OPENING VOLUNTARY The King Shall Come Thomas Keesecker
(See the text and tune at ELW 260.)
We often like to think of Advent as a time to prepare for Christmas and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem; but this hymn (along with today's gospel reading) is focused on the Lord's second coming.
The gospel reading tells that people will "faint from fear and foreboding." Perhaps these feelings of terror are what caused the composer to interweave the African American Spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" into this arrangement. The spiritual dates back to the time of slavery, recalling a time when children were taken from their parents and sold to new masters, often ones who lived far away.
Thankfully, God's children will come through the terror and find their redemption.
The gospel reading tells that people will "faint from fear and foreboding." Perhaps these feelings of terror are what caused the composer to interweave the African American Spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" into this arrangement. The spiritual dates back to the time of slavery, recalling a time when children were taken from their parents and sold to new masters, often ones who lived far away.
Thankfully, God's children will come through the terror and find their redemption.
GATHERING HYMN Hark, the Glad Sound (Chesterfield) ELW 239
PSALM 25
This metrical setting is sung to one of my favorite tunes - Bred dina vida vingar - a Swedish tune that has the feel of a lullaby. It's a good match for a psalm about trust in God.
This metrical setting is sung to one of my favorite tunes - Bred dina vida vingar - a Swedish tune that has the feel of a lullaby. It's a good match for a psalm about trust in God.
HYMN OF THE DAY Prepare the Royal Highway (Bereden väg för Herran) ELW 264
While the second stanza of this hymn recalls Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the next stanzas are about his second coming. "His rule is. . .justice" has an echo of the Prayer of the Day.
MUSICAL OFFERING Rejoice! Rejoice! Aaron David Miller
COMMUNION HYMN Comfort, Comfort Now My People (Freu dich sehr) ELW 256
SENDING HYMN Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (Merton) ELW 246
CLOSING VOLUNTARY Trumpet Tune on "Freu dich sehr"
Jerry Westenkuehler
The comforting, dancing tune that we sang during communion is reimagined as a trumpet tune! The melody is carried by the Festival Trumpet, one of the stops that was added to the organ during its expansion in 2013.
Jerry Westenkuehler
The comforting, dancing tune that we sang during communion is reimagined as a trumpet tune! The melody is carried by the Festival Trumpet, one of the stops that was added to the organ during its expansion in 2013.
