Notes – Liturgy will be similar to a usual Sharing Eucharist, with a couple extra responses around the children’s sermon.
– There are no graphics to insert for this service
– Maybe put something in at the end describing the service, if there’s space:
“Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, or the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a Christian feast day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Joseph and Mary. It is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22–40.
According to the Old Testament rules in Leviticus 12, a woman was to be purified by presenting a lamb as a burnt offering, and either a young pigeon or dove as sin offering, 33 days after a boy’s circumcision. The feast falls on 2 February, which is traditionally the 40th day of and the conclusion of the Christmas Epiphany season.
While it is customary for Christians in some countries to remove their Christmas decorations on Twelfth Night (Epiphany Eve), those in other Christian countries historically remove them after Candlemas. On Candlemas, many Christians (especially Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some mainline Protestant denominations including Lutherans, Anglicans and Methodists) also take their candles to their local church, where they are blessed and then used for the rest of the year; for Christians, these blessed candles serve as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Light of the World.”
Prelude: (leave blank for now)
Opening hymn: 93 “Angels, from the realms of glory”
Gloria: S-278
In place of Psalm: “Nunc dimittis” by George Dyson. Sung by St. Thomas Parish Choirs
Print text if there’s space:
1 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
2 For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation;
3 Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
4 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.
Sequence: 656 “Blest are the pure in heart”
Vv 1-2 before Gospel, Vv 3-4 after Gospel
Anthem: “O nata lux,” Stanford, arr. Lewis
Translation: O Light born of Light, Jesus, redeemer of the world,
accept our praises and prayers.
O you who once deigned to be hidden in flesh on behalf of the lost,
grant us to be made members of your blessed body.
Presentation Hymn: 380, V. 3
Sanctus S-130
Fraction S-152
Communion Anthem: “The candles are lighted on Candlemas Day” sung by St. Thomas Cherub Choir
Communion Hymn: 517 “How lovely is thy dwelling-place”
Closing Hymn: 410 “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven”
Postlude: (leave blank for now)
Notes and acknowledgments:
For Black History month, I have chosen several pieces from the African-American tradition. First, I will be playing Florence Price’s “Suite No. 1 for Organ” on Feb 6 and 16. Ms. Price is noted as the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer.
Second, the hymn of the month is “Leaning on the everlasting arms.” It’s such a treat to sing music that is really fun, and I hope you enjoy it!
“Glory to God in the highest”
- Setting: William Mathias (1934-1992) © 1976, Oxford University Press, Inc.
- Reprinted under Fair Use.
- From S-278 in “Hymnal 1982,” Copyright © 1985 by The Church Pension Fund
“The law of the Lord revives the soul”
- Setting: Thomas Pavlechko
- ©St. James Music Press, 2010 — Licensed permission to photocopy granted — www.sjmp.com
“Holy, holy, holy”
- Setting: From Deutsche Messe, Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828); arr. Richard Proulx (1937-2010)
- Adaptation Copyright © 1985 GIA Publications, Inc.
- Reprinted under Fair Use.
- From S-130 in “Hymnal 1982,” Copyright © 1985 by The Church Pension Fund
“Alleluia. Christ our Passover”
- Reprinted under Fair Use
- From S-152 in “Hymnal 1982,” Copyright © 1985 by The Church Pension Fund
- Setting: Ambrosian chant; adapt. Mason Martens (b. 1933) © 1971 Mason Martens
