WELCOME TO ADVENT
One of the ways we mark a new liturgical season is by changing our musical setting of Holy Communion. This year I’ve drawn newer music from a variety of sources and styles – except for the sung parts of the Great Thanksgiving which come from setting 5.
Each
week the Holy Spirit gathers God’s people together for worship. After the
announcements we follow a gathering rite. This year our Advent gathering rite
includes Confession and Forgiveness, a Kyrie, lighting the Advent wreath, and
the Prayer of the Day. Here is some information about the musical elements of
the rite.
Kyrie
This prayer of the church has been with us since ancient times. We typically use a modern English version that includes petitions specific to gathering, but this year we sing a version of its most basic form: Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. (Lord have mercy. Christ has mercy. Lord have mercy.) The Greek text harkens back to the early days of the Roman mass.
In former years, the church observed Advent as a penitential season and this Kyrie reflects that. Written by Ghanaian composer Dinah Reindorf (b. 1927), it is to be sung legato (smoothly) in a penitential, bluesy style.
We
Are Waiting
We
light the candles of the Advent wreath between two stanzas of a new hymn by
John Helgen (b. 1957). In the third phrase of the first stanza, we ask Jesus,
“sun of justice,” to shine upon us. Christians see Jesus in the words of
Malachi 4:2.
But
for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing
in its wings.
 |
| The Advent Wreath at St. Mark's lit for the fourth Sunday of Advent. |
We Are Waiting is included in Augsburg Fortress’ new hymn resource All Creation Sings.
MUSIC FOR THE WORD
After
the Gathering rite, we hear and proclaim God’s word.
An important piece of this part of our worship is the gospel acclamation, which we sing while standing. Through joining our voices in song, we welcome the gospel and proclaim it together.
Our
sung acclamation is by Daniel E. Schwandt and comes from his Mass for
Immanuel. This Alleluia is in echo form. A cantor sings the first
line and the assembly repeats it. We hear the proper gospel verse, and then
repeat both parts of the Alleluia.
NEW
MUSIC FOR THE MEAL
After
the Word, we move into the Meal portion of our service, which includes the
offering. After the offering we sing another hymn found in All Creation
Sings.
When
a Star is Shining
Bob
Moore (b. 1962) is a composer who lives in Jacksonville. He loves to set texts
by Sylvia Dunstan (1955-1993). (We often sing his tune Grace Eternal
with her text All who hunger, gather gladly.) Singing about the star in
the east may seem more suitable for Epiphany since it recalls the magi and
their famous gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; but it is suitable to
remember their gifts as we bring our own.
OPENING VOLUNTARY O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Veni, Emmanuel)
setting, Charles Callahan
If you were holding a contest to name the most popular Advent hymn, this one would be at the top of the list.
The original form, dating from the eighth century, contained antiphons sung at
Evening Prayer during the last days of Advent from December 17th
through December 23rd. The antiphons made up an acrostic that, when
read backwards, spelled ero cras – I will be tomorrow.
Many
hymnals have a condensed version of the text, but ELW features all the
antiphons and gives instructions for singing them. (ELW 257)
The
tune we sing is probably not as old as the text. Mary Berry (also known as
Sister Thomas More), traced the melody to a 15th century procession
used by Franciscan nuns during a funeral liturgy. It may have started as
funeral music, but the tune is as hopeful as it is mournful and complements this
Advent text nicely.
GATHERING
HYMN Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (Haf trones lämpa fardig) ELW 244
HYMN
OF THE DAY Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying (Wachet auf) ELW 436
MUSICAL
OFFERING Savior of the Nations, Come (Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland)
setting,
Nancy M. Raabe
Nancy
Raabe has arranged this classic Advent hymn in the form of a motet. Motets
are sacred pieces of vocal music, usually sung a cappella (without
instrumental accompaniment).
COMMUNION
HYMN O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (Wie soll ich dich empfangen) ELW 241
SENDING
HYMN Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (Merton) ELW 246
CLOSING
VOLUNTARY Fanfare on “Helmsley” (Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending)
setting,
Karl Osterland
See
the text and tune at ELW 435.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Sundaysandseasons.com
