Carol Service

Christmas Services at the Minster Christmas Eve 5.00 pm Children’s Christingle Service 11.30 p.m. MIDNIGHT MASS Christmas Day 8.00 am Said Eucharist 10.00 am Sung Eucharist & Carols ALL WELCOME Stoke Minster “BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW” CAROL SERVICE and DEDICATION OF THE RE-DECORATION You can hear the service again on BBC Radio Stoke at 10am Christmas Day Please take this service sheet away with you as a souvenir. In the Presence of The Lord Mayor of the City of Stoke-on-Trent Councillor Jean Edwards with Tuesday 19th December 2006 7.30 p.m. (Congregational Rehearsal) for 8.00 p.m. Choir of Stoke Minster Welcome to Stoke Minster Welcome to the freshly redecorated Church of St.Peter ad Vincula. This ancient place of worship has served the Potteries since Saxon times, and now looks to the future with confidence in its role as the City’s Minster church. In partnership with others, we want to build up our city into a place where we can all be proud to live. This church has now been completely redecorated at a cost of £50,000. We are grateful to all those whose hard work has raised this money and especially to the Heritage and Design Fund for the grant that has enabled this work to be completed. We hope this historic building will be a place of which the city can be proud and one which will help attract visitors to the Potteries. We hope that all will feel that they have a place in this Minster and will feel welcome here. However this is not just a heritage building. It is also the home of a living congregation. We aim to continue to be a centre for Christian worship, service and celebration. Stoke Minster is open daily for prayer and for visitors. However we do rely on volunteers to staff this. If you were able to give an hour a week to enable this church to remain open please contact Fr. David 01782 747737. Emergency Evacuation Procedure In the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation of the Minster the stewards will direct you to the nearest exit. Exits are at both the front and back of the church. Please follow the directions of the stewards. Those in the balcony should descend the nearest staircase and exit by the side door at the bottom of each stairwell unless directed otherwise. Once outside please assemble on the grass by the Millennium seat. Once there await further instruction. Toilets These are available at the back of the church. There is also a public toilet in the Kingsway car park. In an emergency, during the service, please enquire of a steward. -2- 15 A small but loyal group of singers support the worship at Stoke Minster, striving to maintain the excellence of the great choral tradition at St. Peters, whilst also being aware of modern trends in music. The choir sings at weddings and at the increasing number of special services held at the Minster. We would welcome more members to enable us to expand our musical tradition. If you are interested in joining the Minster Choir, contact the Rector for more details: David Lingwood on 01782 747737 Nantwich Singers. The Nantwich Singers is a chamber choir whose members are drawn from all over South Cheshire. It has established a reputation as an accomplished and versatile group which can perform a wide variety of music in venues throughout the North-West and beyond. Much of its repertoire is unaccompanied music, sacred and secular, ranging from the 16th century through to the present day. The choir has deputised for cathedral choirs in Chester, Hereford and Derby Cathedrals, in Christ Church Oxford and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. Friends of Stoke Minster To continue to support this church you may like to consider joining the Friends of Stoke Minster. Please see the Friends leaflet for details. In the past year the Friends have organised a Bar-B-Cue and an open day. The Friends have paid for the new notice boards and hope to contribute to making the church more disabled friendly. Your support is welcome. Carol 7 Stand 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, … 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, …. 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, …. Blessing May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary, and the peace of the Christ child be yours this Christmas; And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen. Dismissal Go in peace. Proclaim the Word made flesh. Glory, thanks and praise to God. Remain standing as the choirs and clergy process out. Please safely extinguish your candle. - 14 - Collection A collection will be taken immediately before the service begins. If you are a UK tax payer, perhaps you may like to put your donation in the gift aid envelope provided, complete the details as indicated, and place the envelope on the collection plate when this comes round. This will enable the church to reclaim from the Inland Revenue 28 pence for every pound given. Mobile Phones and Photography Please switch all mobile phones off before the rehearsal begins You are kindly requested not to take pictures or videos during the recording of the service. A Message from BBC Radio Stoke. Everybody loves something new at this time of year. Whether you seek renewed hope for a peaceful 2007 - or a new bike, like my three year old daughter (with bells on please, Daddy!), I pray that, at this time for reflection and hope, we can all find time to stop, think and consider others before ourselves. Time is our most precious commodity alongside love. As three generations of my family gather for our first Christmas in Staffordshire this year, we aim to appreciate and share how much we mean for, and to each other. We're blessed to be here and hope you feel the same. Lamont Howie – Presenter BBC Radio Stoke -3- Order of Service Stand. Carol 1 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. Choir 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 mean and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy. All And through all his wondrous childhood he would honour and obey, love and watch the lowly maiden, in whose gentle arms he lay: Christian children all must be mild, obedient, good as he. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love, for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone. Welcome Rector: We meet to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory. Sit The Rector welcomes the congregation. The Lord Mayor adds a short word of welcome. -4- Sit Nantwich Singers “Lord you were rich” Prayers Let us pray to Jesus the Light of the World. Christ, born in a stable, give courage to all who are homeless. Jesus Saviour hear our prayer. Christ, for whom the angels sang, give the song of the kingdom to all who weep. Jesus Saviour hear our prayer. Christ, worshipped by the shepherds, give peace on earth to all who are oppressed. Jesus Saviour hear our prayer. Christ, to whom the wise men knelt, give humility and wisdom to all who govern. Jesus Saviour hear our prayer. Christ, whose radiance filled a lowly manger, give the glory of your resurrection to all who rest in you: Jesus Saviour hear our prayer. Collect Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth: accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. Amen - 13 - Sit Reading 7 Listener’s Christmas Poem Address by Rt. Rev. Gordon Mursell, Bishop of Stafford. Minster Choir “Shepherds left their flocks a-straying” Stand. A candle is lit symbolising the light of Christ Blessing of the re-decoration Bishop: Blessed are you Lord God, Saviour of all You give light to those who walk in darkness and desire that in every place prayer shall be offered in your name We bless you that the splendour of your glory fills this house of prayer. Bless, we pray this Minster church that has been decorated, may it be a sign of your renewing power in our city, and an inspiration to love and serve you better. Blessed are you, Sovereign God, Light of the World. Blessed be God for ever. We light our small candles and pass the light to one another. Remain standing Reading 8 John 1:1-14 God’s light comes into the world. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. 4What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. - 12 - Lord’s Prayer Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Nantwich Singers “The Sussex carol” Reading 1 Haggai 2: 6-9 I will fill this house with splendour 6 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; 7and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendour, says the LORD of hosts. 8The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. 9The latter splendour of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts. Stand Carol 2 Good Christians all, rejoice with heart and soul and voice! Give you heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today, ox and ass before him bow, and he is in a manger now; Christ is born today! Christ is born today! -5- Good Christians all, rejoice with heart and soul and voice! Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this. He hath opened heaven’s door, and we are blest for evermore: Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this. Good Christians all, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save, calls you one and calls you all, to gain his everlasting hall; Christ was born to save, Christ was born to save. Sit Reading 2 Micah 5:2-4 Bethlehem, from you shall come forth a ruler. The LORD says to his people: 2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labour has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5 and he shall be the one of peace. Carol 6 God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, for Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day, to save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our heav’nly Father a blessèd angel came, and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same, how that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name: O tidings... The shepherds at those tidings rejoicèd much in mind, and left their flocks a-feeding, in tempest, storm and wind, and went to Bethlehem straightway, this blessèd babe to find: O tidings... But when to Bethlehem they came, whereat this infant lay, they found him in a manger, where oxen feed on hay; his mother Mary kneeling, unto the Lord did pray: O tidings... Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and fellowship each other now embrace; this holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface. O tidings... - 11 - Women Men All - 6- Nantwich Singers “Sing Lullaby” Reading 6 Luke 2: 8-20 The Shepherds 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Stand Stand Carol 3 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth. For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love. Choir How silently, how silently, only the wondrous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav’n. No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell: O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. - 10 - -7- Sit Reading 3 Revelation 22:1-5 God promises to make all things new. 1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’ 5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Carol 4 Stand Hark! the herald-angels sing glory to the new-born King, peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem.’ Hark, the herald-angels sing glory to the new-born King. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark... -8- Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark... Sit Reading 4 “Recipe for Christmas All Year Long” Carol 5 Stand Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me for ever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with thee there. Sit Reading 5 Luke 2:1-7 The birth of Jesus 1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. -9-