Primary Schools, with Glasgow Churches Together, in St Mungo’s Townhead 18th November 2008 to mark the celebrations of the Bi-Millennium of St Paul

Cantata : by Stephen E Smyth and Gerry Fitzpatrick

Celtic Prelude : Music by Carissa Bovill

Procession of banners and dancers. Book of reading carried by St Joachim’s School and placed on the lectern.

Gathering hymn: Lord, you have come to the seashore

Child from St Conval’s goes to microphone

Welcome given by St Conval’s School

Child from St Conval’s goes off & Child from St Martha’s goes to microphone

Prayer led by St Martha’s School

Loving Father Shepherd of Israel You called Paul,
once known as Saul
To be the bearer of Good News to the nations.
Help us, who have inherited the Gospel he taught,
To live in joy so that others may see your presence in our lives.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Child from St Martha’s goes off & Child from St Roch’s goes to microphone

Reading from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians read by St Roch’s

Pause

Child from St Roch’s goes off & Small group from Our Lady of the Rosary School go to microphone

Psalm 18 led by Our Lady of the Rosary school

Their voice has gone out, they fill the earth the word of the Lord is heard.

Pause

Group from Our LADY OF THE ROSARY school GO OFF & Narrators, & Small group from Our Lady of Peace School go to microphone
Cantata Saul becomes Paul

INTRODUCTION

Narrator 1 from St Philomena’s School Narrator 2 from St Paul’s Shettleston School

Narrator 1 : Welcome to our cantata. Our story today tells of the conversion of St Paul.

Narrator 2 : Paul, who was originally called Saul, is one of the greatest saints in the church’s history.

N 1 Paul travelled far and wide preaching and teaching about Jesus.

N 2 He brought the Good News to people who had never heard of God.

N 1 Paul established many churches and wrote letters to these early church communities.

N 2 We still read and value these letters today. They are included in the New Testament of the Bible.

N 1 We will hear and sing extracts from Paul’s letters throughout our cantata.

N 2 But, our main story is about how Saul, who started out persecuting the early Christians, met Jesus and found his life changed completely.

N 1 Saul became Paul
SAUL BECAME PAUL led by Our Lady of Peace School

Saul became Paul. Persecutor turned Believer.
Saul became Paul. Enemy but now Apostle.

Paul, dear Saint Paul, came to know the love of Jesus Paul,
good Saint Paul, took God’s word to all the nations.

Everyone :
Paul had great faith and he had the gift of preaching.
Paul travelled far and he gave us this great teaching.

Glory be to God who through each one of us can do great things
– more than we could dream.
All the glory goes to God from the Church
and through Our Lord. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Refrain: When we think what’s good and true, God gives us peace.
When we think what’s right and pure, God holds us close. (Phi 4:8,9b)

Harmonies by St Catherine’s School & St Joseph’s Milngavie School

Saul was a young man who truly believed
all the tradition and law he’d received.

Saul, just like Jesus, was Jewish through and through.
God gave in Jesus a message quite new.

Pause

Our Lady of Peace Group go off & small group from Our Lady of the Missions go to microphone

SAUL THE PERSECUTOR Recitative: led by Our Lady of the Missions School

Saul was there when Stephen perished as he prayed in Jesus’ name.
A big mob had cornered Stephen: ‘false-believer’ was their claim.

Stephen said ‘Lord, take my spirit’ as the stones began to fly.
Then he said, ‘Lord, please forgive them’ and became the first to die.

As the mob had put their cloaks down at Saul’s feet, he saw it all:
thought the killing justified and thought he felt a holy call.

Everyone: Saul took charge of persecuting those who followed Jesus’ way.
Through Jerusalem he sought them: chains and prison – or obey!
Many Christians fled the city preaching Jesus as they fled.
Saul determined to pursue them. This filled all the church with dread.

N 1 But, God had other plans for Saul.

N 2 God wanted Saul to change completely. And – he did! Pause

Our Lady of the Missions school go off & a small group from Holy Cross school go to microphone

Led by Holy Cross School

Paul had great faith and he had the gift of preaching.
Paul travelled far and he gave us this great teaching.

Everyone
Use no harmful words and lose all bitterness
and anger, shouting and hateful thoughts.
But, be kind, quick to forgive, as God pardoned you in Christ
(Ephesians 4:29-32)

Refrain:
When we think what’s good and true, God gives us peace.
When we think what’s right and pure, God holds us close.
God holds us close. (Philippians 4:8,9b)

In his epistles God’s love Paul portrays.
Hear how he gave us This great hymn of praise.

Pause

Holy Cross go off & a small group from St Paul’s Whiteinch go to the microphone
CANTICLE A: verse 1 led by St Paul’s Whiteinch School

We bless the God the Father (Ephesians 1:3-10)

We bless the God and Father of Jesus for he has blessed us freely in Christ. He chose to lavish spiritual blessings from highest heaven.
All this through Christ. From highest heaven. All this through Christ.

Everyone
Long before founding all of creation
God made his plan and chose us in Christ,
that we be holy, blameless and loving,
children adopted. All this through Christ.
Children adopted. All this through Christ.

God’s will is always that we might love him,
source of all graces, witnessed in Christ:
love manifested, gift of redemption,
pardon for sinners. All this through Christ.
Pardon for sinners. All this through Christ.

Out of his wisdom God chose to tell us
his loving purpose set forth in Christ:
time has its fullness, God and creation
will be united. All this through Christ.
will be united. All this through Christ.
Pause

St Paul’s Whiteinch go off & small group from Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral School Motherwell go to microphone

SAUL MEETS JESUS Recitative: led by Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral School

Saul was now chief persecutor, seeking out this Christian crew.
He would force them back to old ways, make them give up all things new.

Saul set out to reach Damascus where some Christians fled in fear.
Saul was proud and fierce and haughty. Their new faith would cost them dear!

Just before they reached the city Saul was struck by heav’nly light.
He fell down upon the ground and all his gang were filled with fright.

Everyone From the light a strong voice rang out:
Why, Saul, be so prejudiced? Who are you, Lord?
I am Jesus. Why, Saul, be so pitiless?

Get up, Saul. Go to the city. I will tell you what to do.
Saul got up, but could see nothing. He knew his old life was through.

N 1 For, God had other plans for Saul.

N 2 God wanted Saul to change completely. And – he did!

Pause

Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral school, Motherwell, go off & small group from St Rose of Lima go to microphone

Led by St Rose of Lima School :
Paul had great faith and he had the gift of preaching.
Paul travelled far and he gave us this great teaching.

Everyone
Love is always patient. kind; not jealous, boastful;
takes no pleasure in other people’s faults.
Love is ready to excuse, trust and hope and all endure.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Refrain:
When we think what’s good and true, God gives us peace.
When we think what’s right and pure, God holds us close.
God holds us close. (Philippians 4:8,9b)

In his epistles God’s love Paul portrays.
Hear how he gave us This great hymn of praise.

Pause

St Rose of Lima go off & small group from St Timothy’s go to microphone

CANTICLE B: verse 1 led by St Timothy’s School

Though Jesus Christ cf Phil 2:6-11

Though Jesus Christ was in the form of God
he did not count such equality to be grasped.
Instead he freely emptied out himself and
took the form of a servant, was born like us.

Everyone
In human form he chose humility
and gave himself up to dying upon a cross.
Because of this our God exalted him and raised him,
gave him a name above all names.

At Jesus’ name now ev’ry knee should bow,
be they in heav’n or on earth or creation’s depths
and ev’ry tongue confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord-of-all to the glory of God on high.

PAUL IS ABLE TO SEE Recitative: led by St Timothy’s School

Saul stayed in Damascus, asking God what he should do.
He was blind and somewhat fearful: Jesus, he now knew, was true!

In the city, near where Saul was, lived a holy Christian man.
Ananias was his name and he was part of God’s great plan.
Ananias had a vision: he must go to cure Saul’s sight.
He said, ‘Lord, this Saul’s a bad one. Are you sure you’re doing right?’

God said, ‘Yes, for Saul is special. He will witness to my Son,
spread Good News to all the nations. So will all the world be won.’

Everyone Ananias came to Saul and laid his hands in healing prayer:
‘See again and feel God’s Spirit.’ Paul was baptised then and there.

Paul received the Holy Spirit. Jesus set his heart aflame.
Ev’ryone was struck to hear him preaching out in Jesus’ name.

N1 For God had wonderful plans for Paul

N2 God wanted Paul to change the world completely And – he did

N1 & N2 Saul became Paul one of the greatest saints in the church’s history.

Paul had great faith and he had the gift of preaching.
Paul travelled far and he gave us this great teaching.

There are many gifts and many ways of service,
but one Spirit inspiring all.
All the good things that we do show the action of our God.
(I Corinthians 12:4-6)

Refrain:
When we think what’s good and true, God gives us peace.
When we think what’s right and pure, God holds us close. (Phil 4:8,9b)

Harmonies by St Catherine’s School & St Joseph’s Milngavie School

In his epistles God’s love Paul portrays.
Hear how he gave us this great hymn of praise.

Pause

St Timothy’s go off & small group from St Catherine’s go to microphone

CANTICLE C: verse 1 led by St Catherine’s School Let’s give thanks to God our Father Colossians 1:12-20

Let’s give thanks to God our Father who allows us all to share
in the joys of all the saints who live in light, as God’s true heirs.
God has brought us out of darkness to the kingdom of his Son:
Jesus is God’s most beloved who redeems us from our sin.

Everyone
Jesus shows the face of God who can’t be grasped by human eye.
Jesus is the first expression of God’s love that unifies.
For in Jesus God created all we see and understand:
all in Jesus, all for Jesus, Jesus forms creation’s plan.

Jesus is the head of God’s Church; Jesus first in all the earth;
first to rise beyond the grave and first in ev’rything of worth;
for in Jesus all the fullness of our God has taken flesh;
heav’n and earth will come to wholeness through the saving blood of Christ.

St Catherine’s go off

Dancers from Holy Cross School

Pause

those doing bidding prayers go to microphone

Bidding Prayers Holy Cross St Augustine St Aloysius Our Lady of the Rosary

Pause

those bringing the donation to Mary’s Meals go to back of church to prepare to process down

Donation to Mary’s Meals received by a representative for Mary’s Meals

The band plays Celtic postlude while one child from each school processes with their donation to Mary’s Meals.

Representative from Mary’s Meals says a few words. Group from St Joseph’s Milngavie doing signing go to front

ELLC Our Father (sung) signing by St Joseph’s Milngavie

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

Pause

Group from St Joseph’s Milngavie go off person from St Mirin’s goes to the microphone

Thanks given by St Mirins School

Claire Harvey speaks on behalf of the Education Department.

Final Hymn Tune: For all the saints Into a world of darkness since the fall,

Copyright: Libretto © Stephen E. Smyth Music © Gerry Fitzpatrick. Lord you have come to the seashore: Ceasaro Gabarain Ps 18: Music © Mary Dickie. English translation of the Lord’s Prayer prepared by the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC) 1988. Graphics © Netta Ewing

Schools participating Hazelwood School, Holy Cross, Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral School Motherwell, Our Lady of Peace, Our Lady of the Missions, Our Lady of the Rosary, St Aloysius’ Springburn, St Augustine’s, St Bartholomew’s, St Catherine’s, St Clare’s, St Conval’s , St Joachim’s, St Joseph’s Milngavie, St Martha’s, St Mirin’s ,St Paul’s Shettleston, St Paul’s Whiteinch, St Philomena’s, St Roch’s , St Rose of Lima, St Timothy’s.

Instrumentalists Celtic Prelude – Carissa Bovill.

Oboe Anthony Boyd

Flute Lorraine Campbell

Clarinet Monica Dyer

Horn Pauline McNichol

Recorders, Stephanie Burke, Ciara Brownlie, Caitlin Davey, Jordan Doyle, Victoria Kelly, Owen McDaid, Eildh McNichol, Adam Mushtaq, Rachael Nicholson, Aidan Rafferty (all from St Joachim’s )

Glockenspiels Katie Bacon, Megan Paton, Martin Monaghan,Eligbor Bernardo, Sean McVey, (all from St Paul’s Whiteinch)

Violins Catherine Smith, Achilles Sebukangaga, (both from St Paul’s Whiteinch) Rachael Smith, Meg McMahon, Alex McCabe, Fraser Gordon, Katie Livingston, Annie McFadyen (all from St Joseph’s Milngavie) Eddie Foley

Cello Pauline McCulloch (St Paul’s Whiteinch) Mary-Lou Graham (St Joseph’s Milngavie)

Keyboard, Frank Stewart

Guitars Stephen Gethin (St Paul’s Whiteinch) Ann Marie Berrie

Percussion. Johanna Murtagh

Banners Holy Cross Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral School Motherwell, Our Lady of Peace Our Lady of the Missions St Aloysius’ Springburn St Augustine’s St Bartholomew’s St Catherine’s St Convals, St Joachim’s St Joseph’s Milngavie St Martha’s St Mirin’s. St Paul’s Shettleston St Paul’s Whiteinch St Philomena’s St Timothy’s

Thanks to the Glasgow Educational Marshall Trust for helping with transport Thanks also to the GCT and all who helped in any way to bring about this production. A special thanks to Fr Paul Francis CP and the community for their welcome and hospitality.

Sound Amplification: John & Lori Ramsay of EFX Audio Ltd