Choral Candlelight Service Christmas Eve 2013westminsterchurch.org/assets/cs24dec13.pdf · Choral Candlelight Service Christmas Eve 2013 ... “Glory to the newborn King! ... Music:

Choral Candlelight Service Christmas Eve 2013

Westminster Church “We love because God loved us first” I John 4:19

Westminster Church The United Church of Canada

Christmas Eve, 2013

Minister Rev. Robert Campbell

Associate Minister

Rev. Greg Glatz

Voluntary Associate Minister Rev. Dr. James Christie

Director of Music in Worship

Nathan Poole

Organist Donald Menzies

The Westminster Choir and Soloists

Cathryn Harrison, Soprano Nicki Kirton, Mezzo Soprano

Wes Rambo, Tenor Fred Simpson, Bass

Michael McKay, Harp

As we prepare for worship, we hear an

Organ Recital of Carols Donald Menzies, A.R.T.C., L.T.C.L., L.M.M.

by Cass Smith

ark! 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 the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ by highest heav’n 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, “Glory to the newborn King!”

(Continued)

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES

PROCESSIONAL HYMN “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” VU #48

H

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, ris’n 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, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Given by Rev. Campbell

Helen La Rue, Piano

ing dong merrily on high, In heav'n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky,

Is riv'n with angel singing. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! E'en so here below, below, Let steeple bells be swungen, And "Io, io, io!" By priest and people sungen. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! (Continued)

Words: Charles Wesley Music: F. Mendelssohn V. 3 Arr. David Willcocks

GREETING & LORD’S PRAYER

CAROL “Ding Dong Merrily on High”

D

Pray you, dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers; May you beautifully rime, Your eventime song, ye singers. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Given by Rev. Campbell

nce 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. (Continued)

FIRST LESSON 1 John 4:7-12, 16b, 19, 21 Read by Pamela McLeod Arnould

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Words: G.R. Woodward Music: Trad. French Carol Arr. Howard Helvey

SECOND LESSON Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7 Read by Lynn E. Soens

HYMN “Once In Royal David’s City” VU #62

O

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 Saviour holy. Jesus 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. 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. 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.

Words: C.F. Alexander Music: H.J. Gauntlet Vs. 1-5 harm. A.H. Mann V. 6 arr. David Willcocks

Cathryn Harrison, Soprano

he angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; "All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,

most highly favoured lady," Gloria! "For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honor thee, thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, most highly favoured lady," Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said, "my soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name." Most highly favoured lady, Gloria! Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say- "Most highly favoured lady," Gloria!

THIRD LESSON Luke 1: 26-35, 38 Read by Jim Ripley

CAROL “Gabriel’s Message”

T

Words: para. Sabine Baring-Gould Music: Basque Carol, Arr. Edgar Pettman

oy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns! Let all their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as, the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love.

HYMN “Joy to the World” VU #59

J

Words: Isaac Watts Music: Attrib. G.F. Handel, arr. Lowell Mason

FOURTH LESSON Luke 2: 1, 3-7

Read by John Mort

Wes Rambo, Tenor

way in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes; I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my side till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.

Fred Simpson, Bass

wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die. For poor on'ry people like you and like I...

I wonder as I wander out under the sky. (Continued)

CAROL “Away in a Manger”

A

SOLO “I Wonder as I Wander”

Words: Unknown Music: W.J. Kirkpatrick Arr. Ola Gjeilo

I

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall, With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, And the promise of ages it then did recall. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing, A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing, Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing, He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King.

FIFTH LESSON Luke 2: 8-16 Read by Susie Conrad

was in the moon of winter-time 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."

(Continued)

Words: J.J. Niles Music: Trad. Appalachian

CAROL “Huron Carol”

T

Within a lodge of broken bark The tender Babe was found, A ragged robe of rabbit skin Enwrapp'd 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." O children of the forest free, O sons of Manitou, 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."

The congregation will remain seated during the singing of the offertory hymn.

hile shepherds watched Their flocks by night, All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. “Fear not!” said he, (for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind); “Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind.

(Continued)

Words: J.E. Middleton Music: Trad. Arr. Ed Henderson

OFFERTORY HYMN “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks” VU #75

W

‘To you, in David’s town, this day Is born of David’s line A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign: ‘The heav’nly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid.” Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song: “All glory be to God on high, And to the Earth be peace; Good will henceforth from Heav’n to men Begin and never cease!”

CAROL “O Holy Night”

Nicki Kirton, Mezzo Soprano

Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. (Continued)

Words: Nahum Tate Music: Este’s Psalter V. 6 Arr. David Willcocks

SIXTH LESSON Matthew 2: 1-12 Read by James Campbell

O

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, divine , O night divine! Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from the Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger, Behold your King! Before him lowly bend! Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, His power and glory ever more proclaim!

SEVENTH LESSON John 1: 1-4, 9-14 Read by Bob Gold

HYMN “O Come All Ye Faithful” VU #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.

(Continued)

Words: C. de Roquemaure Music: A. Adam Arr. John Rutter

O

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… 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… 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…

Given by Rev. Greg Glatz

HYMN “Silent Night! Holy Night!” VU #67 Michael McKay, Harp

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.

(Continued)

Words: John Wade Music: John Reading Arr. David Willcocks

CHRISTMAS PRAYER

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.

Given by Rev. Greg Glatz

Cathryn Harrison, Soprano

Words: H. Mohr, trans. J.F. Young Music: Franz Xavier Grüber

CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION

CHORAL POSTLUDE “In the Bleak Midwinter”

CHRISTMAS CAROLS ON THE SCHULMERICH CARILLON

Words: Christina Rosetti Music: G.T. Holst

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 practises on Thursday nights from 7:00 to 8:30. If you wish to join the choir, please contact [email protected].

Upcoming Services of Note Maundy Thursday, April 17, 6:30 p.m. Good Friday, April 18, 11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 20, 10:30 a.m.

Sacrament of Communion: First Sunday of February, April, June, August, October and December

Sacrament of Baptism: Scheduled as needed. Please contact the Church Office.

Weddings: Please contact the Church Office or visit our website.

Westminster Concert Organ Series Sunday, February 16, 2:30 p.m. – Nathan Laube, USA Sunday, June 1, 7:30 p.m. – Ken Cowan, Canada

Contact us:

Westminster Church 745 Westminster Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 1A5

Phone: 204-784-1330 Office Administrator, Marilyn Thiessen e-mail: [email protected] website: westminsterchurch.org

facebook.com/westminsterchurchwinnipeg