A Festival

of

Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 22, 2013

4:00 p.m.

Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church 1509 27th Avenue Northeast

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55418

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth

of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of

the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic

books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music.

The format was based on an Order drawn up by Edward White Benson, later Archbishop of

Canterbury but at that time Bishop of Truro, in Cornwall, for use on Christmas Eve 1880.

The original liturgy has since been adapted and used by other churches all over the world. Lessons

and Carols most often occur in Anglican churches, but also in some Lutheran parishes, Roman

Catholic parishes, and Presbyterian institutions. Moreover, numerous Christian churches have

adopted this service, or a variation on this service, as part of their Christmas celebrations. In the UK,

the service has become the standard format for schools' Christmas carol services.

The best-known version is broadcast annually from King's College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve. It

features carols sung by the famous Choir of King's College, Cambridge. Groton School of Groton,

Massachusetts, has performed the festival longer than any institution other than King's, holding its

first Lessons and Carols in 1928.

We are pleased to bring this long-standing tradition to this year’s Christmas celebration here at

Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church (as we celebrate our 100th year). For our purposes, choir

anthems are noted as carols and congregational songs are noted as hymns. There are directions for

when the congregation is invited to stand and participate. We welcome you here today and pray that

this service will enrich your Christmas celebration.

Please join us for a reception in the narthex after the service.

Prelude (We invite you to meditate and enjoy the prelude in silence.)

Sleepers, Awake! J.S. Bach

Two Advent Reflections Anne Krentz Organ

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Gabriel’s Message

Processional Carol Once In Royal David’s City arr. Richard Proulx

Solo Once in royal David's city

stood a lowly cattle shed,

where a mother laid her baby

in a manger for his bed:

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ, her little child.

If you are able, please stand during the interlude to sing the following stanzas…

He came down to earth from heaven

who is God and Lord of all,

and his shelter was a stable,

and his cradle was a stall;

with the poor and meek and lowly,

lived on earth our Savior holy.

And through all his wondrous childhood

he would honor and obey,

love and watch the lowly maiden,

in whose gentle arms he lay:

Christian children all must be

mild, obedient, good as he.

For he is our childhood’s pattern,

day by day like us he grew,

he was little, weak, and helpless,

tears and smiles like us he knew:

And he feeleth for our sadness,

and he shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see him,

through his own redeeming love;

for that child so dear and gentle

is our Lord in heav'n above;

and he leads his children on

to the place where he is gone.

Bidding Prayer

Pastor Beloved in Christ, at this Christmas-tide let it be our care and delight to hear

again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto

Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a

manger.

Therefore let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes

of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption

brought us by this Holy Child.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world: for peace on earth and

goodwill among all God’s people; for unity within the Church he came to build.

And because this would rejoice God’s heart, let us remember, in his name, the

poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them

that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; all those

who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved

his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon

another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number,

whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we

are one for evermore.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the Throne of Heaven, in the

words which Christ himself taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed by 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,

forever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson Genesis 3:8–15

Carol The Apple Tree Richard Jeffrey

The tree of life my soul has seen,

laden with fruit and always green.

The trees of nature fruitless be

compared with Christ, the apple tree.

His beauty does all thing excel.

By faith I know, but ne’er can tell,

the glory which I now can see

in Jesus Christ, the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought,

and pleasure dearly I have bought.

I missed of all but now I see,

‘tis found in Christ, the apple tree.

I’m weary with my former toil,

here I will sit and rest awhile.

Under the shadow I will be

of Jesus Christ, the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive,

it keeps my dying faith alive.

It makes my soul in haste to be

with Jesus Christ, the apple tree. Anonymous; New Hampshire, 1784

Second Lesson Genesis 22:15–18

Carol Comfort Ye arr. Margaret Tucker

Third Lesson Isaiah 9:2, 6–7

Hymn It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

If you are able, please stand to sing…

Text: Edmund Sears

Tune: Adapted Arthur Sullivan

Descant: Phil Holzman

Fourth Lesson Isaiah 11:1–3a, 4a, 6–9

Carol When He Comes on That Day Dusek, arr. Denis

When he comes on that day we will say,

“Once we walked in darkness, now in light!”

And we all will rejoice for the one

of God’s choice will come in might.

On that day of all days he will break

the yoke of anger and fear,

and peace will reign from that year of years.

When he comes earth will sing

a new song telling of its many wondrous things:

how a child and a snake can in playtime partake ‘til laughter rings;

how a cow and a bear gently share, each will not hurt nor destroy,

brim-filled with joy when the Christ has come.

When he comes on that day he will say things that move us, fill our hearts with cheer.

From the prophet he’ll read words that make us believe the Christ is here.

We will dance, we will sing, we will shout with laughter, O happy day!

His words of truth we will all obey.

Keep your hearts filled with patience and hope; never weary, never show despair,

for the one we await, be he early or late, life he’ll repair.

We can dance, we can sing for we know for certain what God will bring:

Eternal spring, when the Christ has come. Dennis Dusek

Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26–35, 38

Carol Gabriel’s Message arr. Philip Ledger

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,

his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame:

“All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,

most highly favored lady.” Gloria!

“For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,

all generations laud and honor thee;

thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,

most highly favored lady.” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;

“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said.

“My soul shall laud and magnify God's holy name.”

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born

in Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,

and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:

“Most highly favored lady.” Gloria! Basque carol; paraphrased Sabine Baring-Gould

Sixth Lesson Luke 2:1–7

Carol Huron Carol arr. Mark Burrows

‘Twas in the moon of wintertime

when all the birds had fled,

that mighty Gitchi Manitou

sent angel choirs instead.

Before their light the stars grew dim,

and wand’ring hunters heard the hymn:

“Jesus, your King, is born.

Jesus is born. In excelsis gloria!”

Within a lodge of broken bark

the tender Babe was found,

a ragged robe of rabbit skin

enwrapped his beauty round.

And as the hunter braves drew nigh,

the angel song rang loud and high:

“Jesus, your King, is born.

Jesus is born. In excelsis gloria!”

O children of the forest free,

o sons of Manitou,

the Holy Child of earth and Heav’n

is born today for you.

Come, kneel before the radiant Boy

who brings you beauty, peace and joy.

“Jesus, your King, is born.

Jesus is born. In excelsis gloria!” Jesse Edgar Middleton

Seventh Lesson Luke 2:8–16

Carol On Christmas Night arr. Philip Ledger

On Christmas night all Christians sing

to hear the news the angels bring.

On Christmas night all Christians sing

to hear the news the angels bring:

news of great joy, news of great mirth,

news of our merciful king's birth.

Then why should men on earth be so sad,

since our redeemer made us glad?

Then why should men on earth be so sad,

since our redeemer made us glad,

when from our sin he set us free,

all for to gain our liberty?

When sin departs before his grace,

then life and health come in its place.

When sin departs before his grace,

then life and health come in its place.

Angels and men with joy may sing,

all for to see the newborn king.

All out of darkness we have light,

which made the angels sing this night.

All out of darkness we have light,

which made the angels sing this night:

“Glory to God and peace to men,

now and forevermore. Amen.” Luke Wadding

Eighth Lesson Matthew 2:1–11

Hymn In the Bleak Midwinter ELW Hymn 294

If you are able, please stand to sing the hymn.

Ninth Lesson John 1:1–14

Hymn Of the Father’s Love Begotten ELW Hymn 295

If you are able, please stand to sing the hymn.

Offering

Offertory Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him born the King of Angels:

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

God of God, Light of Light.

Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb;

Very God, begotten, not created:

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation.

Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above.

Glory to God in the highest:

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning.

Jesu, to thee be glory giv’n.

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:

O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! Text: F. Oakeley, W.T. Brooke

Tune: Attributed to John Francis Wade

Descant: David Willcocks

Closing Prayer (If you are able, please stand. Remain standing through the recessional carol.)

Pastor The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Pastor Let us pray. O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance

of the birth of your only Son, Jesus Christ: Grant that, as we joyfully

receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence

behold him when he shall come to be our Judge; who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People Amen.

Pastor May God, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly

and heavenly, bestow on us the fullness of inner peace and goodwill;

and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

be upon us and remain with us always.

People Amen.

Recessional Hymn Hark! The Herald Angels Sing ELW Hymn 270 Text: Charles Wesley

Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Wm. Cummings

Descant: David Willcocks

Postlude God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Myron Roberts

You are invited to remain and enjoy the postlude and then join us for a reception in the Narthex.

Presider

The Rev. Dr. Marggi Pleiss-Sippola

Organist and Music Director

Phil Holzman, Associate in Ministry

Crucifer

Aaron Olson

Readers

Gary Anderson

Andrea Carter

Zachary Johnson

Bradley Ramin

Pastor Marggi Pleiss-Sippola

Eva Stromgren

Technical Assistance

Christopher Hendricks

Ushers

Brandon Arneson

Connor Arneson

Carly Hendrickson

Marshall O’Meara

Ambassador

Victoria Clark

Reception/Hospitality

Josh Doerr

Andy Sobiech

Nancy Johnson

Catrina Hill

Tabitha Scott

Timothy Scott

The Choir

Soprano

Shirley Fors

Betty Honl

Nicole Navratil (soloist, “Once in Royal

David’s City”)

Jenny Parker

Hannah Rosebrock

Kallie Schuchard

Loralie Schuchard

Alto

Kari Lindeman

Lynn Lurvey

Julie O’Donnell

Emily Olson de Alvarez

Nancy Rathbun

Carlotta Rosebrock (soloist, “Gabriel’s Message”)

Kathy Ryan

Tenor

Ron Anderson

David Hendrickson

Joel Lurvey

Bass

Dan Hager

Curt Navratil

Justin Navratil

Mike Ryan

Glen Yunker

The Handbell Choir

Andrea Carter

Shirley Fors

Diana Hendrickson

Ali Holzman

Vicki Holzman

Mary Larson

Bonnie Mattson

Curt Navratil

Nicole Navratil

Jenny Parker

Mary Nelson Yunker

Instrumentalists

Matt Brown, Cello

Emily Olson de Alvarez, Clarinet

Michelle Rinken, Flute

Kristin Tangen, Flute

Church Staff –

The Rev. Dr. Marggi Pleiss-Sippola, Pastor

Phil Holzman, Associate in Ministry (Worship & Music, Children’s Ministries, Parish Administration)

Diane Ott-Hager, Lay Minister

Julie Bonde, Administrative Assistant, Finance Manager

Joel Lurvey, Contemporary Choir Director

You are invited to worship with us –

Christmas Eve, December 24, at 4:00 or 10:00 p.m. (There is a handbell prelude at 3:45 p.m.)

Christmas Day, December 25, at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

Office Telephone – 612-789-7256

On the web at www.gachurchmpls.org

Gustavus Adolphus is a Reconciling in Christ congregation.

All are welcome here!