As some of you know, I wear several freelance hats. One of those is my “God gig”—soloist/section leader at Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY. Normally, I post the service music list with my commentary on my music blog. Since that blog is still undergoing renovation, I’m posting it here.
First, the road map: Regular text is what appeared in the bulletin; stuff in italics are my additions, including personal comments and opening/closing quotations from one of the day’s music texts.
“Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving”
- PRELUDE:
Partita on “Freu dich sehr” – Georg Böhm - LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES
A responsive reading, led by several of the youth, followed by congregational singing of the Taize song “Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the lord; be strong, take heart!” It replaces the Doxology, normally sung at the beginning of the Presbyterian service. - OPENING HYMN:
“I Lord, how shall I meet you” – Tune: Valet will ich dir geben - UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
- SILENT PRAYER
- KYRIE (sung by choir and congregation): Peter Dubois, 2004
- ASSURANCE OF PARDON
- CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (sung): Peter Dubois, 2007
“Glory be to God: Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: World without end. Amen! Amen!” - CHILDREN’S MESSAGE: Omitted this week
- WORDS OF WELCOME
- OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11
- ANTHEM:
“Mercy and Truth are met together” – Ned Rorem - GOSPEL LESSON: Mark 1:1-8
- SERMON:
“Advent Preparation”
– John Wilkinson, Sr. Pastor/Head of Staff - HYMN: “Now to your table spread” – Tune: Love Unknown
- AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
This is different each week, sometimes the Apostles or Nicene Creed, but usually a section of a statement of faith from one of the reform theological traditions. This week, it was a portion of the “Statement of Faith” from the United Church of Christ.
God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death. God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles. God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end. Amen. - PRESENTATION OF OFFERINGS
- ANTHEM:
“And the glory of the Lord” – Georg Friedrich Handel
(from Messiah) - CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
“Faithful Lord of all things living, by whose bounty all are blest; bread to hungry bodies giving, justice to the long-oppressed. For the strength of our salvation, light and life and length of days, praise the God of all creation, set your souls to sing God’s praise!”
Text from the hymn “Praise the God of Our Salvation” by Timothy Dudley-Smith; Tune: Meigs St. by Peter DuBois, 2004 - THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
SANCTUS – William Matthias
THE LORD’S PRAYER
BELL ANTHEM “Joseph and Mary” – Kevin McChesney
Third Church Ringers
COMMUNION ANTHEM “Of the Father’s love begotten” chant
Chancel Choir (adults) with bells - PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
- HYMN:
“Prepare the way, O Zion” – Tune: Bereden väg för herran - CHARGE & BENEDICTION
- CHORAL BENEDICTION RESPONSE:
“Prayer of Peace” David Haas
Junior Choir
30+ talented, enthusiastic kids making a joyful noise unto the Lord - POSTLUDE:
“March on a Theme by Handel” – Felix-Alexandre Guilmant
“Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore!”
