Details
Join us each Sunday for worship in the University Chapel, led by the dean of religious life and of the chapel, that draws students, faculty, staff, and community members together to hear God’s word, sing praises, and pray for the University and the world.
Sept 1
Worship Service
Service of Holy Communion
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Sept 8
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Sept 15
Worship Service
Guest Preacher
Judy Fentress-Williams, ’84
Virginia Theological Seminary, Dodge Professor of Biblical Interpretation
Sept 22
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Catherine Cook Davis
Interim Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Sept 29
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Oct 6
Worship Service
Service of Holy Communion
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Oct 13
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Catherine Cook Davis
Interim Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Oct 20
Worship Service
Jasmin Gonzalez
Intern, Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton, NJ
Oct 27
Worship Service
Guest Preacher
Sam Wells
Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields
Nov 3
Worship Service
Service of Holy Communion
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Nov 10
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Catherine Cook Davis
Interim Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Nov 17
Worship Service
Guest Preacher
Adam Taylor of Sojourners
Nov 24
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Catherine Cook Davis
Interim Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Dec 1
Worship Service
Service of Holy Communion
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Dec 8
Worship Service
Guest Preacher
Christian Peele
Dec 15
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Dec 22
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Dec 29
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Jan 5
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames
Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Jan 12
Worship Service
Broderick Greer
Canon Precentor at Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver, Colorado
Jan 19
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Brittany Longsdorf
Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Jan 26
Worship Service
Rev. Dr. Brittany Longsdorf
Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel
Princeton University
Princeton University Chapel
Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2024, 11:00 a.m.
You are invited to rise, in body or spirit, for those parts of the service marked with an asterisk (*)
Hymns are found in the New Century Hymnal.
Prelude Partita on “Winchester New” Bruce Neswick (b. 1956)
I. Chorale
II. Meditation
III. Bicinium
IV. Aria
V. Trio
VI. Toccata
Ave Maris Stella (Three Movements) Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
From Vêpres du commun des fêtes de la Sainte Vierge, Op.18
Welcome and Announcements Dean Davis
*Hymn No. 117 Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates Truro
*Call to Worship Jasmin Gonzalez
One In Latin, the first letters of their seven images of Christ —
Sapientia (Wisdom),
Adonai (Lord),
Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse),
Clavis David (Key of David),
Oriens (Radiant Dawn),
Rex Gentium (Ruler of the nations), and Emmanuel (God with us)
— make up a backward acrostic, spelling ero cras: “tomorrow I will come.”
O Wisdom,
coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, pervading and permeating all creation,
you order all things with strength and gentleness: Come now and teach us the way to salvation.
All Come, Lord Jesus.
One O Adonai,
Ruler of the house of Israel,
you appeared in the burning bush to Moses
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come with outstretched arm to save us.
All Come, Lord Jesus.
One O Root of Jesse,
rising as a sign for all the peoples,
before you earthly rulers will keep silent,
and nations give you honor:
Come quickly to deliver us.
All Come, Lord Jesus.
One O Key of David,
Scepter over the house of Israel, you open and no one can close, you close and no one can open: Come to set the prisoners free.
All Come, Lord Jesus.
One O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, Sun of justice:
Come, shine on those who live in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
All Come, Lord Jesus.
Lighting of the Advent Candle
The congregation is invited to join in singing during the lighting of the Advent candle.
One God of grace,
ever faithful to your promises,
the earth rejoices in hope of our Savior’s coming
and looks forward with longing
to his return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts to receive Christ when he comes,
for he is Lord forever and ever.
All Amen.
Reading Isaiah 9:2-5
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
Anthem Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes Hal Hopson (b. 1933)
Thou shalt know him when he comes,
Not by any din of drums,
Nor his manners, nor his airs,
Nor by any thing he wears.
Thou shalt know him when he comes,
Not by his crown nor his gown,
But his coming known shall be,
By the holy harmony
Which his coming makes in thee.
Thou shalt know him when he comes.
Anonymous
Reading Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of God’s servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is God’s name.
God’s mercy is for those who fear God
from generation to generation.
God has shown strength with God’s arm;
God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
God has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
God has helped God’s servant Israel,
in remembrance of God’s mercy,
according to the promise God made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to God’s descendants for ever.’
Sermon “Recognizing Radiance” Dean Thames
*Hymn No. 106 My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise Marias Lovsång
Prayers of the People Dean Davis
After each petition:
One God of love and mercy,
All Hear our prayer.
Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Choral Response Magnificat Jacques Berthier (1923-1994)
My soul magnifies the Lord.
Luke 1:46
*Exchange of the Peace
One The peace of God be always with you.
All And also with you.
The people may exchange the peace with one another.
Offertory Sentence
Music at the Offering Gabriel’s Message Basque carol
Arr. Robert Grogan
*Doxology Sung to the tune of hymn no. 27 Lasst uns erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below, alleluia, alleluia.
Praise God above ye heavenly hosts,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
*Prayer for Princeton To be said by all.
O Eternal God, the source of life and light for all peoples,
we pray you would endow this University with your grace and wisdom:
Give inspiration and understanding to those who teach and to those who learn;
Grant vision to its trustees and administrators;
To all who work here and to all who bear her name
give your guiding Spirit of sacrificial courage and loving service. Amen.
*Hymn No. 108 Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old Judas and Mary
*Benediction
Postlude Ave Maris Stella (Final Movement) Marcel Dupré
From Vêpres du commun des fêtes de la Sainte Vierge, Op.18
Announcements
The offering this morning will go to the American Indian College Fund. The money raised by the American Indian College Fund is used to support student scholarships and other developmental needs at 34 tribal colleges across the United States. Checks should be made payable to Princeton University Chapel.
If you are interested in making a contribution toward Sunday flowers in the Chapel as a memorial, please contact Patricia Florek – [email protected].
Singers for the Christmas Eve Chorus
Join the Christmas Eve Chorus at Princeton University Chapel! Rehearsals are Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 23, from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Christmas Eve Service is Tuesday, Dec 24, at 8:00 p.m. Please contact Nicole Aldrich, Director of Chapel Music and of the Chapel Choir, if you are interested - 609-258-3654 or [email protected].
Calendar of Events
Advent and Christmas Season
Events are free and open to all.
SUNDAY, December 22, 11:00 a.m. — University Chapel Service— For the fourth Sunday of Advent, the preacher will be Rev. Dr. Catherine Cook Davis, Interim Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel.
TUESDAY, December 24, 8:00 p.m. — Christmas Eve Worship Service — The prelude starts at 7:30 with organ, oboe, strings, and vocalists. The preacher will be Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel.
MONDAY, December 25, 11:00 a.m. — Christmas Day Worship Service with Celebration of Holy Communion — The preacher will be Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel.
SUNDAY, December 29, 11:00 a.m. — Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols — Presented by Trinity Episcopal Church, Princeton.
SUNDAY, January 5, 11:00 a.m. — University Chapel Service and Hymn Sing — A special worship service featuring festive music of the season.
Princeton University Chapel Staff
The Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel
The Rev. Dr. Catherine Cook Davis, Interim Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel
Nicole Aldrich, DMA, Director of Chapel Music
Eric Plutz, University Organist
Jasmin Gonzalez, Seminary Intern
Edgar Gomez & Lisa McGurr, Sextons
Patricia Florek, Chapel Administrator
The University Chapel is a welcoming community of faith. We gather to sing God's praises, to hear God's living Word, to seek justice, and to proclaim God's love for all people.