Festival of Lessons and Carols
December 21, 2025 | 11:00am
Festival of Lessons and Carols is a bridge between the liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas. Our service is an adaptation of the form used on Christmas Eve at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. As the service begins, the prayers of the people are sought for those in need at this time. The nine lessons which follow detail the salvation story of God’s people, from the time of creation through the prophets, and conclude with the fulfillment of these prophecies as recorded in the gospels. Each lesson is followed by a carol which is chosen to enhance its message. The congregation is invited to prepare for the service in silent meditation. We ask you to refrain from applause.
Prelude
Greensleeves
arr. James Biery (b. 1956)
Welcome
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Executive Minister
Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle Musser Family
Reader One: This Advent we have embraced hope, peace, and joy amid despair, injustice, and grief. While we wait for Christmas, love is gestating in darkness.
Reader Two: The fourth candle is the candle of LOVE. In the birth of Jesus, God’s love for us was made known in an unexpected way. Reminded that Emmanuel, God with us, is both fierce and tender, we light this candle of love.
(Light four candles on the Advent wreath.)
Reader One: Love permeates every aspect of this life: from birth to death, pain to delight, strangers to lovers. Preparing the way of love, may this light kindle compassion, solidarity, and hospitality for others.
All: May the light from this candle ignite compassion that guides our actions, understanding that bridges our differences, and kindness that transforms the world around us, declaring that God’s love is on its way.
Opening Hymn 140 Once in Royal David’s City (Irby)
Verse 1: Babette Slothower, soloist
*Verses 2-6: Congregation and Choirs (Please rise in body or spirit.)
He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all,
and His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy.
And through all his wondrous childhood, He would honour and obey,
love, and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay;
Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he.
For He is our childhood’s pattern, Day by day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew;
and He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness.
And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love,
for that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above;
and He leads His children on To the place where He is gone.
Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by,
We shall see him; but in heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars his children crowned All in white shall wait around.
*Bidding Prayer
*The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
*Note: There is no Word to the Children today. Our childcare sign-in is available in the Commons as usual. Please feel free to leave the sanctuary to sign-in.
Introit
Creator of the Stars of Night
Sarum Plainsong
Westminster Choir
Text – Hymn 84-Latin, 9th Century
First Lesson Genesis 1: 1-5 (selected verses)
Reader: Lindsay Price
Carol Cantate Domino
Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)
Westminster Choir
Praise the LORD!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
(Psalm 149: 1-3, Sung in Latin)
Second Lesson Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Reader: Gavin Neale
*Hymn 129 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (Es Ist Ein’ Ros’)
Third Lesson Isaiah 11: 1-4, 6-9
Reader: Stella Mullins
Carol Starry Night
arr. Brenda Austin
Youth Bells
Fourth Lesson Luke 1: 26-35, 38
Reader: Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist
Carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Sara Groves (b. 1972)
Jubilate Singers
Fifth Lesson Luke 1: 39-55
Reader: Sandy Prouty
Carol Magnificat
Bryan Kelly (b. 1934)
Westminster Choir
Sixth Lesson Matthew 1: 18-21
Reader: Beth Ellsworth
*Hymn 121 O Little Town of Bethlehem (St. Louis)
Seventh Lesson Luke 2: 1-7
Reader: William Summerhill
Carol Calypso Lullaby
Jester Hairson/Joel Raney
Bel Canto Choir
Eighth Lesson Luke 2: 8-20
Reader: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Carol Ding Dong! Merrily on High
arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015)
Westminster Choir
Ninth Lesson John 1: 1-14
Reader: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Carol Choose Something Like a Star
Randall Thompson (1899-1984)
Westminster Choir
O Star!
The fairest one in sight,
We grant your loftiness the right
To some obscurity of cloud
It will not do to say of night,
Since dark is what brings out your light.
Some mystery becomes the proud.
But to be wholly taciturn in your reserve is not allowed.
Say something to us we can learn by heart
And when alone repeat.
Say something! And it says, ‘I burn.’
But say with what degree of heat.
Talk Farenheit, talk Centigrade.
Use language we can comprehend.
Tell us what elements you blend.
It gives us strangely little aid,
But does tell something in the end.
And steadfast as Keats’ Eremite,
Not even stooping from its sphere,
It asks a little of us here.
It asks of us a certain height,
So when at times the mob is sway’d
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.
– Text by Robert Frost
*Collect for Christmas
*Blessing
*Hymn 88 O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Veni Emmanuel) verses 1, 6 & 7
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
6 O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]
7 O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. [Refrain]
*Benediction
Pastor: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward all.
People: Thanks be to God!
Postlude
What Star is This the Beams so Bright
arr. David Schelat (b. 1955)
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS
Conductor/Piano: Adam Waite
Organ: Benjamin Corwyn
Children’s Music Conductor: Becki Cornwall
Children’s Music Assistant Conductor: Heidi Shriver
Bel Canto Accompanist: James Craft
OFFERINGS
Giving to Montview
Many of us are prayerfully discerning our Christmas giving. We invite you to consider making a special year-end gift to the church at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
Christmas Joy Offering
We invite you to make a Christmas Joy Offering using the envelopes that are distributed in the pews. Your donation to this PC(USA) special offering will provide assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and leadership development and education for communities of color Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. You may also give online at specialofferings.pcusa.org.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons. An all-gender restroom is available on the lower level across from the Youth Cellar.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
We are so glad your family is worshiping with us today. We also know that sometimes children tire of being in worship. We have a space for those times directly below the sanctuary. You can follow the service on a large screen there while your children enjoy toys, books and space. The greeters can direct you!
CHRISTMAS EVE AT MONTVIEW
2pm & 4pm – Family Services
Sanctuary & 4pm Livestream
6pm & 8pm – Candlelight
Sanctuary & 6pm Livestream
7:15pm – Witness to the Light
(bring a candle & gather along Montview Blvd)
10pm – Candlelight with Choir
Sanctuary
December 28 Worship Service
One Service at 11am (Sanctuary)
On December 28, we’ll have one worship service at 11:00am in the sanctuary. Join us for this special service where we’ll have poetry and prose, along with a carol sing. We’ll celebrate the gifts of the season and prepare for the year to come. There will be a hot chocolate bar reception in the McCollum Room following the service. Childcare will be available for ages birth-7.
Prayer Tree
Jolene Cranston; Cindi Graves; Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Mary Holleman; Sherwood Lingenfelter (brother of Paul Lingenfelter); Susan Long (relative of Peggy Gonder); Sam Mateo; Eden Murphy; Lisa Padilla; Jim Polsfut; The Scherer Family (mourning the death of Betty Scherer); Jan Tazelaar; Kathryn Walton (daughter of MaryGrace Wake); Steve Wrenn (brother of Grover Wrenn)
Deaths
November 1 | Betty Scherer (Memorial Service January 8 at 2:00pm in the Miller Chapel)
Pastoral Care Concerns
Please reach out to the church with pastoral care concerns such as illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstances or condition. Contact: caring@montview.org or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.
VISITORS
We are happy that you are worshiping with us today and invite you to learn more about Montview. Please fill out one of the Friendship Pads that are placed in the pews. Feel free to contact our office at 303.355.1651 or email Todd Rembe at todd@montview.org with questions. Please come again.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org
*You’re invited to rise in body or spirit.