CHRISTMAS EVE 2023 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

CHRISTMAS EVE 2023 | A Festival Service of Lessons and Carols | St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa

#StAndrewsOttawa #PresbyterianChurch #ChristmasEve #Carols
WORSHIPPING, CARING, GROWING, REACHING OUT, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST
St. Andrew’s is a community that gathers together from all across the city of Ottawa, and around the world.

We worship each week on Sundays at 10:30 am and our services can be joined online. Whether you are visiting from out of town, looking for a new church home, or simply curious to learn more about St. Andrew’s, please visit our website to find out more:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/im-new

ONLINE DONATIONS:
https://www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts
Your financial gift will help host worship services, offer people pastoral care, provide gathering places for community organizations, share God’s word and so much more. Your generosity is a blessing.

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CHRISTMAS EVE — A FESTIVAL SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
DECEMBER 24, 2023 — 5:00 PM

Organ Voluntaries

Introit | God is with us - John Tavener (1944-1913)
(soloist: Michael Carty)

Opening Hymn | Once in Royal David's city
Words by Cecil F. Alexander (1818-1895)
Music by H. J. Gauntlett (1805-1876). Descant and last verse arrangement by M. Larkin

Call to Worship and Words of Welcome

Prayers of Approach, Confession & The Lord's Prayer

WE HEAR GOD'S WORD

First Reading Isaiah 9:2-7
Anthem | For unto us a child is born - G. F. Handel (1685-1758)

Second Reading | Luke 1:26-37
Anthem | Ave Maria - Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

Third Reading Matthew 1:18-25

Carol | In the bleak midwinter - Gustav Holst (1874-1934), arr. M. Larkin (soloists: Gabriel Delannoy, Manon Veselovsky)

Hymn | Hark! The herald angels sing
Words by Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). Descant and last verse arr. M. Larkin

Fourth Reading | Luke 2:1-17
Carol | The little road to Bethlehem - Michael Head (1900-1976)

Hymn | Silent night
Words translated from the German (Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848) Music by Franz Gruber (1787-1863), arr. M. Larkin

Fifth Reading | Luke 2:8-20
Carol | The Sussex Carol - Traditional English, arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015)

WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD
Lighting of the Christ Candle
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession, and Invitation to the Offering

Special Christmas Offering 2023:
www.standrewsottawa.ca/one-time-gifts

The Community Laundry Co-op - Local appeal. A charitable co-operative that provides accessible and affordable self-service laundry for low-income and isolated families and individuals, and serves as a valuable support network for its members. The Kenora Fellowship Centre - National appeal. A place for people facing homelessness and poverty to feel safe.

The Marco Depestre Foundation - International appeal which supports projects to foster positive changes in the lives of rural residents of Haiti.

Offertory Hymn | The First Nowell
Words and Music from an 18th century English source, arr. Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

Benediction

Closing Hymn | O come, all ye faithful
Words by F. Oakeley (1802-80), W. T. Brooke (1848-1917), and others. Melody by J. F. Wade (1711-1786), arr. David Willcocks

Closing Voluntary


Participating in tonight's service
The Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock, Minister
Jide Afolabi, Janet Banigan, Peter Lamont | readers Janet Banigan, John Banigan, Nancy Johnson | ushers Ringing the bell: Maila Gray
The Choir of St. Andrew's Church
Matthew Larkin, Organist and Custodian of Music
Eva Hassell and Nick Cochrane, co-conductors
Nick Cochrane, trumpets