A Festival of Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 20, 2020 7:00 PM

Prelude “Change Ring Prelude on Divinum Mysterium” Carillon Handbell Fred Gramann Choir, 2002

Welcome Rick Walsh, Director of Music

Meditation and Invocation Rick Walsh

First Lesson Jesus Tells the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids Matthew 25:1–13 Rick Walsh

Carol “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning” Sanctuary Choir, African American Spiritual, arr. André Thomas 2017

Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, keep your lamps trimmed and burning, keep your lamps trimmed and burning, the time is drawing nigh.

Children, don’t get weary, children, don’t get weary, children, don’t get weary ‘til your work is done.

Christian, journey soon be over, Christian, journey soon be over, Christian, journey soon be over, the time is drawing nigh.

African American spirituals came out of the experience of people who had been tricked away from or forcibly removed from their homes and then sold as slaves on another continent thousands of miles away. The obvious inspiration for this song is sermons based on Matthew 25:1–13, the “Parable of the Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids” — the meaning which the slaves’ owners and overseers understood. But when slaves sang this spiritual, they were at once reminding each other to be ready for Jesus’s coming and also passing the word to be ready to escape when the Underground Railroad “conductor” was nearby to guide runaway slaves to a safe “depot.” Be ready!

Processional “Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth” Sanctuary Choir, 2010 Text: St. Ambrose (fourth century) Lynda Knagg, Organ Music: Michael Praetorius, harm. George Woodward, v6 arr. Richard M. Walsh

v1 Come, thou Redeemer of the earth, and manifest Thy virgin birth: Let ev’ry age adoring fall; such birth befits the God of all.

v2 Begotten of no human will, but of the Spirit, Thou art still The Word of God in flesh arrayed, the promised fruit to man displayed.

v3 From God the Father He proceeds, to God the Father back He speeds; His course He runs to death and hell, returning on God’s throne to dwell.

v4 O equal to Thy Father, Thou! Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now; The weakness of our mortal state with deathless might invigorate.

v5 Thy cradle here shall glitter bright, and darkness breathe a newer light, Where endless faith shall shine serene, and twilight never intervene.

v6 All laud, eternal Son, to Thee whose advent sets Thy people free, Whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Ghost for evermore.

Call to Worship

Second Lesson The Fall of Humankind Genesis 3:8–19 Grace Unruh

Carol “Adam Lay Ybounden” Sanctuary Choir, 2006 Text: 15th century Music: Richard M. Walsh

Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond: four thousand winter thought he not too long. And all was for an apple, an apple that he took, as clerkes finden written in their book. Ne had one apple taken been, the apple taken been, ne had never our lady a-been heavne queen. Blessed be the time that apple taken was. Therefore we moun singen: Deo gratias!

Why would we sing “Deo gratias” (thanks be to God) in response to the “apple” being eaten in disobedience to God’s command? This song’s point is that since the sin happened, there was the need for redemption; otherwise, no sin, no redeemer. Because the sin was committed, we have received the blessing of the Redeemer. Therefore, Deo gratias! C. S. Lewis fans will find exactly this sentiment expressed by the natives of the planet Venus in his novel Perelandra.

Third Lesson The Lord Will Send a Savior Stephen Howe Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 Rachel Howe Micah 5:2–5a

Anthem “The People Who Walk in Darkness” Virtual Sanctuary Choir Text: from Isaiah 9:2 Rob Fenton, Ben Noel, Music: Pepper Choplin percussion

The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. Now lift up your eyes; see the glory of the Lord. And all flesh will see it together. The people who have walked in darkness, they have seen a wondrous light, And all who live in death’s dark shadow, rise and shine; your light has come.

2 The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. Now lift up your eyes; see the glory of the Lord. And all flesh will see it together. Arise and shine; your light has come to the people who walk in darkness! © 2004 The Lorenz Publishing Company. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-725163

Carol “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Choir & Congregation, 2005 Text: 18th century Music: 15th-century French melody, arr. David Willcocks

v1 O come, O come, Emmanuel! Redeem Thy captive Israel, That into exile drear is gone far from the face of God’s dear Son.

Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

v2 O come, Thou Branch of Jesse! Draw the quarry from the lion’s claw; From the dread caverns of the grave, from nether hell, thy people save. Refrain

v3 O come, O come, Thou Dayspring bright! Pour on our souls Thy healing light; Dispel the long night’s ling’ring gloom, and pierce the shadows of the tomb. Refrain

v4 O come, Thou Lord of David’s Key! The royal door fling wide and free; Safeguard for us the heav’nward road, and bar the way to death’s abode. Refrain

The people longing for a savior in the Isaiah prophesies have been exiled because of war centuries before Jesus’ birth: their armies have been defeated and the best and brightest taken prisoner by the victorious nations to be slaves in a foreign land many hundreds of miles from home. The longed-for savior is Emmanuel, “God with us.”

Fourth Lesson Let It Be To Me Luke 1:26–38 Josef Spencer

Carol “The Sussex Mummer's Carol” Sanctuary Choir, 2011 English Traditional Carol, arr. Greg Gilpin

A glorious angel from heaven came unto a virtuous maid. Strange news and tidings of great joy the humble Mary had.

Fifth Lesson Mary’s Song of Praise Luke 1:39–56 Stephanie Speights

Carol “Canticle of the Turning” Sanctuary Choir, 2018 Text: Rory Cooney, based on the Magnificat Kelly Jones, Flute Music: Irish Traditional Melody, Rob Fenton, Percussion arr. Anne Krentz Organ, Richard M. Walsh

My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

Refrain My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.

Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, and your mercy shall last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn, you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. Refrain

From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware, for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more for the food they can never earn; there are tables spread, every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. Refrain

Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. Refrain © 1990 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-725163

Mary’s song, the Magnificat (from the first phrase in Latin, Magnificat anima mea Dominum, [My soul magnifies the Lord]), is one of the most beloved canticles (hymns with texts typically from the Bible). It is both a song of praise to God and a protest song in which Mary envisions a world turned upside-down. In this world Mary sees those proud of their powerful status humbled, while vulnerable, marginalized people have food to eat and a means of making a decent living. In other words, she sees a world where the words of the prophet Micah are enacted in daily living: “… what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Carol “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” Carillon Handbell Choir, 2010 19th-century American Hymn Tune, Carson Deno, Rob Fenton, “Jeffrerson”, arr. Cathy Moklebust Percussion

Sixth Lesson You Shall Name Him Jesus Matthew 1:18–25 The Reverend Ashley Hood, Associate Pastor

Anthem “The Angel Came As in a Dream” Sanctuary Choir. 2019 Text: derived from Matthew 1:20–21,24–25 Josh Batty, Music: Richard M. Walsh Thomas Czyz, Nancy Michael, Percussion

4 The angel came as in a dream. Joseph! Joseph, son of David, fear not. Joseph, fear not to take Mary as your wife. For the child which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. The angel came as in a dream. When he awoke he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and he called his name Jesus.

Carol “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” Sanctuary Choir, 2018 Text: Traditional; Music: John Gardner Jiha Choi, Organ

v1 Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: I would my true love did so chance to see the legend of my play,

Refrain To call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; this have I done for my true love.

v2 Then was I born of a virgin pure, of her I took fleshly substance; thus was I knit to man’s nature, Refrain

v3 In a manger laid and wrapped I was, so very poor this was my chance, betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, Refrain

The carol is from the perspective of Christ, i.e., as if He is saying/singing the words. One of the unique characteristics of this carol is its not being bound by what we perceive as the orderly, serial passage of time: Christ speaks almost all at once looking forward to what is about to happen, what did happen, and what he has done (for all time).

My advent, my incarnation is about to happen! My desire is that all mankind (my true love) could hear the story of my life, death, and resurrection and be called, as a result, to join in the dance of full life with me. I was born via the miraculous power of God but fully human so that I could completely be comprehended by humankind. I was born in the humblest circumstances, so that even the poorest people can know and understand my love for them. Everything that I have done, I have done for my true love, “the world and all that dwell therein.”

Seventh Lesson She Gave Birth Luke 2:1–7 Jodi Haun, Director of Christian Education

Carol “What Child Is This” Virtual Choir

5 Text: William Chatterton Dix Music: English 16th c Jiha Choi, Organ

What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping” This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear shall pierce him through; the cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary!

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high. The virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!

Carol “O Magnum Mysterium” Canticum Novum (Virtual) Josh Batty, Trumpet Text from Psalm 8 and Matin Responsory for Christmas Day Music and additional text by Richard M. Walsh

O magnum mysterium. [O great mystery]

When I consider the works of Thy hands, moon, stars, and heavens, which Thou has ordained; then what is man that Thou care for him? Yet Thou hast made him little less than God!

O magnum mysterium:

that God Almighty should meet us on earth; that God Almighty should come as Child of virgin birth; that God Almighty should be God and man; that animals should look upon the newborn Lord lying in a manger.

Alleluia!

Eighth Lesson The Glory of the Lord Shone Luke 2:8–20 Debby Patton

Chorale “Gaudete” Sanctuary Choir, 2011 Text and Music Bill Dwinnell, Tenor from Piae Cantiones, arr. Brian Kay

Gaudete, gaudete! Rejoice, rejoice! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, Christ is born of the Virgin Mary — gaudete! rejoice!

Tempus adest gratiæ hoc quod The time of grace has come - this

6 optabamus that we have desired, Carmina lætitiæ devote redamus Verses of joy let us devoutly return. Gaudete, gaudete! Rejoice, rejoice! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, Christ is born of the Virgin Mary — gaudete! rejoice!

Deus homo factus est natura God has become man, to the mirante, wonderment of nature, Mundus renovatus est a Christo The world has been renewed by the regnante. reigning Christ. Gaudete, gaudete! Rejoice, rejoice! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, Christ is born of the Virgin Mary — gaudete! rejoice!

Ezekelis porta clausa pertransitur, The closed gate of Ezekiel is passed through, Unde lux est orta salus invenitur. Whence the light is born, salvation is found. Gaudete, gaudete! Rejoice, rejoice! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, Christ is born of the Virgin Mary — gaudete! rejoice!

Ergo nostra contio psallat jam in Therefore let our gathering now lustro; sing in brightness Benedicat Domino: salus Regi Let it give praise to the Lord: nostro. greeting to our King. Gaudete, gaudete! Rejoice, rejoice! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, Christ is born of the Virgin Mary — gaudete! rejoice! Copyright © 1986 Regal Music Ltd. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-725163

Carol “Hark! The Herald-angels Sing” Virtual Choir Text: Charles Wesley Jiha Choi, Organ Music: Felix Mendelssohn, v3 arr. David Willcocks

v1 Hark! The herald-angels sing glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled: Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies, With th’ angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! The herald-angels sing glory to the newborn King.

v2 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 th’ incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald-angels sing glory to the newborn King.

v3 Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings; Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

7 Hark! The herald-angels sing glory to the newborn King.

Ninth Lesson The Wise Men Pay Him Homage Matthew 2:1–12 Ben Noel

Anthem “Word of Words” Virtual Choir Text and Music by Richard M. Walsh Jiha Choi, Organ

v1 Word of Words before the worlds of old; Light of Lights of whom the prophets told; The Word incarnate; Shepherd to the fold; Alleluia! Alleluia! God sent His Son to Earth.

v2 Still beneath a star, a burro bows his head. Softly sings a cow to Christ in manger bed. A lamb kneels down in rev’rent form; a dove keeps watch o’erhead. Our Christ has come, O Holy One, the prophecy is nigh. Alleluia! Alleluia! Our Savior from on high.

v3 Crossing desert sands come mystics from afar. Prophesies foretold the promise of a star. Wise and rich men bearing treasure: incense, gold, and myrrh. The men ride on before the dawn to hasten to His side. Alleluia! Alleluia! For He shall be their guide.

v4 This the story, then: our God came down to earth, Gave Himself to all: our glorious second birth. Sing to God in heav’n above, sing praises, all the earth! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Tenth Lesson The Word Became Flesh John 1:1–5, 10–14 The Reverend Dr. Robert Crilley, Pastor

Carol “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Virtual Choir Text and Melody J. F. Wade, Jiha Choi, Organ Music arr. David Willcocks

v1 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:

Refrain O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

v2 God of God, Light of Light, Lo! He abhors not the virgin’s womb; Very God, begotten, not created: Refrain

8 v3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above; Glory to God in the highest: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Closing Prayer and Lord’s Prayer Dr. Crilley

Benediction Dr. Crilley

Recessional “Once In Royal David’s City” Sanctuary Choir, 2010 Text: C. F. Alexander Kimberly Jones, Soprano Music: H. J. Gauntlett, Lynda Knagg, Organ harm. A. H. Mann, v6 arr. David Willcocks

v1 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.

v2 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 mean and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy.

v3 And through all His wondrous childhood He would honor and obey, Love, and watch the lowly maiden, in whose gentle arms He lay; Christian children all must be mild, obedient, good as He.

v4 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.

v5 And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love, For that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; And He leads His children on to the place where He is gone.

v6 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; When like stars His children crowned all in white shall wait around.

Postlude Chorale Setting: “In Dulci Jubilo”, BWV 729 Lynda Knagg, 2009 J. S. Bach