Frederick Presbyterian Church The Fourth Sunday of Advent A Service of Lessons & Carols December 20, 2020 10:30 a.m. PRELUDE “Silent Night” Linda R. Lamb “'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” (Huron Carol) Martha Lynn Thompson (Handbell Choir) CAROL “Once in Royal David’s City” (see page 7) IRBY Stanza 1 (Katelyn Aungst, soloist) Stanzas 2-4 (All) GREETING, BIDDING PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. FIRST LESSON Genesis 3:8-15 God announces in the Garden of Eden that the offspring of woman shall strike the serpent’s head. ANTHEM “Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree” Elizabeth Poston (Third Practice) The tree of life my soul hath seen, laden with fruit, and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be compared with Christ the apple tree. His beauty doth all things excel: by faith I know, but ne'er can tell The glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ the apple tree. For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see 'tis found in Christ the apple tree. I'm weary with my former toil, here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be 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. SECOND LESSON Genesis 22:15-18 God promises to faithful Abraham that by his offspring, all nations of the earth shall be blessed. CAROL “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (see page 8) VENI EMMANUEL THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah. ANTHEM “Lo, how a Rose E'er Blooming” ES IST EIN’ ROS’ Lo, how a rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung, of Jesse's lineage coming, by faithful prophets sung. It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night Isaiah 'twas foretold it, the rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind. To show God's love aright she bore for us a Savior, when half spent was the night. This flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere. Enfleshed, yet very God, from sin and death he saves us and lightens every load. FOURTH LESSON Micah 5:2-4 The prophet Micah foretells the glory of Bethlehem. ANTHEM “Bogoroditse Djevo” Arvo Pärt (Third Practice) Bogoroditse Devo, raduysia, O Virgin Theotokos, rejoice Blagodatnaya Mariye, Ghospod s Toboyu. Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blagoslovenna Ti v zhenah, Blessed are you among women, i blagosloven Plod chreva Tvoyego, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, yako Spasa rodila yesi dush nashih. for you have borne the Savior of our souls. FIFTH LESSON Luke 1:26-35, 38 The angel Gabriel visits the blessed Virgin Mary. ANTHEM “Ave Maria … Virgo Serena” Josquin des Prez (Third Practice) Ave Maria, Gratia plena, Dominus tecum, Virgo serena. Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with thee, serene Virgin. Ave, cuius Conceptio, Solemni plena gaudio, Hail, thou whose Conception, Full of great joy, Caelestia, Terrestria, Nova replet laetitia. Fills heaven and earth With new gladness. Ave, cuius Nativitas Nostra fuit solemnitas, Hail, thou whose Nativity Became our great celebration, Ut lucifer lux oriens Verum solem praeveniens. As the light-bearing Morning Star anticipates the true Sun. Ave pia humilitas, Sine viro fecunditas, Hail, faithful humility, Fruitful without man, Cuius Annuntiatio Nostra fuit salvatio. Whose Annunciation Was our salvation. Ave vera virginitas,Immaculata castitas, Hail, true virginity, Immaculate chastity, Cuius Purificatio Nostra fuit purgatio. Whose Purification Was our cleansing. Ave, praeclara omnibus Angelicis virtutibus, Hail, glorious one In all angelic virtues, Cuius fuit Assumptio Nostra fuit glorificatio. Whose Assumption Was our glorification. O Mater Dei, Memento mei. Amen. O Mother of God, Remember me. Amen. 2 SIXTH LESSON Matthew 1:18-21 St. Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus. ANTHEM “The Holly and the Ivy” - trad., arr. H. Walford Davies (Third Practice) The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, Of all the trees that are in the wood the holly bears the crown. Refrain O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer, The playing of the merry organ, Sweet singing in the choir. The holly bears a blossom as white as any flower; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet Saviour. Ref. The holly bears a berry as red as any blood; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good. Ref. The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn. Ref. The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall; And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all. Ref. SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2:8-20 The shepherds go to the manger. ANTHEM “Myn Lyking” R.R. Terry (Third Practice) I saw a fair mayden sytten and sing. She lulled a lyttel childe, a swete Lording. Refrain Lullay myn lyking, my dere sonne, my sweetling. Lullay my dere herte, myn own dere derling. That same Lord is he that made alle thing; Of alle lordis he is Lord, of alle kynges Kyng. Ref. There was mickle melody at that chylde's birth. All that were in heuenly blisse they made mickle mirth. Ref. Aungels bright sang their song to that chylde, Blyssid be thou and so be sche so meke and so milde. Ref. CAROL “Angels We Have Heard on High” (see page 9) GLORIA EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2:1-11 The wise men are led by the star of Jesus. 3 ANTHEM “Bethlehem Down” Peter Warlock (Third Practice) "When He is King we will give Him a King's gifts, Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown, Beautiful robes", said the young girl to Joseph, Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down. Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight, Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold, Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music, Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold. When He is King they will clothe Him in grave-sheets, Myrrh for embalming, and wood for a crown, He that lies now in the warm arms of Mary, Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down. Here He has peace and a short while for dreaming, Close-huddled oxen to keep him from cold, Mary for love, and for lullaby music, Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem Down. NINTH LESSON John 1:1-14 St. John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation. ANTHEM “Sussex Carol” arr. David Willcocks (Third Practice) On Christmas night all Christians sing, To hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King’s birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place; Angels and men with joy may sing, All for to see the new-born King. All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night: Glory to God and peace to men, Now and for evermore. Amen. CLOSING PRAYER CAROL “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (see page 10) MENDELSSOHN BLESSING AND CHARGE Leader: . be with you now and forever. People: Amen. Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! POSTLUDE “Regent Square” ("For unto us a child is born...”) Edwin C. Johnson Third Practice Singers - Katelyn Aungst, Joshua Bornfield, Shauna Kreidler Michels, and Daryl Yoder. Handbell Ringers - Jane Campbell, Michelle Dohm, Angelyn Forbes-Freeze, Tracy Racheff, Amy Varner, and Marissa Yoes. Lighting of the Advent Candles - The Layman Family. Readers - Amy Varner, Daryl Yoder, Elizabeth Myers, Katelyn Aungst, Angelyn Forbes-Freeze, Ashley Simms, Jonathan Lyons, Tony Neal, and Eric Myers. Worship led by Pastor Myers, Pastor Tony Neal, and Brian Bartoldus ~ Songs are used with permission from OneLicense.net - license number 708024-M. 4 Welcome to Worship at Frederick Presbyterian Church! While we are not together in person we are together in spirit and we are glad you have found us online. If you are new to FPC, please take time to find out more about the life and ministry of Frederick Presbyterian Church by visiting our website. Also, if you don’t mind, please let us know who you are by sending an email to Pastor Eric. We would love to get to know you! We look forward to meeting you in person one day. Until then, please continue to join us for Sunday morning worship as well as the other virtual gatherings throughout the week which you will find listed here. Again, welcome to FPC! EARLY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Sunday, December 20 at 3:00 and 4:30 PM We gather on the green space beside FPC to hear the story of Christmas and sing carols of the Season (with masks, ages 5 and above) ~ everyone is invited ~ bring your own chair! Signup for 3:00 PM service here.