The season of joyful celebration that begins at Christmas now continues through the successive Sundays of Epiphany, and the festal cycle ends only with the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas, on 2 February). The child who has been manifested to the magi at his birth is now recognized by Simeon and Anna, when he comes to be presented in the Temple according to the Law of Israel. He is both ‘a light to lighten the Gentiles’ and ‘the glory of God’s people Israel’. But the redemption he will bring must be won through suffering; the Incarnation is directed to the Passion; and Simeon’s final words move our attention away from the celebration of Christmas and towards the mysteries of Easter.
Our Sunday services during this time are:
Epiphany 2 – Sunday 16 January
services sung by the Girls and Lay Clerks
10.30am Sung Eucharist
Haydn Little Organ Mass
Ives Listen, sweet dove
Hymns: 377, 140, 56 (t. 104, omit v. 4), 55 (omit v. 3)
3.00pm Choral Evensong
Smith responses Psalm 96
Day Evening canticles in B flat
Mendelssohn There shall a star
Hymns: 57, 49 (t. ii)
Epiphany 3 – Sunday 23 January
services sung by the Boys and Lay Clerks
10.30am PLUS Eucharist
Wadely in F minor
Bairstow Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Hymns: see service paper
3.00pm Choral Evensong
Rose responses Psalm 33: 1-12
Wood Evening canticles in E flat, no. 2
Purcell O sing unto the Lord
Hymns: 346, 345 (omit vv. 2 & 4)
Candlemas – Sunday 30 January
services sung by the Girls and Lay Clerks
10.30am Sung Eucharist
Wood Missa Portæ Honoris
Byrd Senex puerum portabat
Hymns: AHON 584 Of the Father’s love begotten (omit vv. 4 & 6), 187, 157 (omit v. 4), 338 (omit vv. 2 & 6)
3.00pm Choral Evensong with Procession (attended by the Friends of Carlisle Cathedral)
Sumsion responses Psalm 122
Stanford Evening canticles in A
Elgar Light of the world
Hymns: see service paper
