The Cathedral of St. Philip Serving Atlanta and the World
The Children’s Christmas Pageant 24 December 2021 4:00 1P.M.
LITURGICAL LEADERS Officiant
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler, Dean
Pageant Chair
Sara Chapman
Pageant Co-Chairs
Mary Sorrell and Haven Long
Christian Education Ministries
The Reverend Lauren Holder, Canon for Community and Education Lisa McNamara, Director of Children’s Ministries
Pageant Video Production
Dan Murphy, Director of Communications Brant McCaskill, Sound Technician
Musicians
Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music Caroline Robinson, DMA, Organist and Associate Choirmaster Jack Mitchener, DMA, Organist & Artist-in-Residence Sarah Cauthen, Director of Allegro: Music for Young Children Members of the Cathedral Singers
Head Choristers
Phoebe Ellis and Katherine Yeoman
The Cathedral Choristers
Brooke Benedict, Mary Evelyn Binnicker, Pruit DeLong, Phoebe Ellis, Piper Guilbert, Marianne James, Margaret Mitchener, Sanders Mitchener, Jack McNamara, George Philpott, Edward Rosenblath, Ann Rosengren, Eva Russell, Julia Russell, Alex Sugden, Sam Sugden, Knox Weggler, Katherine Yeoman
The Allegro Choir
George Bair, Mims Bair, Caroline Carmack, Grace Carmack, Lucy Castro, Stella Castro, Rosemary Cauthen, Benjamin Hill V, Jack Hill, Charlie Holder, Lucy Rae Holder, Henry Reschly
Front Cover Illustration
Mac Gantt
The music for this virtual Christmas Eve Pageant has been newly recorded by this year’s Allegro Choir, the Cathedral Choristers, and members of the Cathedral Singers. We express our deep gratitude and appreciation to Pam, Jack, Elizabeth and Jack Walz, who continue their ministry of providing all of the costumes and props for the pageant. A very special thank you to our parent volunteers who give of their time and talent in guiding and caring for the children participating in the Christmas Pageant, and especially to Sarah duBignon for volunteering for 55 years! Esteemed gratitude to Sara Chapman who has directed the Christmas Pageant for 31 years at the Cathedral of St. Philip and for her faithful service to our Children’s Ministries Programs. And we express deep gratitude to the co-chairs Mary Sorrell and Haven Long for their hard work and dedication to our children.
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PAGEANT CAST Mary
Maisie Crossley
Joseph
Harry Overend
Innkeeper
Sanders Mitchener
Donkey
Hunter Murphy
Lead Star
Jane Murphy
Stars
Martha Bazzel, Claire Brewer, Louisa Hale, Drayton Kopecky, Margaret Mitchener, Marguerite Reid, Kate Sussman
Narrators
Marianne James, Anna Philpott, Reynolds Griffin, Robert Camp, Alice Poe, Amelia Dierdorff, Ellie Meacham, Charlotte O’Bryan, Maddie Neal, Effie Guilbert, Brooks Potts, Reese Wick, Thomas Stotts
Head Angels
Manning Hughes, Olivia Lee, Boyd Mahoney, Katheryn McElroy, Rebecca Overend, Ginna Thompson, Claiborne Yost
King Herod
William Howell
Herod’s Court
Effie Guilbert, Charlotte O’Bryan
Roman Soldiers
Nash Bazzel, Weller Cox, Barlow Harbin, Wright Inglis, Yates King, Eli Lathan, Patrick Poe, Sam Sugden, Andy Sussman, Holman Underwood
Wisemen
Rawson Croggon, Matthew Jancik, Robert Strange
Pages
Kay Mahoney, Rebecca Overend, Reese Wick
in order of appearance
Sheep and animals Four-year-olds Shepherds and Angels
Five, six, and seven-year-olds
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The Children’s Christmas Pageant A Welcome from the Dean
THE WORD OF GOD The Processional: Hymn 83, stanzas 1-3 music: Adeste fideles, attrib. John Francis Wade (English, 1711-1786), st. 3 arr. Sir David Willcocks (English, 1919-2015)
words: John Francis Wade; transl. Frederick Oakeley (English, 1802-1880) and others
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The Opening Acclamation Officiant Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: All And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen. The Officiant continues
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Salutation and Collect of the Day: The Nativity of Our Lord Officiant The Lord be with you. All And also with you. Officiant Let us pray. O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT The Word of God in story, drama, and music is presented by the children of the Cathedral using excerpts from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
The First Reading
Matthew 1:18 Read by Marianne James
The birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way: 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. Luke 1:26-38 Read by Anna Philpott
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 reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end. 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 the Son of 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. The Second Reading
Matthew 1:18b-24 Read by Reynolds Griffin
Now, Mary had been engaged to Joseph. Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just as he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, a son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary for his wife.
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Hymn 265, stanzas 1 and 3
music: Gabriel’s Message, Basque carol based on c.13th-century Latin hymn “Angelus ad virginem” words: Basque carol, paraphrased Sabine Baring-Gould (English, 1834-1924)
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The Third Reading
Luke 2:1-5 Read by Robert Camp
In those days, a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was Governor of Syria. All went to their towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. Hymn 79, stanzas 1 and 5
music: St. Louis, Lewis H. Redner (American, 1831-1908) words: Phillips Brooks (American, 1835-1893)
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The Fourth Reading
Luke 2:6-7 Read by Alice Poe
Greensleeves
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Hymn 115, stanza 1
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music: Greensleeves, 16th-century English folksong harm. Christmas Carols New & Old (1871) words: William Chatterton Dix (English, 1837-1989)
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The Fifth Reading
ing?
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Luke 2:8-12 Read by Amelia Dierdorff
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; For see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Messiah, Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
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Hymn 105
music: God rest you merry, melody from Little Book of Christmas Carols (1850) st. 4 arr. Sir David Willcocks (English, b. 1919) words: 18th-century English carol
The Sixth Reading
Luke 2:13-14 Read by Ellie Meacham
And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
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Hymn 87, stanza 1
music: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn (German, 1809-1847), adapt. William H. Cummings (English, 1831-1915) words: Charles Wesley (English, 1707-1788), alt.
The Seventh Reading
Luke 2:15-18, 20 Read by Charlotte O’Bryan
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.
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Hymn 99
music & words: 19th-century African-American Spiritual
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The Eighth Reading
Matthew 2:1-2 Read by Maddie Neal
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” Hymn 128, stanza 1
music & words: John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (American, 1820-1891), alt.
The Ninth Reading
Matthew 2:3-5 Read by Effie Guilbert
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” The Tenth Reading
Matthew 2:6-9 Read by Brooks Potts
Then Herod called for the Wise Men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they heard the king, they set out and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 12
Hymn 92, stanzas 1 and 3 music: Personent hodie, from Piae Cantiones (1582), harm. Gustav Holst (English, 1874-1934)
words: Piae Cantiones (1582), transl. Jane M. Joseph (English, 1894-1929)
The Eleventh Reading
Matthew 2:10-11 Read by Reese Wick
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Hymn 112, stanza 4
music: Cranham, Gustav Holst (English, 1874-1934) words: Christina Rossetti (English, 1830-1894)
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The Twelfth Reading
Matthew 2:12 Read by Thomas Stotts
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the wise men left for their own country by another road. Luke 2:19, 40 And Mary treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. Reader All
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Hymn 102
music: Irby, H.J. Gauntlett (English, 1805-1876), harm. A.H. Mann (English, 1850-1929 descants by Sir David Willcocks (English, b. 1919) and Daniel Fortune (American, b. 1966) words: 1-2 & 4-6 Cecil Frances Alexander (Irish, 1818-1895), alt; 3 James Waring McCrady (American, b. 1938)
The Blessing of the Children The Parish Notices 15
Please light a candle.
Hymn 111
music: Stille Nacht, melody Franz Xaver Gruber (Austrian, 1787-1863), harm. Carl H. Reinecke (German, 1824-1910), descant Thomas Foster (American, b. 1938) words: Joseph Mohr (Austrian, 1792-1848), transl. John Freeman Young (American, 1820-1885)
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The Prayers of the People Intercessor
Let us stand or kneel to pray.
With confidence and joy, we pray to God who delights and rejoices in the children of earth!
For the Church throughout the world, that it may herald for all people the power of God’s saving love. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
All Intercessor
All Intercessor
All Intercessor
For this country and our leaders, and for people of every race and nation, that the celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace may encourage a new birth of righteousness and justice. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. For those who are homeless, unemployed, hungry, or imprisoned; for those serving their country; and for their families; that the good news of Christmas may shine hope into darkness and fear. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
All
For family and friends near and far, for those hospitalized and homebound, that they may know the presence and peace of God. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Intercessor All
For those who have died, that they may glorify and praise God for all eternity. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Intercessor
For all other needs we now pray in silence.
The Officiant concludes saying
Lord Jesus Christ, who did humble yourself to share our birth and our death: Bring us with the shepherds and wise men to kneel before your lowly cradle, that we come to sing with the angels your glorious praises in heaven; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, world without end. Amen.
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And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Christmas Blessing Officiant
May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
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The Closing Hymn: 100
music: Antioch, George Frideric Handel (German, 1685-1759), adapt./arr. Lowell Mason (American, 1792-1872), descant Craig Phillips (American, b. 1961) words: Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748)
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The Dismissal Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ. All Thanks be to God. Voluntary Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella
arr. Keith Chapman (1945-1989)
All music is reprinted by permission under ONE LICENSE (license number A-717455). Music from The Hymnal 1982 © Church Publishing, Inc., unless noted otherwise below: Hymn 92 words © G. Schirmer, Inc. Hymn 99 music arrangement © 1984 Horace Clarence Boyer. Hymn 102 words stanza 3 © 1982 James Warring McCrady; music © 1957 Novello & Co. Ltd. Hymn 105 words by permission of Fleming H. Revell Co. Hymn 265 music © 1961 B. Feldman & Co. Ltd., trading as H. Freeman & Co.
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler, Dean Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music The Reverend Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Community and Education The Reverend George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar The Reverend Catherine Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care The Reverend Julia B. Mitchener, Priest Associate The Reverend Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries The Reverend Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate Mr. Del King, Senior Warden Mr. Samuel T. Wilmoth, Junior Warden 2744 Peachtree Road, NW ∙ Atlanta, GA ∙ 30305-2920 ∙ (404) 365-1000 www.stphilipscathedral.org
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