Government Street Presbyterian Church Thursday, December 24, 2020 | 4pm Christmas Eve The Nativity of the Lord Although it is popularly associated with King’s College, Cambridge, England, the Festival Service of Lessons and Carols traces its origins to Truro Cathedral in Cornwall in the late nineteenth century. It is a service of Christian worship traditionally celebrated on Christmas Eve where lessons from the Bible are interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choral anthems.
Prelude (:30)
Tommy Watts, Organist
German Carol Fantasy
Diane Bish
Carol of the Bells
Mark Hayes
Sing We Now of Christmas
Bish
O Holy Night
arr. Watts
Toccata on Il est né, le divin Enfant
Denis Bédard
Chiming of the Hour Welcome
WESTMINSTER
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Lighting of the Advent Candles & Call to Worship
The Browning Family
With faith in Christ, we light the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love On this night, we light the center candle which represents Jesus as the Light of the World.
and offer our prayers for God's kingdom to come. Tonight we hear the good news: "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Knowing God is truly with us,
we light the Christ candle and remember that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Let us worship God.
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Carol From its Roman Catholic origins, this 18th-century hymn has spread to worldwide use by many denominations in both Latin and vernacular versions. Once popular with a wide range of hymn texts, this tune is now firmly associated with this Christmas text from which it is named.
O Come, All Ye Faithful
ADESTE FIDELES; Willcocks
O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him born the King of angels: O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! God of God, Light of Light, Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb; Very God, begotten, not created: Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God in the highest: Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing:
Lessons & Carols Bidding Prayer
Rev. Alexandra Hutson
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 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.
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Carol Like “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” this popular Christmas hymn was written by an Irish poet to illustrate for children the various articles of the Apostles’ Creed. It is not known which of several English villages the composer had in mind when naming this tune.
Lori Guy, Mezzo-soprano
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 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.
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; 11:1-9
Carol
Sussex Carol
English Carol/arr. Willcocks
On Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of our merciful King’s birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, since our Redeemer made us glad, when from our sin he set us free, all for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place; angels and men with joy may sing, all for to see the newborn King. All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night: “Glory to God and peace to men, now and forevermore. Amen.”
Second Lesson Carol Brought together in the mid19th century, the text and tune of this familiar carol began in quite different forms. The text had ten stanzas and began, “Hark, how all the welkin rings.” The tune was created for a festival celebrating Gutenberg’s introduction of moveable type.
IRBY Alexander/Gauntlett/Willcocks
Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in manger for his bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
First Lesson “Sussex Carol” was written in the 17th-century by an Irish bishop, Luke Wadding. Both text and tune were discovered and written down by Ralph Vaughan Williams, who heard it being sung at Monk’s Gate near Horsham, Sussex. Vaughan Williams first published the song in 1919.
Once in Royal David’s City
Luke 1:26-35, 38; 2:1, 3-7 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN Wesley/Mendelssohn/Willcocks
Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King; peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled: joyful al ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies, with angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels glory to the newborn King. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come offspring of a virgin’s womb: veiled in flesh the God-head see, hail the incarnate Deity! pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. 3
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings; mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
Third Lesson
Luke 2:8-16
Carol Written by American folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles, this Christmas folk hymn was composed during a visit to the town of Murphy in Appalachian North Carolina. Hearing a young girl sing three lines of a verse and a fragment of melody, Niles composed the carol as we know it today. It was first performed in December, 1933 in Brasstown, North Carolina and its first publishing in 1934.
“Nowell” is the English form of the French “noel,” a shout of joy formerly used at Christmas (as in Chaucer’s “Franklin’s Tale”), a clue that the word is older than its first printing. It may have Latin and French roots related to “born” (natus / né) as well to “news” (nova/ nouvelle).
I Wonder as I Wander APPALACHIAN CAROL arr. John Rutter
I wonder as I wander out under the sky, how Jesus, the Savior, did come for to die. For poor ornery people like you and like I: I wonder as I wander, out under the sky. When Mary birthed Jesus, ‘twas in a cows’ stall, with wisemen and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall, and the promise of ages it then did recall.
If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing: a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing; or all of God’s angels in heaven to sing, he surely could have had it, ‘cause he was the king!
Fourth Lesson
Matthew 2:1-11
Carol
The First Nowell arr. Willcocks
The first Nowell the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep: Nowell, born is the King of Israel. Then entered in those wisemen three, full reverently upon their knee, and offered there in his presence their gold and myrrh and frankincense. Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord, that hath made heaven and earth of naught, and with his blood mankind hath bought:
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The Fifth Lesson
John 1:1-14
Candle Lighting Carol Written in Salzburg, Austria in 1818, this Christmas favorite was inspired by a poem written by a young priest, Father Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve, Fr. Mohr brought the poem to Franz Gruber, who was schoolmaster and organist, and asked him to compose a melody for that night’s mass. Because the church’s organ had been damaged by a flood, Gruber had to write the accompaniment for guitar.
Please remain seated at the postlude. An usher will come by to dismiss your pew.
Candles will be extinguished by an usher. Please do not blow your candle.
Silent Night
STILLE NACHT Gruber/Mohr/Willcocks
Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright; round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, shepherds first saw the sight: glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia: Christ the Savior is born. Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light; Radiance beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Benediction
Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
Postlude
Chorale Samantha Anselmo, Soprano Danielle Portis, Mezzo-soprano Dr. Lori Guy, Mezzo-soprano Dr. Patrick Jacobs, Tenor Benjamin Folse, Tenor Jacob Mohr, Baritone Xavier Johnson, Baritone
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The poinsettias on the chancel are given to the glory of God and . . . In Memory of: Marion S. Adams, Jr. Emily Townsend Miller Jack Miller Stewart G. Ashbee Martha Coleman Ione Tissington Arthur B. Tissington, III Arthur B. Tissington, IV Haney Randall Jones, Sr. R. Walter Ogburn, Jr. Charles Baker Ogburn Sarah Nell Jeffcoat Franklin John & Martha Holler Our parents Anne & G.B. Clarke Erma & Lee Catrett Buck Tamblyn Arthur B. Tissington S.P. Crockett, Jr. Ann Winn Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Gill Fred & Molly Crown Rudy & Florence Nordmann Fred Crown, Jr. Bobby Harper, Jr. William Sandifer Mid & Leon Pearsall Rosalie & Massey Heltzel
Given by: Ann Adams Susan Miller Susan, Helen, Will, and Iryna Their family
His family His family John & Susan Holler; Georgia Ann and Chris Schwarzauer John & Susan Holler Dewey & Blanche Parsons Their family
Charlotte Crockett Anita, Don, & Michael Winn Ted & Linda Burke Their family
Their families
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In Honor of: Ann Adams Mary Elizabeth & Bo Perry The compassionate congregation of GSPC Hattie Chandler Ogburn The GSPC Pastors & Staff Buzzy Riis GSPC Presbyterian Women Our children Martelle Scott Charlotte Crockett GSPC Staff Preston & Virginia Reeder Evelyn, Preston, III, and Dottie Josh & Carolyne Hess and Lenny Charles Jones, Jr. Abbie Tamblyn The GSPC Staff Ashley, Sam, Ann Thomas, & James Lamar
Given by: Dave & Peggy Glascoff
Her family Nicole Riis Buzzy & Nicole Riis
Charles & Missy Jones
Her family Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar
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From the staff at Government Street Presbyterian Church
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The Sanctuary Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. Ervin S. Cooper by their family. 300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 251.432.1749 | gspcmobile.org Member PC(USA)
Staff REV. REBEKAH ABEL LAMAR Pastor & Head of Staff rebekah@gspcmobile.org
HOLIDAY HOURS The church office will be closed beginning at noon on Thursday, December 31 and will reopen on Monday, January 4. Meals-on-Wheels will not run on Friday, January 1.
REV. ALEXANDRA HUTSON Associate Pastor alexandra@gspcmobile.org TOMMY WATTS Director of Music & Organist Communications tommy@gspcmobile.org SAMANTHA ANSELMO Children’s Choir Director
KATY PARTRIDGE Office & Property Manager katy@gspcmobile.org DAWN HEARN Bookkeeper dawn@gspcmobile.org BARBARA WILLIAMS Hostess barbara@gspcmobile.org SHELIA SMITH Director of Food Services MARILYN MILLS Sexton ARTHUR LEWIS Sexton
@GSPCMOBILE 12