Festival of Lessons and Carols
December 18| 11:00am
Festival of Lessons and Carols is a bridge between the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas. Our service is an adaptation of the form used on Christmas Eve at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. As the service begins, the prayers of the people are sought for those in need at Christmastime. The nine lessons which follow detail the salvation story of God’s people, from the time of creation through the prophets, and conclude with the fulfillment of these prophecies as recorded in the gospels. Each lesson is followed by a carol which is chosen to enhance its message. The congregation is invited to prepare for the service in silent meditation. We ask you to refrain from applause.
Prelude
Pastorale on a Christmas Plainsong
Virgil Thomson (1896-1989)
Welcome
Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle — Candle of Love
Reader One: Through the prophets, God promised a messiah who would bring healing and hope.
Reader Two: In the birth of Jesus, God’s love for us was made known in an
unexpected way.
Reader One: We light the Candle of Love to remind us that God’s love is in the world and that Jesus comes to us in unexpected places.
(The four candles are lit.)
Reader Two: The flame of this fourth candle gives us courage for our daily living by reminding us of the promise of Emmanuel: God is with us.
Will you join me in our unison prayer:
Loving God,
We thank you that you have fulfilled your promise.
Emmanuel has come.
Give us courage to respond with love and compassion.
Amen.
Opening Hymn Once in Royal David’s City (Irby)
Verse 1: Rowan Glossy and Ellherie Gillespie, soloists
*Verses 2-6: Congregation and Choirs (please stand)
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.
And through all his wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey,
love, and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay;
Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he.
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.
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;
Where like stars his children crowned All in white shall wait around.
*Bidding Prayer
*The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Introit
Creator of the Stars of Night
Sarum Plainsong
Westminister Choir
Text – Hymn 84-Latin, 9th Century
First Lesson Genesis 1: 1-5 (selected verses)
Reader: Amanda Osenga
Carol Ring Out, Wild Bells
Jonathan Dove (b.1959)
Westminister Choir
O Earth, O Earth, return!
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the time;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Text – Alfred Tennyson
Second Lesson Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Reader: Lindsay Price
*Hymn 129 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (Es Ist Ein’ Ros’)
Third Lesson Isaiah 11: 1-4, 6-9
Reader: Debby Cella
Carol A Time for Joy
Cynthia Dobrinski (1950-2021)
Youth Bells
Fourth Lesson Luke 1: 26-35, 38
Reader: Mary Hanson
Carol Japanese Christmas Carol
arr. T. Charles Lee Combined Choirs
Fifth Lesson Luke 1: 39-55
Reader: Sandy Prouty
Carol Peace, Peace
Sara Groves (b. 1972)
Jubilate Singers
Peace, peace, it’s hard to find
Trouble comes like wrecking ball
To your peace of mind
And all that worry you can’t leave
behind you
All your hopes and fears
All your hopes and fears, oh
All your hopes and fears
Are met in Him tonight
Peace, peace, it’s hard to find
Doubt comes like a tiny voice that’s so unkind
And all your fears
They conspire to unwind you
And in your dark street shines
An everlasting light
And all your hopes and fears
Are met in Him tonight
Sixth Lesson Matthew 1: 18-21
Reader: Jason Hays
Carol Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
John Gardner (1917-2011)
Westminister Choir
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;
Chorus
Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love
Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man’s nature
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus
In a manger laid, and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus
Then afterwards baptized I was;
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus
Seventh Lesson Luke 2: 1-7
Reader: Audrey Price
*Hymn 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (St. Louis)
Eighth Lesson Luke 2: 8-20
Reader: Rev. Ian Cummins
Carol Go, Tell It On The Mountain (Glory to the Newborn King)
arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
Westminster Choir
Our singing of “Go, Tell It On The Mountain” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. Congregants are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”). Contributions can also be made online at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.
*Collect for Christmas
*Blessing
*Hymn 88 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel) verses 1, 6 & 7
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
6 O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. [Refrain]
*Benediction
Postlude
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Noel Rawsthorne (1929-2019)
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Sheila Cody; Dennis Cole; Jolene Cranston; Dave, son-in-law of Nancy and John Thompson; Mel Gilles and Craig Warner, family members of Sheila Cody; Madie Gustafson; Jenni Hatlem; Craig Maginness, Ellen Reath and family, mourning the death of Craig’s brother, Bob Maginness; Gretchen Ackermann Moss and the Ackermann family; Eden and Mac Murphy; The people of South Sudan who are facing starvation; Bea Romer; Sue Taylor, sister of Heidi Shriver; Leroy Thompson, brother of Delores Collins; Patricia Vestal; Steve Warnke
Deaths
December 2 | Ray Cunningham
November 30 | Dugan Frederick
Christmas Joy Offering
We invite you to make a Christmas Joy Offering using the envelopes that are distributed in the pews. Your donation to this PC(USA) special offering will provide assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and develop our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. You may also give online at specialofferings.pcusa.org.
Giving to Montview
Many of us are prayerfully discerning our Christmas giving. We invite you to consider making a special year-end gift to the church at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons and downstairs in the Reception Room. If you need accessibility assistance, please see an usher.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Christmas Eve Services
2pm | Family Service
Sanctuary & Livestream
4pm | Family Service
Sanctuary
6pm | Candlelight Service
Sanctuary & Livestream
7:15pm | Witness to the Light
Along Montview Blvd
8pm | Candlelight Service
Sanctuary
10pm | Choir & Candlelight Service
Sanctuary
(Although we are not requiring ticketing for our Christmas Eve services, we strongly recommend that you pre-register to help us in our planning. Pre-register at www.montview.org/special-services.)
Christmas Day Service
One Service at 11am (Miller Chapel)
Join us in celebrating Christ’s birth Christmas morning! We will have one worship service at 11:00am in the newly renovated Miller Chapel. This special service will be meaningful, cozy, and casual. We’ll celebrate the gifts of the season through meaningful reflections, a Christmas hymn sing, and a hot chocolate bar reception following the service. There will not be childcare offered, but children will be
welcomed and can even come dressed in their Christmas morning pajamas.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org