LESSONS & CAROLS
All Saints by-the-Sea
December 3rd 2023 | 7 p.m.
Lay Leaders: Debbi Toole & Josh Catt
Organist & Choirmaster: David Storm
ORDER OF SERVICE
Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!
Processional Hymn, CP 89 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel vs 1-4
Words of Welcome
Bidding Prayer Josh
Carol, CP 123 Once in Royal David’s City
First Lesson:
Genesis 3.8-19
They heard the sound of the Lord....
Poem: The Coming by RS Thomas
Love is born - Michael Leunig, said together with the congregation
Love is born
With a dark and troubled face
When hope is dead
And in the most unlikely place
Love is born:
Love is always born
Carol, CP 488 The Tree of Life My Soul Hath Seen
Second lesson:
Genesis 22.15-18
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham…
Poem: Advent Calendar by Rowan Williams
Carol, CP 96 Creators of the Stars of Night vs 1-3
Third lesson:
Isaiah 9.2, 6-7
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light…
Music: Song Beyond the Moon by Linnea Good
Jean McClure, soloist
Poem: (iv) Bethlehem, Easter 2002 by Padraig O’Tuama
Advent Responsory Litany 12
O Wisdom, from the mouth of the Most High, you reign over
all things to the ends of the earth: come and teach us how to live.
Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Lord, and head of the house of Israel, you appeared to
Moses in the fire of the burning bush and you gave the law on
Sinai: come with outstretched arm and ransom us.
Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Branch of Jesse, standing as a sign among the nations,
all kings will keep silence before you and all peoples will
summon you to their aid: come, set us free and delay no more.
Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, you open
and none can shut; you shut and none can open: come and free
the captives from prison.
Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Morning Star, splendour of the light eternal and bright Sun
of righteousness: come and enlighten all who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
Lord Jesus, come soon!
O King of the nations, you alone can fulfil their desires:
Cornerstone, you make opposing nations one: come and save
the creature you fashioned from clay.
Lord Jesus, come soon!
O Emmanuel, hope of the nations and their Saviour: come and
save us, Lord our God,
Lord Jesus, come soon!
Poem: The Lamb by William Blake
Music, CP 132 Of Eternal Love Begotten vs 1-4
Fourth lesson:
Isaiah 1.1-3a, 4a, 6-9
The prophet Isaiah announces the renewal both of the land and of God’s people on the coming day of redemption.
Music, CP 597 Lion and Lamb Lying Together
Poem: Forever Coming by Lolla Devindisch
moonlight
streaming through my window
ever coming
brushes eyes
celestial light
forever coming
startled i awake to know
that He is love
still ever coming
while on this December night
accepting death
discover life
forever coming
ever coming
love of Christ
forever fulfilling
joyful brimming
spilling
spilling
birthing being
Christ child coming
Saviour King
my Lord becoming
ever living
ever loving
moonlight shines
while eyes are seeing
waiting
watching
never sleeping
resting in the endless streaming
overcoming Love
Music:: All Earth Is Waiting
Fifth lesson:
Luke 1.26-35, 38
To a people living in a time of darkness comes new light, Christ, the Word.
The Song of Mary (Magnificat — Luke 1.46-55)
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen
Collect Deb
Advent Blessing
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
when the sun’s light is swallowed up
by the growing darkness of the night,
you renew your promise to reveal among us
the splendour of your glory,
enfleshed and visible to us in Jesus Christ your Son.
Through the prophets
you teach us to hope for his reign of peace.
Through the outpouring of his Spirit,
you open our blindness to the glory of his presence.
Strengthen us in our weakness.
Support us in our stumbling efforts to do your will
and free our tongues to sing your praise.
For to you all honour and blessing are due,
now and for ever.
Amen
Carol, CP 138 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Postlude: Mediations for Christmas by James Mansfield