ADVENT CAROL SERVICE BY CANDLELIGHT

Drop down ye heavens from above,

and let the skies pour forth righteousness: let the earth be fruitful, and bring forth a Saviour.

(Isaiah 45:8)

2 8 T H & 2 9 T H N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5 , 6 . 3 0 P M

V I C A R ' S W E L C O M E I would like to warmly welcome you to Malmesbury Abbey for our Advent Carol Service by Candlelight. This evening is one of beauty. The inspired poetry of our ancient biblical readings, the echo of plainsong and chant around the nave, hundreds of candles lighting our twelfth century stone, transcendent music by Tallis, Byrd, Bach and many others, stillness in prayer, and both mystery and joy as we lift our voices together in the great Advent carols. Each year I wait, a little impatiently I have to confess, for this season to begin. On a very simple level I adore the Abbey lit by candles and O come O come Emmanuel is my favourite hymn. But it’s more than that. Advent is a time to think about God and our world more deeply, to be still for a moment and to encounter the holy. Tonight’s readings, and the texts of our anthems, bring together different themes, which sadly seem to be ever more pertinent. The mystery and beauty of creation marred by human sin. A broken world and a people longing for light of Christ in their darkness. And a world that saw salvation born in Bethlehem longing for the eternal fulfilment of that promise. I trust this night draws you closer to God, and renews hope in Christ within you. May you, and those you love, know afresh the light and peace of Christ in this season of Advent. Revd Canon Neill Archer Advent Sunday, 2015.

Guidance for the Service

• The service is lit by candles alone and begins in darkness • When candles are being lit please take great care when passing

the light to others • Please secure all loose hair and clothing • Because of the large number of candles in this service there is a

significant risk – please take care with your candle at all times • Unless otherwise directed, please stand for all congregational

hymns during the organ introduction, and then sit afterwards • There is a retiring collection – if you are a UK tax payer please use

the gift aid envelope included in this order of service. Thank you. Organist & Choirmaster John Hughes M.A. (Cantab) A.R.C.O. Associate Conductor Becky Saunders B.Mus. (Hons) Lay Precentor Dr Annie Davis Organ Preludes (from 6.10pm) Chorale Prelude on ‘Nun komm der Heiden Heiland’ JS Bach Master Tallis’s Testament, Howells Please remain seated in silence during the final two organ preludes as the Abbey is gradually darkened. Chorale Prelude on ‘Es ist ein Ros’ Entsprungen’, Brahms O Antiphon Prelude ‘O Sapientia’, Nico Muhly

Choir The Advent Matins Responsory Palestrina

Sung from St Aldhelm’s Chapel I look from afar; and lo, I see the power of God coming and a cloud covering the whole earth. Go ye out to meet him and say: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel? High and Low, rich and poor, one with another; go ye out to meet him and say: Hear O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Tell us, art thou he that should come? Stir up thy strength, O Lord and come to reign over thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Reading 1 Genesis 1:1-5 Read by Catherine Price Lay Prior, Malmesbury Abbey 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light ‘day’, and the darkness he called ‘night’. And there was evening, and there was morning– the first day. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Choir Creator of the stars (mode iv) The light is passed through the Abbey, with the congregation still seated, as the choir process to the font at the West End. Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting light, O Jesu, Saviour of us all, Regard thy servants when they call. Thou, grieving at the bitter cry of all creation doomed to die, didst come to save a ruined race with healing gifts of heavenly grace. Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride, As drew the world to evening-tide; Proceeding from a virgin shrine, The Son of Man, yet Lord divine. At Thy great name exalted now, All knees must bend, all hearts must bow; And things in heaven and earth shall own, That Thou art Lord and King alone. To thee, O Holy One, we pray our judge in that tremendous day; Preserve us, while we dwell below From every onslaught of the foe. All praise, eternal Son, to thee Whose advent sets thy people free; Whom with the Father we adore And Spirit blest, forevermore. Amen

Hymn Of the Father’s heart begotten arranged Sir David Willcocks

f the Father’s heart begotten, Ere the world from chaos rose, He is Alpha: from that fountain

All that is and hath been flows; He is Omega, of all things Yet to come the mystic close Evermore and evermore! By His Word was all created; He commanded and ‘twas done; Earth and sky and boundless ocean, Universe of three in one, All that sees the moon’s soft radiance, All that breathes beneath the sun, Evermore and evermore! This is he whom seers and prophets Sang in ages long gone by; This is he of old reveal-ed In the page of prophesy; Lo! He comes, the promised Saviour; Let the world his praises cry! Evermore and evermore!

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Sing ye heights of heaven his praises Angels and Archangels sing! Wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful Let your joyous anthems ring. Every tongue his name confessing, Countless voices answering, Evermore and evermore!

Please sit Bidding Prayer Revd Canon Neill Archer Vicar, Malmesbury Abbey 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. Amen.

Advent Prose Drop down ye heavens Richard Lloyd Drop down ye heavens from above, and let the skies pour forth righteousness: let the earth be fruitful, and bring forth a Saviour. Be not very angry, O Lord, neither remember our iniquity for ever: thy holy cities are a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation: our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee. We have sinned, and are as an unclean thing, and we all do fade as a leaf: our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away; thou hast hid thy face from us: and hast consumed us because of our iniquities. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know me and believe me: I, even I, am the Lord, and beside me there is no Saviour: and there is none that can deliver out of my hand. Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, my salvation shall not tarry: I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions: fear not, for I will save thee: for I am I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer.

Hymn Come thou redeemer of the Earth arranged Sir David Willcocks During which the choir process to the centre of the Nave

ome, thou Redeemer of the earth, And manifest thy virgin-birth: Let every age adoring fall;

Such birth befits the God of all. Begotten of no human will, but of the Spirit, thou art still The Word of God in flesh arrayed, The promised fruit to man displayed. The virgin womb that burden gained With virgin honour all unstained; The banners there of virtue glow; God in His temple dwells below. Forth from His chamber goeth He, That royal home of purity, A giant in twofold substance one, Rejoicing now His course to run. O equal to thy Father, thou! Gird on thy fleshly mantle now, The weakness of our mortal state With deathless might invigorate.

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All laud eternal Son to Thee Whose advent sets thy people free; Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen

Reading 2 Psalm 13 Revd Mandy Churcher (28th) May Moore Chaplain Revd John Monaghan (29th) Curate 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, 4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Choir O nata lux de lumine Thomas Tallis

O Light born of Light, Jesus, Redeemer of the world, with loving-kindness deign to receive suppliant praise and prayer. Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh for the sake of the lost, grant us to be members of thy blessed body. Reading 3 Isaiah 9:2,3,6,7 Read by Diana Crowe Churchwarden 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Hymn Come thou long expected Jesus

ome, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art: dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Born thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a king, born to reign in us for ever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all-sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.

Choir Spaséñiye sodéelal yesí,

Pavel Chesnokov

Salvation is worked in the midst of the earth, O God. Alleluia. (Psalm 74:12)

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Reading 4 Isaiah 7:10-15 Read by Lesley Wilson Churchwarden

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.’ 12 But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.’ 13 Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Choir Ecce virgo concipiet

William Byrd Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Reading 5 Isaiah 60:1-5a Read by Dr Annie Davis

Lay Precentor, Malmesbury Abbey ‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 ‘Lift up your eyes and look about you: all assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. 5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Hymn Let all mortal flesh keep silent

et all mortal flesh keep silence, And with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly minded,

For with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, Our full homage to demand. King of kings, yet born of Mary, As of old on earth He stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, In the body and the blood; He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavenly food. Rank on rank the host of heaven Spreads its vanguard on the way, As the Light of light descendeth From the realms of endless day, That the powers of hell may vanish As the darkness clears away. At His feet the six winged seraph, Cherubim with sleepless eye, Veil their faces to the presence, As with ceaseless voice they cry: Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia, Lord Most High!

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Choir E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come Paul Manz

Peace be to you and grace from Him who freed us from our sin, who loved us all, and shed his blood that we might saved be. Sing holy, holy to our Lord, the Lord Almighty God Who was and is, and is to come. Sing holy, holy Lord Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein, Rejoice on earth, ye saints below for Christ is coming soon. E'en so Lord Jesus quickly come and night shall be no more They need no light, no lamp, nor sun for Christ will be their all! (Adapted from Revelation 22) Reading 6 Revelation 21:1-4; 22:12-13, 17, 20 Read by Revd Linda Sullivan Curate, Malmesbury Abbey Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’

12 ‘Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 17 The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 20 He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Hymn Hark a thrilling voice During which the choir process to the sanctuary

ark! a thrilling voice is sounding. ‘Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say; ‘Cast away the dreams of darkness,

O ye children of the day.’ Wakened by the solemn warning, let the earth-bound soul arise; Christ, her sun, all ill dispelling, shines upon the morning skies.

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Lo, the Lamb, so long expected, comes with pardon down from heav’n; let us haste, with tears of sorrow, one and all to be forgiv’n; That when next he comes with glory, and the world is wrapped in fear, with his mercy he may shield us, and with words of love draw near. Honour, glory, might, and blessing to the Father and the Son, with the everlasting Spirit, while eternal ages run.

Choir Senex pueram portabat Nico Muhly

The ancient held up an infant, Yet the infant upheld the ancient. The infant, whom the virgin had given birth to, She herself worshipped. Today Christ is born, Today the Saviour appears, Today on earth the Angels sing, Archangels rejoice. Today the righteous rejoice saying: Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia. (From Luke 2:28-35 & Luke 1:14)

Prayers Catherine Price Lay Prior, Malmesbury Abbey

Jesus, Light of the World Hear our prayer The Advent Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility: so that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Choir The Advent Vesper Responsory

Palestrina Judah and Jerusalem, fear not, nor be dismayed; Tomorrow go ye forth, and the Lord, he will be with you. Stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord. Tomorrow go ye forth, and the Lord, he will be with you. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Tomorrow go ye forth, and the Lord, he will be with you.

Hymn O come O come Emmanuel

come, O come, Emmanuel! And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, thou Rod of Jesse! free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny From depths of hell, thy people save, And give them victory o’er the grave: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, thou dayspring come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, thou Key of David come And open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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O come, O come, thou Lord of Might, Who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height, In ancient times did give the law In cloud and majesty and awe: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Please remain standing The Advent Blessing May God the Father, who loved the world so much that he sent his only son, give you grace to prepare for the life eternal. Amen. May God the Son, who comes to us as Redeemer and Judge, reveal to you the path from darkness to light. Amen. May God the Holy Spirit, by whose working the Virgin Mary conceived the Christ, help you bear the fruits of holiness. Amen. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Recessional Lo! He comes with clouds descending

During which the choir processes to St Aldhelm’s Chapel

o, he comes with clouds descending, Once for favoured sinners slain; Thousand, thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of his train:

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ appears, on earth to reign. Every eye shall now behold him Robed in dreadful majesty; Those who set at naught and sold him, Pierced and nailed him to the tree, Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing Shall the true Messiah see. Those dear tokens of his Passion Still his dazzling body bears, Cause of endless exultation To his ransomed worshippers: With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture gaze we on those glorious scars! Yea, amen! Let all adore thee, High on thine eternal throne; Saviour, take the power and glory: Claim the kingdom for thine own: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

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Please remain standing Choir Glory honour power and blessing

J.S. Bach ‘Glory, honour, power and blessing’ all living creatures stand confessing with harps and cymbals round your throne. Gates of pearl and streets pure golden, the saints and angels stand beholding God’s city, our eternal home. His glory gives it light; no eye has seen a sight of such splendour. Rejoice afar, ‘Alleluia!’ Forever praise Him, ‘Gloria!’ Dismissal Our Lord says, ‘I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting. Amen. Organ Voluntary Fantasia ‘In dulci jubilo’ J.S. Bach There is a retiring collection.