A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
December 22, 2024 4:00 PM
Preservice music starts at 3:40 PM
FLORENCE, SC
A FESTIVAL OF Nine Lessons and Carols
Betsy Johnson, flute
Don Grice, organ and piano
Beverly Hazelwood, piano
A Christmas Pastorale for Flute and Organ
Two Christmas Carols
J. Powell Joy to the World A la Nanita Nana
Two Christmas Pieces
Bisbee Once Again My Heart Rejoices O Come, Little Children
Two English Carols
J. Powell The Cherry Tree Carol Now the Holly Bears a Berry
Three Carols
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing Lullay, Thou Little Tiny Child What Child Is This
Prelude
Charles Callahan
Robert
B. Wayne
Robert
Daniel Burton
ORDER OF SERVICE
*Stand as you are able
*The Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn in Procession ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY
WORDS, CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER MELODY, HENRY JOHN GAUNTLETT
HARMONIZED, HENRY JOHN GAUNTLETT AND ARTHUR HENRY MANN ARRANGED, DAVID WILLCOCKS
Beloved in Christ, as we approach the Christmas Season, it is our duty and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels, and to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Therefore let us hear again from the Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our sin until the glorious redemption brought us by this holy Child; and let us make this house of prayer glad with our carols of praise.
But first, because this of all things would rejoice Jesus’ heart, let us pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people; for peace upon the earth, he came to save; for love and unity within the one Church he did build; for goodwill among all peoples.
And particularly at this time let us remember the poor, the cold, the hungry, the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and all who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.
Lastly, let us remember all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we forevermore are one.
These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words that Christ himself has taught us
The Lord’s Prayer
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, forever. Amen.
I SAW THREE SHIPS
I saw three ships come sailing in, On Christmas Day in the morning.
Pray, whither sailed those ships all three? On Christmas Day in the morning.
O, they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas Day in the morning.
And who should be in those three ships, But Joseph and his Lady?
And he did whistle and she did sing, On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all the angels in heav’n shall sing, On Christmas Day in the morning
Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas Day in the morning.
The First Lesson ................................................................................... Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19
God announces in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve’s punishment for their rebellion and that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head
Carol 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 abeen heavene queen. Blessed be the time that apple taken was; Therefore we moun singen Deo gracias! (Thanks be to God!)
WORDS, 15th CENTURY MUSIC, PHILIP W. J. STOPFORD
WORDS, ENGLISH TRADITIONAL CAROL MUSIC, JOHN RUTTER
Second Lesson .......................................................................................
God promises to Abraham that by his descendants all the nations of the earth shall obtain blessing.
Carol INFANT HOLY
Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, nowells ringing, Tidings bringing: Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new; Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow, Christ the Babe was born for you!
WORDS, TRADITIONAL POLISH, TRANSLATED BY E M G REED MUSIC, MALCOLM ARCHER
The Third Lesson .............................................................................................
The prophet announces the birth of a king to a people in darkness
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Carol PAT-A-PAN
Willie, bring your little drum; Robin bring your flute and come; And be merry while you play, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan, And be merry while you play, on this joyful Christmas day!
When the men of olden days to the King of Kings gave praise, On the fife and drum did play, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan, On the fife and drum did play, on this joyful Christmas day!
God and man today become more in tune than fife and drum; So be merry while you play, Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan, So be merry while you play, sing and dance this Christmas Day!
WORDS, TRADITIONAL FRENCH BURGUNDIAN CAROL MUSIC, TRADITIONAL, ARRANGED BY DAVID CONTE
WORDS, ENGLISH TRADITIONAL CAROL MUSIC, ENGLISH TRADITIONAL, ARRANGED BY DAVID WILLCOCKS
The Fourth Lesson ..................................................................................... Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9
The king is coming and will usher in a reign of justice for the poor and peace for all of God’s creation.
Carol A SHOOT SHALL COME FORTH
A shoot shall come forth out of Jesse, and a bud shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of life shall be with him, the spirit of wisdom and truth.
Then the lamb shall lie down with the leopard, and the lion eat straw with the ox, For the hand of a Child shall lead them to the peaceable kingdom of God
From out of the wells of salvation will he draw us the water of life, His waist shall be girdled with justice, the heart of his heart shall be Love.
He’ll come from the end of his heaven, and the earth shall be torn from its place; Our lives shall be filled with his radiance as floodwaters cover the sea
WORDS, BASED ON ISAIAH 11 AND 32:18 MUSIC, RICHARD HORN
The Fifth Lesson .......................................................................................... Luke 1:26-35, 38
The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to God’s promised Son whose kingdom shall never end.
GABRIEL’S MESSAGE
The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; ‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favour’d lady,’ Gloria!
‘For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honor thee, Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold; Most highly favour’d lady,’ Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, ‘To me be as it pleaseth God,’ she said, ‘My soul shall laud and magnify His holy name.’ Most highly favour’d lady, Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel the Christ was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say, ‘Most highly favour’d lady,’ Gloria!
The Sixth Lesson ...................................................................................................
Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born.
Carol IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heav'n cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heav'n and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter, a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim worship night and day, A breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels fall down before, The ox and ass and camel which adore.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what can I give Him, give my heart.
WORDS, TRANS. SABINE BARING-GOULD MUSIC, BASQUE CAROL, ARRANGED BY DAVID WILLCOCKS
WORDS, CHRISTINA ROSSETTI MUSIC, HAROLD DARKE
WORDS, E. CASWALL MUSIC, JOHN GOSS, ARRANGED BY DAVID WILLCOCKS
The Seventh Lesson ............................................................................................. Luke 2:8-16
The shepherds go to see the Savior of the world, lying in a manger. Carol
MASTERS IN THIS HALL
Masters in this hall, hear ye news today Brought from over sea, and ever I you pray.
Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell sing we clear!
Holpen are all folk on earth, born is God’s Son so dear: Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell sing we loud! God today hath poor folk raised and cast down the proud.
Going o ’ er the hills, through the milk-white snow, Heard I ewes bleat while the wind did blow.
Shepherds many an one sat among the sheep, No man spake more word than they had been asleep.
Quoth I, ‘Fellows mine, why this guise sit ye? Making but dull cheer, shepherds though ye be?’
‘Shepherds should of right leap and dance and sing, Thus to see ye sit, is a right strange thing.’
Quoth these fellows then, ‘To Bethlem town we go, To see a mighty lord lie in manger low.’
‘How name ye this lord, shepherds?’ then said I, ‘Very God,’ they said, ‘Come from heaven high.’
This is Christ the Lord, masters be ye glad! Christmas is come in, and no folk should be sad.
WILLIAM
MUSIC, FRENCH TRADITIONAL CAROL, ARRANGED BY DAVID WILLCOCKS
The Eighth Lesson .......................................................................................... Matthew 2:1-11
The wise men follow a star to find the child Jesus, the King of the Jews
Carol THE THREE KINGS
Three kings from Persian lands afar To Jordan follow the pointing star: And this the quest of the travellers three, Where the newborn King of the Jews may be. Full royal gifts they bear for the King; Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
The star shines out with a steadfast ray; The kings to Bethlehem make their way, And there in worship they bend the knee, As Mary’s child in her lap they see; Their royal gifts they show to the King; Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem The Kings are trav’ling, travel with them! The star of mercy, the star of grace, Shall lead thy heart to its resting place. Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring; Offer thy heart to the infant King, Offer thy heart!
How brightly shines The morning star! With grace and truth From heav’n afar Our Jesse tree Now bloweth.
Of Jacob’s stem And David’s line, For thee, my Bridegroom, King divine, My soul with love O’er floweth.
Thy word, Thy word, Jesu, Jesu, Inly feeds us, Rightly leads us, Life bestowing. Praise, O praise, praise, O praise such love o ’ er flowing
WORDS,
MORRIS
John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
Please be seated for the singing of the hymn. An offering will be taken to support The Manna House.
Hymn
OF THE FATHER’S LOVE BEGOTTEN
WORDS, PRUDENTIUS (b. 348), TRANSLATED BY R. F. DAVIS MUSIC, FROM “PIAE CANTIONES, THEODERICI PETRI NYLANDENSIS, 1582 ARRANGED BY DAVID WILLCOCKS
THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the pris’ner, To rebuild the nations; to bring peace among brothers, To make music from the heart.
Collect
Eternal God, by the birth of Jesus Christ you gave yourself to the world.
Grant that, being born in our hearts, he may save us from all our sins, and restore within us the image and likeness of our Creator, to whom be everlasting praise and glory, world without end. Amen.
*Dismissal with Blessing
May the Christ who by his Incarnation gathered into One things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
Go forth in peace and joy. Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
WORDS, HOWARD THURMAN MUSIC, DAN FORREST
*Closing Voluntary
The choir and clergy will process out during the playing of the voluntary.
In dulci jubilo BWV 729
All are invited to a reception in The Commons immediately following the service.
WORDS, C. WESLEY, G. WHITEFIELD, M. MADAN MUSIC, MENDELSSOHN, DESCANT AND ORGAN PART BY DAVID WILLCOCKS
J. S. Bach
PARTICIPANTS
Readers
Dr. Bill Hazelwood, Chancel Choir Member 1.
Rev. Johnny Crouch 2.
Art Justice 3.
Melinda Waddell, Director, The Manna House 4.
Rev. Terry Fleming, Florence District Superintendent 5.
Rev. Tom Pietila, Pastor Emeritus 6.
Rev. Meg Bryce Jiunnies, Pastor of Faith Formation & Discipleship 7.
Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, Associate Pastor 8.
Rev. Thomas Smith, Senior Pastor 9.
Musicians
The Chancel Choir of Central United Methodist Church and Guest Singers
Don Grice, Director of Music/Organist
Beverly Hazelwood, Music Associate/Organist
Betsy Johnson, Flutist
Soloists
Once In Royal David’s City …………………………………………………............................................... Sary Jackson In the Bleak Midwinter ……………………………..…............................................... Dianna Wilson, Shaw Thompson The Three Kings ………….............................................……………………………………..……… Kevin McCormick
Acolyte
Ellison Higgs
Crucifer
Libby Ballenger
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Copies of the carol The Work of Christmas were given by The Reverend Tom Pietila in honor of Lindy Pietila.
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Christmas
Christmas December 24, 2024
The Sanctuary and The Well at 4:00 pm
The Sanctuary at 6:00 pm