The Right Reverend Andrew R. St. John, D.D. Rector

†

One East Twenty-Ninth Street, New York, NY 10016 212 684 6770 www.littlechurch.org

The Church of the Transfiguration, New York City The Little Church Around the Corner

Festal Mass of the Nativity

Christmas Eve

Monday, December 24, 2012 10:30 P.M.

Christmas Eve Prelude Hymns can be found in the blue books in your pew pockets

10:00 P.M.

Rector’s Welcome

A Melody of Carols Featuring The New York Kammermusiker, Ilona Pederson, director

Matin Responsory G. P. de la Palestrina, arr. David Willcocks

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 who art thou?” “Tell us, art thou He that should come to reign over thy people Israel?”

High and low, rich and poor, are with another, go ye out to meet him, and say “Are you he that should come?”

Hear, O Thou Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadeth Joseph like a sheep, Tell us, art thou he? Stir up thy strength,

O Lord, and come, Come to reign over thy people Israel! Glory be to God. Glory to the Son. Glory to the Spirit.

Solo Ave Maria Bach/Gounod

Hymn 96 (stand) Angels we have heard on high Gloria

Anthem (sit) Laudamus te A. Vivaldi

Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te.

We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee.

Anthem Kyrie eleison A. Charpentier

Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Hymn 115 (stand) What child is this? Greensleeves

Carol Il est ne, le divin Enfant French Carol arr. John Rutter

Chorus:

Il est ne, le divin Enfant, Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;

Il est ne, le divin Enfant; Chantons tous son avenement!

1. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous le promettaient les Prophetes;

Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous attendions cet heureux temps. Chorus

2. Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant, Que ses graces sont parfaites!

Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant, Qu'il est doux le divin Enfant! Chorus

3. Une etable est son logement, Un peu de paille, sa couchette,

Une etable est son logement, Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement! Chorus

4. O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant! Tout petit enfant que vous etes,

O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant! Regnez sur nous entierement! Chorus

Refrain:

He is born, the Heav'nly Child, Oboes play; set bagpipes sounding

He is born, the Heav'nly Child. Let all sing his nativity.

1. 'Tis four thousand years and more, Prophets have foretold His coming,

'Tis four thousand years and more, Have we waited this happy hour. Refrain

2. Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair, What perfection is his graces,

Ah, how lovely, Ah, how fair. Child divine, so gentle there. Refrain

3. In a stable lodged is he, Straw is all he has for cradle.

In a stable lodged is he, Oh how great humility! Refrain

4. Jesus Lord, O King with power, Though a little babe you come here,

Jesus Lord, O King with power, Rule o'er us from this glad hour. Refrain

Hymn 113 (stand) Duérmete, Nino lindo A la rue

Anthem In the bleak midwinter Harold Darke

In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan,

earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.

Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,

in the bleak midwinter long ago.

Our God, heav’n cannot hold him, nor earth sustain.

Heav’n and earth shall flee away, when he comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter, a stable place sufficed

the Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ.

Interlude Bergerette sans Roch Tielman Susato

Thanks to our special Christmas Eve musicians:

Jeff Hale and Linda Kaplan, oboes; Melissa Kritzer, bassoonist; Ilonna Pederson, English horn; David Ralph, organ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,

a breast full of milk, and a mangerful of hay,

enough for Him whom angels, fall down before,

the ox and ass and camel, which adore.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb,

if I were a wise man, I would do my part,

yet what I can give Him, give my heart.

Order of Service The Mass Setting is Messe de Minuit pour Noel by M.A. Charpentier

All stand when the bell is rung and the procession enters the church.

Introit Dominus dixit Tone VII

The Lord hath said unto me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Why do the heathen so furiously rage

together; and why do the people imagine a vain thing? I myself have set my king upon my holy hill of Sion. Desire

of me, and I shall give thee the nations for thine inheritance; and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possessions.

Glory be.

Hymn 102, vv. 1–3 Once in royal David’s City Irby

(solo)

At the Christmas Crèche

Celebrant: And the Word was made flesh.

People: And dwelt among us.

The Blessing of the Crèche

(a short silence of adoration is observed)

Hymn 102, v. 4–6 Once in royal David’s City Irby

Glory Be to God (sung by choir) Charpentier

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace good will 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, Jesus 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, 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.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And with thy Spirit.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

The Collect of Christmas

The Liturgy of the Word

The First Reading: Isaiah 9:2–7 (sit)

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 96:1–4, 11–12 Tone V

The Epistle: Titus 2:11–14 (remain seated)

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Hymn 94, vv. 1–3 While shepherds watched their flocks by night Winchester Old

The Holy Gospel: Luke 2:1–14 (face the reader)

Priest: The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

People: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

(after the Gospel)

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise be to thee, O Christ.

Hymn 94, vv. 4–6 While shepherds watched their flocks by night Winchester Old

The Sermon The Rector

The Creed (stand)

Intercessions

Minister: Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

After each petition:

Minister: Lord, in your mercy

People: Hear our prayer.

The Peace (stand)

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And with thy spirit.

(You are invited to exchange the peace with your neighbors)

The Greeting & Notices

The Eucharistic Liturgy

Anthem Nowell nouvelet (sung in French) French carol, arr. John Rutter

Nowell, sing nowell good people gathered here. Offer thanks, ye faithful, to the news give ear. Sing we nowell, a

new King born today, Nowell, sing nowell good people gathered here. Unto humble shepherds came the angel

near; “Hence,” said he, “to Bethlehem, be ye of good cheer. Seek there the Lamb of God, love’s own pure ray.”

Nowell, sing nowell good people gathered here. Eastern sages seek him, in the darkness drear, by a star

illumined shining forth so clear, guiding them to Bethlehem. Nowell, sing nowell good people gathered here.

Now doth our Saviour Jesus Christ appear, bringing salvation promised many a year by his redeeming blood this

happy day. Nowell, sing nowell good people gathered here.

Hymn 83 (stand) O come all ye faithful Adeste fidelis

The Great Thanksgiving

Sanctus and Benedictus (sung by choir) Charpentier

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Refrain

Eucharistic Prayer II (kneel) BCP/341

The Lord’s Prayer

Christ Our Passover

Prayer of Humble Access

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and

great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose

property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to

drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

The Communion

Please come forward to receive the Sacrament when the ushers reach your pew. All baptized Christians are welcome to

receive the sacrament. Non-communicants are welcome to receive a blessing.

O Lamb of God (sung by choir) Charpentier

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. O lamb of God, that takest away the sins of

the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.

Communion Motet O Magnum Mysterium Cristobal Morales

O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio. Beata

Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum. Domine, audivi auditum tuum et timui: consideravi

opera tua, et expavi: in medio duorum animalium.

O great mystery and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord lying in a manger. Blessed is the

Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Lord, I heard your voice and was afraid; I considered your

works and I trembled: between two animals, lying in a manger.

Instrumental Interlude How blessed are shepherds Henry Purcell

Hymn 111 Silent night (sung seated as tapers are lit and lights extinguished) Stille Nacht

Post-Communion Prayer (Please stand)

Let us pray,

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the

spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy

favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed

company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech

thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such

good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy

Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

The Christmas Blessing

The Dismissal (stand)

Deacon: Depart in peace.

People: Thanks be to God.

Hymn 87 Hark! the herald angels sing Mendelssohn

Postlude Carillon de Westminster Louis Vierne

A December sanctuary candle burns in loving memory of Richard Stover Ellwood and is given by his family:

Elizabeth, wife of 53 years; children, Deborah, Alexander, Sarah, and; grandchildren, Arthur, Sophie, Chloe,

Benjamin, Phoebe, Edmond, and Natalie.

Christmas flowers and greens are given to the greater glory of God by

†

Anonymous

†

Peter Baker

†

Carol Bowie

in loving memory of

Bruce Bowie,

John & Louise Smiley

and

Janet Bowie

†

Rob Caruano

in loving memory of

Francis Caruano

†

Horace & Violet Felix

†

Ann & William Guild

in loving memory of

Alexander Collins

†

Betty Howe

in loving memory of

Lilian Gaston,

Mary K. Howe,

the Moisand Family,

and

Nathaniel C. Nash, V

†

Ann Hutchison

†

William Lemmon

in loving memory

of my parents,

Frieda and

William Lemmon, Sr.

†

Marjorie Martin

in loving memory of

Ruby Harvey,

Yvonne Levermore,

and

Alice El-Shawary

†

Clair and Connie McPherson

†

Eleanor Newton

in loving memory of

Michelle Loraine Lomax

and

Emeric A. Moore

†

Ann Ravenstine

†

Claire Ricketts

in loving memory of

Walter & Inez Ricketts

and

Herbert & Joyce Ricketts

†

Marianne Schenck

in loving memory of

Josef Schenk

†

Bishop Andrew R. St. John

in loving memory of

Reginald & Leila St. John

†

Richard St. John

in loving memory of

Louise St. John

†

St. Rita

†

Richard W. Thaler, Jr.

in loving memory of

James E. Gast

and

Richard W. Thaler

†

Christiane C. Tsakis

in loving memory

of Donald A. Tsakis

†

Maryann Wlock

in loving memory of

Michael & Anna Wlock

Donations for Christmas music are given to the greater glory of God by

December/January Notices

We welcome you to the Church of the Transfiguration during this joyous season. Thank you for visiting our parish. If

this is your first time joining us, please feel free to enter your name and contact information in our guest register or on

the yellow cards at the end of each pew.

Tomorrow, Christmas Day, December 25, 11:00 A.M.

Solemn Mass, Preacher: The Rector

†

Lee Alderson

in loving memory of

Gladys Campbell

†

Anonymous

†

Peter Baker

†

Nathaniel & Elizabeth Carr

†

Rob Caruano

†

Horace & Violet Felix

†

Mercedes Fieulleteau

†

Pamela Glenn

in loving memory of

Mary Johnston and Rose Schultz

†

Ann & William Guild

in loving memory of

Frederick Weidner III

†

Betty Howe

in loving memory of

Andy Bloor, Vicky Brandt,

Victor De Lorenzo, Susan Wesley

†

Ann Hutchison

†

William Lemmon

†

Marjorie Martin

†

Ann Ravenstine

†

Marianne Schenk

in loving memory of

Josef Schenk

†

Christiane C. Tsakis

in loving memory of

Donald A. Tsakis

†

Patricia Anne Williams

†

Maryann Wlock

in loving memory of

Theodore & Michael Wlock

This week at Transfiguration:

Please take special notice of our complete Christmas liturgy schedule listed on the back page of this bulletin and join us for our celebration of the Nativity.

The parish office is closed Christmas week and will reopen Wednesday, January 2.

Wednesday, December 26, St. Stephen’s Day, 12:10 P.M. Mass in the Chapel

Thursday, December 27, St. John’s Day, 12:10 P.M. Mass in the Chapel

Friday, December 28, Holy Innocents, 12:10 P.M. Mass in the Chapel

Have a Blessed and Happy New Year!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013, New Year’s Day, Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 12:10 P.M. Mass in the Chapel

Carpenter’s Kids: This parish has supported fifty AIDS orphans in Tanganyika for the past five years through the di-

ocesan organization, Carpenter’s Kids (a joint program between this diocese and the Diocese of Central Tanganyika).

The Social Action Committee has recommended we continue this support for a further five years. $70 dollars per child

per year enables them to purchase their uniforms and books so that they may attend school. We need to raise

$3,500 to fulfill our pledge to these children!

City Harvest: We are collecting food for City Harvest to distribute throughout New York City. A basket is provided at

the rear of the church. Foodstuffs needed: canned fruits or vegetables, canned soups, peanut butter in plastic containers,

pasta, boxed cereal, boxed macaroni and cheese. Please note: City Harvest cannot accept your donation if the product is

expired.

Please pray for: Cindy and Jessica, Maggie, Marie, Jonathan Madrigano, Martin, Joanne, Carolyn Bell, Bucky Farnor,

Claire Malouf, Margaret, Sue Frost, Steve Logan, Richard Duane.

Annual Pledge Campaign: To date we have received 55 pledges totaling $169,664. If you have not yet handed in your 2013 pledge, it is not too

late to do so. Please place it in the offering bowl. If you have mislaid your pledge form or did not receive one, there are

pledge brochures available on the table at the back of the church.

Lychgate Appeal Our current appeal is to raise $200,000 to pay for the restoration of our historic Lychgate at the entrance to the

church’s garden. As of the end of the end of November we have raised $115, 646 —contributions are climbing, but

we still need more help to achieve our goal! Work began on the restoration on August 21st and we ask members of the

congregation and our local community to please do what you can to help us raise the remaining $96,000. If you have

friends, family, or professional colleagues you can reach out to, will you do so for your parish? We are grateful for the

generosity of all of our donors to date and look forward to completing this fund raising project and celebrating with you

the newly restored Lychgate. Please let our Parish Administrator, Bill Nave, or Rosemary Mackey know if you have

ideas for individual or foundations that might be asked to give to this project to help maintain the beauty of the Lychgate

for future generations. You may speak to Rosemary or write to Bill at receptionist@littlechurch.org

The Rector, clergy, and staff wish you all a Merry Christmas!

JOIN US FOR THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY

Sunday, January 6, 11:00 A.M.

8:30 A.M. & 5:00 P.M. Said Masses;

11:00 A.M. Solemn Mass with scenes from

“Amahl & the Night Visitors”

The Church of the Transfiguration is a community committed to faith in action (Fides Opera),

embracing all who seek God’s inclusive love.

Dates for Diaries

Sunday, December 30, Christmas I Sunday service schedule resumes as usual

January 6, Epiphany: 11:00 a.m. Solemn Mass with scenes from

“Amahl & the Night Visitors”

Weekday Services Morning Prayer, 8:40 a.m.; Mass, 12:10 p.m.; Evening Prayer, 5:10 p.m.

Confessions. Confession to a Priest is available upon request. Please make an appointment with the Rector or

one of the associate priests. Confessions are often heard in the little Mary Chapel off the Holy Family Chapel.

Healing Ministry. At the 12:10 p.m. mass every Wednesday, Anointing and Laying On of the Hands for Heal-

ing of mind, body, and spirit is available to all who come. In addition, that ministry is available upon request

especially before surgery or for other serious health concerns and may be administered at the church, at home,

or in a hospital.

Pledging. A pledge of a portion of our income be it small or great is part of our Christian duty and a sign of

our spiritual commitment to God and his Church. Pledge cards are always available from the office or at the

back of the Church. We also have an e-pledge facility.

Sunday Hospitality. Our supply of hospitality staples (cookies, crackers, juice, etc.) is dwindling. Donations

are greatly appreciated. Please contact Lee Alderson, head of hospitality. During the week she can be reached

by e-mail at lalderson_04@hotmail.com, and on the weekend by phone at 212 889 3106. Lee also needs two

people each week to make his important part of our Sunday fellowship possible.

Parish Vestry

Alex Ellwood and Ann Ravenstine, Wardens, Alissa Abrams, Nanci Blaisdell, Paul Cardozo,

Horace Felix, Bill Glew, Carter Keithley, Aaron Jones, Rosemary Mackey, and Elizabeth Carr, Treasurer

Staff

The Right Rev’d Andrew St. John, Rector

Dr. Claudia Dumschat, Organist & Choirmaster

The Rev’d Dr. Clair W. McPherson, Associate Priest

The Rev’d David Fleenor, Associate Priest

The Rev’d Dr. Warren C. Platt, Associate Priest

The Rev’d Dr. Paul A. Metzler, Associate Priest

The Rev’d Dr. C. Don Keyes, Associate Priest

The Rev’d Deacon Ian Betts

John Allison, Seminarian

Sara Bates, Seminarian

Tyrone Campbell, Verger

Yaroslav Dyakiv, Verger

Bill Nave, Parish Administrator

Joe Ponessa, Bookkeeper

The Rev’d Norman J. Catir, Jr., Rector Emeritus