11am Lessons and Carols Service, 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2023

11 am Worship Service, Third Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2023

Service of Lessons and Carols

Prelude: An English Christmas  -  arr. Douglas E. Wagner     Handbell Choir & Organ

Introit:  Of the Father’s Love Begotten - 16th Century Plainsong/arr. Erikson (Choir & Handbells) UMH 184 (3)  

Lighting of the Advent Candles & Choral Response: Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah - arr. Wold

Processional  Hymn:  Once in Royal David’s City -  UMH 250

             vs 1 solo voice – David Rabin

Hymn:  Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light (stanzas 1 & 3) - UMH 223

First Lesson from Genesis 3: 8-15, 17-19

Anthem:  Ding Dong! Merrily on High - 16th C French Melody/arr. Hal Hopson

Second Lesson from Genesis 22: 15-18

Anthem: I Saw Three Ships -  Traditional/arr. Edwin Fissinger

Handbell Anthem:  Still, Still, Still -  Traditional German Carol/arr. Cathy Moklebust

Third Lesson from Isaiah 9: 2; 6-7

Anthem:O Magnum Mysterium - Evan Ramos

Fourth Lesson from Micah 5: 2-5a

Anthem:  Joseph’s Carol -  John Rutter,  Jason Kossol, baritone

Hymn: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear -  UMH 218

Fifth Lesson from the Gospel of Luke 1:26-35; 38

Anthem: The Angel Gabriel   -   Basque Carol/arr. Richard Shephard

Instrumental Anthem:Christmas Angels - Traditional Carols/arr. C. Stephenson

Sixth Lesson from the Gospel of Luke 2: 1-7

Anthem: Gesù Bambino The infant Jesus - Pietro A. Yon, Caroline Parker, alto

Seventh Lesson from the Gospel of Luke: 2:8-16

Anthem: Ukrainian Bell Carol - Mykola Leontovich/arr. Judy Hunnicutt

Eighth Lesson from the Gospel of Matthew 2: 1-11

Anthem:  O Holy Night-Adolphe Adam, Allyson Baxter, soprano

Hymn: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night (stanzas 1, 2, 5 & 6)   UMH 236

Ninth Lesson from the Gospel of John 1: 1-14

Anthem:  Christ, the Appletree - “Distress” from Sacred Harp/ arr. David W. Music

Becky Wood & Katie Leegins-Vinson, soprano, Caroline Parker, alto and Jason Kossol, baritone

Pastoral Prayers

Doxology: In the Bleak Midwinter (vs.4)  -  UMH 221

Hymn: Joy to the World -  UMH 246

Choral Benediction:  Good Christian Friends, Rejoice - UMH 224 (2)

Postlude:  In dulci jubilo -  Wilbur Held

Rev. W. Donald Warren, Rev. Rhonda Grant Jordan and Rev. Kuda Kwashe Kagura

Cheryl Stephenson, Director of Music Ministries & Bill Wood, Organist

Note: All music is used with church owned music and hymnals and under Jarvis CCLI License # 1408863.