Dr. Victoria Hart Gaskell — Minister for Visitation —[email protected]
Additional Resources:
Active Minds: Changing the Conversation About Mental Health https://www.facebook.com/ActiveMindsBU/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (C.A.R.D.) — www.bu.edu/card — 617-353-9610
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation — cpr.bu.edu — [email protected] — 617-353-3549
Students Actively Moving Forward (from the death or illness of a loved one) https://www.facebook.com/buamf/ — [email protected]
Music was recorded by Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett, with Marsh Chapel Choir selections compiled from our broadcast archive.
Our thanks to Mr. Justin Blackwell, Director of Communications, and Ms. Heidi Freimanis-Cordts, Director of Hospitality, for their assistance.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
With the exception of selections from the Marsh Chapel Choir, the entirety of this service was recorded specifically for this year’s 2020 Blue Christmas service.
We are not currently holding in-person services at Marsh Chapel.
Marsh Chapel continues to broadcast every Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern) on WBUR 90.9 FM. For those outside of New England, a live feed of WBUR is accessible at wbur.org.
Visit our website at bu.edu/chapel for a link to our weekly podcast or to view or print a copy of the Sunday morning bulletin.
WELCOME TO MARSH CHAPEL
We thank you for joining us virtually for worship and hope that you have found the Spirit of God in our midst. If you are interested in becoming a member of Marsh Chapel, or have other questions, please feel free to contact any of the Chaplains or Associates listed below.
617.353.3560 — [email protected] — www.bu.edu/chapel The Chapel Office is open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and on Sunday mornings. Marsh Chapel Sunday morning services are broadcast on WBUR 90.9 FM.
The Reverend Dr. Robert Allan Hill, Dean and Chaplain of the University
The Reverend Dr. Karen Coleman, University Chaplain for Episcopal Ministry Mahalia Damm, Ministry Assistant Alec Vaughn, Ministry Assistant
Jessica Chicka, PhD STH’19, University Chaplain for International Students Chloe McLaughlin, Ministry Associate T.J. Bergeron, Ministry Assistant
Scott Allen Jarrett, DMA CFA’08, Director of Music Justin Thomas Blackwell, MM CFA’09, Associate Director of Music Margaret Weckworth, MM CFA’15, Music Program Administrator Herbert S. Jones, Director, Inner Strength Gospel Choir
Ray Bouchard, MTS STH’95, Director of Marsh Chapel Heidi Freimanis-Cordts, MM CFA’09, Director of Hospitality The Reverend Dr. Victoria Hart Gaskell, D.Min. STH’19, Minister for Visitation David Ames, Sacristan Zoe Chock, Heidi Freimanis-Cordts, Kaitie Noe, Wedding Coordinators Anastasya Chandra, Zoe Chock, Office Assistants Emilio Latorre, Jace Shneyderman, Office Assistants Angelee Verdieu, Office Assistants Cierra Brown, Ellis Brown, Kaelyn Brown, Charles Cloy, George Coulter, Mark Gray, Ushers Benista Owusu-Amo, Naa Ameley Owusu-Amo, Sydney Passley-Harris, Jay Reeg, Liz Scully, Ushers
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. The hymns and the psalm response are from the United Methodist Hymnal, copyright 1989.