Festival of Lessons and Carols
December 17, 2023 | 8:30am
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 this time. 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
Adagio
John Stanley (1712-1786)
Welcome
Lighting of the Third Advent Candle — Candle of Joy
Reader One: In a season marked by holiday cheer and festive merriment, we also face quiet struggles and hidden hardships.
Reader Two: The third candle is the candle of JOY. In the face of sadness, in the face of grief, in the face of suffering, we light this candle of joy.
(Light three candles on the Advent wreath.)
Reader One: Joy is like an underground spring that wells up within us. In a world weary with demands and tribulations, may the light from this candle inspire us to resist despair and fill us with a joy that overcomes
adversity.
All: May the light from this candle brighten our spirits and transcend all heartbreak, declaring that God’s joy is on its way.
Opening Hymn Once in Royal David’s City (Irby)
Verse 1: Ethan Waite, soloist
(Please rise in body or spirit.)
*Verses 2-6: Congregation and Choirs
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.
First Lesson Genesis 1: 1-5 (selected verses)
Reader: Amanda Osenga
*Hymn 83 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Stuttgart)
Second Lesson Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Reader: Bob Bassett
The People That Walked In Darkness, from Messiah
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Chin Tan, Baritone
Leena Waite, Violin
Barbara Hulac, Organ
Text – Isaiah 9:2
Third Lesson Isaiah 11: 1-4, 6-9
Reader: Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
*Hymn 129 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (Es Ist Ein’ Ros’)
Fourth Lesson Luke 1: 26-35, 38
Reader: Leena Waite
Carol Where’er You Walk, from Semele
George Frideric Handel
Jonathan Musser, English Horn
Bob Bassett, Piano
Fifth Lesson Luke 1: 39-55
Reader: Sandy Prouty
Carol Who Would Imagine A King?
Hallerin Hill/ Mervyn Warre
Dianne Briscoe McKenzie, soloist
Mommies and daddies always believe
That their little angels are special indeed
And you could grow up to be anything
But who would imagine a king
A shepherd or teacher is what you could be
Or maybe a fisherman out on the sea
Or maybe a carpenter building things
But who would imagine a king
It was so clear when the wise men arrived
And the angels were singing your name
That the world would be different ’cause you were alive
That’s what heaven stood still to proclaim
One day an angel said quietly
That soon he would bring something special to me
And of all those wonderful gifts he could bring
Who would imagine, who could imagine
Who would imagine a king
Sixth Lesson Matthew 1: 18-21
Reader: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
*Hymn 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (St. Louis)
Seventh Lesson Luke 2: 1-7
Reader: Dr. Peter Hulac
Carol What Songs Were Sung
John Jacob Niles (1892-1980)
Wendy Bawmann and Rebecca Koenigberg, Sopranos
We cannot tell, we do not know
What stars shone down so long ago,
When Mary birthed her own sweet Son
And peace and love became as one.
The Son of God, as scriptures said,
Was Virgin born in a tiny shed,
Where simple shepherds stood hard by
While heav’nly sound filled up the sky.
Now let us stand, uncovered all,
Before this crèche in lowly stall,
Where kings and angels dignify
God’s gift, His Son, in humility.
We do not know, we cannot tell
What songs were sung, what starlight fell,
Or why the holy mystery stands
For so many years in so many lands.
Eighth Lesson Luke 2: 8-20
Reader: Rev. Ian Cummins
Carol Go, Tell It On The Mountain
American Negro Spiritual
Barbara Wollan, Soprano
Heidi Shriver, Alto
This morning’s performance 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 2, 6 & 7
2 O come, O Wisdom, from on high
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show
And teach us in its ways to go.
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
Lord Christ, the Only Son of God, BWV 601
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS
Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
OFFERINGS
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.
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.
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
The civilians caught in the war in Israel/Palestine; Sean Barclay and family, mourning the deaths of Sean’s mother and father, Jane and Jim Barclay; The Bofenkamp and Damon families, mourning the loss of Christian Bofenkamp; Dennis Cole and family, mourning the death of Linda Marrou-Cole; The Cummins Family; Madie Gustafson; Roger Headrick; Steve House; Mateo; Eden Murphy; Mac Murphy; Scot Sandoval, son of Juanita Martinez; Lynne Severson; Peggy Walker and Arne Binion; Jewel Wegs; Janet Wolfer
Deaths
December 9, 2023 | Linda Marrou-Cole
CHRISTMAS EVE AT MONTVIEW
11am – 4th Advent Service w/ Choir
Sanctuary & Livestream
2pm & 4pm – Family Service
Sanctuary & 2pm Livestream
6pm & 8pm – Candlelight
Sanctuary & 6pm Livestream
7:15pm – Witness to the Light
(candlelight and music along Montview Blvd)
10pm – Candlelight with Choir
Sanctuary
December 31 Worship Service
One Service at 11am (Sanctuary)
On December 31, New Year’s Eve morning, we’ll have one worship service at 11:00am in the sanctuary. Join us for this special service where we’ll celebrate the gifts of the season and prepare for the year to come. There will be a hot chocolate bar reception in the McCollum Room following the service. Childcare will be available for ages birth-7.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the
sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
We are so glad your family is worshiping with us today. We also know that sometimes children tire of being in worship. We have a space for those times directly below the sanctuary. You can follow the service on a large screen there while your children enjoy toys, books and space. The greeters can direct you!
VISITORS
We are happy that you are worshiping with us today and invite you to learn more about Montview. Please fill out one of the Friendship Pads that are placed in the pews. Feel free to contact our office at 303.355.1651 or email todd@montview.org with questions. Please come again.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org
*You’re invited to rise in body or spirit.