Festival of Lessons and Carols
December 17, 2023 | 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 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: Ellherie Gillespie, 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.
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 How Lovely Are The Messengers
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Westminister Choir
How lovely are the messengers
That preach us the gospel of peace.
To all the nations is gone forth the sound of their words,
Throughout all the lands their glad tidings.
Second Lesson Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Reader: Connor Beardsley
*Hymn 129 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (Es Ist Ein’ Ros’)
Third Lesson Isaiah 11: 1-4, 6-9
Reader: Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Carol Winter Song
Sara Bareilles (b. 1979)
Jubilate Singers
Fourth Lesson Luke 1: 26-35, 38
Reader: James Craft
Carol Still, Still, Still
arr. Kristine Johanek
Youth Handbells
Fifth Lesson Luke 1: 39-55
Reader: Sandy Prouty
Carol Vamos Todos a Belen
Mexican Carol, arr. Gary Parks
Bel Canto Choir
Why don’t you come with us today
On a journey?
We are on our way
To see the babe in Bethlehem
Vamos todos a Belen
Among the cattle lay a babe
In a manger
On a bed of hay
A wondrous thing in Bethlehem
Vamos todos a Belen
Se vamos rapidamente
Vamonos a Belen
Se vamos rapidamente
Vamonos a Belen
Se vamos rapidamente
Vamonos a Belen
Vamos! Vamos!
Vamos todos a Belen!
Sixth Lesson Matthew 1: 18-21
Reader: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Carol Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree
Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987)
Westminister Choir
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.
Seventh Lesson Luke 2: 1-7
Reader: Dr. Peter Hulac
*Hymn 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (St. Louis)
Eighth Lesson Luke 2: 8-20
Reader: Rev. Ian Cummins
Carol Riu Riu Chiu
Traditional Spanish Carol
Westminister Choir
Refrain:
The river bank is protected
God has kept the wolf
From our ewe lamb
God has kept the wolf
From our ewe lamb
The one who is born
Is the Great Monarch
Christ the Patriarch
Clothed in flesh
He has redeemed us
By making himself small
Though he was infinite
He became finite. (Refrain)
I saw a thousand Angels
Who were singing
Flying around
Chanting in a thousand voices
Saying to the shepherds
Glory in Heaven
And peace on earth
For Jesus is born (Refrain)
He comes to give
Life to the dead
He comes to repair
The fall of all mankind
This Child
Is the light of day
He is the Lamb
Of whom St. John spoke. (Refrain)
Now we have
What we desire
Let us go together
To present him gifts
Let us all give him
Our will
For he came
As our equal. (Refrain)
– Sung in Spanish
Ninth Lesson John 1: 1-14
Reader: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Carol Gloria, from Missa Brevis
Jonathan Dove (b. 1959)
Westminister Choir
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people
of good will.
We praise you, we bless you,
we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your
great glory,
Lord God, heavenly king, O God,
almighty father.
Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten son,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
son of the father, you take away
the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer.
You are seated at the right hand
of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the
most high Jesus Christ
with the holy spirit in the
glory of God the Father.
Amen.
– Sung in Latin
*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
Conductor/Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Children’s Music Conductor: Becki Taylor
Children’s Music Assistant Conductor: Heidi Shriver
Bel Canto Accompanist: James Craft
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.
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
New Year’s Eve Service
One Service at 11am (Sanctuary)
On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 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.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
Please note that this service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
PARISH NEWS
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
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.