Choral Services

An Epiphany Procession with Carols together with a Festal Eucharist

Sunday January 10, 2010
11:00 am - Saint Thomas Church

Collect:

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan didst proclaim him thy beloved Son and anoint him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with thee and the same Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Just moments before 11am, a Crucifer and Torch Bearers lead the Clergy to their places in the chancel. The Choir then sings the responsory from the Great Stairwell, after which another Crucifer and two more Torch Bearers lead the Choir to the Narthex during the singing of the hymn. If you listen on the webcast, you will notice this movement of the choir through the nave.

The Rector then says the Bidding Prayer from his stall, and the congregation joins in saying the Lord's Prayer.

The Choir sings the Motet from the back of the nave and the Subdeacon then reads the First Lesson from the Lectern.

Then, while the Choir sings the Carol from the back of the nave, a Thurifer leads the Three Kings (probationers from the choir school) and the Verger down the center aisle to the Creche. The Three Kings hand their gifts to the Rector, who places them at the Creche. The Rector then censes the Creche.

Following the Collect, another hymn is sung, and a Crucifer and two Torch Bearers lead the Choir down the center aisle to their places in the chancel. If you listen to the webcast, from here on the choir will sound as they always do, given their position in the choir stalls.

After a succession of collects, music and lessons, the Rector gives his Greetings and Homily from the pulpit. Following the Homily, a Festal Eucharist proceeds in a manner familiar to those who regularly worship at Saint Thomas.

If you are attending this service in person, the Sacrament will be distributed both at the High Altar and at the Chantry rail. All baptized Christians are invited to make their communion.

Celebrant:	Fr Mead
Preacher:	Fr Mead
Deacon:	Fr Erdman
Subdeacon:	Deacon Vroon
Sung by:	The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys
Works of:	Palestrina, Handl, Cornelius, Peter Hallock and Rachmaninoff
Service:	Collegium Regale, Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Anthem 1:	The Three Kings, Jonathan Dove (b. 1959)
Anthem 2:	Bethlehem Down, Peter Warlock (1894-1930)