St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Service at 9.30am
4th Sunday in Advent
Sunday 24th December 2023
Organ Music
Gustav Merkel Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
Olivier Messiaen Jesus accepte la souffrance
Introit
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming As men of old have sung. It came, a flow’ret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night.
Text: 16th century German tr. Theodore Baker
Music: 14th century German melody, harmonised Michael Praetorius 1571-1621
Processional Hymn
The race that long in darkness pined
has seen a glorious light:
the people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death's surrounding night.
To us a child of hope is born,
to us a Son is given;
him shall the tribes of earth obey,
him all the hosts of heaven.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored,
the Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord.
His power increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know;
justice shall guard his throne above,
and peace abound below.
Text: Scottish Paraphrases 1781 From Isaiah 9 2-7
Music: St Magnus CH4 290 (i) Probably by Jeremiah Clarke c.1673-1707
Invitation
Confession
Eternal God, our Maker and Redeemer, we have sinned against you and one another, in thought, word and deed. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Kyrie Eleison sung by the Choir
Kyrie Eleison
Christe Eleison
Kyrie Eleison
Missa brevis Lennox Berkeley
Declaration of forgiveness
Gloria patri sung by the choir (Ridout)
First Lesson St Luke 1 26-38
Hymn
The Angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; 'All hail', said he, 'thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
'For known a blessèd mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honour thee, thy son shall be Immanuel, by seers foretold; most highly favoured lady.' Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, 'To me be as it pleaseth God', she said, 'My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name': most highly favoured 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 favoured lady.' Gloria!
Text: Basque Carol Adapted S. Baring-Gould 1834-1924
Tune: Gabriel’s Message CH4 285 Basque Carol arr. C.E.Pettman 1866-1943
The Gospel St Luke 1 39-55
The Sermon
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried:
He descended into hell;
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
The Holy Catholic Church;
The Communion of Saints;
The Forgiveness of sins;
The Resurrection of the body,
And the Life everlasting.
The Offering
The Intercessions
Gloria in Excelsis sung by the choir
Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Missa brevis Lennox Berkeley
Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise
Prayer
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory be to you, O Lord Most High.
Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord:
Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in 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, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world,
Grant us your peace.
Holy Communion
During Communion the Choir sings
O radix Jesse
The root of Jesse, who will rise up to judge the nations:
in him the Gentiles will hope. And his name shall be blessed for ever and ever.
Music: Rihards Dubra b.1964
Prayer
Hymn
When out of poverty is born
a dream that will not die,
and landless, weary folk find strength
to stand with heads held high,
it’s when we learn from those who wait
to greet the promised day,
‘The Lord is coming: don’t lose heart.
Be blest; prepare the way!’
When people wander far from God,
forget to share their bread,
they find their wealth an empty thing,
their spirits are not fed.
For only just and tender love
the hungry soul will stay.
And so God’s prophets echo still
‘Be blest; prepare the way!’
When God took flesh and came to earth,
the world turned upside down,
and in the strength of woman’s faith
the Word of Life was born.
She knew that God would raise the low,
it pleased her to obey.
Rejoice with Mary in the call,
‘Be blest; prepare the way!’
Text: Kathryn Galloway b.1952
Tune: Kingsfold CH4 291 English Traditional Melody arr. R.Vaughan Williams 1872-1958
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
Andrew Carter Toccata on Veni Emmanuel
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by The Rev Sigrid Marten