WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

We are people gathered by God from across the National Capital area, to be a witness of Christian hope at the centre of the region

CHRISTMAS EVE 2022 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

THE GATHERING: WE COME INTO GOD'S PRESENCE

Organ Voluntaries

Les bergers – Desseins éternels – Les anges – Les mages

from La Nativité du Seigneur | Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)

Matthew Larkin, organist

Opening Hymn: Once in Royal David’s City

Music by Henry J. Gauntlett (1805-1876)

Descant and last verse arrangement by Matthew Larkin (b. 1963)

Words by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)

Call to Worship — Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock

Opening Prayers

Lighting of the Christ Candle

Carol: O come, O come Emmanuel

Music: French melody, arr. J. Gramit

Words: translated from a 9th Century Latin text by Rev. J. M. Neale (1818-66)

WE HEAR GOD'S WORD

First Lesson | Isaiah 9 : 2–7

Anthem: God is with us

Music: John Tavener (1944-2013)

Words: adapted from the Orthodox Great Compline for Christmas Eve

Second Lesson | Isaiah 11 : 1–9

Carol: I wonder as I wander

Music: Appalachian melody, arr. Matthew O’Donovan

Words: collected and arranged by John Jacob Niles (1892-1980)

Third Lesson | Isaiah 35 : 1–10

Carol: Ding! Dong! Merrily on High

Music: French melody, arr. Matthew Larkin

Words: by George Ratcliffe Woodward (1838-1934)

Hymn: Hark! The herald angel’s sing

Music: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Descant and last verse arrangement by David Willcocks (1920-2013)

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Fourth Lesson | Luke 1 : 26–38

Carol: Gabriel’s Message

Music: Basque melody, arr. David Willcocks

Words: Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

Fifth Lesson | Matthew 1 : 18–25

Carol: The Cherry-Tree Carol

Music: English text and melody, arr. David Willcocks

Sixth Lesson | Luke 2 : 8–20

Carol: In dulci jubilo

Music: German text and melody, arr. R. L. Pearsall (1795-1856)

Seventh Lesson | John 1 : 1–14

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Invitation to the Offering

Offertory Hymn: The First Nowell

Melody and Words from an 18th Century English source.

Descant and arrangement by Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

THE SENDING: WE GO OUT INTO GOD'S WORLD

Benediction

Closing Hymn: O come, all ye faithful

Melody attributed to J. F. Wade (1711-86)

Descant and arrangement by David Willcocks

Words by F. Oakeley (1802-80), W. T. Brooke (1848-1917), and others

Organ Voluntary: Finale (from Symphonie I, Op. 28)

Louis Vierne (1870-1937)

Matthew Larkin, organist

Cover Image: Holy family of Bethlehem in the stable

Regine Martin, motif from Regine Martin