Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 a.m. sung by the St. John’s Adult Choir, sermon by the Rev’d Susan Pinkerton.

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Service Music:

Voluntary    Weinachten (“Christmas”)    Max Reger (1873-1916)

In Weinachten, Max Reger reflects upon Christmas in 1917, a time of tumult and war. He uses two German chorales, one Advent and one Lent, to paint the tension and pain of Christmas celebrated in the trenches of battle. Finally, two Christmas carols are woven together to bring a message of peace and hope.

Opening Hymn 109    The first Nowell the angels did say    The First Nowell

Gloria S280     Robert Powell (b.1932)

Sequence Hymn 124    What star is this with beams so bright    Puer Nobis

Music at the Offertory    The three kings    Healy Willan (1880-1968)
Text: Laurence Housman (1865-1959)

“Who knocks tonight so late?”
the weary porter said.
Three kings stood at the gate,
each with a crown on his head.

The serving man bowed down,
the Inn was full, he knew.
Said he, “In all this town
is no fit place for you.”

A light in the manger lit;
there lay the Mother meek.
This place is fit.
Here is the rest we seek.

Come, come. They loosed their latchet strings,
so stood they all unshod
“Come in, come in, ye kings,
and kiss the feet of God.”

The Three Kings is typical of Canadian Anglican composer Healey Willan’s straightforward, modal, lyrical style. For the first half of the anthem, a three-part men’s chorus – symbolically the three kings – is in dialogue with a three-part women’s chorus, representing the holy manger scene. 

Sanctus  S130    Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Fraction Anthem S164    Jesus, lamb of God     Franz Schubert

Music at Communion     While all things were in quiet silence    Ned Rorem (b. 1923)
Text: from Antiphon of Matins, Christmas I

While all things were in quiet silence,
And that night was in the midst of her swift course,
Thine Almighty Word, O Lord,
leaped down out of thy royal throne. Alleluia.

Closing Hymn 93    Angels from the realms of glory    Regent Square

Voluntary    Postlude in F    Eric Thiman (1900-1975)