Songs & Updates for December 23 & 24, 2017

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALL!

As you know, this weekend, we're covering Masses for the 4th Sunday of Advent (12/23) and Christmas Eve. Apologies for the long, messy post, but just want to make sure we're all on the same page. Please read carefully and let me know if any questions.

Christmas Eve Dress Rehearsal

Friday, 12/22 - 6:30-8:45 PM - Parish Hall

The goal will be to run all regular Mass music, as well as Preludes and the Eucharistic Prayer for Children. Let's hold off on going into the Children's Program until Saturday (unless extra time). I'm planning to be at the Church by 6 PM, so feel free to arrive anytime after that. I'd like to get underway by no later than 6:30 PM, though. If you have a chance to review the music before Friday (especially any new/less familiar pieces), that would definitely save us some time.

I'd also like to get the choir area set up as much as possible so we don't have to worry about it on Sunday. Since we'll likely be the only group using this space, we should have a fair amount of flexibility as far as configuration (keep in mind that we'll need to fit the digital piano in somewhere).

UPDATE: 12/23: a few notes from last night's dress rehearsal can be found here. Thanks to all who were able to attend!

---

4th Sunday of Advent / Children's Program Rehearsal
Regular Rehearsal & Mass - 4:30-6:30 PM
Children's Program Rehearsal - 6:45 -8:45 PM

Saturday will be a normal 5:30 Mass, but I wouldn't be surprised if attendance is higher (there will only be one Sunday morning Mass at 10 AM). Jim is out, but everyone else should be available to cover instruments. The music is below.

After Mass, I'd like to go through the Children's Program, which will be done during the Homily on Christmas Eve. This caused us some problems last year due to lack of prep time and unclear cues. It'll probably be the most challenging part to get right. Time-permitting, we can also run other music as needed. Ordering in some food is a possibility if anyone would like a quick bite.

Gathering:
GC3 #419 - Each Winter as the Year Grows Older

Response (Davis's):
GC3 #064 Ps 89 - For Ever I Will Sing
Materials (audio) (sheet music)

Gospel Acclamation (TBD):
Mass of Joy & Peace

Offertory:
GC3 #889 - Hail Mary: Gentle Woman
Materials (audio) (sheet music)

Holy, Holy, Holy:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Eucharistic Acclamation (B):
Mass of Joy & Peace

Doxology/Amen:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Lamb of God:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Communion:
GC3 #415 - My Soul in Stillness Waits

Closing:
GC3 #401 - O Come, Divine Messiah!
Materials (audio) (sheet music)

---

Christmas Eve Mass
Report Time - 2:45 PM - Parish Hall
Mass - 4:00 PM

I'm planning to be at the Church by 2 PM to get situated. If you have equipment to set up, feel free to come anytime after that. If we could all be ready to go by no later than 2:45 PM, that would be great! We'll do sound checks and spot check songs as needed. Preludes will start at ~3:40 PM.

The Children's Choir in the Church won't be using music stands or books, so we should be able to bring over as many as needed. However, I'd still recommend bringing your own music stands (the Church only has two) and materials if at all possible. Joe will be handling percussion and sound equipment.

If you're able to stick around afterward, books will need to be returned to the Church for Barb's 6:30 PM Mass. There's also the possibility of a 6:30 PM Mass in the Hall, but only if the Church can't accommodate everyone. If that ends up happening, Father will lead the music.

Jonathan, Tom, Joe, Maggie and Bev have instruments covered. Jim is out.

The final program is below (also here):

Preludes:
GC3 #430 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Materials (audio) (sheet music)

Coventry Carol [instrumental]
Materials (sheet music - c-instruments) (sheet music - guitar)

Sing We Now of Christmas [NEW]
Materials (audio) (sheet music)

GC3 #451 - Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming [Davis's + Jonathan]
Materials (sheet music)

GC3 #429 - He Came Down
Materials (audio) (sheet music)

Gathering:
GC3 #423 - Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn [NEW]
Materials (audio) (sheet music)

(no Gloria - see Eucharistic Prayer for Mass with Children below)

(no Psalm)

Gospel Acclamation (TBD):
Mass of Joy & Peace (Christmas verse)

Homily (Children's Program):
(please print and follow this script for cues)
GC3 #446 – O Little Town of Bethlehem (vs 1) GC3 #448 – Away in a Manger (1 verse, hummed) GC3 #457 – Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly (vs 1) GC3 #463 – We Three Kings (refrain) GC3 #430 – Angels We Have Heard on High (refrain) GC3 #460 – The First Nowell (vs 1 & refrain) GC3 #463 – We Three Kings (vs 1 only (no refrain)) GC3 #441 – Silent Night (vs 1) GC3 #448 – Away in a Manger (vs 1) Offertory: GC3 #439 - O Come, All Ye Faithful

Eucharistic Prayer for Masses with Children:
(please print and follow this document)
Holy, Holy, Holy (Mass of Joy & Peace) Glory to God (refrain only; repeated three times) (Mass of Joy & Peace) Eucharistic Doxology (Mass of Joy & Peace) Lamb of God (Mass of Joy & Peace) Meditation: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (arr Garth Brooks) [Jonathan + instrumentalists]
Materials (audio) (sheet music) Communion: GC3 #442 – Night of Silence / GC3 #441 – Silent Night
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
GC3 #433 - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear [instrumental] Closing: GC3 #437 - Joy to the World Postlude:
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Materials (sheet music)

I think that's it for now. Huge thanks for bearing with me on all this, and looking forward to a fun evening of music!

<>< ><> ><>