Advent, Christmas and Epiphany 2011-2012 at St George's
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Sunday December 4th, Second Sunday in Advent
10.30am St. Nicholas of Myra, patron saint of children and wonderworker will be visiting us after the service on the 4th of December with stories and treats. Bring your children and their friends, or grandchildren, and neighbour's children for special crafts, singing and activities to celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas in Sunday School.
5pm: Advent Lessons and Carols St.George's Choir, under the direction of Garth MacPhee
Sunday December 4th at 5 PM is our service of Advent Lessons & Carols. This ancient service foretelling the coming of the Light into a world of darkness has become a central feature of the Advent preparations at St. George's.
As the choir assembles in candlelight, a hushed expectancy is broken by a single voice, singing from the Narthex, "I look from afar. And lo! I see the power of God coming." As the service unfolds, the coming of the Light of Christ, a highly charged symbol for Christians around the world, is dramatically shown in powerful liturgy.
The music and readings reflect the yearning of the generations who waited for the birth of the Messiah and our own need for awakening into the spiritual life. They also provide an affirmation that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and will come again.
Matin Responsory - Palestrina
Hymn: Come thou Redeemer of the earth (Puer nobis nascitur)
Motet: Rorate Coeli - William Byrd (1540-1623)
Carol: Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - Elizabeth Poston
Hymn: Wake, O Wake! with tidings thrilling (Wachet auf)
Anthem: A Spotless Rose - Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Hymn: Creator of the Starry Height (Conditor Alme)
Anthem: Let all mortal flesh keep silence - Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)
Motet: Alma redemptoris Mater - Palestrina (1525-94)
Hymn: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel)
Anthem: Alleluya, a new work is come on hand - Peter Wishart (1921-84)
Vesper Responsory - Palestria
Hymn: Lo! He Comes (Helmsley)
Organ Voluntary: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland - J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Wednesday December 14th: Ember Day
10.00am Holy Communion (said)
Friday December 16th: Ember Day/O Sapientia
5.30pm Shortened Evening Prayer & Holy Communion (said)
Saturday December 17th: Ember Day
8:00am Shortened Morning Prayer & Holy Communion (said)
Saturday December 17th
9.00am - 2.00pm Christmas Outreach for Families, wrapping and delivery day.
9.00am: Set up: Help set up tables and wrapping stations. Carry gifts down from the old parish office. Set up snack tables and coffee and tea.
10.00am - 12 noon Wrapping and packing. Assist with the wrapping of presents for families. Presents include clothing, books and toys. Wrapping supplies are available, but wrapping paper is always welcomed!
12.00 noon-2.00pm - Delivery of gifts and groceries. In partners, deliver gifts and groceries to families in Halifax. Gifts to shut-in parishioners will also be delivered at this time. Maps and directions will be provided.
Tuesday December 20th, 5pm: Garland-making
As Advent is now upon us, it is time to consider the now traditional Garland making and hanging activities! On December 20th at 5pm there will be a group of both the young and the young at heart gathering in the hall to clothe the round in a grand display of greenery! This is a great opportunity to get out and meet some of our parish family. Any and all kinds of help is eagerly solicited. In the past even our toddlers have helped make it a joyous occasion, so break out those pruners and join in the fun! Light snacks and cider will be available to keep you going. If you have any questions, see Craig Savoury or Ray Phillips after the 10:30 service or email .
Saturday December 24, Christmas Eve
4.00pm Children & Families' Nativity Play
All are welcome to join the service. Children of all ages are especially welcome and encouraged to participate in a short Christmas pageant consisting of a journey to Bethlehem through the aisles of the Church. Costumes for angels and shepherds are provided. No advance preparation is required!
10.30pm Special music prior to the 11 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, will be offered by Karen Langille on the baroque violin, Ivor Rothwell, baroque bassoon and recorders, and Garth MacPhee on the organ, playing baroque music and traditional carols.
11.00pm Choral Communion (with incense)
Setting: Missa O Magnum mysterium - Tomās Luis de Victoria (c.1548-1611)
Communion Motet: O Magnum Mysterium - Tomās Luis de Victoria (c.1548-1611)
Hymns: Once in Royal David's City (Irby); Of the Father's heart begotten (Divinum mysterium); It came upon the midnight clear (Carol); Hark! the herald angels sing (Mendelssohn); O Little Town of Bethlehem (Forest Green); Silent night (Silent Night); O Come, all ye faithful (Adestes fideles)
Postlude: Carillon de Westminster, Op 54 No. 6 - Louis Vierne
Sunday December 25th, Christmas Day
8.00am Holy Communion (said)
10.00am Morning Prayer (said)
10.30am Choral Communion (with incense)
Setting: Mass for four voices - William Byrd
Hymns: Christians, awake, salute the happy morn (Yorkshire); The First Nowell (The First Nowell); Away in a manger (Cradle Song); In the bleak midwinter (Cranham); Joy to the world (Antioch)
Communion Motet: O magnum mysterium - William Byrd
Voluntary: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ [BuxWV 188] - Dieterich Buxtehude
Monday December 26, St Stephen's Day
8.00am Holy Communion (said)
10.00am Morning Prayer & Holy Communion (said)
Tuesday December 27th, St John the Evangelist
10.00am Morning Prayer & Holy Communion (said)
Wednesday December 28th, The Holy Innocents
10.00am Morning Prayer & Holy Communion (said)
Sunday January 1, Feast of the Circumcision & Octave of Christmas
8:00am Holy Communion (said)
10:00am Morning Prayer (said)
10.30am Choral Communion
Setting: Missa brevis, No. 4 in E-flat - Healey Willan
Hymns: Good Christian Men, rejoice (In dulci jubilo); The First Nowell (The First Nowell); See amid the winter's snow (See amid); Hark the herald angels sing (Mendelssohn)
Communion Motet: Infant holy, infant lowly - trad.
Voluntary: In der ist freude [BWV 615] - J. S. Bach
5:00pm A Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons & Carols
Music will include, among others, Adam lay ybounden by Boris Ord; The Little Road to Bethlehem by M. Head; and Here is the Little Door, by H. Howells. he Junior Choir will sing Song of Mary by W.H. Anderson and Maria Wiegenlied by M. Reger, accompanied by Ellen Gibling on the harp. The offering taken at this service will go to the Friends of St. Georges Society in support of the parish music programme. There will be a reception with mulled wine and refreshments in the parish hall following the service.
Friday January 6: Feast of the Epiphany
7.00pm Choral Communion
Setting: Collegium Regale - Harold Darke
Guest Preacher: Dr David Deane, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at the Atlantic School of Theology
Hymns: Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Uttingen); Brightest and best of the sons of the morning (Stella Orientis); The people that in darkness sat (Dundee); As with gladness (Dix)
Communion Motet: The Three Kings - Peter Cornelius
Voluntary: Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern [BuxWV 223] - Dieterich Buxtehude
The climax of the Advent/Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, this service is followed by an Epiphany Party in the Hall.