Songs & Updates for Wednesday, December 24, 2014

**MERRY CHRISTMAS, ALL!**

This is a special post for Christmas Eve Mass in the Parish Hall.

This post will be updated as the final plan comes together in these last few days before Christmas. Please check back for the latest information.

First, this season has been a major experiment for me in planning and leadership, so I really appreciate your bearing with me and all your hard work over the past few weeks! I'm looking forward to seeing things come together on Wednesday!

As most of you are aware, we were originally scheduled for the 4 PM mass in the Parish Hall, but after much discussion, we were reassigned to the 6 PM mass by Father Charlie about three weeks ago.

Our final dress rehearsal will be on Tuesday, December 23, from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Parish Hall. We'll be running and putting the final touches on all songs for Christmas Eve mass. It's critical that anyone planning to sing/play at Christmas Eve Mass attend this rehearsal.

Since we're 'sandwiched' between the 4 PM and 8 PM services, report time is 5:00-5:15 PM (depending on when the 4 PM lets out). We'll set up equipment, spot check a few songs, and get underway with preludes around 5:40-5:45 PM.

Please bring your own music stands, instrument stands, books/sheet music, and any other equipment or supplies. We may not be able to use the ones in the Church and/or will need to share resources with the 11:00 group.

Our visiting priest in the Parish Hall will be Father Clem Gardner. We should definitely check with him before mass to make sure we're on the same page with Mass Parts, etc..

We'll resume doing the Gloria this week in place of addition to the Penitential Rite.

Unless otherwise noted, we'll do all verses (or as many as needed) for all songs. As usual, Jonathan and I will split directing songs, so please watch for cues.
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UPDATE (12/22): I re-sent materials for 'Cherry Tree Carol' to to all involved instrumentalists and practice tracks for 'Lo, How a Rose' to everyone. Please look these over before Tuesday night.

UPDATE (12/22): the Office reminded me that we did the Oplatki blessing during the weekend masses, so we won't be doing it on Christmas Eve. For those of you looking over the music at home, don't worry about reviewing 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear' -- we will no longer be doing this song at mass.

Also, our Christmas program is being assembled (including lyrics for all songs since there won't be songbooks in the Hall) and will be ready tomorrow.

UPDATE (12/22): added some missing song recordings, mainly of new(-ish) pieces or arrangements.

UPDATE (12/22): I found out from the Office that I was incorrect about us having a visiting priest in the Hall at 6 PM. We will indeed have Father Charlie, and will also be doing both the Penitential Rite and Gloria.

I've also elected to list Jim's version of 'Go Tell it On the Mountain' as a Meditation rather than a regular Communion song to avoid confusion with the congregation over the different melody. Therefore, the lyrics will not be in the program.

UPDATE (12/23): Barb has wrapped up our program and left a number of copies on the table under the Office mailboxes. Will take a look at this before practice tonight.

Also, only the first two verses of 'What Child is This' will be listed, as the third verse is for Epiphany.

UPDATE (12/23): we had a chaotic, but productive dress rehearsal this evening, getting through nearly all the music in the program. A few general notes:

• We opted to drop 'Lo, How a Rose' due to insufficient practice time.
• Ginny & Michaela will cantor the Psalm
• I will cantor the Alleluia
• Jaclyn, Lisa K. and I will handle 'Night of Silence' during the 'Night of Silence' / 'Silent Night' Communion medley.

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Below is our Christmas Program. Songs for 12/27 will go out after the holiday, but will largely be a repeat of this program.

Preludes:
O Holy Night (traditional)
The Cherry Tree Carol (arr. Marty Haugen)
Each Winter as the Year Grows Older (Marty Haugen)

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (traditional)
Choir Parts (soprano) (alto) (tenor)

Gathering:
GC 347 - Angels We Have Heard on High

Penitential Rite:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Glory to God:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Response (need one):
GC 95 - All the Ends of the Earth (Psalm 98)

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

Offertory:
GC 380 - What Child is This

Holy, Holy, Holy:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Eucharistic Acclamation:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Eucharistic Doxology:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Lamb of God:
Mass of Joy & Peace

Communion Meditation:
SS 114 - Go, Tell it on the Mountain (arr. Jim Herbert)

Communion:
SS 114 - Go, Tell it on the Mountain (arr. Jim Herbert)
GC 342 - Night of Silence (sung with GC 352 - Silent Night)
GC 353 - Away in a Manger

Distribution of Oplatki:
GC 367 - It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Closing:
GC 343 - Joy to the World

Stay tuned for any last-minute changes or updates!

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