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