A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Welcome

Welcome, Guests! St. Paul’s is a joyful community that welcomes all those who yearn for hope and meaning in their lives. You are welcome here, whether you come with faith or doubt, answers or questions; whether you are a cradle Episcopalian or have no idea what that means. We invite you to participate fully in our worship as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Sing the Christmas carols, and respond to the prayers and readings. Or, if you prefer, sit back quietly and allow God’s Spirit to speak to you in the way that feels most comfortable. Whatever your background, whatever you are seeking, there’s a place for you here.

Welcome, Children! You are welcome as full participants in our worship. Parents who desire nursery care for infants and toddlers will find the nursery across the courtyard in the Parish Center.

Need assistance? Reading glasses and hearing enhancement devices are available from an usher.

Restrooms: The women’s room is in the hallway near the nametags; the men’s room is around the corner near the elevator; the gender-neutral restroom is next to Roberts Library.

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN WORSHIP AS YOU ARE ABLE

Although there are customary postures (such as standing and kneeling) in Episcopal worship, you are invited to be seated at any point, according to your needs and comfort.

Please turn cell phones off or silence them.

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Eve A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

This beautiful service was instituted by Archbishop Edward Benson at Truro Cathedral in England. It is based on a medieval vigil liturgy. The service has become well known throughout the world as many parishes, chapels, and cathedrals sing their own service of Lessons and Carols. To mark the Christmas Season, lessons are read by laity and clergy, with carols and hymns sung by the choir and congregation. The scriptures and hymns all combine to express the fulfillment of God’s promise in the good news of great joy for all people, which is the birth of Jesus, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Prelude at 4:30 p.m.

Matthew Gerhardt, organ; Kathy Hershberger, viola

Pastorella, BWV 590 Johann Sebastian Bach

Sonata in C major Benedetto Marcello

Divinum mysterium Raymond Haan

Fantasia on Greensleeves Ralph Vaughan Williams

In dulci jubilo, BuxWV 197 Dieterich Buxtehude

1 The people stand at the sound of the bell.

Hymn 102 Irby

Treble Solo 1. Once in a 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.

Choir 2. 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, the scorned, the lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

Stanzas 3-6 – sung by all

A Bidding Prayer

Dear People of God: In this Christmas Season, let it be our delight to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger.

Let us hear the story of God’s loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us through the holy Child Jesus, and let us make this place glad with our carols of praise.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world, for peace and justice on earth, and for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city.

2 And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in Jesus’ name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who yearn for the love of God made known in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore.

And now, to sum up all these petitions, and the prayers in our hearts, let us pray in the words which Christ himself has taught us, saying:

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.

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above, may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.

The people are seated for the lessons and anthems and stand, as they are able, for the hymns.

Invitatory Anthem H.C. Stewart

On this day earth shall ring God’s bright star, o’er his head, with the song children sing Wise Men three to him led; to the Son, Christ the King, kneel they low by his bed, born on earth to save us; lay their gifts before him, him the Father gave us. praise him and adore him. Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo! Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo!

His the doom, ours the mirth; On this day angels sing; when he came down to earth with their song earth shall ring, Bethlehem saw his birth; praising Christ, heaven’s King, ox and ass beside him born on earth to save us; from the cold would hide him. peace and love he gave us. Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo! Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo!

First Lesson Genesis 3:1-15

Adam and Eve rebel against God and are cast out of the Garden of Eden.

Reader: Sarah Cummings

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Carol Frank Boles

Adam lay ybounden, Ne had the apple taken been, Bounden in a bond: The apple taken been. Four thousand winter Ne had never our lady Thought he not too long. A been heavné queen.

And all was for an apple, Blessed be the time an apple that he took, That apple taken was. As clerkes finden written in their book. Therefore we moun singen Deo gracias! -Anon. 15th century.

3 Second Lesson Genesis 22:15-18

God promises to faithful Abraham that by his offspring shall the nations of the earth be blessed.

Reader: C.J. Walls

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Carol Charles Wood

Once, as I remember, Ox and ass around him, At the time of Yule, Courtier-like, did stand: After mid December, Fair white linen bound him, When it bloweth cool, Spun by Mary's hand. I o'erheard a Mother While the Virgin-mother Was a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu, Was a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.' La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.'

Near as man was able, Ever among and o'er us On my knee fell I, Angel-quire gan sing in the Bethlem stable Antiphons in chorus Where the Babe did lie, To the new-born King. And the Virgin-mother Then the Virgin-mother Was a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu, Fell a-singing, 'Sweet Jesu, La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.' La-lullay-lu, La-lullay-lu.' -G.R. Woodward Third Lesson Isaiah 9:2-7

Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.

Reader: Trevor Sullivan

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Carol Robert Lucas de Pearsall

In dulci jubilo O Patris caritas. Let us our homage shew; O Nati lenitas! Our heart’s joy reclineth Deeply were we stained in praesepio Per nostra crimina; And like a bright start shineth But thou has for us gained Matris in gremio. Caelorum gaudia. Alpha es et O! O that we were there!

O Jesu parvule Ubi sunt gaudia, I yearn for thee alway! Where, if that they be not there? Hear me, I beseech thee, There are angels singing O puer optime! Nova cantica, My prayer let it reach thee, There the bells are ringing O Princeps gloriae! In Regis curia: Trahe me post te! O that we were there! -14th Century German Carol

Carol Medieval Carol Refrain: Nowell sing we, both all and some, now Rex pacificus is y’come.

Exortum est in love and lysse. Puer natus to us was sent, Now Christ His grace He gan us gysse, To bliss us bought, fro bale us blent, And with His body us bought to bliss, And else to woe we had ywent, Both all and some. Both all and some.

De fructu ventris of Mary bright, Lux fulgebit with love and light, Both God and man in her alight, In Mary mild His pennon pight, Out of disease He did us dight, In her took kind with manly might, Both all and some. Both all and some.

4 Gloria tibi ay and bliss, God unto His grace He us wysse, The rent of heaven that we not miss, Both all and some. - Medieval, c. 1450

Fourth Lesson Micah 5:2-4

The prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem.

Reader: Rusty Broxterman

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Hymn 78 Forest Green

5 Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26-33, 38

The Angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Reader: Brad Hughley, Organist and Director of Music

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Carol Joel Martinson

Wide, wide in the rose’s side sleeps a child without sin. And any man who loves in this world stands here on guard over him. -Kenneth Patchen

Sixth Lesson Luke 2:1-7

Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

Reader: Mark Stoner

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Carol Harold Darke

In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan, Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; A heart full of mirth, and a manger full of hay; Snow had fallen, snow on snow. Snow on snow, Enough for Him, whom angels, fall down before, In the bleak mid-winter, long ago. The ox, and ass, and camel, which adore.

Our God, Heav’n cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain What can I give Him, poor as I am, Heav’n and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; In the bleak mid-winter, a stable place sufficed, If I were a wise man, I would do my part. The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart. -Christina Rossetti

Seventh Lesson Luke 2:8-16

The shepherds go to the manger.

Reader: Kate Appel

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Carol John Rutter

Dormi, Jesu! Mater ridet Sleep, sweet babe! my cares beguiling: Quae tam dulcem somnum videt, Mother sits beside thee smiling; Dormi, Jesu! blandule! Sleep, my darling, tenderly! Si non dormis, Mater plorat, If thou sleep not, mother mourneth, Inter fila cantans orat, Singing as her wheel she turneth: Blande, veni, somnule. Come, soft slumber, balmily!

-Latin, origin unknown; English paraphrase by S.T. Coleridge

6 Hymn 94 Winchester Old

6 “All glory be to God on high and on the earth be peace; good will henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease.”

Eighth Lesson Matthew 2:1-11

The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus.

Reader: Rick Adams

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Anthem Herbert Howells

Here is the little door, Bend low about His bed, lift up the latch, oh lift! For each He has a gift; We need not wander more, See how His eyes awake, but enter with our gift; Lift up your hands, O lift! Our gift of finest gold. For gold, He gives a keen-edged sword. Gold that was never bought or sold; (Defend with it thy little Lord!) Myrrh to be strewn about his bed; For incense, smoke of battle red, Incense in clouds about His head; Myrrh for the honored happy dead; All for the child that stirs not in His sleep, Gifts for His children, terrible and sweet; But holy slumber hold with ass and sheep. Touched by such tiny hands, and Oh such tiny feet.

-Frances Chesterton

Hymn 105 God Rest You Merry

The people remain standing, as they are able, for the Ninth Lesson.

Ninth Lesson John 1:1-18

John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.

Reader: The Reverend John E. Denson, Jr., D. Min., Rector

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Hymn 83 (stanzas 1-3, 6) Adeste fideles

6 Yea Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing Refrain

All are seated and announcements are made, after which the Officiant says an offertory sentence. Thank you for your generous support of God’s mission in and through St. Paul’s church.

Carol at the Offertory William Mathias

A babe is born all of a may, There came three kings out of the East, To bring salvation unto us. To worship the King that is so free, To him we sing both night and day: With gold and myrrh and frankincense, Veni Creator Spiritus. A solis ortus cardine.

At Bethlehem, that blessed place, The angels came down with one cry, The child of bliss now born he was; A fair song that night sung they And him to serve God give us grace, In worship of that child: O lux beata Trinitas. Gloria tibi Domine. Noel! -Anon. 15th century 9

As the offering is brought forward, the people stand, as they are able.

Hymn 109 (stanzas 1, 2, 6) The First Nowell

6 Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord; that hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood our life hath bought. Refrain

From the Altar, the Officiant says

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Christmas Blessing

May Almighty God, who sent his Son to take our nature upon him, bless you in this holy season, scatter the darkness in your life, and brighten your heart with the light of his holiness. Amen.

May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior's birth, fill you with joy, and make you heralds of the Gospel. Amen.

May God, who in the Word made flesh joined heaven to earth and earth to heaven, give you his peace and favor. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Dismissal

Officiant Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.

Hymn 87 Mendelssohn

Please remain in place until the choir and clergy exit the church.

Postlude

In Dulci Jubilo Johann Sebastian Bach Dien parmi nous Olivier Messiaen

Assisting at the Liturgy

Officiant: The Reverend John E. Denson, Jr., D. Min., Rector The Choir of St. Paul’s Church Brad Hughley, Organist and Director of Music Matthew Gerhardt, Interim Assistant Organist and Choir Director

Christmas Music 2016 The music for this Holy Season is given in

Memory of or Thanksgiving for: By: Jack and Molly Adams Rick and Becky Adams Judi Bowes Kate Appel The Hughley family Matt Gerhardt Anna and Cait Goodlett Joan Brandt and Charles Goodlett George H. and Carolla B. Flentke John D. Carvey Errett C. and Bertha L. Carvey John C. and Carolla J. Carvey Errett Paul Carvey James L. and Ruth D. Walker L. Dee Carvey L. Bruce Carvey Robert H. Flentke John Yergler Joshua D. and Virginia J. Chapman Genevieve J. Chapman Eleanor J. Chapman The St. Paul’s Choir, especially the Alto section Bruce Douglas Jan Douglas Pam Douglas Bruce G. Douglas Pam Douglas Jan Douglas Charles and Mildred Welsh Sue Hale and family Bradford Hale, Sr. Friends and volunteers that come to assist Frank and Pat Hartman Friends at St. Paul’s St. Paul’s Music Hal Harlow Aileen and Jay Higgins Jim and Delores Higgins Peter Whitten Ann Hinson Brad Hughley Annabelle and Omer Foust Taylor and Dan Hunt Kathryn Kipka Joie Kipka Ross Kipka Dick and Helen Reid Tom and Liz Kryder-Reid St. Paul’s Choir Ruth J. Nelson St. Paul’s Altar Guild Paul and Anabel Willour J. William and Myra Novak John and Grace Novak David Willour Our families Dennis and Sue Pippenger The Hughley family Chuck Roemer Arthur and Maxine Schlifke Sue Schlifke Norman and Lynette Luekens Vincent D. Schubert, Sr. Barbara Schubert Connie and David Shea The Shea-Carpenter family Brad Hughley and Frank Boles Eugene and Florence Miller John and Mary Stanley family The Rev. Canon James C. Holt Judy Sutton Joan Holt Chester and Alice Knott Peter and Carole Thompson Edgar and Maybelle Thompson Edward G. Vargo Marilyn Vargo Dr. Robert L. Rudesill Ann Hinson Peter Whitten Brad Hughley Katie Winslow Ken and Mary Ann Winslow John Yergler Margaret Yergler

Christmas Flowers 2016 The flowers for this Holy Season are given in:

Memory of or Thanksgiving for: By: Norma J. Beagle Jay, Patti & Jenna Beagle Peter and Genevieve Beczkiewicz Tom and Ania Beczkiewicz Tom & Eleanor Black Tom & Joanne Black, Jr. Max & Louise Halderson Benjamin Hayes Rassi Malcolm E. Boone Dorothy Boone Lucille & J. Malcolm Boone and Fred & Bev Ruebeck Irene D. & Edward V. Burget Lena & Fred C. Ruebeck Elizabeth McLain Maureen & Ralph Nessler Gina Bremner Janet Bremner Mary Davis Alan Davis Alice and Roy Dexter Phyllis and Richard Dexter Merton and Ina Hartman Frank and Pat Hartman Charles and Marjorie Neufeld Deputy Marshal Richard Hanlin His father, Don Hanlin Their Parents Judi & Michael Jack Ross Kipka Joie Kipka Kathryn Harder Kipka Lewis Enkema Joy Enkema Boz, Pamela, and Carol Kops Linda Kops Edward and Sally Kryder Tom and Liz Kryder-Reid Mark D. Litz Woody & Carolyn Litz Holly Millspaugh Robin, Macy and Sophie Christian & Evangeline Jensen Karin & Hugh Moore Lawrence & Hazel Moore Paul & Anabel Willour William & Myra Novak David Willour John & Grace Novak John Pless Lois Pless and family Eugene and Florence Miller John and Mary Stanley Walter C. Taylor, Jr. Joan Taylor The Rev. William C. Heffner and of Mr. Tom Weber Naeko Heffner and the Weber Family.

Rosemary & Alexander Bracken Elizabeth & Fred Wiese Edith & Fred Wiese