Vol. CXXIII December 21, 2014 Number 16
w e l c o m e The moments before worship are a transition from “getting here” to “being here.” Since it usually takes a few minutes to quiet one’s mind, and to become open to the Spirit, it is most appropriate to give one’s friends a silent wave of the hand, a nod of the head, or a friendly smile in lieu of initiating a conversation.
a f t e r t h e p r o c e s s i o n a l h y m n, in order not to disrupt the worship service, latecomers will be seated by the ushers only at times when the congregation is standing, either during the Congregational Response following the assurance of forgiveness or during the second hymn.
v i s i t o r s , please know how welcome you are. Please sign the Friendship Book when it passes you during the service of worship and identify yourself with a name tag to be found in the book. You are also cordially invited to attend Coffee Hour following worship.
i n t h e o r d e r o f w o r s h i p that follows, an asterisk invites all to stand; items in bold type face indicate that the congregation participates in word or song.
l e c t i o n a r y s c r i p t u r e r e a d i n g s f o r t h e d a y 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38
— t h e o r d e r o f s e rv i c e f o r —
Fourth Sunday in Advent— e l e v e n o’ c l o c k —
The Brick Presbyterian Church Parish House: 62 East 92nd Street, New York, New York 10128-1398 | On the web at www.brickchurch.org
phone: 212-289-4400 day school: 212-289-5683 email addresses: brickchurch.org/contact
WORSHIP NOTESThe words of the processional hymn, an Advent carol named The Angel Gabriel from
Heaven Came, were written by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924), an English clergyman,
novelist, and collector of folk songs. Among his well-known compositions are Onward,
Christian Soldiers and Now the Day Is Over. The tune to which we sing the carol is a Basque
folk cantique, as lovely as it is challenging to sing. Indeed, it is perhaps the only hymn
written in 9/8 and 12/8 time! It is also one of only two hymns in our Hymnal that reflect on
the story of the annunciation to Mary in today’s Gospel reading from Luke.
The words to the lullaby-carol, Away in a Manger, have often been attributed to the
Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther. They appear nowhere in Luther’s writings however,
and the earliest versions are in English, not German, making it likely that the carol was
written by an unknown Lutheran in the United States, perhaps in the 18th century. The
carol is widely sung to two different tunes. The one we sing today was probably written by
James Murray, an American music teacher and editor, in about 1887.
The recessional carol, Gentle Mary Laid Her Child, was written by Canadian clergyman
Joseph Simpson Cook in 1919, a year after the end of World War I. In simplicity of
language, the carol sings of the “child, lowly in a manger,” the “babe in such a place.” The
tune, Tempus adest floridum (“the time of flowers is near”), dates from the Middle Ages. It
was originally the melody for a secular song of the same name about the coming of spring;
we know it best as the tune to Good King Wenceslas.
Malcolm Archer (born England, 1952), composer of Creators of the Stars of
Night, is an English organist, choral conductor, and organist. Until September
2007, Archer was Organist and Director of Music at St. Paul’s Cathedral in
London. He is currently Director of Chapel Music and Organist at Winchester
College (London), where he is in charge of the Winchester College Chapel Choir
as well as teaching the organ.
Sir Philip Ledger CBE (born Bexhill-on-Sea, England, Dec. 12, 1937),
composer of Adam Lay Ybounden, was educated at King’s College, Cambridge.
When appointed Master of the Music at Chelmsford Cathedral in 1961, he became
the youngest Cathedral Organist in England. He is best-known for his tenure as
director of the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge between 1973 and 1982 and
as director of Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from 1982 until his
retirement in 2001. He is also a composer of choral music and an organist.
the flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory ofClarence W. and Emma Elliot Slocum and Dr. Alexander Gordon Bearn by Margaret Bearn and
the Russell P. Pennoyer Family.1
next sunday’s preacher will be Reverend Rebekah McLeod Hutto.
pastorsMichael L. Lindvall, Douglas T. King, Rebekah M. Hutto, Adam D. GormanHerbert B. Anderson, Pastor EmeritusKaylin C. Milazzo, Michael S. Rotolo, Jr., Brian C. Yount Student Ministers
ministry of musicKeith S. Tóth, Minister of Music and OrganistAmanda Page Smith, Director of Children’s Music MinistriesTate C. Addis, Wilson Family Sacred Music Intern
ushersOfficer-in-Charge: Frederick A. Ehlert; Team Captain: Leon A. Allen, Jr., Scott M. Cragg, Claude G. De Zanett, Luc M. Dowling, Leigh W. Hoagland, William A. Kerr, Alex G. Li, Robert D. McCrie, David J.P. Meachin, Albert J. Pinzón, Paul W. Shaum, John D. Tuttle, Christopher R. Wight.
chancel choirSoprano: Doreen Scott Fryling, Tonna Miller-Vallés, Melissa Raymond, Catherine Thorpe, Phyllis Whitehouse. Alto: Sónia Batten, Agueda Fernández-Abad, Yonah Gershator, Mary Runyan Marathe. Tenor: Dr. David N. Fryling, Johnny Maldonado, Riley Kyle Soter. Bass: Jeffrey Caldwell, Dr. Daniel F. Collins, William Crutchfield, Ellsworth G. Stanton III, Ryan Stoudt.
You Are Welcome to Attend and JoinThe Brick Presbyterian Church
{founded 1767}
We are a 1,700-member community of faith, grounded in the Reformed tradition. We worship and grow in faith together at 11 a.m. on Sunday mornings. We serve neighbors near and far through mission and volunteer activities that address many causes of suffering
in our world. We love, help, and comfort one another in happiness and sorrow.
schedule of worship for christmas
december 24 christmas eve 4:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Pre-Service Music 11:00 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service of Holy Communion Reverend Michael L. Lindvall preaching
december 25 christmas day 11:00 a.m. Christmas Day Communion Service Reverend Michael L. Lindvall preaching
december 28 first sunday after christmas 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Reverend Rebekah M. Hutto preaching
january 4 second sunday after christmas 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Reverend Douglas T. King preaching
*PASSING OF THE PEACELeader: The Peace of Christ be with you.People: And also with you.*All are invited to stand and turn to those near you in worship, exchange a handshake or a nod of the head, and say “The peace of Christ be with you,” responding with “And also with you.”
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (Hymn 22, verse 4) Regent SquareAll creation join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One:Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King!
ANTHEM Philip Ledger (b. 1937)“Adam Lay Ybounden”
Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond: four thousand winter thought he not too long. And all was for an apple, an apple that he took, as clerkes finden written in their book. Ne had the apple taken been, the apple taken been, ne had never our lady a been heavené queen. Blessed be the time that apple taken was; Therefore we moun singen, Deo gracias! — 15th century text
THE WORDAfter the singing of the anthem, all children are invited to
come forward and sit on the chancel steps for the Children’s Message.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE AND PRAYER
* HYMN 25 Mueller“Away in a Manger”
SCRIPTURE LESSON Margaret D. StockerLuke 1:26-35 (Pew Bible, page 56 N.T.)
Reader: The Word of the Lord.All: Thanks be to God!
SERMON Michael L. Lindvall“Baby Power”
THE RESPONSE
* CONFESSION OF FAITH (Philippians 2:5b–11)Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess to the glory of God: Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.
* GLORIA PATRI 579 Henry W. Greatorex (1813-1858)
THE GATHERING PRELUDE Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
“La Nativité (Poèmes évangéliques, op. 2)Tate C. Addis, organist
WELCOME AND INVITATION TO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
MINUTE FOR MISSION Elder Margaret A. Raub“Stewardship”
CHORAL INTROIT George Thalben-Ball (1896-1987)“Alleluia! Unto Us a Child is Born”
Alleluia! Unto us a child is born. Alleluia! O come let us adore him. Allelluia!
LIGHTING OF THE FOURTH CANDLE OF THE ADVENT WREATH AND ADVENT PRAYER
“That same night the word of the Lord came to the prophet Nathan... ‘Thus shall you say to my servant David: I took you from the pasture, from following sheep to be a prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name like the name of the great ones of the earth… And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more... Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.’” (II Samuel 7:4, 8-11)
Christopher M. Mason, Kent McKamy, Thomas D. RobinsonLet us pray together: “O God, open our hearts anew to the advent of the son of David, the promised Messiah, the Anointed One that the ages have longed for. May his name be great in our lives and firmly planted in our place. Hear us now as we pray the prayer our Lord Jesus 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 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. Amen.”
* PROCESSIONAL HYMN 16 Gabriel’s Message“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of grace, we confess that our restless hearts often forget that it is safe
to trust in you. We live as though we were alone in the universe. We forget that your love and sustaining power undergird all things. Deliver us from the temptation to trust only in ourselves, our cleverness, our work, our strength, or our possessions. Deliver us from the temptation to place our final confidence in anything but you. As we draw near to you in this hour, help us to confide in your love and seek our strength in you, our source and our ending. Amen.
KYRIE 574 arr. David N. Johnson (1922-1987)Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING, INTERCESSION, AND PETITIONLeader: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Leader: Let us pray...
* CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE AmericaNot for this land alone,But be God’s mercies shown from shore to shore;And may the nations see that we must loving be,And form one family the wide world o’er. Amen.
*INVITATION TO OFFERING
OFFERTORY ANTHEM Malcolm Archer (b. 1952)“Creator of the Stars of Night”
Creator of the stars of night, thy people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, and hear thy servants when they call. Thou camest, bridegroom of the bride, as drew the world to eveningtide, proceeding from a virgin shrine, the Son of Man, yet all divine. At thy great name, exalted now, all knees must bend, all hearts must bow, and things in heaven and earth shall own that thou art Lord and King alone. To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One, laud, honour, might, and glory be from age to age eternally. Amen.
*DOXOLOGY 592 Old Hundredth Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
THE SENDING
* RECESSIONAL HYMN 27 Tempus adest floridum“Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”
BENEDICTION AND CHORAL RESPONSEThe congregation may be seated for the benediction and postlude.
POSTLUDE “O Holy Night”
Johan Stengård, saxophone
The service of worship concludes after the postlude. The music can be enjoyed or used as an opportunity for prayer. You may remain seated; if you wish to depart, please do so quietly.
If you would like someone to pray with you or wish to learn more about the Christian faith and The Brick Church, you may meet with members of our Sunday Prayer Team after the service
near the pulpit at the front of the Sanctuary.
