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Home , Advent Sunday, Angelus ad virginem, John Stainer

A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS FOR

SUNDAY , , 2016 5:OO PM

INTRODUCTION : FROM ADVENT TO TO NOW

“God is love, and those who abide in love but “to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly abide in God, and God abides in them. We love with God.” because God first loved us. . . The commandment Isaiah sees that the nation of Israel will be we have from God is this: those who love God able to realize God’s redemption—to break the must love their brothers and sisters also.” grip of sin, violence, and murder—only through great suffering endured by an innocent servant (to These words, from the First Letter of many readers the nation of Israel itself). This John, state a central tenet of our faith, and sum servant will become the receptacle for all up in a few words much of the message of the violence, an atoning human scapegoat. Bible. The story of the Bible is the story of the Advent of Christ, the gradual unfolding of our Isaiah envisions redemption for Israel understanding of God’s message of love and through suffering that is God’s will (Isa. 53:10). redemption. The readings tonight were chosen to With the coming of the Christ, it becomes clear illuminate this process. that redemption is for all humankind, and that the servant —Jesus—suffers not because of God’s will Cain murders Abel in a time when there for suffering, but because a world wedded to were no recorded rules against murder, when the violence will have it no other way (Sixth Lesson). Bible’s matrix of morality and conscience was still The Apostle Paul restates Isaiah’s Servant Song as unrevealed, ‘a formless void.’ It is in this void a hymn to Christ, whose perfect obedience to the that humankind—Cain—first chooses violence, a Father’s commandment that we love God and decision with consequences bequeathed to every neighbor leads inexorably to the cross, and generation since. through the sacrifice of the cross, to salvation. God voices displeasure at Cain’s act, and in The great prologue to the Gospel of John Leviticus gives Moses the great commandment: to concludes the readings: The Word—Jesus— love neighbor as oneself. The Third Lesson is though rejected by this sinful world, from Micah, one of the Hebrew prophets who overwhelmed that rejection and lives among us, proclaim a vision of peace and justice. Micah also giving those who receive him power to become teaches that the Lord requires not ritual sacrifice children of God. Please help create a prayerful and meditative atmosphere in the church before the service by refraining from conversation. Directions to stand should be understood as a request of only those able to do so comfortably. ORDER OF SERVICE

ORGAN VOLUNTARY Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 659 (1685-1750)

Please rise when the clergy and enter the church.

MATIN RESPONSORY Sung by the choir. Adapted from Palestrina (1525-1594) by (b. 1919) I look from afar. And lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth. Go ye out to meet him and say: “Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel? “High and low, rich and poor, one with another?” Go ye out to meet him and say: “Hear, O thou shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, “Tell us, art thou he that should come?” “Stir up thy strength, O Lord and come, to reign over thy people Israel.” Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

HYMN “Come thou, Redeemer of the earth” Stanzas 1-4 sung by the choir, in .

1 Come thou, redeemer of the earth, 2 Begotten of no human will, And manifest thy virgin birth: But of the Spirit, thou art still Let ev’ry age adoring fall, The Word of God in flesh arrayed, Such birth befits the God of all. The promised one to all displayed.

3 From God the Father he proceeds, 4 Thy cradle here shall glitter bright, To God the Father back he speeds; And darkness breathe a newer light, Defeating both the cross and grave, Where endless faith shall shine serene, At God’s right hand he lives to save. And twilight never intervene.

6 - Unison

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THE BIDDING PRAYER Said by the Officiant

Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas let us prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning. Let us hear, in lessons from Holy Scripture, how the prophets of Israel conveyed God’s promise of redemption and healing for his waiting people. Let us rejoice in our carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled. Let us celebrate the promise that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, will bring all people and all things into the glory of God’s eternal kingdom. The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor receive ministry and hope.

But first, let us pray for the world which God so loves; for those who have not heard the Good News of God, or who do not believe it; for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death; and for the Church in this place and everywhere, that it may be freed from all evil and fear, and may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer to God, in the words which Christ himself taught us All, together

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 people may be seated.

MOTET Sung by the choir William Byrd (c. 1540-1623)

Rorate caeli desuper, Drop down ye heavens from above et nubes pluant justum and let the skies pour down righteousness. Aperiatur terra Break, O earth, a Savior yield , et germinet salvatorem. the fairest Flower of the field. Benedixisti terram tuam, Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land, 4

avertisti captivitatem Jacob. thou hast turned again the captivity of Jacob. Gloria Patri et Filio, Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, et Spiritui Sancto : and to the Holy Ghost : Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : Et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. world without end. Amen. — Isaiah 45:8, Psalm 85:1,

THE FIRST LESSON Genesis 4:1-16 Reader: Julia H., A Chorister of the Choir After Adam and Eve are expelled from Eden, Cain murders his brother

HYMN Sung by all, standing

THE SECOND LESSON Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18 Reader: Mary Sullivan, A Choir Parent God gives the people the Great Commandment

HYMN 59 “Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding” Sung by all, standing Merton, arr. Alan Gray

THE THIRD LESSON Micah 4:1-4 Reader: Elisabeth B., Youth Leadership Council The Prophet Micah envisions the peace of God’s reign. 5

ANTHEM Sung by the choir John Abdenour (b. 1962)

Wakened from a peaceful sleep “Why should I believe this tale, Young Mary viewed the stranger: I surely must be dreaming; “Who are you? Your purpose here? Sir, you now must leave this place Why stand you in my chamber?” or soon I should be screaming.” “Mary,” the stranger said in peace, “Mary, O child of earthly mind, “Mary, all heaven sings your praise; Who could imagine God’s design? I bring news that God has chosen you to bear a Son, Know this: the angels guard your person who shall redeem the earth. no man shall you defame; [without rest, Fear not, for I am but God’s lowly herald of this birth.” The child you bear shall be of God, Emmanuel his Name.”

“Sir, your words have calmed my heart, but leave me in perplexion: I, a maid who’s yet to wed seem odd for this selection.” “Mary, O child of earthly mind, Who could imagine God’s design? Know this: God means to visit earth in human form, and join the human race; And you shall be Theotokos ,† †Gr.: God-Bearer, Mother of God all purity and grace.”

“As heaven is high, and earth is low, Let us lift our song to her, And God’s ways are not man’s; the Mother of all renown, I God’s servant true shall be, she who birthed the Babe that turned The vessel of this plan.” the whole world upside down. “Mary, O child of noble mind, , full of heavenly grace; (Ave Maria) You shall enable God’s design. We see your love in Jesus’ face. (Ave Maria) Know this: in joyous praise of your courageous soul Praise to the living God: Creator, Paraclete, the angels sing above; Redeemer, Three in One; It pleases God that you shall give whose love shall reign for ever more, this Babe your heart of love.” while endless ages run.

Words: John Abdenour, based upon ad Virginem (13 th cent.)

MOTET Franz Xaver Biebl (1906-2001)

Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae The angel of the Lord announced to Mary et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, benedicta tu in mulieribus blessed are you among women, et benedictus fructus ventris tui. and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Maria dixit, ecce ancilla Domini Mary said: behold, the handmaid of the Lord; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. be it unto me according to your word. Et verbum caro factum est, And the Word became flesh et habitavit in nobis. and dwelt among us.

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Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Holy Mary, Mother of God, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, pray for us sinners, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. now and in the hour of our death. Amen.

Words: from Luke 1, John 1 and other sources

THE FOURTH LESSON Isaiah 50:4-11 Reader: Lucy Buggy, Head of Ushers The Prophet Isaiah speaks of the Lord’s atoning Servant.

MAGNIFICAT Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) anima mea Dominum My soul doth magnify the Lord : et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutary meo. and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae : For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden : ecce enim ex hoc for behold, from henceforth beatam me dicent omnes generationes. all generations shall call me blessed. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est : For he that is mighty hath magnified me : et sanctum nomens eius. and holy is his name. Et Misericordia eius : And his mercy is on them that fear him : a progenie in progenie timentibus eum. throughout all generations. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo : He hath showed strength with his arm : dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their Deposuit potentes de sede : He hath put down the mighty from their seat : [hearts. et exaltavit humiles. and hath exalted the humble and meek. Esurientes implevit bonis : He hath filled the hungry with good things : et divites dimisit inanes. and the rich he hath sent empty away. Suscepit Israel, puerum suum : He remembering his mercy : recordatus misericordiae, hath holpen his servant Israel, Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, as he promised to our forefathers : Abraham et semini eius in saecula. Abraham and his seed forever.

THE FIFTH LESSON Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 John Abdenour, Director of Music The Prophet Isaiah speaks of the sufferings of the Lord’s Servant.

HYMN Sung by the Choir Gottes Sohn ist kommen Once he came in blessing, Still he comes within us, all our ills redressing; still his voice would win us came in likeness lowly, from the sins that hurt us; Son of God most holy; would to Truth convert us bore the cross to save us, not in torment hold us, hope and freedom gave us. but in love enfold us.

Thus, if thou can’st name him, not ashamed to claim him, but wilt trust him boldly nor dost love him coldly, he will then receive thee, heal thee, and forgive thee.

Words: Jan Roh (1485-1547), tr. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1828), alt. 7

ANTHEM Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987)

The tree of life my soul hath seen, His beauty doth all things excel; laden with fruit and always green, by faith I know but ne’er can tell The trees of nature fruitless be The glory which I now can see compared with Christ the apple tree. in Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought, I’m weary with my former toil, and pleasure dearly I have bought: here I will sit and rest awhile: I missed of all, but now I see Under the shadow I will be ‘tis found in Christ the apple tree. of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive: Which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Words: New Hampshire, 1784

THE SIXTH LESSON Luke 20:9-17 Reader: The Rev. Elizabeth H. Skaleski, Deacon Jesus explains the way he must be received in a sinful world.

HYMN

1 & 4 Unison

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THE SEVENTH LESSON Philippians 1:27-2:11 Reader: Linda Shaffer, Junior Warden of the Vestry The Apostle Paul exhorts readers to imitate Christ’s obedience and humility.

MOTET John Stainer (1840-1901)

God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

Words: John 3:16-17

THE EIGHTH LESSON All Standing John 1:1-15 Reader: The Rev. Richard Mayberry St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation The congregation may be seated.

ANTHEM Charles Wood (1866-1926)

O Thou, the central orb of righteous love, Pure beam of the most High, eternal Light Of this our wintry world, Thy radiance bright Awakes new joy in faith, hope soars above.

Come, quickly come, and let thy glory shine, Gilding our darksome heaven with rays Divine.

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Thy saints with holy lustre round Thee move, As stars about thy throne, set in the height Of God's ordaining counsel, as Thy sight Gives measured grace to each, Thy power to prove.

Let Thy bright beams disperse the gloom of sin, Our nature all shall feel eternal day In fellowship with thee, transforming clay To souls erewhile unclean, now pure within. Amen.

Words: Henry Ramsden Bramley (1833-1917), alt.

VESPER RESPONSORY Sung by the choir, the congregation standing. John Abdenour

Judah and Jerusalem, fear not nor be dismayed. “Tomorrow, go ye forth, and the Lord will be with you.” Stand ye still, and ye shall see the salvation of our God. “Tomorrow, go ye forth, and the Lord will be with you.” Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. “Tomorrow, go ye forth, and the Lord will be with you.”

THE COLLECT FOR ADVENT

Priest We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God: People In the midst of thy temple.

The Priest says the Collect.

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE BLESSING

The Priest blesses the people.

GO FORTH into the world in peace, be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

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

HYMN 89 “It came upon the midnight clear” Sung by all, standing Carol

ORGAN VOLUNTARY Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 661 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

We thank the Reverend Richard Mayberry for joining us for this afternoon’s service.

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NOTICES

A freewill offering received at this service will support the ongoing mission and ministry of Saint Paul’s Church.

ABOUT THE MUSIC broken hallelujah. / Hallelujah.” A devastating reminder that real love is not for the faint hearted. Palestrina’s Matin Responsory is based on a The love Jesus taught the world through his ministry version of plainsong Tone 3. The hymn “ Come and passion is as real as it gets, and who was it who thou, Redeemer of the earth ” is from The English most likely taught Jesus how to love? His mother Hymnal; and the descant is by John Abdenour. Mary. This vital role of Mary, implicit in the stories of the and the Nativity, tends to get was Director of the Choir of Kings overlooked in church doctrine, and The Angel and College, Cambridge, from 1974 to 1982, and while at Mary attempts to correct this oversight, depicting Kings he composed numerous descants for hymns. Mary not as passively obedient but possessed of the Two of the best of these are “ O come, O come ‘inquiring and discerning heart’ for which we pray in Emmanuel ,” and “ Lo, he comes with clouds the Baptism rite. The vehicle is a 14 th century song, descending .” Philip Ledger died November 18, , fairly turned upside down and 2012. repurposed. The work premieres today.

Scholars frequently note the propensity of Herbert In 1964 Franz Biebl composed his setting of Ave Howells to account for the acoustical properties of Maria for a choir of firemen from the local fire the space in which a commissioning choir sang. It is department in Fürstenfeldbruck, near Munich. The worth mentioning, then, that the motets and work remained obscure for years, until the Cornell anthems in William Byrd’s Gradualia were composed University Glee Club brought it to the USA after not for performance in the soaring spaces of meeting Biebl while on tour in Germany in 1970. England’s cathedrals and collegiate chapels but for Through the Glee Club’s performances, and the someone’s living room. In the early 1600’s the work’s subsequent performances by the a cappella practice of Catholic faith in England was perilous group Chanticleer, it gained wide popularity, first in business. Even Catholic families of the English the USA and then, ironically, back in Germany. nobility had to practice their faith very privately, not Originally set for male voices, we hear today Biebl’s even utilizing the family chapel for worship, but arrangement for mixed choir. Wilbur Skeels has most likely sitting around the kitchen table. Thus noted that the text is a hybrid of the Roman Catholic when William Byrd – the favored composer of ‘Angelus’ devotional and the prayer ‘Hail Mary, full Elizabeth I, no less – decided to compose a complete of grace.’ set of liturgical music for Catholic worship according to the new missal of 1570, it was an act of not only Magnificat (1989) is one of the Estonian devotion but courage. Gradualia was published in composer Arvo Pärt’s best known works. Scored for 1605, shortly before the anti-Protestant Gunpowder mixed chorus and soprano soloist, the music Plot erupted in England. In the anti-Catholic employs numerous means of creating an aura of backlash that followed, Gradualia was quickly timelessness, with clear evocations of medieval and withdrawn from publication (only one copy of this . The most important rhythmic edition remains in existence today). A second influence in the music comes directly and solely from edition was published a few years later. Although the text. Not only is speech rhythm paramount but Byrd himself suffered no known consequences, a other possibilities of rhythmic regularity or meter gentleman possessing a copy of Gradualia was have been consciously interrupted or removed. arrested and imprisoned in London in the days When Elizabeth Poston published her now famous following the Gunpower Plot. setting of Jesus Christ the Apple Tree , she desuper is a setting of the for the Votive attributed the words to a source described simply as of the Virgin Mary for Advent. ‘New Hampshire 1784.’ Accordingly, most people The entertainer Kate McKinnon recently covered think that the hymn originated in the United States, Leonard Cohen’s famous song Hallelujah, including but in fact its first appearance was in London’s these words: “I’ve seen your flag on a marble arch / Spiritual Magazine in 1761. Only 23 years later did it and love is not a victory march / it’s a cold and it’s a cross the Atlantic to make its appearance in Joshua

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Smith’s Divine Hymns and Spiritual Songs¸ published in performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee service at New Hampshire, 1874. Despite their land of origin, St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2013. The piece regularly the words appeared only in American hymnals until makes an appearance each year at St. Paul’s, either in th late in the 20 century. Advent or in . Many members of the choir hardly need the music, which is fortunate, as the The most well beloved movement in John Stainer’s copies are getting a bit shopworn, even if the music The Crucifixion, God so loved the world sets one of remains remarkably fresh. the foundational passages of Christian scripture (John 3:16-17) in a musical frame perfect in its The final hymn, “It came upon a midnight clear ,” simplicity and economy. Generations of and while nominally outside the scope of an ‘Advent’ directors have done a great disservice to this tiny service, further illuminates the message of the masterpiece, through well intentioned attempts at readings. Closer examination of the words of the ‘interpretation.’ Not needed. Given half a chance, hymn reveals that the angels’ (God’s) song of peace this wonderful little piece sings itself. and goodwill was only begun that ‘midnight clear’ in

Bethlehem, but has been sung ceaselessly through Over the past century, Charles Wood’s timeless ‘two thousand years of wrong,’ and is being sung setting of the Rev. Henry Bramley’s sonnet O thou now, there for all the world to hear if only we could the central Orb has found such a comfy place at the “hush the noise and cease [our] strife.” heart of the Anglican musical canon that it was

PARTICIPATING IN TODAY’S SERVICE

The Reverend Richard Mayberry, Associate Rector (Part Time), St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Wilton The Reverend Elizabeth H. Skaleski, Deacon

Music John R. Abdenour, Director of Music

Robert Kwan (Director of Music, Trinity Church, Southport), Organist

Acolytes Drew Cocozza, Andrew Corbett, Neal Minto

Ushers Trish Garton, Neal Minto

T H E S T . P A U L ’ S C H O I R

Cantoris Choir - Treble Elisabeth B*, Matthew B, Madeline C, Julia H, 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, Benjamin McCormack (Section Leader)

Decani Choir - Treble Isabella B*, William B, Charlotte B*, Olivia B, Fiona C, Madison C, Madison C, Claire D, Maya K, Emma L**

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

Tenor – Decani: Bennett S, Jonathan Taylor (Section Leader)

Bass – Decani: Scott Cranston (Section Leader), Philip Sidebottom, Harrison S

*Head Chorister of the Choir **Assistant Head Chorister of the Choir 12

A DVENT AND C HRISTMAS W ORSHIP A T S AINT P A U L ’ S

SUNDAY , DECEMBER 18 – FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Holy Eucharist at 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM Yule Café 4:00 PM A Festival of 5:00 PM Sung by the St. Paul’s Choir, directed by John Abdenour with special guest conductor, Johnson Flucker

SATURDAY , DECEMBER 24 – FAMILY CRÈCHE SERVICE (H OLY EUCHARIST ) AT 3:00 PM FESTIVAL HOLY EUCHARIST AT 5:30 PM CANDLELIGHT HOLY EUCHARIST AT 10:00 PM

SUNDAY , DECEMBER 25 – CHRISTMAS DAY HOLY EUCHARIST AT 10:00 AM

ST. PAUL ’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 661 OLD POST ROAD FAIRFIELD , CONNECTICUT 06824 203-259-3013 web site: www.stpaulsfairfield.org general e-mail: [email protected]

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT The Right Reverend Ian Theodore Douglas, Bishop of Connecticut The Right Reverend Laura Jean Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan

CLERGY The Reverend Amy Doyle Welin, Interim Rector The Reverend Melissa Lamkin, Priest Associate The Reverend Elizabeth H. Skaleski, Deacon

OFFICERS OF THE VESTRY John Ogletree, Senior Warden Linda Shaffer, Junior Warden Peter Osborne, Treasurer Janet O’Donnell, Secretary of the Vestry

MEMBERS OF THE VESTRY Lorie Boveroux, Gerry Burdo, Jane Corbett, Joanne Fredericks, Jon Hylan, Chris Jay, Dawn Miller

STAFF John R. Abdenour, Director of Music Mary Ellen Clifton, Parish Administrator Cathy Comstock, Director of Finance & Communications Tina Patrick, Facilities Manager