Wesley Theological Seminary » Alumni » eCalling for Graduates Archive » eCalling for Graduates December 2006 » Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent

Archbishop F.W. Benson developed the Festival of Lessons and Carols for Truro Cathedral in England in 1880. In 1918, Dean Eric Milner-White of King's College Chapel, Cambridge, England adapted the service for the chapel. Students of Dr. Lucy Hogan, Wesley's professor of preaching and worship, planned and carried out the Festival of Lessons and Carols for the Wesley community during the weekly chapel services on Tuesday, November 28 and Wednesday, November 29.

Processional: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord and Gaudeamus Hodie

Call to worship:

Leader: A voice cries out: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, Make straight a highway in the desert for our God
People: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, Who has looked on us with favor and redeemed us.
Leader: Proclaim the name of Jesus Christ our redeemer, And sing praises to his name
People: Praise the Lord; Let all the people praise God's name.

(based on Isaiah 40:3; Luke 1:68; Romans 15:9-11)

Hymn: Toda La Tierra - All Earth is Waiting

Prayer of Illumination

Lesson 1: Genesis 1:1-4a and John 1:1-14

Prayer (in unison): Advent, from the Book of Common Prayer by Laurence Hull Stookey, the Hugh Latimer Elderdice Professor of Preaching and Worship at Wesley

Merciful God,
You sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation.

Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may celebrate aright the commemoration of the nativity, and may await with joy the coming in glory of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lesson 2: Isaiah 40:1-5

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her
     that she has served her term,
     that her penalty is paid,
     that she has received from the Lord's hand
     double for her sins.
A voice cries out:
"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
      make straight in the desert a highway
      for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
   and every mountain and hill be made low;
   the uneven ground shall become level,
   and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all the people shall see it together,
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Anthem: A Voice Cries Out

Lesson 3: Isaiah 60:1-4, 18-19

Mediation

Hymn: Arise, Shine

Lesson 4: Micah 5:2-5a

Anthem: He Shall Feed His Flock by G.F. Handel

Lesson 5: Luke 1:26-38

Reading: Annunciation

Anthem: Ave, The Angel Sang

Lesson 6: Luke 1:39-46, with the congregation joining in at the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary)

Hymn: My Soul Gives Glory to My God

Lesson 7: Romans 8:28-29