ST

PAUL’S

CHURCH

WIMBLEDON PARK

MIDNIGHT COMMUNION

11.30 PM

CHRISTMAS EVE

24th DECEMBER 2018

MUSIC BEFORE THE SERVICE

ORGAN: O bambino mio divino (O my divine babe) by Giuseppe Aldrovandi (1671-1707)

CHOIR: Riu, riu, chiu 16th Century Spanish, text paraphrased by Kevin Jones

CHOIR: While shepherds watched their flocks Words: Nahum Tate Music: Este’s Psalter arr. Kevin Jones

ORGAN: Offertorio Pastorale (Shepherds’ Offering) by Jean-François Dandrieu. (1682-1738)

CHOIR: Little Jesus, wast thou shy Words: Francis Thompson Music: Kevin Jones

CHOIR: All my heart this night rejoices Words: Paul Gerhardt trans. Catherine Winksworth Music: Johann Ebeling arr. Kevin Jones

ORGAN: Canto Natalizio (Nativity Song) by Nicolas Lebègue (1631-1702)

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Please stand for the first hymn

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And Heaven and nature sing,And Heaven and nature sing,And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

Joy to the World, the Saviour reigns!Let us our songs employ;While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joy,Repeat the sounding joy,Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,And makes the nations proveThe light of His righteousness,And wonders of His love,And wonders of His love,And wonders, wonders, of His love.

The Greeting: Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

All and also with you.

Christ the light of the world has cometo dispel the darkness of our hearts.In his light, let us confess our sins.

Silence is kept.

God our Father,you sent your Son, full of grace and truth:forgive our reluctance to receive him.

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Lord, have mercy.All   Lord, have mercy.

Jesus our Saviour,you were born in poverty and laid in a manger:forgive our rejection of your ways.Christ, have mercy.All   Christ, have mercy.

Spirit of love,your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call:forgive our hardness of heart.Lord, have mercy.All   Lord, have mercy.

AbsolutionMay the God of all healing and forgivenessdraw you to himself,that you may behold the glory of God’s Son,the Word made flesh,and be cleansed from sin,through Jesus Christ our Lord.All   Amen.

Gloria in ExcelsisPlease stand

All Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

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For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

CollectLet us pray in the peace of this Christmas celebrationthat our joy in the birth of Christ will last for ever.

Silence is kept.

Eternal God,who made this most holy nightto shine with the brightness of your one true light:bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth,to see the radiance of your heavenly glory;through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.All   Amen.

Liturgy of the WordPlease be seated

Old Testament reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

At the end the reader saysThis is the word of the Lord.All   Thanks be to God.

CHOIR: There were shepherds abiding in the field & Glory to God from Messiah by G. F. Handel (1685-1759). Soprano solo: Julia Raeburn

New Testament reading: Hebrews 1:1-4

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At the end the reader saysThis is the word of the Lord.All   Thanks be to God.

Gospel hymn – please 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 th' 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, th'incarnate Deity: Pleased, as man, with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel! Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King! Hail! the heav’n-born Prince of peace! Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Ris’n with healing in his wings;Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing,"Glory to the new-born King !"

The Gospel is processed to the middle of the choir stalls

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Gospel Reading (Please stand)

All   Alleluia, alleluia.The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,and we have seen his glory.All   Alleluia.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John All Glory to you, O Lord.

John 1:1-14

At the end of the reading: This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.

The sermon

The CreedAll I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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Prayers of IntercessionPlease sit

The Peace – please standThis holy night the angels sang,‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to all in whom he delights.’Luke 2:14

The peace of the Lord be always with youAll   and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.All may exchange a sign of peace.

Hymn – please remain standing

Unto us is born a Son,King of quires supernal;See on earth his life begun,Of lords the Lord eternal,Of lords the Lord eternal.

Christ, from heaven descending low,Comes on earth a stranger;Ox and ass their owner know,Becradled in the manger,Becradled in the manger.

(men)This did Herod sore affrayAnd grievously bewilder,So he gave the word to slay,And slew the little childer,And slew the little childer.

(women)Of his love and mercy mildThis the Christmas story;

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O that Mary’s gentle childMight lead us up to glory,Might lead us up to glory!

(all)5. O and A, and A and O,Cum cantibus in choro,Let our merry organ go,Benedicamus Domino,Benedicamus Domino.

The gifts of the people may be gathered and presented.The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

Prayer.Word made flesh, life of the world,in your incarnation you embraced our poverty:by your Spirit may we share in your riches.All   Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer.Please stand

The Lord be with you All and also with you.

Lift up your hearts. All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right, it is our duty and our joy, at all times and in all places to give you thanks and praise, holy Father, heavenly King, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord.

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For he is your living Word; through him you have created all things from the beginning, and formed us in your own image.

Through him you have freed us from the slavery of sin, giving him to be born of a woman and to die upon the cross; you raised him from the dead and exalted him to your right hand on high.

Through him you have sent upon us your holy and life-giving Spirit, and made us a people for your own possession.

And now we give you thanksbecause, in the incarnation of the Word,a new light has dawned upon the world;you have become one with usthat we might become one with you in your glorious kingdom.

Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing:

All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and as we follow his example and obey his command, grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these gifts of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:

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Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Therefore, heavenly Father, we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross; we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look for the coming of your kingdom, and with this bread and this cup we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

All Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again.

Accept through him, our great High Priest, this our sacrifice of thanks and praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence of your divine majesty, renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with your loveand unite us in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:

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All Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s PrayerAs we look for the coming of the kingdom, so we pray

All Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread.We break the bread of life,and that life is the light of the world.

All    God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.

The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken.All Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

Invitation to communionChrist is the true bread which has come down from heaven.All   Lord, give us this bread always.

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During the distribution, the choir will sing

O Holy Night Words by Placide Cappeau (trans. John Sullivan Dwight) Music by Adolph Adam (1803-1856) Soloists: Talitha Jones & Richard Simon

Remain seated to sing the communion hymn

On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of this much loved carol, first performed Christmas Eve 1818, we will sing the first verse in the original German followed by the English version.

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!Alles schläft. Eynsam wachtNur das traute heilige Paar.Holder Knab’ im lockigten Haar,'Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!''Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!'

Silent night, holy night.All is calm, all is bright,Round yon virgin mother and child;Holy infant, so tender and mild,Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night.Shepherds quake at the sight,Glories stream from heaven afar,Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia:Christ the Saviour is born,Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night.Son of God, love's pure light,Radiant beams from Thy holy face,With the dawn of redeeming grace:Jesus, Lord at Thy birth,Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

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The Post-Communion Prayer God our Father,in this night you have made known to us againthe coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:confirm our faith and fix our eyes on himuntil the day dawnsand Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.All   To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

All Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son, Jesus Christ. Through him, we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen

Final hymn- please 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, (3×) 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 adore Him, (3×) Christ the Lord.

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;O come, let us adore Him, (3×) Christ the Lord.

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Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!Glory to God, in the highest:O come, let us adore Him, (3×) Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;Jesus, to thee be glory given!Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!O come, let us adore Him, (3×) Christ the Lord.

BlessingMay the Holy Spirit,by whose overshadowing, Mary became the God-bearer,give you grace to carry the good news of Christ.All   Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,be among you and remain with you always.All   Amen.

The DismissalGo in peace. Proclaim the Word made flesh.All   Glory, thanks and praise to God.

The minister and people depart.

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Sortie: Laissez paître vos bête (Leave your sheep to graze and come sing Noel) by César Franck (1822-1890)

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Please join us for a celebratory drinkin the coffee lounge of the Community Centre

We wish you a very happy Christmas!

Reader: Norman Allen CBEHon Asst. Curate: Revd Dr Nicky von Fraunhofer

Director of Music: Dr Kevin Jones

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