choral candlelight service christmas eve 2012
TRANSCRIPT
Choral Candlelight Service
Christmas Eve
2012
Westminster Church
Westminster United Church
Christmas Eve, 2012
Minister: Rev. Robert Campbell Associate Minister: Rev. Greg Glatz
Voluntary Associate Minister: Rev. Dr. James Christie Director Of Music in Worship: Nathan J. Poole
Organist: Don Menzies
The Westminster Choir And Soloists: Soprano: Cathryn Harrison Mezzo-Soprano: Nicki Kirton
Alto: Mary Ann Taylor Tenor: Nelson Bettencourt Bass: Fred Simpson Harp: Michael McKay
Organ Recital Donald Menzies, A.R.C.T., L.T.C.L., L.M.M.
Christmas Carols on the Carillonic Bells Joy to the World Gordon Young
In Dulci Jubilo Johann Sebastian Bach
Away in a Manger Austin Lovelace
Variations on ‘Unto us a Child is Born’ Martin Shaw
Stille, Stille Stille Paul Manz
What is this Goodly Fragrance Paul Manz
Greensleeves Richard Purvis
Pastorale on ‘Forest Green’ Richard Purvis
Noel with Variations Claude Louis Balbastre
Behold a Rose is Blooming Johannes Brahms
Westminster Church depends upon the offerings of its members and friends to continue its work. It takes about $9,000 a week to finance our congregation’s daily work, worship life, and local and international outreach. We welcome your generous support. The church is glad to issue receipts for income tax purposes for offerings of $10.00 or more. To obtain a receipt, write your name and address on the enclosed offering envelope.
Electronic Devices: We thank you for your co-operation in turning all
electronic devices off or to mute during the service.
Choral Candlelight Service
Lighting Of The Advent Candles By Tyler Drachuk
Processional Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Adeste Fideles, #60)
come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:
come and behold him, born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
God of God, light of light,
lo, he abhors not the virgin’s womb;
very God, begotten not created:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God in the highest:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
- Latin words, John Francis Wade; Translated by Frederick Oakeley
O
The Greeting And Lord’s Prayer Given by Rev. Campbell
Carol “Gloria” - Antonio Vivaldi
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest.
First Lesson Ephesians 1: 3-14 Read by Doug Abra
Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Forest Green, #64)
little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,
above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessed gift of heaven.
No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still
the dear Christ enters in.
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray,
cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
- Phillips Brooks
O
Carol “Angel’s Carol” - John Rutter
Cathryn Harrison, Mary Ann Taylor Second Lesson Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Read by John Mort
Carol “Joy to the World” - John Rutter Third Lesson Luke 1: 26-35, 38 Read by Katherine Abra
Carol “Sweet Mystery” - Glen McCabe Nicki Kirton -
Hymn “’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime”
was in the moon of wintertime,
when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead,
before their light the stars grew dim,
and wandering hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria. Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found,
a ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty round,
but as the hunter braves drew nigh,
the Angel song rang loud and high:
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
T
The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair
as was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there.
the chiefs from far before him knelt
with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
O children of the forest free, the angel song is true,
the holy child of earth and heaven is born today for you.
Come, kneel before the radiant boy,
who brings you beauty, peace, and joy:
Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis gloria.
Fourth Lesson Luke 2:1, 3-7 Read by Lynn E. Soens And lighting of the Christmas Candle
Carol “Lux Arumque” - Eric Whitacre
Amy Carlson Lux, calida gravisque pura velut aurum et canut angeli molliter modo natum.
Light, warm and heavy as pure gold
and angels sing softly to the new-born babe.
Carol “Away in a Manger” Arranged by Neil Harmon Michael McKay, Harp
Fifth Lesson Luke 2: 8-16 Read by Pamela McLeod Arnould Hymn “The First Nowell” (The First Nowell, #91) The congregation will remain seated during the singing of the offertory hymn. A collection will be taken in support of the work and witness of Westminster Church.
he first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay akeeping their sheep
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star,
shining in the east, beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
T
This star drew nigh to the northwest;
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Then entered in those wise men three,
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
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.
- English Traditional Carol
Sixth Lesson Matthew 2:1-12 Read by Carol Latter
Carol “In the Bleak Midwinter” - Harold Darke - Fred Simpson, Nelson Bettencourt
Seventh Lesson John 1:1-4, 9-14 Read by Bob Gold Carol “A Christmas Blessing” - Philip Stopford & Hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (Mendelssohn, #48)
ark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King.”
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, the incarnate deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing…
H
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail, the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing… - Charles Wesley
Christmas Prayer - Rev. Greg Glatz Hymn “Silent Night! Holy Night!” (Stille Nacht, #67)
- Harpist: Michael McKay
The congregation will remain seated for the singing of this hymn.
The choir will sing:
ilent night! holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace.
S
The congregation will join to sing:
Silent night! holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Silent night! holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. - Joseph Mohr
- Translated by Jane Montgomery Campbell
Closing Prayer And Benediction
Choral Postlude “Still, Still, Still” - Austrian Traditional Carol Christmas Carols On The Schulmerich Carillon
A Warm Welcome to all who are worshipping with us at Westminster this Christmas Eve. If you are a visitor and would like to know more about our
congregation or to introduce yourself to us, please fill in one of the Welcome to Westminster cards that are available in the pews or at the
visitor’s table in the lobby. You may place the card on the offering plate or in the basket at the visitor’s table. We also invite you to visit our church’s
website at www.westminsterchurch.org.
Sundays at Westminster
Our worship service begins at 10:30 in the Sanctuary. Nursery for toddlers to age 3, Sunday School for ages 4 to 11, and Youth Class for ages 12 and up are provided. The Choir practices on
Thursday nights from 7:00 to 8:30. If you wish to join the choir, please contact [email protected].
Upcoming Services of Note
Good Friday, March 29, 11:00 am Easter Sunday, March 31, 10:30 am
Sacrament of Communion:
Second Sunday of February, First Sunday of April, June, August, October and December
Sacrament of Baptism: Scheduled as needed. Enquire at the Church Office. Weddings: Enquire at the Church Office.
Westminster Concert Organ Series
Sunday, February 10, 2:30 p.m. – David Baskeyfield, Rochester, New York Sunday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. – Isabelle Demers, Quebec
Contact us:
Westminster United Church 745 Westminster Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 1A5
Phone: 204-784-1330 e-mail: [email protected]
website: westminsterchurch.org facebook.com/westminsterchurchwinnipeg
twitter.com/WestminsterYWG