A Festival of

Lessons & Carols for Advent

December 6, 2020 5:30 p.m.

A FESTIVAL OF LESSONS & CAROLS FOR ADVENT

December 6, 2020, 5:30 p.m. Organ Voluntaries: Magnificat (Duo, Trio, Plein Jeu) Jean François Dandrieu (1682-1738) Welcome The People stand at the ringing of the entrance bells. The Opening Hymn: 82

Officiant: Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Officiant: Let us pray.

Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity that never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Father in heaven, by your grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word; grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Officiant, addressing the People, says The Bidding Prayers In the name of God, who has delivered us from darkness to light, and made a place for us in the kingdom of his beloved Son, we welcome you: grace to you and peace.

Let us hear now, in song and story, of the longing of all humanity for the coming of God to dwell among us, and of Mary, the Ever-Blessed Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s word made flesh through her by the power of the Holy Spirit.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world: for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which Christ died. And because God rejoices in it, let us remember in God’s name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and the little children, as well as those who do not know the love of God. Finally, let us remember before God Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Andrew, patron of this church, and the whole communion of saints that no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus Christ, we are one for evermore.

Silence. And now, gathering up all these petitions, let us pray in the words which Christ himself has taught us, saying:

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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Officiant concludes God, the creator of all things, bless us with abundant grace; Christ, the Word made flesh, give us the joys of everlasting life; and the Holy Spirit guide us all to the fellowship of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints in light. Amen. The People sit. The First Lesson: “Be Music, Night” Kenneth Patchen

Be music, night, That her sleep may go Where angels have their pale tall choirs

Be a hand, sea, That her dreams may watch Thy guidesman touching the green flesh of the world

Be a voice, sky, That her beauties may be counted And the stars will tilt their quiet faces Into the mirror of her loveliness

Be a road, earth, That her walking may take thee Where the towns of heaven lift their breathing spires

O be a world and a throne, God, That her living may find its weather And the souls of ancient bells in a child's book Shall lead her into Thy wondrous house

Choral Carol: Quem terra, Pontus, aethera Plainsong, Mode 2 The Word whom earth and sea and sky adore and laud and magnify, whose might they show, whose praise they tell, in Mary’s body deigned to dwell. To Mary the Archangel came and God’s new message did proclaim, “Hail, Mary, you shall bear a son who shall be called the Holy One.” Blest in the message Gabriel brought, blest in the work the Spirit wrought, most blest to bring to human birth the long-desired of all the earth. Lord Jesus, Virgin-born, to thee eternal praise and glory be, whom with the Father we adore and Holy Spirit evermore. 8th Century Annunciation Hymn trans. J. M. Neale (1818-1866)

The Second Lesson Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Isaiah rejoices at the coming Salvation of Zion. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

The People stand for Congregational Carols and sit for Choral Carols Congregational Carol 60

Choral Carol: Thou shalt know him Mark Sirett (1995) Thou shalt know him when he comes, not by any din of drums, nor his manners, nor his airs, nor by anything he wears. Thou shalt know him when he comes, not by his crown or by his gown, But his coming known shall be, by the holy harmony which his coming makes in thee. Amen. Anonymous The Third Lesson Wisdom 7:21-8:1

Solomon describes the nature of Wisdom I learned both what is secret and what is manifest, for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle. For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. Although she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom. She is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail. She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well.

Choral Carol: Tota pulchra est Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) [Sung in Latin] You are complete beauty, Mary; the stain of impurity is not in you. Your raiment is as white as snow, and your face is like the sun. You are the glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel, the honored of your people. 4th Century Marian Prayer The Fourth Lesson Revelation 21:1-7

John envisions the New Heaven and the New Earth Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud

voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. Congregational Carol 57

Choral Carol: As we have borne the image of the earthy Joseph Barnby (1838-1896) As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly, thanks be to God! 1 Corinthians 15:49 The Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26-38

The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. Choral Carol: Angelus ad virginem 14th cent. Irish Carol, arr. Sir David Willcocks [Sung in Latin] The angel came to the virgin and entered her dwelling, dispelling her fears with the salutation “Hail! Hail the queen of virgins! God, the Lord of earth and heaven is will place in your womb the Savior of humankind. You are the gateway for this healing act.” “How could I conceive who have known no man? How could this be without infringing my solemn vows?” “The Holy Spirit, full of grace, shall bring this mystery to pass. Fear not, be of good cheer, secure in your purity; trust in God’s power.” Then the noble virgin replied, “Your humble handmaiden bows to the Omnipotent God! With you, bright messenger of heaven, by whom this wondrous news is given, I long to see your gracious words fulfilled. As God wills it, so be it unto me.” Hail, Mother of the Lord, who brings gifts of peace to angels and mortals when Christ is born, entreat your Son on our behalf to bring our longed-for redemption, releasing us from sin, that, when we are taken hence, we too may abide with the blessed.

The Sixth Lesson: “Advent” Charles R. Murphy Out of a silence greater than all words; Over the unspeakable, dumb, Everlasting hills With their muter herds; Swifter than a blade that kills; Mightier than a prayer; Fairer than the dawn When some dew yet remains unbroken; Stronger than despair; From the unspoken to the spoken, While the heart rests momently; Lovely as the half-uttered words of a child, More delicate, more mild; Terrible as the torn breasts of anguish When strong wills languish: Suddenly, dreadfully, exquisitely, Love, death, and God shall come.

Congregational Carol: 265

Choral Carol: Ave Maria Franz Biebl (1906-2001) Chant: The angel of the Lord announced to Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit. Choir: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Chant: Mary said: Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it done to me as you have said. Choir: Hail Mary, full of grace, etc. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Seventh Lesson Luke 1:39-47, 56

Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’ And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home. All remain standing Choral Carol: Magnificat Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) from the Evening Service in G My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior, for he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed forever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Concluding Collect Officiant: Let us pray. Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Blessing Officiant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.

Officiant: God the Father, who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son, give you grace to prepare for life eternal. Amen.

God the Son, who comes to us as Redeemer and Judge, reveal to you the path from

darkness to light. Amen. God the Holy Spirit, by whose working the Virgin Mary conceived the Christ, help

you to bring forth the fruits of holiness. Amen. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon

you and remain with you forever. Amen.

The Closing Hymn:

The Organ Voluntary: Fugue on the Magnificat Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church 2015 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80205

303-296-1712 e-mail: office@standrewdenver.org website: www.standrewdenver.org

Those Who Serve Today: The Rt. Rev’d Kimberly Lucas, Bishop of Colorado

Officiant: The Rev’d Elizabeth P. Randall, Rector

Choirmaster: Timothy Krueger Organist: Ralph Valentine Choir: Amanda Crumley, Laura Tribby, sopranos; Micaëla Brown, MB Krueger, altos;

Matthew Bentley, Matthew Lea, tenors; J. D. Cleveland, Bryan Grosbach, basses Technology: Will Stowe, camera/sound

Lectors

Kylie Schwartz, Zoe Cole, Duane Claassen, Reese Jameson,

Ethan Hay, Megan Worthman

All services take place virtually. Please see our website, www.standrewdenver.org, for information.

Worship Schedule

Sunday, 11:00 am – Choral Matins Thursday, 5:45 pm – Choral Evensong

Holiday Services Schedule

Christmas Eve, December 24 5:30pm – Solemn Evening Service

Christmas Day, December 25

10:00am – Morning Prayer

Sunday, December 27

10:00am – Congregational Lessons & Carols

Epiphany, January 7 5:45pm – Epiphany Procession

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