Lessons and Carols

Almost every year for the the past eleven years (is it that long?) I have played the organ for the annual service of Lessons and Carols at Saint Patrick Church in downtown Columbus. This devout community of souls is under the care of the Dominican Fathers, who dedicate themselves fully to the spiritual welfare of their flock. For the past decade, the music life of the parish has been cared for by Kathleen Tully, who has quietly created one of the finest parish music programs that you will find anywhere. The choir, which has grown from 4 to 40 voices under her cheerful leadership, give their very best out of love for the Lord. It is a joy to make a joyful noice with them.
This year's service of lessons and carols begins Sunday, December 14 (Gaudete Sunday) at 6pm. Due to illness of some choir members rehearsals were curtailed and some more ambitious pieces had to be postponed until next year. So, here is this year's lineup:

Prelude
Excerpt from Horn-lokk Sigurd Berge
(This is a piece for solo horn. The hornist is a parishioner and member of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.)

I. The Fall Reading: Genesis 3:8-19
The Race that Long in Darkness Pined William Billings

II. The Prophecy of Emmanuel Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14
Processional Hymn: O Come, O Come Emmanuel Collegeville Hymnal 179 (Stand)

Opening Prayer Stand

III. The Rod of Jesse Reading: Isaiah 11:1-9
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen Johannes Brahms (arr for string quartet)

IV. The Restoration Reading: Jeremiah 31:10-14
Hymn: O Come, Divine Messiah Collegeville Hymnal 173 (Stand)
arr by Thomas Buffer. Organ and Brass Quartet

V. The Fulfillment of the Prophecies Reading: Matthew 1:18-25 (Stand)
Pastorale Arcangelo Corelli
Organ and strings

VI. The Annunciation Reading: Luke 1:26-28 (Stand)
Ave Maria Franz Biebl
double choir!

VII. The Nativity Reading: Luke 2:1-7 (Stand)
Hymn: See Amid the Winter’s Snow Collegeville Hymnal 221
Verses 1-2: ALLVerse 3: Women OnlyVerse 4: Men onlyVerse 5: SoloVerse 6: ALL
Organ, Brass, strings, whatever else we have sitting around

Choir: Riu, Riu, Chiu Traditional Spanish Carol

VIII. The New Creation Reading: Revelation 21:1-5

Hymn: Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
Organ and Brass

IX. The Incarnation Reading: John 1:1-14 (Stand)
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Gustav Holst
Organ, strings, brass, etc.

Closing Prayer and Blessing Stand

Recessional Hymn: Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth Stand
arr. Thomas Buffer
Organ and Brass