I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving - welcome to Advent!
Opening Hymn: Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers H-68
The scripture readings this week have a lot to do with waiting, watching, and waking. So we kick off our Advent season with "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers."
"Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear.
The evening is advancing, and darker night is near.
The Bridegroom is arising, and soon He will draw nigh.
Up, watch in expectation: At midnight comes the cry.
See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil.
Look now for your salvation, the end of sin and toil
The marriage feast is waiting, the gates wide open stand
Rise up, ye heirs of glory, the Bridegroom is at hand
Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear!
Arise, thou Sun so longed for, above this darkened sphere
With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption and ever be with thee!"
Sequence Hymn: Wait for the Lord G-256
Continuing the theme of watching and waiting, the sequence hymn is the Taize song, "Wait for the Lord."
It is short and simple, repeating the same phrase; "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord, be
strong, take heart."
Communion Hymn: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence H-324
Every other hymnal I'm familiar with puts this hymn in the Advent section. The Hymnal 1982 is the first one I've seen that
lists it as Eucharist. To be honest, I've never much cared for this hymn - that is, until I heard this rendition.
It needs an air of mystery. Now I love this hymn.
Recessional: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns H-73
We conclude with "The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns." The other hymns have been mostly about waiting
in the darkness, so this hymn serves as a reminder of what comes when the darkness is over.
I hope this adds to your worship experience and I hope to see you there!
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