Many people recall a time when we referred to Epiphany as a season. It's easy to see why we did this. Since "Epiphany" means "manifestation," it's hard to miss Jesus being revealed to the nations throughout this green period. We see Jesus baptized and then begin his ministry as he calls his first disciples. We hear his signature teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, and then we see him transfigured.
So why don't we call it a season anymore?
The main reason is to show the Feast of the Epiphany as the close of the Christmas season. There will still be plenty of Epiphany-like references - especially in our hymns! Even in the liturgy we'll continue to sing the song of the angels, "Glory to God in the highest and peace to God's people on earth!"
So why don't we call it a season anymore?
The main reason is to show the Feast of the Epiphany as the close of the Christmas season. There will still be plenty of Epiphany-like references - especially in our hymns! Even in the liturgy we'll continue to sing the song of the angels, "Glory to God in the highest and peace to God's people on earth!"
OPENING VOLUNTARY Jesus, Come! For We Invite You (Union Seminary)
Charles Callahan
The text and tune can be seen at ELW 312.
Callahan's setting offers lush harmonies that only hint at the tune as he takes us through a number of keys. The middle portion is a straight-forward rending of the hymn. Listen for three solo voices from the organ's stops: clarinet, oboe, and flute.
Callahan's setting offers lush harmonies that only hint at the tune as he takes us through a number of keys. The middle portion is a straight-forward rending of the hymn. Listen for three solo voices from the organ's stops: clarinet, oboe, and flute.
GATHERING HYMN O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (Wie schön leuchtet) ELW 308
This is one of the most Lutheran hymns you can find. It is such a part of our story that we have given it a nickname - "Queen of the Lutheran chorales." (Do you know which hymn is called the "King of the Lutheran chorales?" The answer is at the bottom of this post!
The opening lines remind us of Revelation 22 where Jesus declares, "I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." (NRSV)
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| A beautiful Epiphany star? Maybe, but you can see it all year round at the local Cantina Louie restaurant. |
PSALM 40
The bulletin incorrectly refers to this psalm setting as a metrical setting, but it is actually a paraphrase. The melody was composed by William Billings - a composer from America's colonial period.
HYMN OF THE DAY Hail to the Lord's Anointed (Freut euch, ihr lieben) ELW 311
MUSICAL OFFERING What Feast of Love
Brian Wentzel
See the text and tune at ELW 487. Wentzel has written a new melody for this text, then pairs it with the popular Greensleeves.
See the text and tune at ELW 487. Wentzel has written a new melody for this text, then pairs it with the popular Greensleeves.
COMMUNION HYMN Christ, Be Our Light (Christ Be Our Light) ELW 715
SENDING HYMN Rise, Shine, You People (Wojtkiewiecz) ELW 665
We don't just leave worship when it's over, we are SENT from worship by the same Spirit that gathered us The final stanza of Ronald A. Klug's hymn, which feels like a musical benediction and dismissal, uses Trinitarian language to remind us what we should be doing before the next time we gather:
Tell how the Father sent the Son to save us.
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.
Tell how the Spirit calls from every nation God's new creation.
Tell how the Father sent the Son to save us.
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.
Tell how the Spirit calls from every nation God's new creation.
CLOSING VOLUNTARY Festive Processional
David Lasky
Our organ has trumpets - and we'll hear them all before this piece is over!
Our organ has trumpets - and we'll hear them all before this piece is over!
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sources:
Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Augsburg Fortress
Keeping Time, Augsburg Fortress
The Sunday Assembly, Augsburg Fortress
Sundays and Seasons
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
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