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God Moves in a Mysterious Way:
A Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas
LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan
December 5, 2004
Organ Voluntary:
Veni,Veni Emmanuel, Gerald Near
Noel Poitevin, Jean-François Dandrieu
Prélude sur l’Introït de l’Épiphanie, Maurice Duruflé
Noel de Saintonge, Jean-François Dandrieu
La Nativité, Jean Langlais (from Poèmes Évangéliques )
Processional Hymn: Song of Zechariah / O Little Town of Bethlehem
All sing stanzas 1-5
Text: st. 1-3, Carl P. Daw, Jr. (b. 1944), 1985, based on Luke 1:68-79; st. 4-5 Phillips Brooks (1835-1893), 1868
Music: Forest Green, English folk tune; adapt. and harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), 1906;
desc.Thomas Armstrong (1898-1994)
Text © 1989, Hope Publishing Co.
Arr. © Oxford University Press, Inc.
“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”
~
* Greeting
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
People: Who made the heavens and the earth.
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: Amen.
* Bidding Prayer
Leader:
Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas, we prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning.We have gathered to hear, in readings from the holy scriptures, how the prophets of Israel foretold that God would visit and redeem his waiting people.
We rehearse again the account of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience to the glorious appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.We rejoice, in carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed , the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and all creation is given hope by the power of the Spirit.
But first, we pray for the world which God so loves, for those who have not heard the good news of God, or who do not believe it; for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death; and for the Church in this place and everywhere, that it may be freed from all evil and fear, and may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God.These prayers we humbly offer as we meditate on each of the readings from holy scripture, and also now, in the words that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us.
People:
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.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen!
Please be seated.
I. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
A Reading from Matthew 1:1-2 and Hebrews 11:17-22
Choir introduction: “God moves in a mysterious way…”
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. . .
* * *
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom he had been told,“It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, “bowing in worship over the top of his staff.” By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
O Frondens Virga (O Branch, Coming into Leaf), Hildegard von Bingen
O frondens virga Magnificat anima mea Dominum. Quia respexit humilitatem ancille sue Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est Fecit potentiam in brachio suo Esurientes implevit bonis Suscepit Israel puerum suum Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. |
O Branch, coming into leaf My soul magnifies the Lord For he has regarded the lowliness of his servant. For he that is mighty has magnified me He has shown strength with his arm. He has filled the hungry with good things He, remembering his mercy Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. |
~ Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), ed.William T. Flynn, and from Luke 1:46-55 (Song of Mary)
There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob, Felix Mendelssohn, from St. Paul
There shall a star come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel,
with might destroying princes and cities.As bright the star of morning gleams, so Jesus sheddeth glorious beams of light and consolation. Thy Word, O Lord, radiance darting, truth imparting, gives salvation; thine be praise and adoration.
~ from Numbers 24 and a sixteenth century chorale
* Hymn: How Bright Appears the Morningstar, Psalter Hymnal 357
All sing stanza 3 only, in harmony
II. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth
A Reading from Matthew 1:2-6, Hebrews 11:29-31, and Ruth 4:1-17
Choir introduction :“His purposes will ripen fast…”
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah. . . .
* * *
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
* * *
Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people ,“Today you are witnesses that I have acquired from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, to be my wife, to maintain the dead man’s name on his inheritance, in order that the name of the dead may not be cut off from his kindred and from the gate of his native place; today you are witnesses.”Then all the people who were at the gate, along with the elders, said,“We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you produce children in Ephrathah and bestow a name in Bethlehem; and, through the children that the Lord will give you by this young woman, may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife.When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son.Then the women said to Naomi,“Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.”Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying,“A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Song of Ruth, David Childs
Entreat me not to leave you,
or to return from following you.
Where you go I will go,
and where you lodge I will lodge.
Your people shall be my people,
and your God shall be my God.
Where you die I will die,
and there will I be buried, where you lie.
May the Lord do so to me, and more also,
if anything but death parts me from you.
~ from Ruth 1:16-17
For further reflection . . .
“In Matthew’s Gospel There Are Five,” Mary Nelson Keithahn
~ from Genesis 38, Joshua 2, Ruth, 2 Samuel 11:1-13:24, Matthew 1:1-15, Luke 1:26-56
Text: Mary Nelson Keithahn
Text © 1998, Abingdon Press
III. Jesse
A Reading from Isaiah 11:1-10
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples;
the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
When God’s Time Had Ripened, Alfred V. Fedak
Text: Carl P. Daw, Jr.
Music: based on Rose of Bethlehem
Text © 1990, Hope Publishing Co.
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, Robert Scholz
As the music begins, please turn to Psalter Hymnal 351, and join as directed on stanza 2.
| This night a wondrous revelation makes known to me God’s love and grace. The child that merits adoration brings light to our benighted race. |
A great and might wonder, a full and holy cure: The virgin bears the infant, The Word incarnate sure. |
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming as prophets long have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.
All sing: Psalter Hymnal 351, stanza 2, in harmony
Text: Based on “This Night a Wondrous Revelation,” C.F. Nachtenhöfer, ca. 1638, tr.A. Hoppe, 1922; “A Great and Mighty Wonder,” St. Germanus, 734, tr. J.M. Neale (1818-1866); “ Lo, How A Rose,” German, 16th c.; st . 1, tr. T. Baker (1851-1934), 1894
Music: O dass ich tausend, J.B. König (1691-1758); Es ist ein Ros, Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesäng, Cologne, 1599; harm. Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), 1609
IV. David
A Reading from Psalm 72
Refrain: (two times): Hail to the Lord's Anointed, Sing! A New Creation 120
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
RefrainMay he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and
Seba bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight. RefrainLong may he live! May gold of Sheba be given to him.
May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all day long.
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
may it wave on the tops of the mountains; may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen. Refrain
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Hosanna to the Son of David, Orlando Gibbons
Hosanna to the Son of David.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest places.
Hosanna in the highest heavens.
~ from John 12:13
* Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City, Psalter Hymnal 346
Stanza 1: all
Stanza 2: all
Stanza 3: all men
Stanza 4: all women
Stanza 5: all, with soprano descant on the following page
V. Babylon
A Reading from Matthew 1:6b-11 and Psalm 80:1-5
Choir introduction: “Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill…”
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
* * *
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
By the Waters of Babylon, Jewish melody, arr. David Buley
Text: Based on Psalm 137:1, 4-6
Text © 1992, GIA Publications, Inc.
Night of Silence, arr. John Ferguson
Text: Daniel Kantor (b. 1960)
Text © 1984, GIA Publications, Inc.
All sing:
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!
Sleep in heavenly peace!
~ Joseph Mohr (1792-1849), 1818, tr. John F.Young (1820-1885), 1863, alt.
VI. Mary and Joseph
A Reading from Matthew 1:12-16 and 18-25
Choir introduction: “You fearful saints, fresh courage take…”
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.
* * *
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, 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; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
There Is No Rose, Z. Randall Stroope
There is no rose of such virtue
as is the rose that bare Jesu. Alleluia.For in this rose contained was
heaven and earth in little space.
Resmiranda. (Wonderful circumstance.) Alleluia.The angels sungen the shepherds to:
Gloria, transeamus. (Glory, let us cross over.)
The angels sungen the shepherds to:
Gloria in excelsis! (Glory in the highest!)Now leave we all this worldly mirth,
and follow we this joyous birth;
Transeamus Domini. (Let us cross over to the Lord.)~ 15th c., anonymous
Christ Was Born on Christmas Day, arr. Alice Parker and Martin Shaw
Christ was born on Christmas Day, wreathe the holly, twine the bay;
Christus natus hodie, the Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary.He is born to set us free, he is born our Lord to be,
ex Maria Virgine, the God, the Lord, by all adored forever.He came among us at Christmastide, at Christmastide in Bethlehem; men shall bring him from far and wide love’s diadem:
Jesu, Jesu, all the world this day is come to praise you.Joseph dearest, Joseph mine, help me cradle the Child divine;
God reward thee and all that’s thine in paradise (so prays the mother Mary).Gladly, dear one, lady mine, help I cradle this Child of thine;
God’s own light on us both shall shine in paradise (as prays the mother Mary).~ Resonet in laudibus (Finnish title of German tune), freely translated by John Mason Neale, 1853
VII. The Fullness of Time
A Reading from Galatians 4:5-7 and John 1:1-4, 14
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
* * *
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.All things came into being through him,
and without him not one thing came into being.
What has come into being in him was life,
and the life was the light of all people.And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Hidden Christ, Alive Forever, C. Hubert H. Parry
Text: Brian Wren (b. 1936)
Music: Rustington, C. Hubert H. Parry (1848-1918), 1897
Text © Hope Publishing Co.
“Late in time. . .
|
* Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Psalter Hymnal 345
All sing the three stanzas.
* Prayer
Leader: Let us pray:
All:
Almighty God, you wonderfully created
and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature.
In your mercy, let us share the divine life of Jesus Christ
who came to share our humanity,
and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
* Charge
Leader:
Go forth into the world in peace;
Be of good courage;
Hold fast to that which is good;
Render to no one evil for evil;
Strengthen the faint-hearted;
Support the weak;
Help the afflicted;
Honor all people;
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
* Benediction
Pastor:
And may the God of peace
make you holy in every way
and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—
free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All: Alleluia! Amen!
* Recessional Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Psalter Hymnal 340
Organ Voluntary: Grand Choeur Dialogué, Eugène Gigout
* All who are able, please stand.
NotesThe Scripture references contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.