Evensongs - Archief
Choir-master: Organist: Officiant:Daniël Rouwkema Mattijs de Vreugd Evert Jan Veldman
Nieuwe Kerk Groningen, Sunday 15th of January 2017
EPIPHANY
Epiphany celebrates the appearance of God’s glory in the world through the birth of Jesus, our Emmanuel (‘God with us’), and the revelation of the incarnation to the Gentiles, and indeed the whole of creation. It has been marked since the 3rd century with a Feast Day on the 6th of January and celebrated in both East and West in a rich variety of ways. In the Western Church, the emphasis has been on the nativity itself and the acknowledgement of Christ’s sovereignty over all through the visit of the Magi bringing their gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh. The revelation of his true nature is echoed by the words of the prophet Simeon, the Nunc Dimittis, at the Presentation of Christ in the Temple (February 2nd) that marks the end of the season of Epiphany.
The Greek word epiphany (έπιφάνεια) means literally ‘sudden appearance’ and refers above all to the ‘manifestation’ of a god. It is the moment and the means by which we see that Jesus is so much more than a good human being, a wise teacher and a moral example but in fact God made man, the Word become flesh. It is in this sense that Simeon declares him to be ‘salvation’ and ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles’ and that later Jesus calls himself ‘the Light of the World’, and so the symbolism of light pervades both this season and our service. Christ calls us out of darkness and into light, so that we may recognise the imprints of his divine fashioning in all creation. We pray that our eyes may be opened to see his glory: to have reverence for the whole of creation and respect for every person, for all are made in the image and likeness of God.
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The service begins with the Chapel in darkness.
FIRST LESSON SAINT JOHN 1 verses 1–14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
EPIPHANY RESPONSORY
Behold the ruler is come, in his hands are the Kingdom, dominion and power. Give the King thy judgements O God, and thy righteousness unto the King’s Son. All they from Saba shall come, they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. Behold the Lord, the ruler is come, in his hands are the Kingdom, dominion and power.
Words from the Vesper Respond of Epihany Music adapted from a Magnificat by . G.P. da Palestrina (c.1525-94)
¶Stand
1. Of 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.
2. 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.
3. He assumed this mortal body, Frail and feeble, doomed to die, That the race from dust created, Might not perish utterly,
Which the dreadful Law had sentenced In the depths of hell to lie,
Evermore and evermore.
4. O how blest that wondrous birthday, When the Maid the curse retrieved, Brought to birth mankind's salvation By the Holy Ghost conceived,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer In her loving arms received, Evermore and evermore.
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PROCESSIONAL HYMN
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Words Prudentius (348-413)
Tune Cordes natus ex Parentis Arranged David Willcocks (1919-2015)
THE BIDDING PRAYER
¶Remain standing
Brothers and sisters, we are gathered to celebrate with joy the appearance of God’s glory in the world through the birth of Jesus, who is Emmanuel, God with us; to reflect upon the visit of the magi bringing homage to their King at his birth; and to hear the prophetic words of Anna and Simeon revealing the Christ child as a light to lighten all people.
As we rejoice in this, the Word made flesh, who called us out of darkness into light, so we pray that his love and faithfulness may be known in all the world.
We pray for the unity and mission of Christ’s Church, and for all who minister the gospel of Christ; we pray for the world, that we may have reverence for the natural order and respect for every person, made in the image and likeness of God; and we pray for those who stand in need, for the lonely, the fearful, the sick and the bereaved, and for all who have no- one to pray for them.
May God our Father take us and use us in his service; may he open our eyes to see his glory and equip us to bless his people, now and at all times. Amen.
Believing the promises of God, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
I THE WORD MADE FLESH
SENTENCE
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.
Priest: Arise, shine, for your light has come: Response: And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
COLLECT
Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen
¶Sit
SECOND LESSON
SAINT MATTHEW 1 verses 18–23
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him ‘Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us’.’
A HYMN TO THE VIRGIN
Of one who is so fair and bright
Velut maris stella, [Like a star of the sea]
Brighter than the day is light,
Parens et puella: [Both mother and maiden]
I cry to thee, thou see to me, Lady, pray thy Son for me, Tam pia, [so pure]
That I may come to thee. Maria! [Mary]
All this world was forlorn,
Eva peccatrice, [because of Eve, a sinner]
Till our Lord was yborn,
De te genetrice. [through you, his mother]
With ave it went away,
Darkest night, and comes the day Salutis; [of salvation]
The well springeth out of thee. Virtutis. [of virtue]
Lady, flower of everything,
Rosa sine spina, [Rose without thorn]
Thou bare Jesu, heaven's king,
Gratia divina: [by divine grace]
Of all thou bearest the prize, Lady, queen of paradise Electa: [chosen]
Maid mild, mother
es effecta. [you are made]
Words anon (ca 1300)
Music Benjamin Britten(1913-1979)
A MAIDEN MOST GENTL
A maiden most gentle and tender we sing of Mary the mother of Jesus our King. Ave , ave Maria, ave, ave, Maria.
How bless’d is the birth of her heavenly Child, Who came to redeem us in Mary so mild.
Ave , ave Maria, ave, ave, Maria.
The archangel Gabriel foretold by his call The Lord of creation and Saviour of all. Ave , ave Maria, ave, ave, Maria.
Three kings came to worship with gifts rich and rare And marveled in awe at the babe in her care.
Ave , ave Maria, ave, ave, Maria.
Rejoice and be glad at this Christmas we pray Sing praise to the Savior sing endless ave. Ave , ave Maria, ave, ave, Maria.
Words French traditional Music Andrew Carter (b.1939)
THIRD LESSON
SAINT LUKE 2 verses 8–20
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
ALL BELLS IN PARADISE
Deep in the cold of winter,
Darkness and silence were everywhere;
Softly and clearly, there came through the stillness
a wonderful sound to hear:
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King.
All bells in paradise I heard them ring: ‘Glory to God on high’ the angel voices sing.
Lost in awe and wonder,
Doubting I asked what this sign might be: Christ our Messiah revealed in a stable, A marvellous sight to see.
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King.
He comes down in peace, a child in humility,
The keys to his kingdom belong to the poor;
Before him shall kneel the kings with their treasures, gold incense and myrrh.
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King.
Words and Music John Rutter (b.1945)
THE LAMB
Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life & bid thee feed By the stream & o’er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, wooly, bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice? Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee, Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee: He is callèd by thy name, For he calls himself a Lamb. He is meek, & he is mild; He became a little child.
I a child, & thou a lamb,
We are callèd by his name. Little Lamb, God bless thee! Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Words William Blake (1757-1827) Music John Tavener (1944-2013)
¶Stand
HYMN
1.Bethlehem, of noblest cities choir None can once with thee compare;
Thou alone the Lord from heaven
Didst for us incarnate bear.
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3.By its lambent beauty guided all See the eastern kings appear;
See them bend, their gifts to offer,
Gifts of incense, gold and myrrh.
4.Solemn things of mystic meaning: choir Incense doth the God disclose,
Gold a royal child proclaimeth,
Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.
5.Holy Jesus, in thy brightness all To the Gentile world displayed,
With the Father and the Spirit
Endless praise to thee be paid.
Words Prudentius (348–413)
Tune STUTTGART
Trans. Edward Caswell
Adapted from a melody in C.F. Witt’s (1814–1878) ‘Harmonia Sacra’ Gotha 1715
¶Remain standing
II THE KING OF THE NATIONS
SENTENCE
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow; in heaven, on earth and under the earth: and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Priest: Nations shall come to your light: Response: And kings to your dawning brightness.
COLLECT
Almighty Father, by the leading of a star you revealed your only-begotten Son to the peoples of the earth: in your mercy grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶Sit
FOURTH LESSON
SAINT MATTHEW 2 verses 1–12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel”.’
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
In the bleak mid-winter
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 mid-winter Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim Worship night and day,
A breastful 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 I give Him, Give my heart.
Words Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) Music Harold Darke (1888-1976)
BENEDICAMUS DOMINO
Procedenti puero, Eya, nobis annus est:
Virginis ex utero—Gloria, laudes! Deus homo factus est—et immortalis.
Sine viri semine
Natus est de virgine; Sine viri copia
Natus est ex Maria.
In hoc festo determino Benedicamus Domino.
For the advent of a child,
Hurrah! the season is upon us.
From a virgin’s womb—Glory, praises! God has been made man—and immortal. Without a husband’s seed
He has been born of a virgin;
Without recourse to a husband
He has been born of Mary.
Upon this festal tide.
Let us bless the Lord.
Words from Sloane MS 2593 Music Peter Warlock (1894–1930)
FIFTH LESSON
SAINT MATTHEW 2 verses 13–18
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I have called my son.’
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men.
Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’
BRIGHTEST AND BEST
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid; Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Cold on His cradle the dew-drops are shining, Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.
Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odours of Edom, and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?
Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gifts would His favour secure; Richer by far is the heart's adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid; Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Words Reginald Heber (1783-1826) Music Malcolm Archer (b.1952)
COVENTRY CAROL
Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child, By, by, lully, lullay,
Lully, thou little tiny child, Lully, lulla, lullay.
O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day?
This poor youngling, for whom we sing, By, by, lully, lullay?
Refrain
Herod the king, in his raging, Charged he hath this day
His men of might, in his own sight All young children to slay.
Refrain
That woe is me, poor child for thee! And ever mourn and day,
For thy parting we shall not sing, By, by, lully, lullay!
Refrain
Words The pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors (15th Century)
Music Traditional tune of 1591
arr. Daniel Rouwkema
HYMN
¶Stand
2. Christ, from heav'n descending low, Comes on earth a stranger;
Ox and ass their Owner know Becradled in a manger.
3. Then the fearful Herod cried, ‘Power is mine in Jewry!’
So the blameless children died the victims of his fury.
4. Of his love and mercy mild This the Christmas story:
O that Mary's gentle Child Might lead us up to glory!
5. O and A and A and O, Cum cantibus in choro, Let our merry organ go
Benedicamus Domino.
Words Fifteenth century
Tune PUER NOBIS Piae Cantiones Arranged by David Willcocks
Descant Christopher Robinson (b.1939)
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¶Remain standing
III LIGHT TO THE WORLD
SENTENCE
But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship in spirit and truth.
Priest: And the Lord, whom you seek: Response: Shall suddenly come to his temple.
COLLECT
Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was presented in the Temple in substance of our flesh, and was acclaimed the glory of Israel and the light of the nations: grant that in him we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, and in the world may reflect his glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
¶Sit
I SAW THREE SHIPS
I saw three ships come sailing in, On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three? On Christmas day in the morning.
Our Saviour Christ and his lady On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three? On Christmas day in the morning.
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring, On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the souls on earth shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice, amain, On Christmas day in the morning.
Words English traditional
Music arrangement Richard Lloyd (1891-1950)
SIXTH LESSON SAINT LUKE 2 verses 21–32
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons’.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’
¶Stand
Words Luke 2 vv. 29–32 Music Charles Wood (1866–1926)
HYMN
1.O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness, Kneel and adore him: the Lord is his Name!
NUNC DIMITTIS
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine,
Secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, Et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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3. Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness all Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine:
Truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
These are the offerings to lay on his shrine.
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4. These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness, He will accept for the name that is dear;
Mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
Trust for our trembling and hope for our fear.
5. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! all Bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore him: the Lord is his Name!
Words J.S.B. Monsell
Tune WAS LEBET
(1811–1875)
Melody from the ‘Rheinhardt’ MS 1754
¶Remain standing
THE PRAYER
Amen.
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only begotten
Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know thee now by faith,
to thy presence, where we may Behold thy glory face to face; through
the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
THE BLESSING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
And the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore.
Amen
As you leave, you have the opportunity to contribute to a retiring collection (near the main entry to the church) which makes these services possible.
Roughly €7 per person is adequate to help us offer this service, but any and all contributions are most welcome!
You may also make a tax deductible donation, via bank transfer, to the ‘Wijkraad van Kerkrentmeesters’, account number NL55INGB0002803785, reference ‘Evensong’.