A New Approach to Worship Planning from Discipleship Ministries · things as a means to prepare...
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A New Approach to Worship Planning from Discipleship Ministries This week’s notes mark a new beginning. It is a new beginning not just of the Christian Year, but a new beginning for how we go about our work of resourcing worship at Discipleship Ministries. Over the summer, those of you who read Dawn Chesser’s preaching notes regularly have been aware that since the Sunday after Easter, she has been writing on a single lectionary track over multiple weeks to create coherent sermon series. You may also have noted that Taylor Burton- Edwards’s worship planning notes have become much more attentive to the role of each Sunday in the context of a larger series as well. This increased attention on creating resources for worship planning, preaching, and music for worship series has been part of our journey of learning to work as a worship team. With this new version of our resources, we now bring a new dimension to our work. Dawn, Taylor, and Jackson, with our coordinator, Amy Sigmon, are now working collaboratively to create resources that are series-based, team-created, and comprehensive in approach. By moving to this format, we hope to model the benefits of collaborative planning and, through our efforts, encourage you to help your congregation adopt a team approach in your worship and ministry as we all seek to fulfill the mission of our church: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. These resources for a coherent worship series from Advent through Christmas Season (Year A) mark the first fruits of this new approach to resourcing the church in worship. Learning to work together as a team has been a challenge for each of us. We’re still growing into it. It’s meant much more communication with one another at a deeper level and changes not only in our schedules, but in how we do our work and even what kind of work we do as we have created these resources. And we find ourselves grateful for the challenge. It has put us in much more direct touch with the challenge we know it is for worship planning teams in your congregations as well, especially when they’re just beginning their work, or when the team leadership or composition changes and everyone has to learn how to adjust to one another again. There’s another transition both Dawn and Taylor, particularly, are working into. They’ve been accustomed to producing new resources typically within about six weeks of the time they may be used. This has enabled both of them to connect the Scriptures for each week with fairly current events in the world. In this new model, our goal is to publish new series three to six months ahead of the time they’ll be used. This makes it harder to put the Scriptures into as direct conversation with current events as in the past. We’ll find other ways to provide helpful commentary along these lines closer to the time. We ask your patience as we live into this.
Transcript of A New Approach to Worship Planning from Discipleship Ministries · things as a means to prepare...
ANewApproachtoWorshipPlanningfromDiscipleshipMinistriesThisweek’snotesmarkanewbeginning.ItisanewbeginningnotjustoftheChristianYear,butanewbeginningforhowwegoaboutourworkofresourcingworshipatDiscipleshipMinistries.Overthesummer,thoseofyouwhoreadDawnChesser’spreachingnotesregularlyhavebeenawarethatsincetheSundayafterEaster,shehasbeenwritingonasinglelectionarytrackovermultipleweekstocreatecoherentsermonseries.YoumayalsohavenotedthatTaylorBurton-Edwards’sworshipplanningnoteshavebecomemuchmoreattentivetotheroleofeachSundayinthecontextofalargerseriesaswell.Thisincreasedattentiononcreatingresourcesforworshipplanning,preaching,andmusicforworshipserieshasbeenpartofourjourneyoflearningtoworkasaworshipteam.Withthisnewversionofourresources,wenowbringanewdimensiontoourwork.Dawn,Taylor,andJackson,withourcoordinator,AmySigmon,arenowworkingcollaborativelytocreateresourcesthatareseries-based,team-created,andcomprehensiveinapproach.Bymovingtothisformat,wehopetomodelthebenefitsofcollaborativeplanningand,throughourefforts,encourageyoutohelpyourcongregationadoptateamapproachinyourworshipandministryasweallseektofulfillthemissionofourchurch:TomakedisciplesofJesusChristforthetransformationoftheworld.TheseresourcesforacoherentworshipseriesfromAdventthroughChristmasSeason(YearA)markthefirstfruitsofthisnewapproachtoresourcingthechurchinworship.Learningtoworktogetherasateamhasbeenachallengeforeachofus.We’restillgrowingintoit.It’smeantmuchmorecommunicationwithoneanotheratadeeperlevelandchangesnotonlyinourschedules,butinhowwedoourworkandevenwhatkindofworkwedoaswehavecreatedtheseresources.Andwefindourselvesgratefulforthechallenge.Ithasputusinmuchmoredirecttouchwiththechallengeweknowitisforworshipplanningteamsinyourcongregationsaswell,especiallywhenthey’rejustbeginningtheirwork,orwhentheteamleadershiporcompositionchangesandeveryonehastolearnhowtoadjusttooneanotheragain.There’sanothertransitionbothDawnandTaylor,particularly,areworkinginto.They’vebeenaccustomedtoproducingnewresourcestypicallywithinaboutsixweeksofthetimetheymaybeused.ThishasenabledbothofthemtoconnecttheScripturesforeachweekwithfairlycurrenteventsintheworld.Inthisnewmodel,ourgoalistopublishnewseriesthreetosixmonthsaheadofthetimethey’llbeused.ThismakesithardertoputtheScripturesintoasdirectconversationwithcurrenteventsasinthepast.We’llfindotherwaystoprovidehelpfulcommentaryalongtheselinesclosertothetime.Weaskyourpatienceasweliveintothis.
Eachofournewpackagesofresourceswillincludeanintroductiontothewholeseries,completesuggestedserviceorderswe’vedevelopedcollaborativelytosupporttheseriesweekbyweek,andnotesonthesuggestedmusic,thesermon,andworshipplanningforeachserviceasitfitsintothelargerseries.Bytheendof2017,weexpecttoexpandtheseresourceswithhelpfulinsightsfromothercolleaguesinChristianformation,evangelism,andWesleyanleadershipsotheybecomenotjustworshipplanninghelps,butdiscipleshipplanninghelpscenteredoncorporateworship.Wehopeoureffortswillbeargoodfruitnotjustforyou,whoplanandleadworshiporpreachthegoodnewseachweekinyourlocalsettings,butforyourcongregationsandthedenominationasawhole,aswetrytodoourownworkofbeingunited,eveninourgreatdiversity.Yourcommentsonwaysyouusethesenewresourcesandwayswecanimprovethemaregreatlyappreciated.Pleasesendthemtoourcoordinator,AmySigmon([email protected]).She’llmakesuretheygetwheretheyneedtogo.
ADVENTTHROUGHCHRISTMASSEASON2016-2017SERIESOVERVIEW
AdventandChristmasaretwodistinctseasonsintheChristianYear,eachwithitsownpurpose.ByobservingAdvent,thechurchbeginstheChristianYearbyfocusingonthepromisesfortheculminationofallthingsinJesusChrist.WeanticipatetheChrist’ssecondcomingtofulfillallthingsasameanstoprepareourselvesforthecelebrationofhisfirstcomingduringChristmasseason.DuringChristmasseason(throughtheFeastofEpiphany),wejointheshepherdsintheiradorationofthenewbornMessiahandMaryandthemagiintheircontemplationandvisceralexperienceoftheimplicationsofGodbecomingfleshanddwellingamongus.AdventandChristmasseasons,whiledistinctinbothpurposeandtone,functionwellasonecoherentserieswithaturningpointatChristmasEve.EachSundayinourAdvent-Christmasseasonseriespursuesakeythemeidentifiedinthegospelreadingforeachweek.Thethemes,inorder,areWatch,Turn,See,Dream,Peace,WordandReveal.Advent1:Watch:TheseriesbeginswhereAdventbegins,withthecallofJesustohisdisciplestostayonwatchforthefulfillmentofallthings.Advent2:Turn:BecomingawareoftheendoftheuniverseasweknowitthatChristwillbringabout,weareinvitedtorepent,toturnfromourattachmentstothepowersofdeathanddestructioninthisage,andliveoutoftheSpirit-ledmissionofthecomingreignofGod.
Advent3:See:OncewehaveturnedtowardthefulfillmentGodintends,webegintobeabletoseetheworldandtreatothersinitinanewway.Advent4:Dream:EvenaswebegintoseeGod’swayofcompassionandmercy,wealso–likeJoseph–cometoacknowledgeourrelianceonGodcommunicatingwithusandtransformingus,notjustinourwaking,consciouslives,butinoursleeping,unconsciouslivesaswell.ChristmasEve:Peace:Whetherindreamsorvisionsofangels,weseeandhearandjointhechorusoftheheavenlyhostannouncingthebirthofJesusasasignofpeacetoallpeopleofgoodwill.ChristmasDay:Word:InaServiceoftheWordtoday,wecontemplatethemysteryoftheWordmadefleshanddwellingamongus.EpiphanySunday:Reveal:TheconstellationsrevealthebirthofMessiah,andthepowersofthisworldarerevealedfortheirself-preservationandviolentresistancetothesavingworkofGod.ThepromiseofthisseriesistoreorientthechurchtoourhopeinJesusChristfortheculminationofallthingsintheagetocome,andnowinthisagetocelebrate,contemplate,andjointheheavensthemselvesindeclaringJesusChristasthehopeoftheworld.
ADVENTI:WATCH
MusicNotesPreachingNotesPlanningNotes
FULLSERVICE
ENTRANCEChoirorensembleprocesstowardasoloistatthefrontofthespace,pausingtosingeachoftheirverses.Choir/ensemble: TUNE:ABERYSTWYTH(UMH479)Watcher,tellusofthenight!Whatitssignsofpromiseare.Solo:Traveler,o’eryonmountain’sheight,Seethatglorybeamingstar?
Choir/ensemble:Watcher,doesitsbeauteousrayAnyjoyorhopeforetell?
Solo:Traveler,yes:itbringstheday,PromiseddayofIsrael.
All:HarkhowalltheheavenringsGlorytothekingofkings;peaceonearth,andmercymild,Godandsinnersreconciled!
Joyful,allyenations,rise,jointhetriumphoftheskies;heav’nandearthunitetosay,"ChristtheLordisborntoday!"
Greeting:PastororDeacon:GlorybetotheOneseatedonthethrone,andtotheLambPeople:Whowas,andis,andistocome,whoholds,bears,andrulesallthingsnowandforever.Amen.
PrayerforIllumination:Come,HolySpirit,uponthesewordswehear,anduponourmindsandheartsaswehearthem.Breatheyourtruthintous,blowawayallthatisfalse,andfilluswiththelovethatsetstheuniverseablaze.Evenso,come,HolySpirit.Amen.
WORDANDRESPONSEGospelReading:Matthew24:36-44 DeaconorLayReader
Sermon:“Watch!”
LightingtheAdventWreathKeepYourLampsTrimmedandBurning
http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/keep-your-lamps-trimmed-and-burning
OtherAdventWreathSongOptions:“O-so-so” TheFaithWeSing2232“Come,LordJesus,Come” DMWebsite
PrayersofthePeople DeaconorLayIntercessorFortheChurchandtheWorld BOW495IntercessionsatMorningPrayer BOW571AdditionalSungResponses TFWS2200,2201,2275;
W&S3133,3136,3137
THANKSGIVING(IFNOCOMMUNION)Inviting
DeaconorPastor:Evenifwewerebarelywatching,scarcelylistening,orsimplydistractedbythebaublesofthislife,we’vebeeninvited,we’vebeenwarned,we’vebeencalledtogetready.
Andforallthiswehaveeveryreasontorepent,toreconcile,andtogivethanks.
Confessing DeaconorPastor
AlmightyGod,weconfesswehavesinnedagainstyou,againstourneighbors,andagainstourenemies.
Wehaveactedasifyourreignwerenotcomingasifourlivesdependedonlyonusandourplans.
Wehavenotlovedyou.Wehaveharmedanddisrespectedthosewhomyoulove.
Havemercy.Forgiveus.Disruptus.Setusonrightpaths,whateverittakes.Amen.
Silence
PardoningandPeace PastorWhenweconfessoursin,Godisfaithfulandjusttoforgiveusoursinandcleanseusfromallunrighteousness.AndwhenGodliftstheburdenofoursinfromus,wearechanged.WeareatpeacewithGodthroughJesusChrist.SharethepeaceofChristwithoneanother,andyourthanksgivingandgiftswiththechurchandtheworld.PeopleexchangethepeaceofChrist.Theofferingiscollected.Offertory Choir/EnsembleMusicduringCollection CongregationalThanksatPresentationofGifts Lord,wedonotknowhowmuchtimewehaveleftonthisearth,butweknowifwearestillhere,itisbecauseofyourgraceandmercy.Thankyou,Lord!(Spoken,orsung:UMH84)
Othersungoptions:“TinoTendaJesu” TheFaithWeSing,2081;GlobalPraise1,45Refrainfrom“TandiTangaJesus,” AugsburgFortressAU.9780800654788“Shukuru”(ThankingYou) ForEveryoneBorn,13
Wedonotknowwhenyouwillcomeorwhatliesahead,butweknowyouhavecalledusandwillhelpusgetready.Thankyou,Lord!Wedonotknowallthewaysevilwillthreatenandthewickedwillprosper,butweknowthatourlifeandthisworldarepuregiftsfromyou,andJesus,whofirstcamelongagointhatlittletownofBethlehem,isyourgreatestgiftofall.Thankyou,Lord!Wedonotknowwhatrewardswewillreceiveonearthorinheaven,butweknowyoumakeitpossibleforustogiveourwholelivestoyou.Thankyou,Lord!OR
THANKSGIVINGANDCOMMUNIONInvitingDeaconorPastor:Evenifwewerebarelywatching,scarcelylistening,we’vebeeninvitedtotheweddingsupperoftheLamb.Lord,helpusbeready.Confessing DeaconorPastorLetusconfessoursinagainstGodandourneighbors.AlmightyGod,weconfesswehavesinnedagainstyou, againstourneighbors,andagainstourenemies.Wehaveactedasifyourreignwerenotcoming asifourlivesdependedonlyonusandourplans.Wehavenotlovedyou.Wehaveharmedanddisrespectedthosewhomyoulove.Havemercy.Forgiveus.Disruptus.Setusonrightpaths,whateverittakes.Amen.SilencePardoningandPeacePastorWhenweconfessoursin,Godisfaithfulandjusttoforgiveusoursinandcleanseusfromallunrighteousness.AndwhenGodliftstheburdenofoursinfromus,wearechanged.WeareatpeacewithGodthroughJesusChrist.LetussharethepeaceofChristwithoneanother,andourgiftswiththechurchandtheworld.PeopleexchangethepeaceofChrist.Theofferingiscollected.OffertoryMusicGreatThanksgiving
Presiderandallraisehandstooransposition(palmsup,handsextendedtosides,elbowsslightlybent).ThisisthehouseoftheLord, andweareGod’shousehold.Youwhoareclothedwiththegarmentsofpraise,heartsup,handsheldhigh! Weareyours,OLord!BringourGodthesacrificeofpraise. Wepraiseyouwithourlipsandwithourlives.Wepraiseyouwithourlipsandwithourlives,inoursingingandourdancing,inoursilenceandourpraying,inourrisingandourresting,inourlivingandourdying. Allhonorandgloryareyoursalways!Greatdeliverer,mightytosave,youhaveneverceasedtoblessusandallwhomyouhavemadewithbountifulgoodness,overflowingmercy,andredeeminglovewhenwegoastray. Yourcompassionisoverallyouhavemade.Fromabarrenwomanyoubroughtforthapeople.Fromthatpeople,onceenslaved,youbroughtforthakingdomofpriestsandprophetstodeclareyourwaystoalltheworld.Andfromamongthosepriestsandprophets,youbroughtforthJesus,bornofawoman,yetyourownChild,toannouncethebanquetyouhadpreparedforalltheworld,andbyhislife,anddeath,andresurrection,toopenthekingdomofheaventoallbelievers.Howcanwenotjoinourvoices,
withangelsandmartyrs,cherubimandsaints,andallcreaturesinheavenoronearth,declaring:Holy,Holy,Holy,LordGodofpowerandmight.Heavenandeartharefullofyourglory.Hosannainthehighest.BlessedistheChristwhocomesinyourname!Hosannainthehighest!Blessingandhonorandgloryareyoursbyright,OLambthatwasslain,forbyyourbloodyouhaveredeemedfromeverynation,language,people,andtribe,aholypeopletoservebeforeyou,andrejoiceinyoursavinglove. Weremember.Thenightyouwerebetrayed. Weremember.Themealyousharedwithyourdisciples. Weremember.Theloafyoubroke,andbreak,thebreadyougave,andgive,isyourbody. Weremember.Thewineyoupouredout,thenandnow,thecupyougavethem,andus,todrink,isyourblood.Weremember,andweofferourselvestoyou,oursacrificeofthanksgiving,ourhearts,ourlives,ourall,withthesegiftsofbreadandwine.Weremember.
Andwearewatching.Rememberus,OGod,andpourouttheHolySpirituponus.Breakintoourlives,andintoourrelationshipstakingawaywhateveryoumust.Transformthesegifts,thattheymaybeforusthebodyandbloodofChrist,andwe,receivinghimintoourbodies,mayberestoredashisbodyfortheworld.UniteuswithChrist,witheachother,andwithallcreationnow,andonthatdaywhenthetrumpetshallsound,whenallthesaintsinChristshallrise,andweshallallbechanged!Allglorytoyou,Creator,ChristandHolySpirit,oneGod,nowandforever.Amen.BreakingandSharingThanksgivingafterCommunion AlmightyGod,wegiveyouthanksforthisholymysteryinwhichyouhavegivenyourselftous.SendusnowinthestrengthoftheSpirittogiveourselvesforothers,andcallalltorejoicewithusinyoursavinglove;throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.SENDINGHymn:“Watcher,TellUs”/”HarkHowAlltheWelkinRings”(Tune:MENDELSSOHN)Congregation:Watcher,tellusofthenightForthemorningseemstodawn.
Solo:Traveler,darknesstakesitsflight;Doubtanderrorarewithdrawn.Congregation:Watcher,letyourwanderingcease.Gonowtoyourquiethome.Solo:Traveler,aye,thePrinceofPeace,Aye,theChristofGodiscome!Hark,howalltheheavenrings!Glorytothekingofkings!All:Christ,byhighestheavenadored;ChristtheeverlastingLord;lateintime,beholdhimcome,offspringofavirgin’swomb.VeiledinfleshtheGodheadsee;Hail,th’incarnateDeity,pleasedwithusinfleshtodwell,JesusourEmmanuel.Hark,howalltheheavenrings!GlorytotheKingofKings!DeaconorPastor:Thereforego,allyouwhohavewatchedforChrist’scoming,andawaitedthedaywhenthehouseholdsofthestrongwereplundered,andthestrongholdsimprisoningourheartswerebroken,andallcouldbesetfreetosing...Amen.Amen.Amen.Amen.Amen. TheFaithWeSing2072OtherrecommendedhymnsforAdventI: “Come,ThouLongExpectedJesus” UMH196 “Wake,Awake,forNightIsFlying” UMH720 “Come,ORedeemer,Come” W&S3046 “ViewthePresentThroughthePromise” W&S3048 “UntilJesusComes” W&S3050
“WaitRightHere” AfricanaHymnal4032 “AlreadyHere” AfricanaHymnal4028MUSICNOTESWatcher,TellUsoftheNightDividingthishymnintopartsandusingthetunesABERYSTWYTHandMENDELSSOHNhelpbringthecongregationintothestory.Betweenthewatcherandthenarrator,thecongregationparticipatesinthenarrativeofAdvent,whenpeopleanxiouslyawaitthecomingofChrist.Becauseofthesenseofanticipationthataccompaniesthishymntext,itcouldbesunginavarietyofways.Itcouldbesungasaprocessionalbetweenthechoirandasoloistorbetweenasoloistandthecongregation.Thetempo/moodcanvarybetweensomberandforeboding(orattheveryleast,simple)orboldlyconfident.ItisalsopossibletorepeatthelasttwolinesofeachstanzatomakethetextparalleltothetuneasitisprintedinTheUnitedMethodistHymnal.UsingthetuneABERYSTWYTHattheopeningoftheserviceallowsthetextstobesunginasomberfashion.ConcludingwithMENDELSSOHNcommunicatesoursharedandjoyoushopeinthesecondcomingofChrist.Thegoodnewsisthateithertunesupportsthetextwell,andyouhaveachoicewithhowtosetthetoneoftheservice.Aspresentedhere,“Watchman”ispairedwithaslightupdateofCharlesWesley’soriginalwordsforthetextweknowas“Hark,theHeraldAngelsSing.”TheslightupdateistoreplaceCharles’sword“welkin”withitsmoremodernequivalent“heaven.”UsingCharles’swordsprovidesjustenoughofachangetohelpdrawattentiontothetextratherthangetlostinthefamiliartune(MENDELSSOHN)towhichwehavegrownaccustomedtosingingit.Findasimilartexthere:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/watchman-tell-us-of-the-night-mendelssohn-with-refrain
KeepYourLampsTrimmedandBurningThisAfricanAmericanspiritualcanbefoundattheprovidedlinktotheDiscipleshipMinistrieswebsiteandisaneasysongtoteachandsing.Thesongisquitesimple,repetitive,andreasonablyeasytosingacappella.Otheraccompanimentcanbeused,however,whetheritbepiano,organ,guitar,orevenasimpleobligatoonaflute.Therearelotsofcreativepossibilitiesintheuseofthishauntingsong,andquiteenougheventomaketheaccompanimentdifferenteveryweekduringthelightingoftheAdventwreath.Musicalscore:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/keep-your-lamps-trimmed-and-burningO-so-so(ComeNow,OPrinceofPeace)Duringthe2016GeneralConference,amovingpresentationofthestatusoftheKoreanpeninsulashedlightonthepoignancyofthisselection.ExpressingthelongingofNorthandSouthKoreatobereconciledandreunitedasonepeople,thissongbeckonsChristtocomeandmakereconciliationpossible.Thislogically,then,becomesanexpressionofAdventlonging.Asimpleandhauntingmelodymakesthiseasytoteachandsing.Keeptheaccompanimentsimpleandallowthisshorttexttoshapethecharacterofworship.HistoryofHymns:
http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-come-now-o-prince-of-peace-o-so-soCome,LordJesus,ComeRoundingoutthepossibilitiesforthelightingoftheAdventWreath,“Come,LordJesus,Come”isafour-wordcyclicsongthatusesthetuneBEERSHEBA,composedbyDeanMcIntyreforthesong“Peace,Salaam,Shalom”(foundinWorship&Song).Risinginaseriesofmelodicsequencesthatremainintheearlongaftersingingthem,thisoptionpresentsthecongregationwithasimplewaytosingintheirhearts,evenoutsideofworship,throughouttheAdventseason.Themourningcharacterofthemelodywouldbeeffectivelyplayedbyaviolin,whetherbefore,during,orafterthesingingofthetext.ThankYou,LordThisgospelchorusmustbesungpassionatelyataslowpace.Ifable,allowachoirtosingin4-partharmonytoaccompanythecongregation,andbesuretoputspacebetween“thank”and“you,”aswrittenbyWilliamFarleySmith,inmeasure7.Ifyouhaveasoloistwhoisconfidentaboutimprovisingoverthecongregation,encourageher/himtosingaveryshortintroductioneverytimebeforethecongregationbeginssinging.Don’tbeafraidtousepiano,organ,bass,anddrumsallatthesametimetomakethesingingofthisbriefchorusauthenticandfull.Thissongisveryaccessible,however,tocongregationsofallsizesandabilitiesandshouldbeconsideredforthisactofthanksgiving.Musicalscore:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/thank-you-lordTinoTendaJesuOriginallyfoundinthebookGlobalPraise1(publishedbytheGeneralBoardofGlobalMinistries),thisshort,cyclicsongofthanksgivingcanalsobefoundinTheFaithWeSingandcaneitherbesunginthetraditionalShona(Zimbabwe)orEnglish.TheShona,whichroughlytranslatesto“Thankyou,Jesus,”iseasyenoughforanycongregation.Pronunciationofthetextisasfollows:Tee-nohten-dahJeh-soo.Thesongcanbesungwithaverysimpleaccompanimentwithpiano,organ,guitar,djembe,oravarietyofotherinstruments.Itcanalsobesungacappellabyachoir,somewhatimprovisedwithinthegivenchordstructure.TandiTangaJesusThisselection,whichtranslatesto“IamthankingJesus,”isrecommendedfromthechoralanthemsettingbyBradleyEllingboe,publishedbyAugsburgFortress.Threelanguagesareavailableinthissetting:Namibian,Swahili,andEnglish.Thoughwrittenforchoir,acongregationcouldeasilylearnthisbriefchorusaswell.Itcanbeaccompaniedbydrumsandpianoororgan.ShukuruAnotherexpressionofthanksgiving,thisshortsongtranslatesto“ThankingYou”andcanbefoundinthepublication,ForEveryoneBorn:GlobalSongsforanEmergingChurch,whichispublishedbytheGlobalPraiseprogramoftheGeneralBoardofGlobalMinistries.PossiblelanguagesusedinthissongincludeJuba,Arabic,Swahili,Bari,Luganda,andEnglish.Musical
leadershipfromastrongvocalistisamustwiththissong,andachoirhelpsdramatically.Ifachoirisnotavailable,themelodyandharmonycanbeplayedonpiano,buttherhythmiskey.Thoughquiteteachableandaccessibleforacongregation,repetitionishelpfulbecauseofthesyncopation.Evenifittakesafewweekstoteachthecongregation,itwillbeworthitbecausethissongwillstickwithyouandgiveyouawaytosaythankstoGodthroughyourweek!AdventSanctusThisnewchoruswithintheGreatThanksgivingwascreatedforthisAdventseasonand,asyouwillfindinweek2,iswrittentocomplementtheuseofthehymn,“EvenSo,Come,”byChrisTomlin.WrittenbyJacksonHenry,thechorus,“Heavenandeartharefullofyourglory,”repeatsthroughoutthissettingoftheSanctus,whichfeaturesalilting,yetlongingmelody.Thevoiceistheprimarymusicalleadershipwiththistuneandcanbeaccompaniedbypiano,guitar,organ,orband.Somerhythmicelement,however,mayberequiredtohelpwiththetuneitself.Forinstance,evenifapianoisplayingsimplechords,thestrumpatternofaguitaroralightdjembemightmakethehymneasiertosing.UsingthisinEucharisticservicesthroughoutAdventwillcreateacohesivenessthatwillendurethroughtheseason.Come,ThouLongExpectedJesusOneofthemostwell-knownhymnsinMethodism,thistextbyCharlesWesleyisoftensunginchurchesonthefirstSundayofAdvent.ThoughWesleyoftenwrotemanymorestanzastohymnsthanareincludedinourcollections,thishymnwasoriginallyprintedastwostanzasonly.Thebrevityofthehymncreatesbothalongingformoreandasenseofanticipation,signalingthebeginningoftheseasonofAdvent.Thoughoftensungwiththeboldtune,HYFRYDOLasfoundinTheUnitedMethodistHymnal,thetuneJEFFERSON(http://www.hymnary.org/tune/jefferson_southern_harmony)maybeevenmorefittingforthisseason,whichischaracterizedbythepresentparadoxofhopeanddespair.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-hymn-expresses-longing-for-arrival-of-our-saviorWake,Awake,forNightIsFlyingWhenconsideringthishymn,manypeopleimmediatelythinkofJohannSebastianBach’sChoralePreludeon“Wachetauf,ruftunsdieStimme,”BWV645(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSkz3j9b23Y),whichdoesserveasawonderfulwaytointroducethishymn.Thesingingofthishymnrequiresaskilledchoirand/oraccompanistandwouldmorethanlikelyrequireitsteachingsomehowoutsideofworshipifunfamiliartothecongregation.Theinvestmentisworthit,however,becauseofthevividbiblicalimageryfoundthroughoutthework.Achoircouldsingthisonestanzaatatimeatvariouspointsthroughouttheservice(Prelude/CalltoWorship/Processional/AnthemfollowingtheScripturereading),concludingwiththelaststanzaasanactofthanksgiving.ThiswouldallowthecongregationtohearthemelodyandjoininasawaytoofferthankstoGod.Hereisamelody/chords-onlysettingofthishymn:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/wake-awake-for-night-is-flyingCome,ORedeemer,Come
OneofthemosthauntingtunesinallUnitedMethodistcollections,“Come,ORedeemer,Come”canbeusedinanysetting—traditional,modern,orother—withavarietyofinstrumentations,fromasologuitar,piano,ororgantofullband.TheplaintivenatureofthemelodyservesthecharacterofAdventwell.Thefinalrefraincanevenbesungincanon,withcertainvoicesstaggeredonemeasureaftertherefrainbegins.ViewthePresentthroughthePromiseThomasTroegerhascreatedasenseofprolepsis—bringingthefutureintothepresent—withthisbeautifulAdventhymn.OneofthebestfeaturesoftheARHYDYNOStuneisthatitcreatesatercetofrhyminglinesinthesecondhalfofeachstanza,andTroegerrisestotheoccasion,ultimatelychoosingthetimelyword“waiting”attheendofthethirdtercet.Thishymncanbesungcongregationally,butanotherwonderfulwaytoaddapropheticvoiceasapartofthishymnistohaveyouryoungestchildren’schoirsing“Christwillcomeagain”everytimeitoccurs.Evenifthisisnotpossible,havethecongregationturninward,dividetheroominhalf,andsingalternatingphrasestooneanother(Oneside:“Viewthepresentthroughthepromise”;Otherside:“Christwillcomeagain”).Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/view-the-present-through-the-promiseUntilJesusComesDeanMcIntyremasteredtheartofsimplesongwhenhewrote“UntilJesusComes.”Thisrousing,easilysingablechoruscanbesungbycongregationsinvaryingworshipstylesatvarioustimesthroughouttheAdventseason.Useofaheavy,gospelaccompanimentispreferred,butitwouldalsobepossibletoalterthestyletoamorefolk-likequalityusingpianoorguitar.Ifthesongisunfamiliartothecongregation,itwilltakeonlyasoloistorchoirsingingitonetimeforthecongregationtojoinin.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/until-jesus-comesWaitRightHereFoundinTheAfricanaHymnal,thisselectionisanexampleofa“ringshout,”anAfrican-AmericanformfromtheprayerbandtraditionfoundinthelowcountryofSouthCarolinaandtheMarylandeasternshore.Easilycongregational,thisunisonsonghasarhythmpulsingthroughoutthesongthatkeepstherhythmmanageable,especiallywithasongleaderandachoirtohelpitmovealong.However,achoirisnotnecessaryforthissong!Thecongregationismorethancapableofsingingthisshort,stirringsongofwaiting.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-wait-right-here-until-he-comesAlreadyHereAlsocontainedinTheAfricanaHymnal,thissonghasarepetitivemelodythatwouldbegreatasacalltoprayerduringtheAdventseason.ItispossibletosingthemelodyonlywithcongregationorsupportwithavocaltrioorchoirontheAlleluias.Thesonghasashort,cyclicformthatmakesitawonderfulselectionforliturgicaluse.Thepreferredaccompanimentissolopianoinmostchurches,butitcouldeasilyincludeanorgan,band,orotherinstruments.PREACHINGNOTES
Inhisforthcoming(2017)introductorybookonpreaching,Dr.RichardEslingerbeginswiththeimportanceofcontexttothepreachingtask.Attheopeningoftheveryfirstchapter,titled(appropriately),“Context,”Eslingerwrites:
ForthosecalledtoproclaimtheGoodNewsofJesusChrist,contextiseverything.Tobecertain,therearebroadconvictionsaboutChristianfaiththatareproclaimedinasermonnowandthenthoughevensuchconvictionaltruthsarebirthedwithinparticularcontextsandembeddedinparticularbiblicalstories.Mostofourpreaching,unavoidably,willneedtobeutteredintheparticularcontextinwhichwespeakandserve.Thisassertionisnotuniqueforabiblicalpeople,thoughitmayseemlikefollytocertain“celebrity”preachersandotherknownandreveredchurchhierarchswhorotatearoundlocalchurchespreachingthesamesermonagainandagainasifcontextmeantnothingatall(otherthanafewopeningremarksbraggingonthelocationandreputation,perhaps,ofthehostpastor).However,suchgenericproclamationsrunagainstthegrainofScriptureitselfandareintensionwiththestrikingparticularityofthosewhoproclaimGod’sWordtoGod’speople.OnefamouslydebatedexampleoftheparticularityofproclaimingtheGospelisPaul’sownwitnesstohisministryinwritingtothechurchinCorinth.“TotheJewsIbecameasaJew,inordertowinJews…TothoseoutsidethelawIbecameasoneoutsidethelaw…”(1Cor.9:20-21a).WhatisbeingaffirmedbytheApostleisnotacasualdisregardforthetruthoftheGospel.Afterall,PaulinsiststhatheisunderChrist’slaw”(1Cor.9:22b).Rather,asafaithfulChristianmissionaryheaimsforthegoodofothersandnotforhisownfameordistinctive“lifestyle.”
—IntroductiontoPreaching©2016RichardEslinger.Allrightsreserved.ContexthasplayedahugeroleinthewritingofpreachingnotessinceIbeganthisworkalmostfouryearsago.EventhoughIcouldnolongerconsiderthecontextofalocalchurchtowhichIwasappointedasIreadtheScriptures,Icouldconsiderthecontextofmyrelationshiptoallofthosewhoreadmynotesinpreparationtopreachintheirownparticularplaceofministry.Mycontextwastowriteforpreachers.AndIcouldconsiderthecontextofthewiderworld,becauseIcouldpublishquicklyandthereforeworkonlyfourtosixweeksahead,whichallowedmetowriteaboutcurrentevents.ButnowIamwritingalmostsixmonthsbeforeyouwillreadthesewords.AndsoasIwrite,Iampainfullyawarethatseveralmonthsfromnow,bythetimeyouarelikelyreadingthesewordsforthefirsttime,theUnitedStateswillhaveelectedanewpresident,thebishopsintheUnitedMethodistChurchmayhaveannouncedsomedecisionsabouthowwewillliveintoourfutureasadenomination,peopleIknowandlovemayhavedied,andunfortunately,catastrophiceventsthatIdonotyetknowabout,includingpersonalcrises,naturaldisasters,andterroristattacks,mayhaveoccurred.
AsIreadagainthispassageaboutthethiefcominginthenightfortheFirstSundayinAdventintheYearofourLord,2016,Iawakenedthismorningtonewsofyetanotherdevastatingterroristattack,thistimeattheairportinIstanbul,Turkey.Thenewsisreportingthatforty-onepeoplehavebeenkilledandatleasttwohundredandthirty-nineinjured.Alsointheheadlines:PatSummit,thebelovedlongtimecoachoftheLadyVolsBasketballTeamattheUniversityofTennessee,hassuccumbedtotheravagesofearly-onsetAlzheimer’sdisease.AndawomaninTexasshotandkilledhertwodaughters,andthenshewasshotandkilledherselfbypolicebecauseshefailedtodropherhandgunwhenordered.Somuchviolence.Sosudden.Allifitsounexpectedandshocking.
● WhatisgoingoninthenewstodayasyoureadthesewordsfromtheGospelofMatthewandthesenotesonthattext?
● Whatissudden,unexpected,andshockingthatyouaredealingwith?● Whatishappeninginthewiderworldaroundyou,aswellasthespecificcommunityin
whichyoulive,thecongregationinwhichyouserve,andthefamilyandcircleoffriendsofwhichyouareapart?
Theworldisaterrifyingplace.Weliketoimaginethatitisnot.Weliketothinkthatatleastourprivatehomesaresafeplacesandthatwecanprotectourselvesandourfamiliesfromthievesbreakingin.Butthenwereadthenewsstoryaboutamotherwhocalledafamilymeetinginthesafetyofafamilyhome,andshepulledoutahandgunandshotherdaughtersmultipletimesatcloserange.Actsofviolenceandbetrayallikethiscallintoquestionwhetherprivatehomesareeverplacesofsafety.Ofcourse,Imakethiscommentasapersonwhoisprivilegedtofeelsafeinmyhomeandmyneighborhood.Irealizethatmanywhoarereadingmywordsreadthemfromaplacewherehomehasneverbeenahavenofsecurityandpeace.Weliketobelieveairportsaresafeplaces.Butwhenmajorinternationalairportsbecometargetsforsuicidebombers,evenwithalltheadditionalsecuritymeasuresthatarenowinplaceatmanyairportsaroundtheglobe,webegintowonderifitisn’tbetterjusttostayhome.Ofcourse,Iwriteasapersonofprivilege,aCaucasianAmericancitizenwhohasthefreedomtotravelwhereverIwanttogo,andwhocanchoosenottotraveltoplaceswheremysafetymightbethreatenedbecauseofmygenderormyreligiousorculturalorracialheritage.Weliketothinkwecanprotectourselvesfromearlydeaththroughhealthyliving:keepingourweightdown,exercisingregularly,eatingtherightfoods,andgettingannualphysicalcheckups.ButthencancerorAlzheimer’sDiseaseorastrokeorheartattack,oranaccident,breaksintoourworld.Andsuddenlyweareforcedtoconfrontthefactthatwedon’thavemuchcontrolevenoverthepreservationofourownbodies.Nomatterhowhealthywetrytobe,thefactisweareall,everysingleoneofus,goingtodie.AndnoneofusknowsthedayorthehourwhenourtimetocrossovertheJordanwillcome.Andagain,ImustownthatIwritefromtheperspectiveofonewhohasenoughincometopayforhealthfulfood,andwholivesinaplacewhereIhaveaccesstogooddoctorsandaplentifulfoodsupply,cleanwater,healthinsurance,andevenaprescriptiondrugplan.
SowhenIreadthesewordsfromJesusontheFirstSundayofthenewChristianYear,theFirstSundayinAdvent,whereheimploreshisdisciplesto:“Keepawaketherefore,foryoudonotknowonwhatdayyourLordiscoming.Butunderstandthis:iftheownerofthehousehadknowninwhatpartofthenightthethiefwascoming,hewouldhavestayedawakeandwouldnothavelethishousebebrokeninto.Thereforeyoualsomustbeready,fortheSonofManiscomingatanunexpectedhour.”Ican’thelpbutfeelthatI’mbeingputonnotice.AndIamstruckthatthisominouswarningcomeseveryyearatthebeginningoftheseasonofpreparationforChristmas.Itseemsoutofplace.Andyet,thereitis;andeachyear,weaspastorscaneitherignoreitandpreachonsomethingelse,orwecandealwithit.SIDEBAR:Advent:BeginningwiththeEndinMindTaylorBurton-EdwardsAdventmarksthebeginningofthechurchyearwithaperiodofextendedreflectionontheendofallthings.Or,withperhapsabitmorenuance,anextendedreflectiononthefulfillmentofallthingsthroughJesusChrist.Often,whenwethinkoffulfillmentofthings,wemayimagineaprocessofgradualornotsogradualprogressovertime,withthingsmovingevernearertotheiridealstate.Inotherwords,wemaythinkaboutthefulfillmentofallthingsinawaythatissimilartothewaywemaythinkaboutourownsanctificationandChristianperfection,aswestrivetogrowinholinessofheartandlifewiththegoalofbecomingperfectinloveatsomepointinthislife.ThatiscertainlyabiblicalandWesleyanmodelofourpersonalsanctificationinthisworld.ButitdoesnotreflecteitherabiblicalorWesleyanmodelofwhatisneededforthewiderworld,eventheuniverseitself,toreachthefullrenewalGodintends.Thatprocessoffullrenewal,ornewcreation,asimaginedbytheScriptures,requiresacleanbreak,or,onemightsay,arebootofallthings.Whilesomepeopleandsomesystemsintheworldarebeingmadebetter,andthisisagreatsignandforetasteofGod’srenewinggrace,theoverarchingandunderlyingrealityinthebiblicalimaginationisthatthisworldcanneverbefullyredeemedasis.Itistoofargone,toocorrupt,andthedamagefromthatcorruptionistooirreparable.Godhastostartanew.Godwilldoso.AndGodhasalreadybeguntheprocessofstartinganewthroughthefirstcoming(advent)ofJesusChristandthroughtheongoing,renewingworkoftheHolySpiritin,through,andbeyondthosewhoarebaptizedintotheTriuneGodandseekto
liveasChrist’sbodyinthisworld.Adventistheseasonthatisnotsomuchabouthowwe“getreadyforthebabeinthemanger,”butratherhowwegetreadyfortheendofthisworldasweknowitwhichthatbabe’sbirthhasbegunandcontinuestoreveal.That’swhywehavereadingseveryAdventfullofdirewarningsandcallstorepent.Andthat’swhy,whenwedofinallygettostoriesrelatedtothebirthofJesusonthefourthSundayofAdvent,eventhosestoriespointbeyondhisbirthtothewiderimplications(andthreats!)hisbirthposesfortheorderoftheworldasitwas,inmanywaysstillis,butwillcertainlynotbeintheagetocome.ENDSIDEBARAtthispointthereareanumberofdirectionsyoucouldgowiththesermon,dependingonyourparticularcontext.TheideahereistomovefromreadingJesus’wordsasliteraltoapproachingthemasmetaphorical.
● Onepossibilitywouldbetostagesomething“unexpected”thatliterallyinterruptsyoursermon.(Thisshouldnotbesomethingalarmingorfrightening,giventhefactthatmanypeopleareonedgewhengatheredinpublicspaces,andtheremaybepeopleinthecongregationwhoarearmed.)Itcouldbesomethinghumorous,likeanindividualstandingupandbreakingintoasillysong,orallowingadogtorunintothechurch,oraballoonfloatingupfrombehindthealtar,oryourcellphoneringingandyoutakingthecall,orwhatevercreativeideayoucancomeupwiththatwouldhelpyoutomakethismove.
● Anotherpossibilitywouldbetotalkabouthowministryhappensintheinterruptions,andgiveanexample.
● Youmightalsotalkabouthowa“thiefbreakingin”couldbeunderstoodassomethingthathashappenedtoyourcongregation,intermsofanissueorrealitythathasleftyour“household”brokensothatsomethingyoutreasuredhasbeentakenaway.Oneexamplewouldbesomethinglikestartingasecond,verydifferentworshipservice,whichessentiallyhasovertheyearsbecomeacompletelyseparatecongregation,sothatthebodythatgathersunderyourroofisnowbrokenintotwoorthreeseparatelyfunctioningparts,andinthisway,thechurchthatusedtobenolongerexists.Athiefhasbrokeninandtakenitaway.
● Oryoumightapproachthisfromawiderperspectiveandnoticehowthehouseholdoftheworldhastobebrokeninto,ravaged,turnedupsidedowninordertochangeitandmakeitmoreequitableforfolkswhohavebeendominatedbythehouseholdoftheworld.
WhenJesussaidthesewords,hewasnottalkingaboutaliteralhouseandaliteralthief.HewastalkingabouttheendoftheworldandthecomingbackoftheSonofMantojudgethequickandthedead.
MaybeitwouldhelptoconsiderthecontextofJesus’words.ThecircumstancestowhichhespokewasthatofhisdiscipleshavinggottencarriedawayadmiringtheTempleinJerusalem,andJesushavingrepliedtothem,“Youseeallthese?Youarenotgoingtobelievethis,butsomedaytherewillnotbelefthereonestoneuponanotherthatwillnothavebeenthrowndown.”Naturally,thediscipleswantedtoknowWHENallthiswasgoingtohappen.AndJesusfilledtheirmindswithimagesofdeathanddestruction,butendedupsaying,“Butofthatdayandhournooneknows,noteventheangelsofheaven,northeSon,buttheFatheronly.”Whenwillourownlittletemples—ourbuildings,ourhouses,ourpossessionsweholdsodear,ourhealth,ourbodies,ourverylives—cometumblingdown?Wedon’tknow,anymorethanweknowwhenthiswholeshebang—earthandsky,moonandstars,spaceandtime—shallcease.Jesuspointsouthowvulnerableandhelplessweare,howtemporaryareourpossessions,includingthepossessionofourverylives.Wecanneverknowforsureinwhatpartofthenightthethiefwillcome.Wedon’tknowwhen.Wecanneverknow.Whatcanwedotocope,toendure,tohopeandgoon?HowarewetopreparetoreceiveChristbornintotheworldthisyear,andcelebrateboththejoyandtheterrorthathiscomingagainarousesinus?Wecanprepareonlybyfullyadmittingtothefrailtyofourhumancondition.Wecanprepareonlybyconfessingoursinfuldesiretocontroltheworldourselvesandaskourcreatorforabsolution.WecanprepareonlybycastingourselvesonthemercyofGodandgivingthanksforwhatwehavebeengiven.
● Givethanksthatwehavebeensparedforalittlemoretimeonthisearth.● GivethanksthatGodhasgivenustimeandspacetosetourheartsinorderduringthis
seasonofholypreparationforwhateveristocome.● GivethanksthatourLordJesusChristhelpsustoseethatalloflife,theworldwelivein,
andeachtreasureitcontains,isapuregiftfromGod,whofirstgaveusJesus,longagointhelittletownofBethlehem.
● GivethanksthatbygraceourLordteachesusalways,againandagain,tocontinuallygiveourlivesbackovertohim.
PLANNINGNOTESAsyoudevelopthisAdvent/Christmasseriestogetherandeachservicewithinit,payparticularattentiontothreethings:1.SeriesDynamics—Startstrong,moveconfidently,andconcludetheserieswithasegueintotheseriestofollow.
2.TheHistoricSeasonalandBiblicalEmphases—WhatmanypeopleknoworthinktheyknowaboutAdventandChristmasisfarmoreinformedbytelevision,movies,andotherstoriesandsongsthanthecenturiesofwitnessofthechurchinitscelebrationandtheScripturesthechurchhasusedtoinformit.Asyouworkwiththelargerthemesofthesetwoseasonsinyourteam(theculminationofallthingsinChristathissecondcomingandcontemplationandpraisefortheimplicationsofGod’sincarnationinChrist),besuretocallparticularattentiontowhattheScripturesthemselvessayand,whereneeded,donotsay.UsethisseriesasanopportunitytohelpclearthemuddlethewiderculturemakesoftheseseasonsandtocelebrateandponderanewthewondersGodhasactuallypromisedandgiven.3.What’sHappeningNowinthelifeofyourcongregation,yourlocalcommunity,TheUnitedMethodistChurch,yournation,andthewiderworld.Oursisanincarnationalfaith,notatheoreticalone.Whileweseektoliveasaholypeoplewhoarenot“oftheworld,”wearecalledtolivepreciselyinitexactlyasitis.Giveattentiontothesemattersnotonlyinyourpreachingandsinging,butalsoinyourpraying.
ADVENTII:TURN
MusicNotesPreachingNotesPlanningNotes
FULLSERVICE
ENTRANCE“EvenSoCome” CCLISongSelect#7036288,Verse1,Chorus2X (TransposetoD)“OCome,OCome,Emmanuel” UMH211,Stanzas1-2(solostanza1,allstanza2)WORDANDRESPONSEGospel Matthew3:1-12“EvenSoCome” Verse2,Chorus2xSermon “Turn”CalltoDiscipleship “EvenSoCome,”Bridge1See“PlanningNotes”(below)formoreinformation.AdventCandleLighting “KeepYourLampsTrimmedandBurning”
http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/keep-your-lamps-trimmed-and-burning
OtherAdventWreathSongOptions: “O-So-So” TheFaithWeSing,2232 “Come,LordJesus,Come” DMWebsitePrayersofthePeople DeaconorLayIntercessor
FortheChurchandtheWorld BOW495 IntercessionsatMorningPrayer BOW571 MusicalResponse:“EvenSoCome,”Verse3,thenBridge2asresponseto biddings THANKSGIVINGANDCOMMUNIONEvenso,come,allyouwholoveJesus.Come,givethanks.Come,receivehim.Come,getready.Turnfromsinfulways.TurntoGod.Andmakepeacewithoneanother.ConfessionofSinWestop.Weturn.Wewaitforyou,God.We’vesinned.We’vereliedonourreputations,orouraccomplishmentsascover.Uncoverwhatwe’vehidden,Lord.We’vesaidwe’resorry,butthenwedidn’tchangeathing.Helpustrulyrepent,Lord.Wewanttobeargoodfruit,tobeachurchthatlongsforyourcoming,readyforyou.Cleanseourhearts,HolySpirit.SilentconfessionHearthegoodnews.
Theaxeislaidatthefootofthetree.Thewinnowingforkisathand.Godcutsdownsin’spowerinourlives,andsweepsawayourguilt.Weareforgiven!Weareforgiven!GlorytoGod!GodhasdestroyedsinanddeathinJesusChrist.Soletusdestroyeveryenmityamongus,andrejoiceinChrist’speace.ThepeaceofChristisexchanged.Theofferingiscollected.Thetableismadeready.TransitionalSong
Options:Refrainfrom“AngelsWeHaveHeardonHigh” UMH238“Gloria,Gloria” UMH72
GreatThanksgivingTheLordbewithyou. Andalsowithyou.Liftupyourhearts. WeliftthemtotheLord.LetusgivethankstotheLordourGod. Itisrighttogiveourthanksandpraise.Itisright,andagoodandjoyfulthingalwaysandeverywheretogivethankstoyou,AlmightyGod,creatorofheavenandearth.FrombeforealltimetotheconsummationoftimeyouaretheLord,livingandtrue,sourceoflifeandlovethatringsthroughouttheuniverse.Angelsadoreyou,seraphimlaudyou,martyrspraiseyou,creaturesandpeopleofeveryability,languageandlandmagnifyyourname,andwejointheireternalchorus:
HolyHolyHolyLordGodofpowerandmight,Heavenandeartharefullofyourglory!Hosannainthehighest.BlessedisChristwhocomesinyourname.Hosannainthehighest. Holyareyou,EternalGod,andblessedisChrist,theLambthatwasslain,seatedatyourrighthand.Forinhim,OGod,youhaveconquereddeath,ravagedhell,burstthetomb,brokenthechainsofevil,andfreedallcreationfromitscaptivitytocorruption.Andthroughhimyoucontinuetomakeallthingsnew.SorenewinusbytheoutpouringofyourSpirituponusanduponthesegiftsofbreadandwinethatmindwhichwasinChristJesus,who,onthenighthewasbetrayedtookontheformofaservant,washedthefeetofhisdisciples,andofferedthemhimself,breadashisbody,wineashisblood,andcommandedthemtoloveoneanotherashehadlovedthem,astheyandwecontinuetobreakthebreadanddrinkthecup,rememberingourLorduntilheshouldcomeagaininglory.Sungto“EvenSoCome”Evenso,come,LordJesus,come.Evensocome,OSpirit,come.
Come,HolySpirit,onusandonthesegifts.Come,HolySpirit,makethemChrist’sbodyandblood,andrenewusasChrist’sbodyaswereceivethem.TurnusandkeepturningusuntilweareonewiththefullnessofGod,oneinbody,mind,andspirit,onewitheachother,andoneinthemissionofChrist,toconquerdeath,breakeverychain,andrenewthewholecreationnowandatlastatthedayofhiscoming.Allgloryandhonorandworshipandpraiseandthanksgivingbetoyou,HolyTriuneGod,nowandforever.Amen.Lord’sPrayerBreakingandServingMusicduringCommunion “Come,ORedeemer,Come” W&S3046 “WhatFeastofLove” W&S3170 “LetAllMortalFleshKeepSilence” UMH626ThanksgivingafterCommunion
LordJesus,youhaveshownustheway,calledustoturn,andfeduswithyourbodyandblood.Nowsendusforthtoliveyourwayinwordanddeed,andsohelpmaketheworldreadyforyourfinalcoming.Amen.
SENDINGFORTH“EvenSoCome” Bridge2(2x),Chorus(3x),Pastor:
LettheSpiritcontinuetowinnowyourhearts.LetJesusshowyoutheway.AndmaytheFather’sloveforyouandallcreationburstintofruit-bearingblossom.DeaconorLayWorshipLeader:Sokeepturning.AndkeepgoinguntilthedayofChrist’scoming,whenallcreationwillshout:Amen!OtherrecommendedhymnsforAdventII: “TodalaTierra” UMH210 “PreparetheWayoftheLord” UMH207 “DownbytheJordan” W&S3045 “WildandLonetheProphet’sVoice” TFWS2089MUSICNOTESEvenSoComeChrisTomlin’shymnoflongingservesasthemusicalfocalpointforthisservice.MirroringtheimpassionedpleasofJohnashecriedoutinthewilderness,thishymnallowsthecongregationtobebothanxiousandconfidentinwaiting.Oneofthebestwaystointroducenewsongs(thisonecanbefoundonccli.com,video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBHcvJhc6Pk)istopairthemwithritualaction.Dividingupthesongandsingingitatdifferentpointsthroughouttheservicewillallowforcontinuity,flow,andretentionasthesongissung.Italsoframesthetextofthesongandtheliturgyinawaytoelevatetheworshipdynamic.ThemodalityofthistunemakesitahauntingchoiceforAdvent,andsingingitinDworksbestwhenpairedwith“OCome,OCome,Emmanuel”inEminor(Iunderstandthismaybeconfusing,butthereareanumberoffactorstobeconsidered,includingthemodalnatureofpartsof“EvenSoCome”andtheopeningnoteofeachstanza).Thisisalsoakeythatworkswellwithhealthycongregationalsinging.ItmightbehelpfultonotethattheAdventSanctusfeaturedinTheGreatThanksgivingwaswrittentobepairedwith“EvenSoCome.”Thetimesignature,rhythms,andchordprogressionswerecreatedtobealignedwiththistune,sofurthercohesivenessispossiblethroughworship.OCome,OComeEmmanuelOneofthemostwell-knownancienthymnsofthechurch,“OCome,OCome,Emmanuel”isbaseduponthe“OAntiphons”containedonthesecondpageofthehymninTheUnitedMethodistHymnal.Theseantiphonswerechantedrefrainsusedinworship,oneperday,during
thelasteightdaysofAdventleadinguptoChristmasEve.Liketheoriginalantiphons,thishymnsingsofthelongingandsombernatureoftheAdventseason.Wehaverecommendeditsuseintheopeningsetofthisservice,poignantlypairedagainstamodernexpressionofyearningforChrist’scoming.Haveasoloistsingthefirststanzainaverylegato(smoothandconnected)mannerwithabriefpauseonthelastnoteofeachphrase;theninvitethecongregationtosingthesecondstanza.Removetheploddingnatureoftheaccompanimentandallowthemelodytostandonitsownasthestanzasoriginallydid—asahaunting,unaccompaniedchant.Orforadifferentapproach,playalowEpedalpointonaninstrumentsuchasorgan,piano,cello,orbass,andbringinharmonies(withvoicesorinstrumentalaccompaniment)ontherefrain.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-come-o-come-emmanuel1KeepYourLampsTrimmedandBurning(AdventCandle)ThisAfricanAmericanspiritualcanbefoundattheprovidedlinktotheDiscipleshipMinistrieswebsiteandisaneasysongtoteachandsing.Thesongisquitesimple,repetitive,andreasonablyeasytosingacappella.Otheraccompanimentcanbeused,however,whetheritbepiano,organ,guitar,orevenasimpleobligatoonaflute.Therearelotsofcreativepossibilitiesintheuseofthishauntingsong,andquiteenougheventomaketheaccompanimentdifferenteveryweekduringthelightingoftheAdventwreath.Musicalscore:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/keep-your-lamps-trimmed-and-burningO-So-So(ComeNow,OPrinceofPeace)(AdventCandle)Duringthe2016GeneralConference,amovingpresentationofthestatusoftheKoreanpeninsulashedlightonthepoignancyofthisselection.ExpressingthelongingofNorthandSouthKoreatobereconciledandreunitedasonepeople,thissongbeckonsChristtocomeandmakereconciliationpossible.Thislogically,then,becomesanexpressionofAdventlonging.Asimpleandhauntingmelodymakethiseasytoteachandsing.Keeptheaccompanimentsimpleandallowthisshorttexttoshapethecharacterofworship.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-come-now-o-prince-of-peace-o-so-soCome,LordJesus,Come(AdventCandle)RoundingoutthepossibilitiesforthelightingoftheAdventWreath,“Come,LordJesus,Come”isafour-wordcyclicsongthatusesthetuneBEERSHEBA,composedbyDeanMcIntyreforthesong“Peace,Salaam,Shalom”(foundinWorship&Song).Risinginaseriesofmelodicsequencesthatremainintheearlongaftersingingthem,thisoptionpresentsthecongregationwithasimplewaytosingintheirhearts,evenoutsideofworship,throughouttheAdventseason.Themourningcharacterofthemelodywouldbeeffectivelyplayedbyaviolin,whetherbefore,during,orafterthesingingofthetext.AngelsWeHaveHeardonHighTherefrainofthiscarolwillbeaneffectivewaytoincorporateafamiliarseasonalhymnwithintheAdventliturgy.ManywithinyourcongregationwilllongtosingChristmascarols,butusing
refrainssuchasthiswithintheworshipservicewillgoalongwaytowardbuildingcongregationalmoraleastheseasoncontinues.ThisrefrainwillserveasaneffectivewaytoechotheGloriaboldlyproclaimedjustbefore(“Weareforgiven!GlorytoGod!”)andtransitionintotheGreatThanksgiving.Haveasoloistbeginacappellaasawaytopiercethroughtheusualhumofthepassingofthepeaceandcallotherstosing.Arecommendationwouldbetosingtherefraintwice,withorwithoutaccompaniment.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-angels-we-have-heard-on-highGloria,GloriaTheTaizéCommunityisthesourceofthisboldsettingoftheheavenlychorusfromLuke2:14.Manychurchesareabletosingcanonseveniftheyhavenevertried(thinkof“Row,Row,RowYourBoat”).Bebraveandtakeamomenttoteachthissongbeforeworshipbegins.Anothergreathelptoteachingacanonisdividingyourchoironthepartsandhavingthemsupportthedivisionswithinthecongregation.Ultimately,ifatwo-,three-,orfour-partcanonwouldcausemoreharmtotheliturgywhereyouare,beencouraged—itisalsopossibletosingthischorusinunison,acappella,orwithasimpleaccompanimentofpiano,organ,orhandbells.Ifyouhavechildren,youth,oradultsinyourcongregationwhoplayinstruments,simplydividethemupandplaythecanonasthecongregationsingsinunison.Thepossibilitiesareendless!
AdventSanctusThisnewchoruswithintheGreatThanksgivingwascreatedforthisAdventseasonandiswrittentocomplementtheuseofthehymn,“EvenSoCome,”byChrisTomlin.WrittenbyJacksonHenry,thechorus,“Heavenandeartharefullofyourglory,”repeatsthroughoutthissettingoftheSanctus,whichfeaturesalilting,yetlongingmelody.Thevoiceistheprimarymusicalleadershipwiththistuneandcanbeaccompaniedbypiano,guitar,organ,orband.Somerhythmicelement,however,mayberequiredtohelpwiththetuneitself.Forinstance,evenifapianoisplayingsimplechords,thestrumpatternofaguitaroralightdjembemightmakethehymneasiertosing.UsingthisinEucharisticservicesthroughoutAdventwillcreateacohesivenessthatwillendurethroughtheseason.
Come,ORedeemer,ComeOneofthemosthauntingtunesinallUnitedMethodistcollections,“Come,ORedeemer,Come”canbeusedinanysetting—traditional,modern,orother—withavarietyofinstrumentations,fromasologuitar,piano,ororgantofullband.TheplaintivenatureofthemelodyservesthecharacterofAdventwell.Thefinalrefraincanevenbesungincanon,withcertainvoicesstaggeredonemeasureaftertherefrainbegins.WhatFeastofLoveThisCommunionhymnbyDeloresDufneriswellsuitedforthisseason,particularlybecauseoftheincorporationofthetuneGREENSLEEVES.Thetextaddressesthefood,hope,anddrinkfoundatthetableandbeautifullyaddressestheincarnationas“thebread,”“thesun,”and“sweetestwine,”all“comedownfromheaven.”Theaccompanimentcanbeassimpleasorganorpiano,butthefolknatureofthisEnglishmelodycancometolifewhenaccompaniedbya
guitarorotherpluckedstringinstrument,alongwithawindinstrument,suchasaflute.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-what-feast-of-loveLetAllMortalFleshKeepSilenceThetextofthishymnismysteriousinitspresentationofChristdescendingtoearthbecauseitisawonderfuluseofanamnesis(bringingthepastintothepresent)andprolepsis(bringingthefutureintothepresent).ThefullnessoftimeisaddressedasweacknowledgeChrist’spresencewithusinthepastandwhenGod’sreigncomesinfullnessupontheearth.Althoughapowerfulhymnontheorgan,thereareamultitudeofwaystoembodythemoodofthehymn:
• Organaccompaniment,eitheraswrittenoraltered.• ChoralhumonanopenDchord(D,A),withasoloistleadingthe
congregationonaunisonmelody.• Thesamehumplayedasadroneontheorgan.• Eventhoughitisnotaplainchant,itcouldbesunginthesame
manner,acappellawithunisonmelody.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-let-all-mortal-flesh-keep-silence
TodalaTierraAswithmanyoftheSpanish-languagehymnsfoundinourcollections,thisAdventhymnischaracterizedbyaveryinterestingmelodythatcanbesungwithavarietyofaccompaniments—piano,organ,guitar,flute,andmore.Ipersonallyrecommendtheuseofafinger-pickedguitarandflute/oboe.ItissetinthekeyofD,whichisveryguitar-friendlyandalsoanidealkeyfortheseconcert-pitchedwoodwindinstruments.Manyscripturalimagesarefoundinthistreasureofahymn.SingingitcouldeasilybringpeopleintothepropheticnarrativesthroughouttheOldandNewTestamentsandencouragethemtobecomepropheticleadersthemselves!HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-toda-la-tierraPreparetheWayoftheLordAnothercanonfromtheTaizéCommunity,“PreparetheWayoftheLord”invitesthecongregationtojoinIsaiah’swordsdescribingthemessageofJohntheBaptist.Thiscanonwouldworkwellasatwo,three,orfour-partcanon,andhasenoughlivelybouncetokeepthetunemoving.However,incorporatingasimplehanddrumtoproviderhythmicinterestwouldenliventhesongandalsohelpkeepthecongregationonpace.DownbytheJordanCarolynWinfreyGillettehaspennedawonderfulhymnthatcanbeusedinAdventand/orforBaptismoftheLord.LOBEDENHERRENisoneofthemostwellknowntunesthroughoutthechurch,anditpossessesacertaininherentboldnessthateffectivelypairswithJohn’smessage.Myrecommendationwouldbetosingstanzas1and2duringAdvent.Singingstanza3duringAdventisabitpreemptivesincewehavenotencounteredthoseScripturesyetwithinthenarrativeoftheRevisedCommonLectionary.Stanza4,however,servesasagreatreminderforthechurchinanyseason,soitcouldeffectivelybepairedwiththefirsttwostanzasorwiththe
thirdstanzatomakethehymncontextualtoitsparticulardayandtime.Youcanfindascoreathttp://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/down-by-the-jordan,orinWorship&Song.WildandLonetheProphet’sVoiceThishymnbyCarlP.Daw,Jr.ispairedwithasombertuneinTheFaithWeSingthateffectivelyembodiesthecharacteroftheAdventseason.AnotheroptionwouldbesingingthistextwiththetuneABERYSTWYTH,which,thoughinadifferentmusicalmeter,maintainsthecharacterthatmusicallyresemblesthewildernesswithinwhichJohnpreached.Themetaphorsfoundinthishymnbecomeapartofourlives,soencouragethecongregationtomeditateonwhotheprophetsareandwherethedesertisinyourcommunity.PREACHINGNOTESJohntheBaptistwasascarydudeinascaryplace.First,therewashisappearance.Heworeclothingmadeofcamel’shair.AndwhenMatthewsaysthis,Idon’tthinkhemeansasoft,lovelymen’scamelhairsportcoatlikeyoucanbuyinafancydepartmentstoretoday.Ithinkhemeansstinky,rough,dirtyclothcrudelywovenfromthehairofstinky,rough,dirtycamels.ThisfabricwastiedtoJohn’sbodywithastrapofleather.I’mpicturingTarzan,ormaybeFredFlintstone.Notonlydoeshe“lookkindafunny”(toquotealinefromFargo),butheactskindoffunnytoo.Mycolleague,TaylorBurton-Edwards,whoisaGreekscholar,tellsmethat“cryingout”reallymeansshoutingatthetopofhislungs.LIKEINALLCAPS!ALLTHETIME!SIDEBAR:“CryingOut”TaylorBurton-EdwardsTheGreekparticipleusedhereisbo-w’ntos(wstandinginforOmega,orlongoinGreek).It’stheverbformoftherootnoun,bo-h’(hstandinginforEta,thelongeinGreek).LidellandScott’sIntermediateGreek-EnglishLexicon(1889,p.152)notes“bo-h’”sometimesreferstoashout,sometimesabattle-cry,orsometimestheroaringoftheseainawildstorm.Always,itpointstoavoicesoundingatfullvolumeandhighintensity.Always,itcan’thelpbutcatchattentioninamostdramaticway.Andalmostalways,thepersonwhois“cryingout”hasanurgentmessagetodeliver,amatteroflifeanddeaththatmustbeheardabovethefrayofwhateverelseisgoingon.ENDSIDEBARFinally,JohntheBaptistlivesoutinthedry,mountainous,harshwildernesseastofJerusalem.TheJudeanDesertmusthavebeenahardplacetolive.Itwasandisruggedandhotduringtheday,butcouldbeverycoldatnight.Waterisscarce.Verylittlegrowsthere.IcheckedtheweatherfortheareaonthedayIwrotethesenotes,inlateJune,andthehighwasforecasttobe106degreesFwithverylightbreezesandnotanychanceofprecipitationallweek.
Sothisindividual,thisscarycharacternamedJohntheBaptist,isoutthereinthedesertshoutingatthetopofhislungs,“PreparethewayoftheLord,makehispathsstraight!”Andamazingly,peoplefromeverywhere—fromJerusalemandallJudea,andalltheregionalongtheJordan—notonlyflocktohearhimshoutatthem,buttoconfesstheirsinsandthensubjectthemselvestohisparticularbrandofbaptism:abaptismofrepentance.Itistothesepeople—peoplewhocameoutintothewilderness,outfromthesafetyoftheirhomesandneighborhoodstoaplaceofinsecurityanddiscomfort,tohearthisscarymanshoutatthemandcompelthemtoconfesstheirsinsandturnawayfromtheiroldwayoflife—itistothesefolksthatJohnfirstbroughtthegoodnews:Amuchmorepowerfulonewascoming.Onewhowouldbaptizethemnotwithwater,butwithSpiritandfire!Thisonewouldnotjustaskforrepentance.Withhiswinnowingfork,hewouldseparatethewheatfromthechaff!SoIcan’thelpbutwonder:Whowerethesepeople,andwhyinheaven’snamedidtheygooutintothedeserttoconfesstheirsins,repent,andbebaptizedbyJohn?Whatweretheylookingfor?Formanypeople,theChristmasseasonconjuresupakindofidealizedvisionofthefictionalworldofChristmascreatedbymovies,music,andaplethoraofholidaytelevisionshows.TheChristmasofthemediaworldisahappyplace,whereperfectfamiliesgatheraroundacracklingfiretodrinkeggnogunderthetwinklinglightsofabeautifullydecoratedChristmastree.Itisaworldwherefamiliesdon’tfight,nooneisugly,andAuntPatriciadoesn’ttaketoomanypills.Itisaworldwhereterroristacts,viciouspoliticalgerrymandering,andtherealitiesoftheeconomiccrisisdon’tintrude.ItisaworldwherechildrenaregoodsoSanta,whoknowsifthey’vebeenbadorgood,willrewardtheirrighteousnesswithmaterialgoods.Itisaworldthatdoesn’tlooklikeourpresentreality.Andperhapsmostimportantly,itisaworldthatdoesn’thavemuchtodowiththebirthorcomingagainofJesusChristatall.Ineedtoconfessthat,foralongtimenow,IhavebeensomewhatofaChristmasScrooge.Itisn’tthatIwanttojumponthebandwagonto“PuttheChristbackinChristmas.”ButmaybeIdo.MaybeIneedtorepent,turn,andjustadmitthatIwantChristtobecentraltoChristmas.Becausethetruthis,forme,ifpreparingforChristmasisnotprimarilyabouttryingtogivemyselfovertoJesusChrist,theholidayseasonbecomesnothingbutadepressing,empty,anddisappointingannualevent.WithouttheacceptanceofJesusChristasthepurposeforChristmas,apersonisleftonlywithholidaymusic,hollyandmistletoe,tackydisplaysoflights,pilesofpresents,andawholelistofunfulfilledexpectations.Howdowe,asfollowersofJesusChrist,returnthepurposeofChristmastoJesusChrist?Howdoweprepareforhisbirthandcomingagain,notbyhavingparties,decoratingourhouses,andgivinggiftswrappedinfancypaper,butinsteadbygivingourselvesanewovertothewayofChrist?IsupposegivingourselvesovertoJesusChristbeginswithGod’sgiftofgracetous.Itissomethingwefeelinside.Somecallitamomentofconversion.Otherscallitbaptismbythe
HolySpirit.JohnWesleycalleditassurance.MaybeduringtheseasonofAdventwecouldcallittheSpiritofChristcomingintoourhearts.Butwhateverwecallit,weknowwhenithappenstous,becauseitdoescauseustoconfessoursinsandturnourselvesaway,overandover,fromthetrappingsofthisworldsothatwecanreorientourselvesbacktowardChrist.IfwearetoremaininChrist,wehavetogiveourselvesoveragainandagain,allourlives.TheseasonsoftheChristianYear,especiallyAdventandLent,remindusofthisneedandcallusannuallytocommitourselvesanewtoChrist.IfwewantChristmastobeaboutmorethanwhatthemediasays,forthosewhoarealreadyfollowersofJesusChristandforthosewhodonotyetknowhim,maybeweoughttobeginbydoingwhatJohntheBaptistcalledonpeopletodobeforeJesuscameintotheworldthefirsttime:Repent.Torepentmeanstoturn,andthentoturnagain,andagainandagain,toGod.Itistoturntothekindoflifeweknowweoughttobeliving.Itistoturntothekindoflifewedecidedwewantedtolivetheveryfirsttimewefeltthatassurance,thatbaptismwithfire,thatpresenceofChrist,thatHolySpirit,comingintoourhearts.WhenJohntheBaptistcalledonpeopletorepent,hemeantforthemtoreturntothewayoflifechartedbythecovenantbetweenGodandIsrael.ManyofthemhadstrayedsofarfromthiswayoflifethatwhenJohnsawthemcomingforbaptism,especiallythePhariseesandtheSadducees,hecouldnotkeephimselffromcommentingthattheapproachingcrowdlookedlikea“broodofvipers”andasking,“Whowarnedyoutofleefromthewraththatistocome?”Andthenhesaidthatiftheyweretoreceivethisbaptismtheyhadbetter“bearthefruitsofrepentance”bychanginghowtheywerelivingsothatbytheiractsotherswouldknowtheyhadreturnedtoGod.SIDEBAR:“PhariseesandSadducees...andViper-Babies,OMy!”TaylorBurton-EdwardsWhenweseespecificreligiousgroupingswithinfirst-centuryJudaismnamedintheNewTestament,it’simportanttounderstandwhoexactlyisbeingnamed.ThePhariseeswereperhapsthelargest“party”withinfirst-centuryJudaism.Theirprimaryinfluencewasthroughthesynagoguesscatteredthroughouttheregion,andtheirprimaryconcernswereabouthowtoliveaholylifebasedonprayerandGod’srequirementsrevealedinTorah,prophets,andwritings.Youmightsay,forthem,God’sholinesswasmostknowninhowpeoplelivedtheirlivesdaybyday.Theircloseassociationwiththesynagogues,spreadeverywhereJudaismexisted,gavethempowerfulandwidespreadinfluence.Theologically,thePhariseesembracedanumberofdoctrinesnotspecificallymentionedinTorah,butwhichhadbecomemorefullyincorporatedintoJewishbeliefsaftertheexileinBabylon.Theseincludeabeliefinresurrection,atleastsomesenseofadecisiveDayofJudgment,therealityofapersonalSatanasaforceandlocusofevil,andtheworkandpresenceofangelsanddemonsall
aroundus.Jesus’ownbeliefsandtheshapeandlocationofhisministry(outamongthepeopleratherthancentralizedinJerusalem)weremorecloselyassociatedwiththoseofthePhariseesthananyotherreligiouspartyofhisday.AndafterthedestructionofthetempleinAD70,itwasinessencethePhariseevisionofJudaismthatbecamemainstreamJudaismfromthatpointforward.TheSadduceeswerelocatedprimarilyinJerusalemandfunctionedastheguardiansoftheritualandworshipofthetemple.Theyalsocaredaboutholiness,butforthemtheheartofholinesswasfoundinadherencetoTorahabovelaterwritingsandensuringtheritualwasofferedwiththepurityTorahdemanded.Manyofthemwerepriests.Youmightsay,fortheSadducees,God’sholinesswasmostknownandinitshighestforminrightworship.TheyhadforgedastrongrelationshipwiththeRomangovernmentatthetime,andmanyalsofunctionedasleadersinthegovernment.Thesetworealities—theirassociationwiththetempleandtheirrelationshipwithRome—werethesourcesoftheirpowerandinfluenceatthetimeofJesus.Theologically,theymightbecalledmuchmoreconservativethanthePharisees,astheydidnotadmitintotheirdoctrineanythingnotspecificallycalledforinTorah.Thus,theygenerallydeniedresurrection,afterlife,andthenotionofSatanaslocusordirectorofforcesofevil.Theyalsotendedtorejectmuchtalkofangelsaswell.HowcouldJohntheBaptisthaveknownhewasaddressingPhariseesandSadduceesintoday’sreading?Bothcouldbeidentifiedbytheirdress.Pharisees,oratleasttheirleaders,oftenworelong,bluefringesontheirprayermantlesandphylacteries(smallboxescontainingthetencommandments)ontheirwristsorforeheads.Likewise,sincemany(thoughnotall)oftheSadduceeswerealsopriestsinthetemple,theyoftenworetemplevestments.Notehowtheclothingofeachgroupreflectedthethingseachcaredaboutmost--prayerandobediencetoTorahindailylifeforthePharisees,andthepurityofworshipinthetemplefortheSadducees.Note,too,John’sspecificaddresstoandthenquestionofthePhariseesandSadduceeswhocametohim.Hecalledthem“offspringofserpents.”Wemightalsotranslatethatas“clutchofbabyvipers.”Wasthisaninsult,oranexclamationofsurprise?(See:https://frsergei.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/%E2%80%9Cyou-brood-of-vipers%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94or-what-to-say-to-people-who-came-to-be-baptized/)JohnChrysostom,asignificantleaderinthefourth-centurychurch,believeditwasatleastpartly,ifnotlargely,thelatter.Somesnakes,including“vipers”areviviparous,givinglivebirthratherthanlayingeggs.Andthelegendofviviparousviperswasthatingivinglivebirth,themotherwasinessencedestroyedbythebabiesbreakingoutofherasfromadiscardedshell.John’suseofthisvividimageofnewbornviviparoussnakesmaywellhavebeenintendedtoconveyhisamazementthatevenleadersamongthePhariseesandSadduceeshadcometohimforbaptismwhenhe,himself,hadneverwarnedthemabout“thewrathtocome.”Assupportforthis,note,too,thatMatthewdoesnotusetheverb“boa’w”(shout)todescribehowJohnaddressedthem,buttheverb“eipen,”whichmeanssimply,“said,”inatypicalconversationalway.
Johnthenimmediatelygavethem,andbyextensionallofus,instructionaboutwhatwasatstakeintakingonhisbaptism—areal,vitalrepentance.They(andwe)arenolongerdealingwithmattersthateitherthemostexactingdailyobediencetoTorahorthepurestattentiontodetailinritualcouldaddress.WearedealingwithonewhocomesbaptizingwithHolySpiritandfire.Wemusttrulyrepent,turn,changeouractions,dramatically,elseourattentivenesstorighteousnessinanyformwillbesweptawaywiththechaffintounquenchablefire.ENDSIDEBAR
Repent,forthekingdomofheavenhascomenear—TurnbacktowardGod,becauseheavenisrightaroundthecorner.TurnbacktoGod,becausethepossibilityofdeepandabidingjoyisverynear.TurnbacktowardGod,becauseChristiscoming.TurnbacktowardGod,soyoucanfreeyourselvesfromthefalseexpectationspeddledbythemedia.Repent,forthekingdomofheavenhascomenear!
Whatisthekingdomofheaven?Wewillexplorethatmorenextweek;butfornow,letmejustsaythatitisn’tjusttheplacewegoafterweleavethisearthlylifebehind.ItisthewayoflivingthatJesuscametoshowus.ItislivingaccordingtoGod’svisionforcreation.ItislivingasJesuslivedandtaught.TotheextentthatweareabletogiveourselvesovertoJesus,thatistheextenttowhichweenterthekingdomofheaveninthislife.Andtheonlywaywecanabideinitisbyturning,andturning,andturningagaintoChrist.Whatarepeoplelookingfor?Whatdoweneedtoconfess?HowarewepreparingtoreceiveChrist?WhatdowereallywantforChristmas?Don’twewantthekingdomofheaventobemorethanwhathappensafterwedie?Don’twewantittobewhathappensnow,whilewelive?
PLANNINGNOTESIntheSeriesWe’renowinweektwoofoursix-week(andseven-service)AdventandChristmasseries.Lastweek,wewerewarnedtowatchandbegintothinkaboutwhatittakestogetreadyforthefullnessofthecomingofGod’skingdom.Thesecondweekofanyseriesneedstobuildonboththeoverallseriespromiseandmorespecificallyonwhereyouleftoffattheconclusionofthefirstservice,andclearlytaketheseriestothenextlevelinenergy,intensity,andpurpose.
TodayToday’sreadingsandservicedojustthat.Nowwefocusonhowtogetreadysinceourattentionhasbeencapturedandwehavebeguntobeonwatch.Andtheheartofthat“how”isto“turn,”torepent,tochangeourwaysandkeepchangingtheminlightofGod’skingdomdrawingnearalreadyandinthedaystocome.Thishasimportantimplicationsforwhatyouwilldonotonlyinworship,butasyouprepareforworshiptoday.JohntheBaptizerwasnotfoolingaround.Thecalltorepentanceintoday’sreadingisreal,compelling,palpable,concrete.Makesureasyouplanandleadtoday’sservicethatyouconveythoserealitiesaboutthiscall.Todothat,makesureyou–pastorandteam–haveaddressedthiscallinyourownlives.Herearesomequestionstohelpyouandyourteammakethetransitionfromwatchingtoturninginyourownlives.1.Whatarethepeopleonyourplanningteam,yourchurchleaders,andyourcongregationandwidercommunitywatchingforastheyconsidertheChristmasorthe“holiday”season?2.Howareyouandtheypreparingforwhatyouarewatchingfor?EspeciallythoseforwhomcelebratingthebirthoftheMessiahorhiscomingagaintoruleinfinalglorymightnotbethecriticalissue?3.ReadMatthew3:8-12aloudinyourteammeetingandgiveittimetosinkin.Readitmorethanonceifyouneedto.Invitethegrouptotakeseriouslytherealityofthejudgmentthatawaitsusall,andwhatitmeansforallofthemtoproducefruitintheirlivesthatshowsthey’veactuallyrepentedandarestillrepenting—turningtowardthewaysofGod’skingdom.4.Whatactionsorpatternsoflifedoyou,themembersofyourteam,andthepeopleamongwhomyouserveneedtoconfessarenot“fruitshowingyou’reactuallyrepenting”?Whatdoyouneedtorepent(turnaway)from?Howconcretelycanandwillyoudoit?Howconcretelycanandwillyouhelponeanothercontinuetodoit?Nowthatyou’vegottenclearorcleareraboutthesethingsamongyourselves,considercarefullyhowworshiptodayandotherelementsofyourcongregation’slifeinthecomingweekcanhelpthepeopleinyourcongregationdothesamething.We’veincludedaCalltoDiscipleshipintoday’sserviceorderasonewaytoaccomplishthis.AbouttheCalltoDiscipleshipThisiswhatsomemightcallanaltarcall.Itisatimetoaskpeoplewhowanttomakeadecisiveturnintheirlifetomakethatdecisionknownbycomingtoanappropriateplaceandsharingthatcommitmentorarequestforprayertohelpmakethatcommitmentwithatleastoneotherpersonwhowillcommittofollowupwiththosewhocomeduringthecomingweek.Exactlyhowyoudesignthissectiondependsonyourteam’sdiscernmentofhowthismaywork
bestinyourcontext.Somecommunitiesmayhaveatraditionofpeoplecomingforwardforprayerandarailinginthefrontthatfacilitatesseveralpeopledoingsoatonce.Othershavenosuchrailorarchitecturalfeature,buthaveapracticeofpeoplecomingtopeopleatdesignatedplacesorstationsforindividualprayer.Stillothershavenosuchpracticeornorecentmemoryofsuchpracticeatall.Thepracticeofphysicallygoingsomewheretoseesomeoneaboutrepentanceiscriticalintoday’sreading.Evenifthegoinginvolvesmovingintheseatstogatherwithoneortwoothersnearby,encouragesomeformofmovementforthosewhowishtoparticipateinthisaction,notsimplystayingput.Atthesametime,beclearthatitisnotexpectedthateveryoneMUSTgo.Theinvitationtorepentinthiswayisjustthat,aninvitation,notamandate.
ADVENTIII:SEE
MusicNotesPreachingNotesPlanningNotes
FULLSERVICE
ENTRANCEAllaregivencandlesatentry.Roomstartsinrelativedarknessandsilence.Christmastreelightsturnon.Choir/praiseteamandclergycarryingcandlesprocessin,lightingcandles,singing“SilentNight”(UMH239,stanzas1and3;sing1againifneeded).Whenallareinfront,alllightsgoon,andallsing“JoytotheWorld”(UMH246)PrayerforIlluminationGloriousisyourrighteousness,wondrousisyourlove,Savior,LordandSovereignwhowas,andis,andistocome.PouroutyourSpiritthatwemayhearyourword,seeyourway,andfollowwhereyouleadus.Amen.WORDANDRESPONSEGospelHymn “OpenMyEyesThatIMaySee”(Tune:VENIEMMANUEL,UMH211), stanzas1-2(Singthe“Rejoice”refrainfrom“OCome,OCome,
Emmanuel”)
Reading Matthew11:2-11GospelHymn “OpenMyEyes”/”VeniEmmanuel,”stanza3(withrefrain)Sermon “See”LightingtheAdventWreath(Nowords—Accompaniment:Chordprogressionforopeningof“GiveMeYourEyes”)PrayersofthePeopleGiveMeYourEyes(BrandonHeath,CCLISongSelect#5359222;Solofirststanzaandchorus,repeatchorusall,soloonsecondstanza,allthirdstanza,thenriffadifferentbridgewiththespoken,“GiveMeYourEyes”asresponse,asfollows:Foreveryoneinprison,everyoneoppressed,foreveryonewho’shurting…GivemeyoureyesForeveryonewho’swaiting,everyonewho’spoor,forallwhoneedyourhealing…GivemeyoureyesForallwholiveasbeggars,forallwhoareoutcast,forjusticeinallnations…GivemeyoureyesForprophetsnowamongus,fortruthyougivetotell,foralltoknowsalvation…GivemeyoureyesAsChristhimselfhastaughtus,nowopenupourhearts,andgiveusvoicetopraynow…TheLord’sPrayerAmen.Amen.Amen.Amen.(inplaceof“Yeah”atendofsong)THANKSGIVINGANDCOMMUNIONYou’veopenedoureyes,Lord.Weseeoursin.Weseethebrokennessofourrelationships.Beforewecanofferourselvestoyoufully,Wemustconfess,andmakeamends.ConfessionofSinWithJohn’sdisciples,weseenowwhoyouare,andweseewhoweare,andwhatwe’vedone. Wehavelefttheblindamongtheblind,andthedeafamongthedeaf. Wehavemadelifeharderforthosewithdifficultymoving.
Wehavecreatedmorelepers,andcleansedbutfew.Wehaveconsignedmoreandmoretocertaindeath.Andthepoorhearbadnewsfromourlips. Havemercy.Forgiveus.Thenfreeustosee,hear,move,embody,andannouncethewayyourkingdomismakinginthisworld.Amen.SilencePARDONINGANDPEACEJesussentthedoubtinganddispiritedasevangelists.Youaremorethanforgiven.YouarerestoredandgiventhewordofShalomtoofferoneandall.ThepeaceofChristiswithus.Shareit!MusicduringPeace/OfferingACTSOFTESTIMONYANDTHANKSGIVINGSeeworshipplanningnotesfordetailsandspecificsuggestions.ORGREATTHANKSGIVINGPastorandpeoplebeginbysinging“Jesus,WeAreHere”(TFWS2273),allstanding(aspossible)andhandsattheoranspositionofprayer(palmsup,handsextendedtosides,elbowsslightlybent).Thepeoplecontinuesingingquietly,whilethepastorprays:Jesus,wearehere,hereforyou,heretogiveourselvesinthanksandpraise,forallyou,withtheFatherandtheSpirit,havedone,andaredoing,tosaveusandmakeallthingsnew.Fromtimeimmemorial,youareGod,HolyandTriune,delightingincreation,
rejoicinginallcreatures,andpouringforthlifeinexhaustibleandfree.Thoughwehavedestroyedyourcreation,abusedyourcreatures,andprofitedfromdeath,disease,anddecay,youchosetomakeapeopleforyourselfinIsrael,andanewpeopleamongthosewhowerenopeopleinJesusChrist.(Thepeoplestopsinging).Andso,withyourpeopleonearth,andallthecompanyofheaven,wejoinourvoicesintheeternalhymnofpraise:Holy,holy,holy (Tune:MATSIKENYIRI,TFWS2273).LordGodofpowerandmight,heavenandeartharefullofyourglory.Hosanna,hosanna,hosanna,inthehighest.BlessedisChristwhocomesinthenameoftheLord.Hosannainthehighest.Accompanimentends.Blessedareyou,LordJesusChrist,whohasshownusthewayofsalvation,where theonesweblindedareourvisionaries, theonesweparalyzedmovefreely, theoneswemarginalizedarethecenterofcommunity, theonesweshouteddownuntiltheycouldnothearorbeheard rejoicetofindtheirwordsfulfilled, theonesweconsignedtodeathbrokedeath’sbonds, andtheoneswecalledpooraresourceoflifeforall. Blessedbeyournameforever.
Blessedareyou,offeringyourselftous astoyourfirstdisciplesinbreadandwineoverwhichyougavethankstotheFather,bread,yourbody,wine,newcovenantinyourblood,andbidusrememberyou,anddolikewise.Werememberyourdeath.Weproclaimyourresurrection.Weawaityourcominginglory.Evenso,come,LordJesus.HeavenlyFather,pouroutyourHolySpirit,asweyourchildrenaskyou.Come,HolySpirit,come. Come,HolySpirit,come.Comeonus,andonthesegifts.Pastortouchesthebread:MakethisbreadChrist’sbody, andushisbodyrenewed.Pastortouchesthecup:MakethiscupChrist’sblood, anduslivingwitnessesofhisreign.UniteuswithChrist,witheachother,andwithallcreationnow,andonthatdaywhenwegatheratthemarriagesupperoftheLamb,whenallshallproclaim:Blessingandgloryandwisdomandthanksgiving,andhonorandpowerandstrength,betoourTriuneGod,foreverandever.Amen.BreakingandSharing
MusicDuringCommunionThanksgivingafterCommunion
Refrainfrom“LookTowardChristmas,”p.24,SongsBetweenFriendsSeeMusicNotesforinformationaboutthisresource.
OR “NowThankWeAllOurGod”(Stanza1) UMH102 “ThankYou,Lord”(Refrainonly) CCLISongSelect#4220833SENDINGFORTH“JoytotheWorldtheLordHasCome” CCLISongSelect#3040186
Chorusff.(Skipverse1)WordsofSending(duringbridge2,nolyrics)YouhaveseentheSavior.Doubtnomore.Goforth,rejoice,andawaitthedayofhiscoming!“JoytotheWorldtheLordHasCome”(Outro)OtherrecommendedhymnsforAdventIII: “TheKingofGloryComes” TFWS2091 “MakeWay” W&S3044 GodAlmighty,WeAreWaiting W&S3047 “UntilJesusComes” W&S3050 “LookTowardChristmas” SongsbetweenFriends,24https://is.gd/LtfAI6) “HailtotheLord’sAnointed” UMH203MUSICNOTESSilentNightSincethisisnotChristmasEve,Ichallengeyoutothinkofthistraditionalcaroldifferently.ThefocusforthisSundayisuponjoyandthewonderaboutwhatJesusbringstoearth.TheprocessionalattheentrancetothisserviceisintendedtocreateasenseofawethatleadsustothecomingfulfillmentofGod’spromisesin“JoytotheWorld.”Again,thisisnotChristmasEve.How,then,canitworkwithinthisAdventseason?Howcanyou,yourworshipleadership,andyourcongregationbestembodythiswithinyourowncommunity?HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-silent-night-holy-nightJoytotheWorldWhilethisisoftenthoughtofasthegrandopeneronChristmasEve,thetexttrulyharkenstothereignofGodinitsfullness.Therefore,“JoytotheWorld”isindeedawonderfulAdvent
hymn.ThishymnisusuallysetinthekeyofDforareason—tonecolorpresentsDasoneofthebrightestkeysinwesternmusic.Letthebrightnessofthetune,ANTIOCH,shineasyousingitinworship.Thereareplentyofarrangementsandhymnaccompanimentsofthisforbrass:http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/search.jsp?keywords=joy+to+the+world,+brass&pageview=list-view&departments=Brass.Putthosebandstudentsandlocalmusicianstowork!HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-joy-to-the-worldOpenMyEyes,ThatIMaySeeWiththethemeof“See”forthisweek,thishymnseemsalogicalchoice.NotanAdventhymn,yousay?Noproblem.ThestanzasofthishymncaneasilybesettoVENIEMMANUEL(“OCome,OCome,Emmanuel”)whileusingthe“Rejoice”refrainfrom“OCome,OCome,Emmanuel.”ThishymnthenbecomesbothacorethematichymnfortheweekandaPrayerofIlluminationwhenincorporatedwiththeGospelreading.Becauseoftheuseofthistune,youwillfindthatthetextbecomesmuchmoreofayearningpleathana“sing-song,”liltingmelody.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-open-my-eyes-that-i-may-seeGiveMeYourEyesBrandonHeathhaswrittenaverythoughtfulsongthatcanbeusedasachoruswiththePrayersofthePeople.Rubricsonhowtoincorporatethesongarewithintheworshiporder.Notethattherearealotofsyllablesinveryshortphrases,andthetempoisbrisk.Thiscanmakesingingitdifficult.Herearesomesuggestionstohelpthecongregation:
1) Inyourroleasaworshipleader,takesometimetoteachthisandothernewsongs.Teachonlyonephraseofthechorus,andfocusonthefoursixteenthnotesatthebeginningofeachphrase.Theotherphraseswilltakeshapeafterthecongregationunderstandsthebasiccontourofeachphrase.(Hint:thecontourisalmostalwaysthesameineveryoneofthesephrases.Ifnottheexactsame,theyareverysimilar.)
2) Whensingingthenotesafterthe“Givemeyoureyes”sixteenthnotes,makethemmoreconversationalandlessexact.Alsosingthemabitsofter,likethesecondhalfofmostwesternmusicalphrases.Thistakesthementalfocusoffoftherhythmicaccuracyandplacesitonthetext.Italsomakesitmucheasiertohavealargegroupsingtherhythmtogether!
3) Donothaveyourinstrumentalistsplaythemelodynotes.Withenergeticandsyncopatedsectionslikethis,simplerisbetter.Forexample,pianistswoulddobestprovidingonebassnoteperchordinthelefthandandtherestofthechordintherighthand,pulsinginsteadyquarternotes.Ifthereisaguitar,anotherstrummedinstrument,orpercussion,thesearetheinstrumentsthatcanprovidemorerhythmicinterest.
Jesus,WeAreHere(“Jesu,TawaPano”)OneofthegreatglobalsongsbyPatrickMatsikenyiri,“Jesu,TawaPano”isasongintheShonalanguagethatisaneasysongtosingandaneasiersongtolove.Donotfocusonprecisioninthe
parts;slightscoopingandslidingiswelcomed.Nomatterwhat,don’tturnthishymnintoachorale.Simplykeepthetemposteady.Eventhemostinexperiencedchoirscansingthissonginmultipleparts.Itisalsooneofthebestsongsforchildrentoleadinthecongregation,soifyouhaveachildren’schoir(whetherestablishedorimpromptu)andarelookingforrepertoireforworship,beginwiththisone!TheuseofthisintheSanctusoftheGreatThanksgivingisalsoencouragedinthisservice.ThethreestanzasoftheSanctushavebeenarrangedinfourlines,eachlinerepresentingonephraseoftheMATSIKENYIRItune.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-zimbabwean-song-calls-congregation-to-worshipLookTowardChristmasShirleyErenaMurrayhaswrittenajoyoushymnconnectingthedotsbetweenAdventandChristmas,andthishymncanbefoundwithatunebyCarltonR.Youngintherecentcollection,SongsbetweenFriends,publishedbyGIAPublications(https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=28621).Therousingchorusof“Singalleluia!”wouldbeawonderfulwaytointroducethisselectiontoyourcongregation.Allowthechoirand/orsoloisttosingthefirststanzaandhavethechoirsingtherefrain.Followwiththecongregationonthestanzasandrefrainswithadditionsofinstrumentsoneachsuccessivestanza.Thelasttimethrough,singtherefraintwice.EndingonaVchordcreatesanunfulfilledsenseofanticipation,whichisatimelywaytofuelthissenseofanticipationinothers.NowThankWeAllOurGodIfthischoraleischosenasanactofthanksgivingfollowingCommunion,Iwouldrecommendsingingonlystanza3asawaytotransitionintotheactsofsendingforth.ThisparticularstanzaisadoxologicalexpressionofthankfulnessthatconnectstheAdventelementsofreflection,promise,andfulfillmenttocome.Recommendedaccompanimentwouldbeorganorpiano,althoughaunisonmelodywithabandandfewer,lessfrequentchordchangesisalsopossible.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-now-thank-we-all-our-godScorewithmelodyandchordsonly:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/now-thank-we-all-our-godThankYou,LordUsingtherepetitiverefrainfromthissongisasimple,effectivewayofofferingthankstoGodinavarietyofstylesofworship.Theshortchoruscanbeeasilyaccompaniedbypiano,guitar,orband.Usingthissongmaybeaneffectivetransitioninyoursettingtothesongofsendingforth,“JoytotheWorld,theLordHasCome.”Thestyleseasilymergetogether,andmovingfromthekeyofF(suggestedforthissong)toC(suggestedforthenextsong)isarelativelyeasykeytransitionformostbands.JoytotheWorld,TheLordHasCome
ThisreimaginationoftheIsaacWattstextisaneffectivewaytobookendthisservicewiththetraditionalsettingsungatthebeginning.Therecommendedliturgicaluseinthisserviceissingingthechorusonly.Itiseasilyaccompaniedbypiano,guitar,orband.Onethingtonote:ifusingCCLISongSelectasthesource,thefirstbeatofthechorusisactuallyarest(The“joy”onthefirstbeatistheconclusionofeachstanza).Invitethecongregationtobeginsingingonbeat2ofthechorus.TheKingofGloryComesAnIsraelifolksongbasedonadanceform,thisspiritedtextandtuneareaperfectchoiceforthejoyofGaudete(literally,“Rejoice”)SundayinAdvent.ThesecondstanzaspecificallyaddressesthedirectiveofJesus,“GoandtellJohnwhatyouhearandsee”(NRSV):“Hegoesamonghispeoplecuringtheirillness.”Singthissongwithasenseofjoyfulanticipation,andallowyourbodytomovewhensinging!Thisisadanceform,afterall,andarigidsinging,eitherbyworshipleaders,choir,orcongregation,wouldstiflethemovementoftheSpiritandreduceittoaninauthenticattemptatjoyfulawaiting.Possibleaccompanimentswouldinvolveaguitar,tambourine,fingercymbals,orarhythmicpiano.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-the-king-of-glory-comesMakeWayThewriterof“Shine,Jesus,Shine,”GrahamKendrick,hascreatedthiswonderfulcalltousherinthecomingofJesusChrist.ThewordsarerelatedtoChrist’scoming,buttheyalsoseemtoforeshadowtheironyofPalmSunday,whichmakesthisawonderfuladditiontotheChristianYear.ReferencestoJesus’healingmakethistextquiterelevantforthecallheardintheScripture:“GoandtellJohnwhatyouhearandsee”(NRSV).Thetune,MAKEWAY,isverysingableandusesanechointherefrain,whichalsomakesthisawonderfulpossibilityforintergenerationalchoirs.Children,youth,and/oradultscanalternatesingingmelodyandsubsequentechoestocreateabrilliantalternativeprocessionforthisday.Singwithabold,strongaccompanimentfromorgan,piano,orband.Anyofthesecombinationsworkswellinavarietyofsettings.GodAlmighty,WeAreWaitingThisTrinitarianhymnservesasanopportunityforpraiseinthemidstoftheAdventseason.Anobservationofnoteistheparalleloccurrencesofthewords,“waiting”and“child”ineachstanza.AninterpretationofthishymnicphenomenonisthewondercreatedwhenwewaitforthepresenceofGodtoarisefromchildren,ratherthanwhatmightbemostcommonlyexpectedthroughadults.Allowyourcongregationtoseethisasasermonwithinasongbypointingoutthesignificanceofsomeofthesekeywords:“waiting,”“child,”“humbled,”“receive,”andothersthatspeaktoyou.Agreatpairingmightbetousethishymninconnectionwiththehymn,“LikeaChild”(TFWS2092)byDanDamon.UntilJesusComesDeanMcIntyremasteredtheartofsimplesongwhenhewrote“UntilJesusComes.”Thisrousing,easilysingablechoruscanbesungbycongregationsinvaryingworshipstylesatvarioustimesthroughouttheAdventseason.Useofaheavy,gospelaccompanimentispreferred,butit
wouldalsobepossibletoalterthestyletoamorefolk-likequalityusingpianoorguitar.Ifthesongisunfamiliartothecongregation,itwilltakeonlyasoloistorchoirsingingitonetimeforthecongregationtojoinin.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/until-jesus-comesHailtotheLord’sAnointedAnotherhymnthataddressestheworkofJesus,“HailtotheLord’sAnointed,”addressescommonAdventthemesofprophecyandlonging.However,thishymnislesssomberthanmuchofitshymnickin.ThefocusofthetextisconstantlyonthereignofGod,whichisever-increasingandwithoutend,anditendsonakeyelementofWesleyantheology—God’sidentityaslove.Singconfidentlyandheartilywithalivelyaccompanimentonorganorpiano.Donotletthetempomovetooslowly,orthecongregationmayhaveadifficulttimehearingandembodyingthehopefoundinthishymn.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-hail-to-the-lords-anointedPREACHINGNOTESThisweek,wefindourherofromlastweek,JohntheBaptist,lockedupinprison.AtthispointinMatthew’sgospel,wedon’thaveanyinformationaboutwhathadlandedJohninjail.Thestoryistoldinalaterchapter,whereinMatthew14:1-2,welearnthatHerodAntipashadorderedhisimprisonment,andJohntheBaptistwasbeingheldatHerod’sfortressneartheDeadSea.Fromhiscell,JohnapparentlyreceivednewsoftheactivityoftheOnewhosecominghehadannounced.Andthenewsheheardseemstohavetroubledhim.WhatJohnexperiencedwhenhebaptizedJesushadconvincedhimthatJesuswastheMessiah.Butnowheseemslesssure.SoJohnsendssomeofhisfollowerstogoandseeJesustoaskhimifheisindeedtheMessiah,theOnewhomJohnhadprophesiedabout.AndJesusrespondsbysayingthatJohn'sdisciplesshouldgobackandtellJohnwhattheyhaveseenwiththeirowneyesandheardwiththeirownears:Theblindcansee!Thelamecanwalk!Thelepersarehealed!Thedeafcanhear!Thegoodnewshasbeenpreachedtothepoor!Andthosewhohavetakennooffensehavebeenblessed!ItisinterestingtomethateventhosewhoknewJesuspersonallyentertaineddoubtsfromtimetotimeaboutwhetherhewastrulytheMessiah.EvenJohntheBaptist,whoseentirejob,asthegospelsportrayit,wastopreparethewayforJesus,andwhobaptizedJesusandfoundhimselfconvincedinthemoment,seemstohaveslippedinhiscertaintyatthispoint.Wedon’tknowwhy.Allweknowisthathesenthisowndisciplestogetconfirmationoncemore.Ithinkitisanormalthing,evenforthoseofuswholoveJesusandcallhimourLordandSavior,to“slip”backintowonderingoccasionally.Thistimeoftheyear,aswearepreparingtocelebrateChrist’sbirth,naturallylendsitselftoaskingourselvesonceagainwhywefollowhimandwhatitmeanstoustocelebratehisbirthandcallourselveshisdisciples.
Iwritethesewordsinthemiddleofsummer,justasthenationalRepublicanandDemocraticConventionsarewindingdown.Atthispoint,wehavetwomajorpartycandidates:DonaldTrumpandHillaryClinton.Bythetimeyouarereadingthesewords,wemayhaveprogressedtohavingasinglepresident-elect.AsIwritethesewords,JurisdictionalConferencesinTheUnitedMethodistchurchacrosstheUnitedStateshaveconcludedtheirworkofelectingandconsecratingbishopsforthenextquadrennium.Theelectionofanopenlymarried,lesbianbishopintheWesternJurisdiction,Rev.Dr.KarenOliveto,hascreatednewtensionsinthedenomination.TheSouthCentralJurisdictionhasalreadyfiledpaperworkwiththeJudicialCouncilcallingforarulingontheconstitutionalityofsuchelections.Bythetimeyoureadthesewords,notonlywilltherehavebeenaruling,butfurthertensionorstepstowardresolutionwilllikelyhavetakenplace.AsIwritethesewords,Iamfacinguncertaintyinmypersonallifeaswell.Iamawaitingtheresultsofsometestingthatmayormaynotaffectmyhealth.Bythetimeyoureadthesewords,Iwillnotonlyknowtheresults,butwilllikelyhavetakenaction.AsIwritethesewords,itfeelslikesomanythingsinmylife,thingsthatItakeforgranted,thingsthatprovidemewithasenseofgroundingandsecurity,areinmotion.Thefutureseemsuncertain,evenprecarious.Myawarenessofmyowninsecurity,andevenimpendingmortality,isacute.Becausetherearesomanymovingpartsrightnow,IamleaningheavilyonmyfriendsandonmyLord.Iamprayingdayandnightfortheworldanditsleaders,formydenomination,andformyselfandmyfriendsandfamily.Maybeitistimeslikethese,timesofuncertaintyandfear,thatcauseustoreachdeeper,topushourselvesintothehardplacesandthedifficultquestions,andaskanew,“WhyisitthatIhavechosentotrustJesuswithmyentirelife?”JohntheBaptistisinjail.Weknowthatonlyafewverseslaterinchapter14ofMatthew’sgospel,HerodwillorderJohntobekilledandhisheaddeliveredtothepalaceonaplatter.ItisanabsolutelyhorrificendingtothelifeofoneofthemostimportantcharactersintheNewTestament.WhileMatthewdoesnottellusexactlywhyJohnisquestioningwhoJesusis,onecanimaginethathemustbefeelinginsecure,atbest,ashesitsinjail,andterrified,atworst.Icanrelate.Maybeyoucantoo.Thisisahardtimeofyearformanypeople.Therearefolksinourcongregationswhoarefacingtheholidayseasonforthefirsttimewithouttheirbelovedpartner,orparent,orchild,orclosestfriend.Therearepeoplewhoareoutofworkandworriedlessabouthowtobuypresentsthanhowtopaytherentortheelectricbillorputfoodonthetable.Therearethosewhostruggledailyagainstaddiction,andtherearemanywhoarelosingthebattlewiththeirsinsanddemons.Itmayfeeltomanypeoplelikethewholeworldisgoingtohellinahandbasketwiththeinaugurationofwhoeveristhenewpresident.Theremaybegreatinsecurityaboutterrorism,ornaturaldisaster,ordeepereconomicrecession.Theremayeven
besomewhohavecompletelylosthopeandareterrifiedatwhatthefuturemayholdnotjustforthempersonally,butforthisworldandtheirplaceinit.WhatcanwesaytothosewhoseliveshaveleftthemwonderingaboutwhoJesusis,orwhereheis?Whatcanwedotoprovideverificationthathisisworthyofourtrustandfaithandthathisgoodnewsisforus?Howcanweofferhisgospeltothosewhoare,likeJohntheBaptist,feelinginsecure,atbest,andterrified,atworst?AreyoureallytheOne,Jesus?AreyoureallytheOnewhocansaveus,orshouldwelookforanother?Itistous,alongwiththedisciplesofJohntheBaptist,thatJesussays,“GooutthereandSEE.Golistenforyourselves.FindthegoodnewsofChrist’ssavinggracethatisintheworld!LookaroundandSEEthemiraclesthatabound!Theblindcansee!Thelamecanwalk!Thelepersarehealed!Thedeafcanhear!Thegoodnewshasbeenpreachedtothepoorandthosewhohavetakennooffensehavebeenblessed!”Mygoodness!Thesunriseseachmorningandsetseachnight,evenontheshortestdayoftheyear.Thespringwillreturnafterthislong,coldwinter.Evenassomeareleavingthisworldforeternalrest,newlifeisbeingbornintoitwitheachbreath.Thesplendorofthestarsintheskies,thebreathtakingvarietyofGod’screation,onearthandinthesea,thegloryofmountainsandtheamazingwonderofeachformoflifethatexists.Itisallawonder.JustlookaroundandSEE!Lookaroundyou,andgoandtellyourowncongregationwhatyouhaveheardwithyourownearsandseenwithyourowneyes.Giveyourwitness!Tellpersonalstories(getpermissionifyouaretalkingaboutsomeoneinyourcongregation)andpublicstories.LookandlistenforsignsofChrist’ssavinggraceintheworldandpointtothemasevidenceofChrist’ssavingandrenewinggrace.Examplesofhisloveandhealingareeverywhere!Allwehavetodoishearitwithourownearsandseeitwithourowneyes.
1. Whodoyouknowwhosesighthasbeenrestored,whocanfinallyseeagainafteratimeofgropingintheshadowsofpainandgriefanddespair?
2. Whodoyouknowthathasbeenlimpingalong,barelyabletomakeit,andnowisabletowalkagain?
3. Wherehaveyouseendisease—beitphysical,spiritual,emotional,interpersonal,orsystemic—beinghealed?Wherehaveyouseenreconciliationoccur?Wherehaveyouwitnessedhopebeingrestored?
4. Whathaveyouheardabovetheclamorofthecheerfulholidaymusicplayingcontinuouslyinpublicplacesthathasassuredyouthattherearethosewhotrulydostillrememberthereasonforthisseason?
5. HowhaveyouseenthegoodnewsofJesusChristbeingmaderealforthepoorinyourcommunitythisseason?HowhaveyouandyourcongregationparticipatedinmakingChrist’sloveandjusticerealforthoseinneed?
6. HaveyounotbeentrulyblessedbywhatyouhaveheardandseenthisholyAdventseason?
Jesusisnotsomemythorstory.TheloveofGodisnotjustemptyhope.Thepromiseofeverlastinglifeisnotapie-in-the-skydreaminventedtocomfortpeopleafraidofdeath.ThegoodnewsofChrist’ssavingloveisreal.Wehavehearditwithourownearsandseenitwithourowneyes!Allwehavetodoislookaround,andweseesignsthattruly,ourLordJesusISthePromisedOne,heIStheMessiah,heISEmmanuel,Christwithus,nowandforever.Doyouhearit?Doyouseeit?DoyouseewhatIsee?PLANNINGNOTESIntheSeriesWe’renowinweekthreeofoursix-week(andseven-service)AdventandChristmasseries.Fromwatch,toturn,tosee—thisisourtrajectoryintheseriessofar.We’veclimbedabitofahill,andnowstandatakindofplateau,takinginthevistaaroundus.TodayInyourplanningteam,discussthefollowing,andusethisandthefollowingreadinganddiscussiontoinformyourplanningfortoday.Nowthatwe’veturned,whatcanwesee,orwhatdowesee,thatwecouldnotseebefore,orthatwecannowseedifferently?Readaloudorinvitetheteamtoreadsilently:Thegospelreadingfortodaycallsustoseepeoplewemayhaveoverlookedortreatedquitedifferentlybefore.Specifically,Jesuscallsourattentiontopeoplewhoareblind,disabled,deaf,lepers,dead,orpoor.Howdowe“normally”seethem?GivenhowJesustreatsthem,andourownturningandcommitmenttofollowhisway,howareweabletoseethemnow?Seeingtheminhisway,whatwillwenowdodifferently?Atthesametime,wearebecomingmoreawareinourcultureofthedangerofthebiasof“ableism.”Wenormourworldandourexpectationsforhowothersmayinhabititonthebasisofthosewhocansee,canhear,havenophysicaldisabilities,andwhohaveperhapsatleasta“middleclass”levelofeconomicmeans.Wetreatpeoplewhodonotmeetthisstandardas“lessthan,”anddonotseethemasfullyableandcapablepeoplewhocananddohavemuchtoofferpreciselyastheyare—ifwewillbutallowourselvestoseethat.Notallblindordeaforphysicallydisabledpeopleneedtohavetheirblindnessordeafnessorotherdisability“healed.”Instead,whatmaybeneededistochallengethe“ableist”assumptionsthatthesepeopleare
automatically“lessthan”becausetheycannotphysicallydowhat“normal”peopledointhesamewaysthat“normal”peopledothem.Yettheystillcandothem!Thequestionbecomesnotoneofwhethertheycanfunctionalongside“normal”people,butwhether“normal”peoplearewillingtoengageinadifferentactofhealing,anactofsocialhealing,wemightsay,thatallowspeopleofallsortsofabilitiestoliveasonecoherentcommunity.Whenthereadingisfinished,discussthesequestions:1.Whatdoyouseewhenyoulookatyourselvesasaworshipingcommunity?Whomdoesyourworshipingcommunityunwittinglyexcludebecauseyouhaveallowedtheabilitiesof“normalpeople”todictatehowyouworship,work,andcommunicate?2.DoyouteachandpracticeAmericanSignLanguageinyourworshipandministriestomakesuredeafpeoplearefullyincluded?Doyoumakeallowanceforseeing-eyedogs,braille,andotherformsofsupporttoenableblindpeopletofunctionfullyamongyou?Howdoyouintentionallyfindwaystoinclude“hard-to-handle”people(lepers)othersmaytreatasoutcasts?3.Dothesocialandpracticalnormsofyourcommunity,includinghowtransportationhappensandwhatfolksareexpectedtobeabletopaytoparticipateinsocialevents,givegoodnewsorbadnewstopeoplewhoarepoor?4.Now,whatdoyouseewhenyouconsidertheworkJesuswasdoingandthatJohn’sdiscipleswitnessed?Andhowdoyouseeallthesepeopledifferentlybecauseyoudo?ActsofTestimonyandThanksgivingToday,especiallyifyoudonotcelebrateHolyCommunion,considermakingroomforsometestimonyfrompeoplewhoareblind,deaf,physicallydisabled,“lepers,”leftfordead,and/oreconomicallypoor.Inviteeachtospeakbriefly(oneminuteorless)ofwaysJesushasspokenhealingandgoodnewsintotheirlives.Aftereach,singaverseorbriefchorusofthanksgiving,thencontinuetothenext.Attheconclusionofthesetestimonies,invitethepeopletosharebrieftestimonieswithoneanotheraboutwaystheyhaveseenChrist’ssavingpoweratworkintheirlivesrecently(onetotwominutes),andconcludewithafinalverseofthethanksgivingsongorchorus.
ADVENTIV:DREAM
MusicNotesPreachingNotesPlanningNotes
FULLSERVICE
ENTRANCESomethingthatmovespeopleintoafeelingofadreamstate.Subdued,ifanylighting,maybejustasinglecandle.Perhapsambientmusic/soundscapeasprelude.AlmostwhisperedreadingoftheOAntiphons(2and5)andsingingof“OCome,OComeEmmanuel”,stanzas2and5bychoir,processingslowly,andcongregation,seated,acappellaorwithveryminimalaccompaniment.WORDANDRESPONSEPrayerofIllumination(sungbysoloist,orchoir,quietly) “SendYourWord,”stanza1 UMH195Reader Matthew1:18-19SilenceChoirorensembleorsoloistsings“SendYourWord,”stanza2Reader Matthew1:20-23SilenceInstrumentalon“SendYourWord”LightingofFourthAdventCandle(insilence)Reader Matthew1:24-25AllSing “SendYourWord,”stanza3 UMH195 SilenceSermon “Dream”ResponseSong RainDown SongSelectCCLI#4243542Atconclusionofsong,seguetoPrayersofthePeople(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcJfl8cGAzY),chordprogressions,light,slowambientbackgroundfortheworshipleader,whosays:PrayersofthePeopleIt’stimetodreamagain.
Notbecausewethinkweareorcanmakethedream,God’sdream,happen.Butbecauseweknowwecan’t.We’relikeJoseph,stuckwithsituationsinourlivesandthelifeoftheworldGodlovesthatpromiseusandthosewelovenothingbutpain.Welongforsolutionsthatwillreduceeveryone’spain,andourown.WemayevendecidewehavefoundsomeandtrytoaskGodtoblessusaswepursueit.Butifwe’rehonest,weknowevenourbestsolutionsfallshort,farshort.Sowepray,nottellingGodwhattodo,buttrustingGodtoshowuswhatwecando.Wepray,nottocontroltheworld,oranyoutcome,but,asJosephdid,toopenourselves,toletgo,toreleaseourselvesandtheworldGodlovesintoGod’slovinghands,toletthedreamscome,andfollowwhereGodleads.Soletusopenupourhearts,let’sopenupourheartstoourLord,aswepray…PrayersofthePeople(TheBrilliance) SongSelectCCLI#7039048Addyourownintercessions,modeledontheseasabase.Haveseveraldifferentvoices—older,younger,male,female,differentaccents,differentcultures,evendifferentlanguages,ifpossible,toliftthemupassolointercessors.Allsing,“Lordhavemercy,Christhavemercy”…etc.Includeapetitionacknowledgingoursinandneedofforgivenessattheconclusionoftheintercessions.Fadeinstrumentstosilence.THANKSGIVINGANDCOMMUNIONPastorannounces:InthenameofChrist,youareforgiven.LetChrist’sforgivingandhealing
peaceflowamongusall.ThepeopleexchangethepeaceofChrist.Anofferingisreceived.OfferingMusic “IntheBleakMidwinter” UMH221GreatThanksgivingWehavelistened.Wehaveprayed.Wehavebeenforgiven.Wehavebeenreconciled.Nowwe’rereadytoofferourwholeselvestoGodinpraiseandthanksgiving,forallGodhasdone,isdoing,andwilldo,amongus,throughus,andbeyondus.Soliftupyourhearts. WeliftthemasonetotheLord.LetusgivethankstotheOnewhorestoresus. Whatelsecanwedo?Whatelsecanwedo,graciousGod,fortherichnessofyourmercytowardus,butthankyou,andblessyou,andpraiseyourname.Fortheabundanceofyourcreation, wethankyou,andblessyou,andpraiseyourname.Forthecallingofyourpeople,Israel, wethankyou,andblessyou,andpraiseyourname.Forthetruthofyourlaw,andthemercyofyourheart, wethankyou,andblessyou,andpraiseyourname.Forthegiftofprophets,thefaithfulnessofmartyrs,andthewisdomofallwhofearyou, wethankyou,andblessyou,andpraiseyourname.
Wethankyou,andblessyou,andpraiseyourname,inourowntonguesandvoices,andintheancientwordsofsaintsandangels:Holy,Holy,Holy,LordGodofpowerandmight,Heavenandeartharefullofyourglory.Glorytoyou,OGodmosthigh!BlessedistheChristwhocomesinyourname.Hosanna!Saveus!Hosannainthehighest!IfCommunionisnotcelebrated,skiptosendingforth.Blessedareyou,OChrist,Way,TruthandLife.Andblessedisyourreign,foreverandever.Youhaveshownusthewayandbroughtusthetruththatleadstoeternallife.Weblessyou,Jesus!Youlovethelittleones.Youtouchthelepers.Youfeedthehungry.Youdelivertheoppressed.Weblessyou,Jesus!Youloveenemies.Youtouchtheoneswhoseekholiness.Yousatisfythosewhohungerandthirst forrighteousnessandjustice.Youforgivetheoppressor.Weblessyou,Jesus!Yourlifewasannouncedthroughprophets,dreams
andangels.Youstoppedandprayed.Youshowusthewaytolove,letgo,andletGod.Weblessyou,Lord!Andasforyourdiscipleslongago,youoffertosetyourselfbeforeus,inbreadandwine,yourbodyandyourblood,andcalledthemandustorememberyou.Whatelsecanwedo,inremembranceofyou,butthankyou,andblessyou,andpraiseyourname,proclaimingyourresurrection,andawaitingyourcominginglory.Evenso,come,LordJesus.LordGod,Holy,Almighty,sendyourHolySpirituponusregatheredintoone,anduponthesegiftsofbreadandwine.Come,HolySpirit.Aswereceiveyourbodyandbloodintoourbodies,LordJesus,comedwellinus.Letyourdreamliveinus,thatwemaybemadeonebodyinyou,asyouareonewiththeFather,thatalltheworldmayknowthroughushereandnowthepowerofyourredeeminglove,asweandallcreationwaitwithallwholongforthedaywhenwefeastwithyouintheagetocome.
ByChrist,andwithChrist,andinChrist,intheunityoftheHolySpirit,allhonorandglorybeyours,LordGodofHosts,nowandforever.Amen.BreakingandGivingSongsduringCommunion
Choral/Bandanthem “AStrangeWaytoSavetheWorld”(SongSelect#1170127)
“ComeLetUsDream” W&S3157“IHaveaDream” W&S3127“WhatFeastofLove” W&S3170“OpentheEyesofMyHeart” W&S3008
ThanksgivingafterCommunion “IThankYou,Jesus” W&S3037 SENDINGFORTH Sungto“IThankYou,Jesus”Nowsendus,Jesus,Nowsendus,Jesus,Nowsendus,Jesus,Nowsendus,Lord.O,foryou’vebroughtus,Yes,you’vebroughtus,You’vebroughtusamightylongway,Amightylongway!Andkeepusdreaming,Yes,keepusdreaming,O,keepusdreamingYourholydream,Lord!O,andkeepusmovingkeepusmovingInyourmighty,yourmightygoodway!
DismissalDeacon,WorshipLeader,orPastor:GoinpeacetoloveandserveourcomingLord!ThanksbetoGod!OtherrecommendedhymnsforAdventIV: “JosephDearest,JosephMine” TFWS2099 “OneHolyNightinBethlehem” TFWS2097 “IfICouldVisitBethlehem” W&S3063 “LikeaChild” TFWS2092MUSICNOTESSendYourWordIfyourcongregationisunfamiliarwiththisJapanesehymn,usingitasaresponsewilltakeabitofteachinginyourcongregation.Thiscanbedonebyobservingtherubricsandallowingasoloistand/orensembletosingthefirststanzaasaprayer.Anothermeansofintegrationwouldbehavinganinstrumentalistplaythetuneasthe“ambientmusic/soundscape”beforetheservicebegins.Sowingthemusicalseedsthatcomebacklaterinaservicecanprovefruitfulwhenencounteringthehymnitself.Thoughthemoodofthetuneissomberandresembleslinesakintowailing,donotsingittooslowly.Writtenin2/2,itneedstopulse,witheachphrasebeingmanageablebyanaveragecongregationmember’sbreathing.RainDownThisenergeticsongofdreamandvisionencouragesustolookaheadboldlyaswedreamGod’sdreamfortheworld.ThissongisbestsungbyacongregationinthekeyofB-flat.Eveninthiskey,however,thesongleaderwillhavetochoosealternatenotesduringthebridgebecausethehighestnotesaretoohighforanormalcongregation.Accompanimentwouldworkwithaband,guitar(Capo1ifneededandplayinthekeyofA),oraconfidentpianist.PrayersofthePeopleAwonderfuladditiontothemodernworshipmusiccatalogue,thisservicemusicrepresentswhatispossiblewhencombiningmodernmusicandliturgy.Short,cyclicchorusesbecomeresponsesasapartofcongregationalprayer.TheAandBsections(“Youhearuscalling”and“Lord,havemercy”)arebothequallyusableasprayerresponses.IfyoulistentotheYouTubelinkintheworshiporder,youwillnoticearollingaccompanimentwithmanydifferentinstrumentalists.Thiskindofaccompanimentgivesapulsetotheprayersandisencouraged.However,keepinmindthatwhateverkindofaccompanimentispossiblewiththemusiciansinyourchurchisOK!Again,simpleraccompanimentsareoftentimesthebest.Forakeyboard,playsimplechordsoneachbeat.Forastrummedinstrument,somethinglight,slightlysyncopated,butsteadyisthebestoption.
IntheBleakMidwinterChristinaRossetti’sclassicpoem,combinedwithGustavHolst’sidiomatictunemakeforoneofthebestinBritishhymnsonthenativity.Thelaststanzaisparticularlyfittingduringtheoffering,anditalsofitswellwiththisweek’sGreatThanksgiving(“Nowwe’rereadytoofferourwholeselvestoGod”).Allowthistoeitherbeacongregationalsongoranofferingbyanensemble.Ifsungcongregationallyorbyasoloistwithensemble,continueinthekeyofDfromthePrayersofthePeopleandsinginalowerkeythanisfoundinthehymnal.Therearealsoanumberofchoralandinstrumentalsettingsofthishymn.Ifyouchoosethisoption,printthelaststanzaintheworshiporderasaconnectionwiththeoffering.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-in-the-bleak-midwinterAStrangeWaytoSavetheWorldSuggestedasaband/choralanthem,thissongpresentssomeofJoseph’squestionsthatmightbeinferredfromthisweek’sScripturereading.SinceJosephisthefocusofthescripturalnarrativethisweek,offeringthesequestionsmightbeagoodwaytoreflectuponthestory,anditmightgivechildrensomewaystoapproachthestorywithwonder.Come,LetUsDreamThelanguageof“dreaming”hasbecomeawayforhymnwriterstoaddressjusticeinmodernhymns.JohnMiddletonhasincorporatedfamiliarlanguagefromMartinLutherKing’s“IHaveaDream”speechasacommentaryonwhatGod’sdreamwouldbeforourworld,particularlyasembodiedwithinGod’sreign.TheOWALYWALYtuneisoneofthemoresingablefolktunesinourrepertoireandcanbeaccompaniedbyanycombinationofinstruments.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/come-let-us-dreamIHaveaDreamAnotherpoignantsettingofthewordsofDr.MartinLutherKing,thelateBritishministerPamPettittcraftedahymnofjusticethatcallsusforthtoworktomakethedreamreality.Toreadmoreindepthaboutthisinterestinghymn,refertothisHistoryofHymnsarticle:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-i-have-a-dream.TheidealaccompanimentfortheREPTONtuneiseitherorganorpiano.WhatFeastofLoveThisCommunionhymnbyDeloresDufneriswellsuitedforthisseason,particularlybecauseoftheincorporationofthetuneGREENSLEEVES.Thetextaddressesthefood,hope,anddrinkfoundatthetableandbeautifullyaddressestheIncarnationas“thebread,”“thesun,”and“sweetestwine,”all“comedownfromheaven.”Theaccompanimentcanbeassimpleasorganorpiano,butthefolknatureofthisEnglishmelodycancometolifewhenaccompaniedbyaguitarorotherpluckedstringinstrument,alongwithawindinstrument,suchasaflute.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-what-feast-of-loveOpentheEyesofMyHeart
“OpentheEyesofMyHeart”hasbecomeoneoftheolderstandardsinmodernworshipmusic.Thishymnrecallsthe“Holy,holy,holy”languageoftheSanctusfromRevelationandcanbecomebothasongofpraiseandreflectionaspeopleencounterChristinthesacramentofHolyCommunion.ThebestkeyforaccompanimentandsingingisthekeyofE,whichalsoworksveryeasilyonguitar.Itmaybeplayedbyguitar,aband,orpiano.Iftheorganistiscreativeinsimpleaccompaniments,itisalsopossibletoprovidewarmthandtexturewiththerightregistrationasguitarsorpercussioninstrumentsprovidethepulse.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/open-the-eyes-of-my-heartIThankYou,JesusThisrousinghymnfromWorship&Songhasquicklybecomeafavoriteinmanycongregationsandservesasaneffectiveexpressionofthanksgiving.Therepeatedtext,“Youbroughtmefromamightylongway,”isasungEbenezerofsortsandechoestonumerousScripturesofGod’sdeliverance,including1Samuel7:12and2Samuel7:18.Besurenottosingthishymntoofast.Allowthemusictoswing,whichcaneasilybedoneinthis12/8meter.Anynumberofinstrumentscanaccompanythisselection,includingorgan,piano,drums,bass,andelectricguitar.JosephDearest,JosephMineThoughthisisafamiliarcaroltomany,itisnottheeasiesttosingbecauseofitssomewhatthrough-composedform(littletonorepetitionthroughoutthehymn).However,thetunepresentsaliltinglullabythathasthesentimentalqualityofmanyEuropeancarols.Nomattertheinstrumentationusedtoaccompanyit,keeptheinherentswayoftherhythmprominenttohighlighttherockingqualityofthetune.Ifyourchurchhasahandbellchoir,anotheroptionwouldbetoplayasettingofthistune,suchas“TheHollyandtheIvy”(whichincorporates“JosephDearest,JosephMine”inthework),publishedbyChoristersGuild(CGB602).HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-german-carol-recalls-spirit-of-16th-century-folk-playsOneHolyNightinBethlehemInTheFaithWeSingWorshipPlannerEdition,wefindthis“charmingaddition”toworshipwithsomewonderfulsuggestions.Usethecharactersasinspirationtoadddramatotheservice,andhavewomensingtherefrainafterstanza2.Mencanthenwhistlethemelodyafterstanza3,asindicatedinthetextofthestanza.Yes,yourcongregationhasanopportunityforliturgicalwhistling!Afterall,thetuneisaptlynamedWHISTLER’STUNE.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-one-holy-night-in-bethlehemIfICouldVisitBethlehemBrianWrenhascreatedoneofthemostendearingnativityhymnsbygivingusawaytorelatewiththehumanityoftheholyfamily.Theopeningphrase,“IfIcouldvisitBethlehemwhatpresentswouldIbring,”seemstobeamodernexpressionofthesamesentimentfoundinChristinaRossetti’s“IntheBleakMidwinter”(“YetwhatIcanIgivehim:givemyheart”).
Writteninwhatcouldbecharacterizedasastandardhymnsetting,thetune,CAROLSTREAM,resemblesoneofHalHopson’sothertunes,MERLE’STUNE,andeasilysupportscongregationalsingingwhenaccompaniedbyorganorpiano.LikeaChildOriginallywrittenwithnocapitallettersandnopunctuation,thishymnisoneofDanDamon’smostwell-knowntextsandtunes.AssurprisedasJosephmayhavebeenfromthedreamandthefulfillmentofit,wemayalsobesurprisedinwhomweseeJesus,andwhowehavetobecomeinordertowelcomeinthereignofGod.Whatevertheaccompaniment,keepitsimpletoallowthechildlikenatureofthetunetosupportthetext.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-like-a-childPREACHINGNOTESIlovetodream.IespeciallyloveitwhenIhavevividdreams,onesthatIcanremember.Ialwaysfeelsorestedafteranightofheavydreaming.AndIdon’tknowifthereisanyscientificbasisforit,butItendtodreammuchmorevividlyandtoremembermydreamswhenthereisafullmoon.Haveyoueverhadadreamthatcausedyoutodosomethingdifferent,makeachange,orgoinadifferentdirection?Haveyoueverhadadreamthatchangedyourperspective,gaveyouanewinsight,orresolvedsomethingforyou?InthemonthsleadinguptotheSoutheasternJurisdictionalConference,forwhichIservedasDirectorofWorship,Ihadmanyrestlessnights.Iwouldlieinmybedtossingandturningandworryingaboutthedetailsoftheservices,andthinkingaboutallthethingsIneededtodo.IwonderedifIwasevencapableofleadingsuchanendeavor.Ihadalotofdoubts.Mostofall,Iwasanxiousaboutfindingsomekindoffocusorcenterfortheworshipservices.Icouldn’tthinkofanything.Timewasrunningshort.Onenight,myanxietywasespeciallygreat,andsoIspentalongtimeprayingaboutit,beggingGodtoshowmethewayforward.Ifinallydriftedoffandfellintoadeepsleep.ThenextmorningwhenIwokeup,Ihadafullvisionofexactlywhattodo.Iknowthatthisvisiondidnotcomefrominsideme.ItwasagiftoftheHolySpirit.Thiswasnotanisolatedincident.Therehavebeenothertimesinmylife,especiallywhenIwaswriting—anarticle,orapaper,oroften,asermon—whereIcametoaplacethatIdidn’tknowwhattodo.Iwouldtryandtry,andthemoreItried,themoreanxiousIwouldbecome.SoeventuallyIwouldhavetogiveup.Iwouldstopfortheday,andlaterongotobed.Andthen,asifbysomemiracleofGod,whenIawakenedthenextday,Iwouldhavethenextmove,ortheending,ortheresolutiontotheproblem.
IknowIamnottheonlyonewhohashadthisexperience.WhenmycolleaguesandIwerestudyingthisScripturetogetherandtalkingaboutthenatureandroleofdreamsinourlives,weallhadastorytotell.AndsoIcansaywithoutanyreservationwhatsoeverthatIbelievewithallmyheartthatGodspeakstousindreamsandinvisionsandinmiracles.Maybeitdoesn’thappeneveryday,butIknowfrommyownexperience,itdoeshappen.Andwhenitdoes,weshouldtreatitasagreatgift.SIDEBAR:“SleepingonIt”andMemory:TheNeuroscienceofDreamingByTaylorBurton-EdwardsDreamsanddreaminghadlongbeenconsideredprimarilytobepartoftherealmofother-worldlyencountersandrevelationsinmostcivilizationsuntilpioneeringpsychologists,includingSigmundFreudandCarlJung,suggestedtheymaybesomethingelse.Freudtendedtoseethemasmanifestationsoftheunconsciousmind,andsoasmaterialtoworkwithtomakesenseofcertainfixations,compulsions,blockagesorotherpsychologicaldifficultiesinwakinglife.CarlJungtendedtoseedreamsasaconnectiontoacollectiveunconsciousnessinwhichtheinteractionof“archetypes”commonacrosshumandreaminggenerallymightleadustoadeeperunderstandingofourfullestselves,includingour“shadow”side,andthusleadtoamorefullyintegratedlife.Morerecently,however,thefieldofneurosciencehascometoatleastageneralconsensusthatdreamsaresomethingatoncemoremundaneandperhapsmorerevelatoryinadifferentway.(Onescholarlyarticleofmanythatdiscussesthesephenomena:http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/129/1/108.long.)Dreamsappeartobeasideeffectoftheprocessofmemoryconsolidationthattakesplaceprimarilyduringsleep.Thisprocessseemstoeditthethoughtsandimpressionswehadduringthepreviousdayasitconsolidatesthemintoamorecoherentnarrativeandstoresthemindifferentpartsofthebrain—visualinputsinthevisualcortex,auditoryintheauditory,motorinthemotor,andsoon.Asitdoesso,italsoactivatesthesevariouspartsofthebraininawaythat,insomestagesofsleepandmemoryconsolidation,generatesthevisual,auditory,andmotor“internalmovies”wecalldreams.Whatoftenhappensinthisprocessaswellisthatideasorimageswehadnotquiteconnectedwitheachotherduringourwakinghours,asmuchaswemayhavetried,nowbecomeconnected,sometimeswithresultswemayexperienceasrevelations.Thatneurosciencehasestablishedsucheventsasamoreorlessnormalpartofmemoryconsolidationandprovidedagenerallyacceptedsetofbiomechanicalexplanationsforhowthisprocessseemstoworkneednotbeseenasdiminishingtheirpotentialrevelatoryfunction,norindicateinanywaythatthepre-modernswereentirelyincorrectinseeingdreamsasamediumofcommunicationbytheDivine.Rather,ithelpselucidatethemechanismsbuiltintoourneurochemistryandneuronsbywhichsuchcommunicationmaytakeplace.
ENDSIDEBARSIDEBAR:WhattoDoWhenYouDream?LearnaSong!ByJacksonHenryOneofthemostentertainingdreamsIhaveexperiencedwaswhenIwokeupwithasonginmyear.Thiswasn’tjustanysonginmyear,however.Mydreamhadbeenwhatformewasunprecedented:anopportunityforgenuine,subconsciouslearning.Yousee,Ilearnedapopsonginmysleep.Thesongwas“ALongDecember”byCountingCrows,andwhythatsongpoppedupIhavenoidea.(Ineverownedanyoftheiralbumsandreallydidn’thaveadesireto.)WhatIrememberfrommydreamwassittingatthepiano,takingawritingbreak,andsimplyplowingthroughthesong,tryingdifferentchordsandultimatelyplayingandsingingwhatwordsIdidknow.Iwokeup,said“Noway,”gotoutofbed,andproceededimmediatelytothepiano.Longstoryshort,itwasexactlyasIhadlearneditfromthedream.Talkabouteerie.Buthowcoolisthat?ENDSIDEBARThisstoryfromtheopeningchapterofMatthew’sGospelissometimesreferredtoasMatthew’sbirthnarrative.Butthisisnotreallyabirthstoryinthewaywenormallythinkaboutbirthstories.Itisn’tabouthowJesus’birthtookplace.Itisn’tabouthislineage.Itisn’treallyevenaboutestablishingthatGodishisfather.Rather,itisanarrativeaboutJoseph’sawakeningtonewpossibilities.Itisaboutopeninghiseyesandourstothefactthattherearepossibilitiesbeyondthosemadebythehandsofmenandwomen.TherearesolutionsthatareGod-sent.TheGospelwriterMatthewdescribesJosephasarighteousman.Thismeans,inpart,thatheknewandobservedthelawsofhisJewishfaith.Buthealsoseemstohavebeenagood,upstanding,kind,andhonorableman.WhenJosephfoundoutthatMary,towhomhewasbetrothed,butnotyetmarried,waspregnant,heknewthathewasnotthefatherofMary’sunbornchild.Sohemusthaveassumedshehadbeenunfaithful.SIDEBAR:MarriageinFirst-CenturyPalestineDr.DawnChesserInthetimethatJosephandMarylived,whentwopeoplebecameengagedtobemarried,atthepointoftheirengagement,theyenteredintoalegalcontractthat,forallpracticalpurposes,wasnodifferentfromthecontracttheywouldholdoncetheywereactuallymarried.Therewerethreestepstomarriage.
1. Firstcametheengagement,whichwastransactedbetweenthefathersofthebrideand
thegroom.Thistransactionoftentookplacewhilethecouplewerestillchildren.Itwasanarrangedmarriage.
2. Thesecondstagewasbetrothal.Thistookplacewhenthecouplewereolderandgettingclosertotheactualtimeformarriage.Oncetheywerebetrothed,theywerelegallyboundtoeachother,andtherelationshipcouldbeendedonlybylegaldivorce.Betrothallastedforaboutayear.Duringthistimeofbetrothal,thecouplelivedseparately,andtheydidnotconsummatetherelationship.
3. Thefinalstagewasthemarriageitself,whentherewasahugefestivalandthegroomtookhisnewwifetocomeandlivewithhiminhishome.[DouglasE.Wingeier,KeepingHolyTime:YearA.Nashville:AbingdonPress,2001,page33.]
ENDSIDEBARBackinthedaysofJosephandMary,thingsweren’tliketheyaretoday,wherewhensomeoneinamarriageisunfaithful,thespouseunderstandsheorshehasanumberofchoices.Theymightworkitoutinsomeway,ortheymightgetdivorced.InMaryandJoseph’stime,onlyoneconsequencewasgenerallyconsideredappropriateforsuchasituation.Adulterywasanactthatendedthemarriageandcouldbepunishablebydeath.Solegally,whenJosephfoundMarytobewithchild,hecouldhaveaskedthatshebestonedtodeath,orattheveryleast,punishedinsomepubliclyhumiliatingway.Thatwasoftenthewaythingsweredone.ItwashisrightasarighteousJewishman.ButJosephdidn’tdothat.Becausehewasagoodman,hewasunwillingtoexposehertopublicdisgrace.Andso,Matthewtellsus,heplannedtocopewiththesituationascompassionatelyaspossible.Heplannedtodismissherquietly.Butthenonenight,afterhehadmadeuphismindabouthowtohandlethesituation,Josephhadthisstrange,amazingdream.Inthedream,theangeloftheLordappearedtohimandsaid,“Joseph,don’tabandonMary.Standbyher.Sheisnotpregnantbyanotherman.Nothingordinaryhascausedherpregnancy.SheispregnantonlybecausetheHolySpiritofGod,inamystical,miraculousmanner,hascausedhertobecomepregnant.ShewillbearasonfromthismysteriousunionofSpiritandflesh.AndyouaretonamethechildJesus,whichmeans‘Godsaves,’becausehewillsaveGod’speoplefromtheirsins”(Matthew1:20-23,author’sparaphrase).Nowthiswasamostunusual,vivid,andincredibledream,butstill,itwasonlyadream.We’veallhaddreamsthatweresovividtheyseemedreal.Butafterevenaveryrealisticdream,whenwewakeup,weknowthatevenasrealasthedreammighthaveseemedwhenwewerehavingit,itwas,infact,justadream.Maybewewilltellsomeoneaboutthedream,ortryto
figureoutwhatitmeant.Butintheend,weknowthatthereisadifferencebetweenoureverydayworldofrealityandtheworldofdreams.ThemostamazingthingaboutJoseph’sdreamisnotthatJosephhaditandthatitwassovivid.Whatisamazingisthatheletitinfluencethewayhehadplannedtoactinhisreallife.Becauseofthisdream,Josephchangedhismindabouthisdecision.HedecidednottogothroughwithhisplantoendhisrelationshipwithMary.Josephactedasifthedreamwasnotjustadream.Hedidn’tdismissitandsay,“Wow,thatdreamseemedsoreal.”Heactedasiftheinformationgiventohiminthedreamwasmoreintouchwithrealitythanwhathispersonalexperienceandcommonsensehadtaughthiminlife;namely,thatanytimeawomangetspregnant,thereisalwaysamaninvolvedsomewhereinthepicture.Thatistosay,Josephactedinanewwayasaresultofhisdream,awaythatwasadeparturefromthewayhehadplannedtoact.Inthisway,Josephwasawakenedtoanentirelynewwayofacting.Josephwasstillagoodandrighteousman,nodoubt.Butnow,insteadofmakingchoicesoutofhonorandculturalcode,hechosetoactoutoffaith.Heactedoutofhisconfidentbeliefinthetruth,value,ortrustworthinessofwhatanangeloftheLordsaidtohiminadream.HeactedonhissecurebeliefinGodandatrustingacceptanceofGod’swill.Andbecauseofthis,hewaschanged.Hewastransformed,notjustontheinside,butontheoutside.Hisheartchanged.Hisworldchanged.Hisspiritwasopeneduptoacceptatruththathadn’tbeenforhimbefore.Hefoundhimselfawakenedtonewpossibilities.Maybeapartofbeingawakenedisthewillingnesstoactonadream,believeinadream,andtrustthatsomethingthatseemslikeitcan’tbereal,isactuallyrealafterall:Likethedreamthatthisbaby,borninastableinBethlehemreallyisEmmanuel,Godwithus.LikethedreamofthekindofworldthatJesuscametomakemanifestinthisworldreallycanbearealityforallofGod’schildren.WeallknowthefamouswordsofMartinLutherKing,Jr.,whospokeaChrist-likedreamintotheworldthroughaspeechattheCivilRightsMovementMarchonWashington,August28,1963.(Readthefulltextofthespeech:https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/i-have-dream-address-delivered-march-washington-jobs-and-freedom.Keepinmindthatyoumayquoteitinworship,butyoumaynotmakeorprovideanyprint,electronic,orothercopiesofitwithoutobtainingwrittenpermissionfromthecopyrightholder.)
MartinLutherKing,Jr.didn’tjusthaveadream.Hedidn’tjustspeaksomebeautifulandpoeticwords.Heactedasifhisdreamwerereal,andindoingso,hehelpedotherstoliveintoanewreality.Wearenotcelebratingthebirthofababynextweekbecausehisexistencewasonlyadistantmemoryordream.WearenotgoingtoallthistroublebecausewesimplywanttoputupaChristmastreeanddecorateourhousesandhavepartiesandbuypresentsforthepeopleweloveandmakeourchildrenhappy.WearecelebratingthebirthofJesusChristintotheworldbecause,justlikeitwasforJoseph,thisisourawakeningstory.Itawakensustopossibilitiesbeyondourown.ItopensoureyestowhatispossiblewithGod.ItisourchancetoactasifthisdreamofGodintheworld,Emmanuel,isreal—sorealthatitcausesustochangeourlives,moveinadifferentdirection,andtransformtheworldintoaplaceofpeace,hope,faith,andloveforallpeople.WehaveadreamofwhatChristmasisabout.Letusnotwakeupthinkingitwasonlyadreamanddismissingitasanotherholidayseasoncomeandgone.Letusnotwakeupgladthatitisfinallyover,sowecangetonwithournormallives.Instead,letusawakentothenewrealitytowhichitispointing!Andletusbesoboldastoactaccordingly!PLANNINGNOTESInTheSeriesWe’reatweekfour,theconclusionofAdventproper.WemovefromSeelastweektoDreamthisweek.ThereisonlysomuchofwhatGodintendsthatwecanseebysimplyobservingwithourwakingeyes,ourcognitiveconsciousness.MuchofwhatGodcallsusintointhisseasongoesunseenuntilwebegintoenterintoGod’sdreamthattranscendsourwaking,consciousunderstanding.Soiflastweekwefoundourselvesonaplateauviewingthevistaanew,thisweekwefindourselvesinawaytranscendingtheplateau,perhapsevenhoveringaboveit,asitwere.NextSaturdaynight,wemoveintoChristmasSeason.WewillshiftaftertodayfromanticipatingwhatChristwillmakethingsbeathissecondcomingtowardcelebratingtheimplicationsofhisfirstcomingfornow.YoucoulddecidetomakeAdventandChristmastwodistinctseries.However,becauseChristmasseasonthisyearisveryshort(onlytwoSundays,includingChristmasDay),wehaveplannedthesetwoseasonsasacoherentwhole.ThusweendAdventproperwiththethemeofDreamthisweekandpickupwithPeace,flowingfromthatsenseofdreamasthethemeforChristmasEve.InThisServiceSohowdowegeneratethesenseoftranscendenceimpliedbydreamthisweek?Westartthis
intheEntrance.We’vesuggestedusingambientmusicorevensoundscapestoaccompanytheprocession.WehearthewordsoftheancientOAntiphonsfirstinawhisper,theninquietsinging.Andweinterspersethereadingofthegospelwithquietsingingaswell,seekingGodtoopenoureyestoGod’sdreamaswedoso.Andinthemidstofthat,welightthefourthAdventcandleinsilence.Thepurposeofthedreaminthisstoryisn’tforJosephtoabideinit,though.Fromthedream,Josephtakesaction,dramaticallydifferentactionthanhehaddeterminedwasmostappropriateinhiswakingconsideration.SothesermontodaybecomesanopportunitynotonlytoenterintoGod’sdreammorecompletely,buttobegintotakeactionandpraydifferentlybecauseofit.Thuswecallattentiontowhatweseekinprayermoreintentionallythisweek,andwepraywithasongunderscoringourprayers.Asyoucometotheendoftoday’sservice,besuretoissueaspecialinvitationtotheservicesyouwillofferthisChristmasseason(ChristmasEve,ChristmasDay,Epiphany).OnChristmasEve,asanearlyreminderhere,beespeciallykeenoninvitingfolksbacknotonlyforChristmasservices,butfortheSeasonafterEpiphanyseriesaswell,andsincethatseriesisaboutevangelism,onprovidinggoodwaysforyourfolkstoextendthatinvitationtootherstheyknowwhocurrentlyhavenochurchhome.
CHRISTMASEVE:PEACEMusicNotes
PreachingNotesPlanningNotes
FULLSERVICE
ENTRANCEOpeningMedleyofChristmashymns(threetofive)includingprocessiontothecrèchebychildren(costumedorotherwise)bringingfigurinesofMary,Joseph,Jesus,angelandshepherds,whilesinging“AwayintheManger”oranotherwell-knownchildren’sChristmashymnasaccompaniment.CalltoWorship(AdaptedfromLatinantiphon,HodieChristusnatusest)Onthisnight,Christisborn!NowtheSaviorhasappeared!Onthisnight,theheavenlychorusresounds!Allcreationrejoices!Onthisnight,thechurchthroughouttheworldjoinstheircry:GlorytoGodinthehighest!Alleluia!
Songs(oneormoreoftheChristmashymnsthatinclude“Gloriainexcelsis”—UMH236,238,240,244,248)PrayerofIllumination(adaptedfromLessonsandCarols)Openus,OGod,tohearagainthemessageoftheangels,andtogoinheartandmindwiththeshepherdstoBethlehemtoseethegloriousredemptionyouhavebroughttopassthroughtheNewbornlyinginamanger.Amen.WORDANDRESPONSEReader1:Luke2:1-3ChoirorBandSongaboutthedifficultcontextofthebirth
“IntheBleakMidwinter” UMH221 “’TwasintheMoonofWintertime” UMH244 “IHeardtheBellsonChristmasDay” DiscipleshipMinistriesWebsiteReader2:Luke2:4-7CongregationalSong:“OnceinRoyalDavid’sCity” UMH250,stanzas1-2Reader3:Luke2:8-14ChoirorBandsongontheangel’sappearancetotheshepherds GlorytoGodintheHighest(CanticleofGod’sGlory)(UMH82) GlorytoGodintheHighest(TFWS2276—Refrainbycongregation,stanzasby choir/ensemble) OrsimilarReader4:Luke2:15-20CongregationalHymn:“SingWeNowofChristmas,”UMH237,stanzas1-3orotherarrangementSermon “Peace”
ChoralResponse “Still,Still,Still” W&S3066 THANKSGIVINGANDCOMMUNIONWordandTableII UMH12(forinvitation,confession,pardon,offering)OffertoryMusic GreatThanksgivingforChristmasEve,DayorSeason BOW56-57MusicDuringCommunionCandleLighting “NightofSilence/SilentNight”(ChoirorEnsembleorSolo/Congregation.
ScoreavailablethroughOneLicense.netThanksgivingafterCommunion UMH11SENDINGFORTHCongregationalSong “JoytotheWorld”and/or“GoTellItontheMountain”DismissalPastor:ChristtheSaviorisborn.Goandspreadthegoodnewseverywhere!People:ThanksbetoGod.ChoralorBandorInstrumentalPostludeOtherrecommendedhymnsforChristmasEve: “SomeChildrenSeeHim” W&S3065 “WelcometoOurWorld” W&S3067 “TheVirginMaryHadaBabyBoy” TFWS2098 “MaryHadaBaby” W&S3058MUSICNOTESAsyouseeanumberofsuggestionsformusiconChristmasEve,rememberonetruth:youmustbethebestjudgeofwhatyourcongregationwillandwon’tsing,especiallyonmajorholidayslikeChristmas.Beboldinyourplanning,butrememberthattheprogressandhealthofyourcongregationisatstakeintimeslikethis.Manychurcheshavetraditionsfortheseholidaysforwhichyoumayormaynotwanttobecomeamartyr.Understand,though,thatthereisalsoaresponsibilityforleadershipinthechurchtobepropheticinitsministryinanever-changingcontext.Thetruthis,notmanythingscandomoreharmtotheliturgyofworshipthandamagingthetrustbetweenasongleaderandthecongregation.Asmusicians,wehavearesponsibilitytofosterandnurtureanenvironmentoftrustsocongregationswillbewillingtosingwhatevermightgivevoicetothepietyandministryofagivenchurch.HowwillthepeoplehaveconfidencetosingtotheLordanewsongiftheydonottrusttheirmusicalleadership?Itisbecauseofthesequestionsthatyou,astheleaderofthecongregation’ssong,areresponsibleforknowingthetraditionsofthechurchinwhichyouleadandhowfarpeoplearewillingtogotodosomethingnew.WorkwithinyourteamstocastavisionformakingChristmasEveworshipbothrespectfulofpasttraditionsanddaringasthechurchgiveswitnesstoGod’sloveinthecommunity.ThendeterminewhatPsalms,hymns,andspiritualsongsbestallowyourchurchtobewhoGodiscallingthemtobe,especiallyonadayofwondersuchas
ChristmasEve.WhileShepherdsWatchedTheirFlocksTakenfromthebirthnarrativefromLuke2:1-20,thistraditionalChristmashymnisawayforthecongregationtosingthestoryoftheshepherds’encounterwiththe“angeloftheLord.”Becauseofthecontinuingnarrativefoundinthehymn,itisbesttosingitinitsentirety.However,becausetherearesixstanzas,itisalsorecommendedtokeepabriskpace.ThisstoryisthecoreoftheChristmasEvemessage.Keepitengaging!Thetune,CHRISTMAS,isbestaccompaniedonorganorpiano.
AngelsWeHaveHeardonHighIcan’tthinkofonepersonwhodoesn’tlookforwardtosingingthe“Gloria”chorusofthishymn.InadditiontothebeautifulwayittellsthestoryofChristmas,thissettingisverywellwrittenandoneoftheeasiestandmostinterestinghymnstosinginfour-partharmony.Singthishymnboldlywithorgan,brass,handbells,orevenacappella.Sincemostcongregationssingeverythingonedynamiclevel—loud—providinganopportunityfordynamicvariance(loud/soft/loud)withinahymncanincreaseitspotencywithinaworshipsetting.“Benotafraid”tosingeitherstanza3or4withahushedquality,butbesuretokeepthetempolively.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-angels-we-have-heard-on-highHark!TheHeraldAngelsSingNotmanyChristmashymnsareaswellknownasthisCharlesWesleyhymn,whichissettoafamiliarmelodybyFelixMendelssohn.Singitwithgusto,andkeepthetempomoderate—nottoofast,andnottooslow.Accompanywithorgan,brass,handbells,oranyotherinstrumentsyouhaveavailableonChristmasEve.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-hark-the-herald-angels-singOnThisDayEarthShallRingThismelodymaynotbefamiliarforsomechurches,butrestassured,itisaChristmasstandardinmanyplaces.Thereisaninherentpowerinthistext/melodycombination,andthePERSONENTHODIEtuneisexcitingforkeyboardists.PronunciationoftheLatintextisasfollows:“ee-deh-ohglah-ree-aheenek-shell-seesdeh-oh.”Ifyouhaveahandbellchoir,therearemanywonderfulsettingsofthishymnavailableathandbellworld.comorring-press.com.ThetunehasadistinctRenaissance-eracharacter,soevenifyousingthiswithorganorpianoastheaccompaniment,addatambourineinapatternwithaquarternoteonbeats1,3,and4,withtwoeighthnotesoncount2tocreateaspiritedatmosphere.’TwasintheMoonofWintertimeThisChristmascarolhasriseninprominencebecauseofitsimportanceasanearlyNativeNorthAmericannativitycarol.ThehymnisrepletewithimagerythatoriginatesfromtheHuronpeopleofNorthAmerica.Itisverysingableandcanbeaccompaniedinanumberofways.Yes,itmaybeplayedonorganorpiano,butitisalsofrequentlysungwithahanddrumandunaccompaniedflute.Careneedstobetakenatthetransitionintotherefrainwithalong
enoughpauseforbreathbeforetherefrainbegins.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyslowingslightlyinthemeasurebeforetherefrainandinsertingacutoffatthebreakinthemeasurewithenoughtimeforaquickbreath.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-twas-in-the-moon-of-wintertimeOnceinRoyalDavid’sCityOneofmypersonalChristmasfavorites,thishymnfocusesonthehumanityofJesusandhisabilitytounderstandourhumanconditioninthemidstofhisdivinity.FollowingtheleadofmusicianslikeSufjanStevens,oneofthebestwaystoaccompanythishymniswithafolk,“grassroots”ensembleofguitar,mandolin,banjo,andbrushedsnaredrumwithaunisonorharmonizedmelody.Seethelinkedchordsheetforasettinginthisstyle.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-once-in-royal-davids-city-serves-as-processional-hymnGlorytoGodintheHighest(CanticleofGod’sGlory)ThisScottishchantmightbeapossibilityforyourchurchifyouhaveaconfidentsongleaderand/orachoirwhosingsfour-partharmonyfairlyeasily.Thismaynotfiteveryworshipcontext,butitisagoodplacetostartifyourcongregationisopentochantthatisaccessible.Believeitornot,theymightfindjoyinthesingingofchantperiodically!Freeingourselvesfromrelentlessrhythmcanbesurprising,creative,andsomewhatliberating.Worshipleadershipwiththisiskey:Ifyouembodyasenseofconfidenceintheleadingofthischant,itwillgoalongway.Makesurethewordsflowinaconversationalmanner;theyarenotintendedtobesungintheexactrhythmsshownonthepage.GlorytoGodintheHighest(DavidHaas)HaashascreatedoneofthemostenergeticandlivelysettingsoftheGloriawiththischorus.Themelodyisveryaccessibletocongregations,andthechoirorsoloistscansingthestanzas.Thepianopartisquitechallenging,soyourpianistneedstobeadeptatplayingverytechnicalpassages.Thissettingwouldalsoworkwellwithabandwholovesembracingliturgicaltexts.SetinthekeyofE,guitaristswillfindthisveryaccessible.SingWeNowofChristmasThisFrenchcarolhasbecomemorepopular,andthetunehasalsobeenusedoftenwiththeEasterhymn,“NowtheGreenBladeRiseth”(UMH311).Werecommenduseherewithstanzas1-3only,sincestanzas4and5specificallyaddresstheEpiphany.Thetuneisbouncy(asitshouldbe!),sodon’tletitdragwithanaccompanimentthatistooloudorheavy.Thereareanumberofchoral,children’s,andhandbellarrangementsofthistune,andmanyareaccessibleforchoirsofanysizeorability.ThereareseveraloptionsavailablefromtheChoristersGuild,http://www.choristersguild.org;type“SingWeNowofChristmas”intothesearchbox.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-sing-we-now-of-christmasStill,Still,Still
Thisnineteenth-centurylullabywasoriginallypublishedinSalzburg,Austria.Itswordsandverseshavevariedsomeovertheyears,notonlyintranslation,butalsointheoriginalGerman.TheversionincludedinWorship&Song(3066)combinesamorerecentEnglishtranslation(stanzas1and2)withavariationofstanza2oftheGermanversion.Theliltingtuneisdesignedforquietsinging,likeaparentsinginganinfantoryoungchildtosleep.Wesuggestthisasachoralresponsetoextendthesenseandfeelingofpeaceevokedasthethemeandconclusionofthesermon.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/still-still-stillNightofSilence/SilentNightIfyouarenotyetfamiliarwiththisworkbyDanielKantor,youaremissingoutonanopportunitytopresentthetraditionalcarol,“SilentNight,”withanewertextthataddressesthefrailtyofthehumanconditionatChristmas.PublishedbyGIAPublications(G-5622,https://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=453),thischoralsettingisamusicaloverlayinwhichbothmelodiesandtextsaresungsimultaneouslyattheconclusion.Theeffect,especiallywhenaccompaniedbythewritteninstrumentation,isbreathtaking.Thecandlesusedincandlelightingrituals,then,aremorethanawaytohonorJesus’birth.TheyarealsoareminderthatChristisstillwithusasthebringerofpeaceinthemidstofourhurt,pain,andloneliness.AsettingforcongregationonlycanalsobepurchasedanddownloadedthroughOneLicense.net.SomeChildrenSeeHimThisAlfredBurtcarolwaschosentobeapartofthecollectionWorship&Songbecauseofitspoignancy,butalsobecauseofitsleveloffamiliaritywithinmanycongregations.Manyofthecolorsusedinthissong,whentakenoutofcontext,couldbeseenasculturallyinsensitive.However,thepresenceofallthecolorstogetherwithsuchacaringtextcanbeaunifyingelement,too,celebratingdiversityinwaysinwhichmanychildrencanespeciallyrelate.Thispiecewasoriginallyintendedasasolowithpianoaccompaniment,butdespiteitssomewhatirregular5/4timesignature,thesingablephrasesmakethisanaccessibleChristmasselectionforcongregations,too.IftheEinthesecondphraseistoohigh,itispossibletosingthisdownonewholestepinthekeyofE-flat,thusmakingthehighnoteaDinstead.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/some-children-see-himWelcometoOurWorldChrisRicehaswrittenatouchingsongofwelcomethatcallsustoaddressthepainwewitnessandfeelinourcommunity.Jesuscomesasthebringerofpeaceandsalvation,andwemakeroomforhiminourhearts,inourchurches,inourcommunities,andinourworld.Don’tmaketheaccompanimentofthiscontemporaryhymnoverlycomplicated.Simpleisbetter;aguitarorpianobestbringsoutthecharacterofthetextandtune.TheVirginMaryHadaBabyBoyIfyouarelookingforadifferentmusicalexpressionofthenativity,considerthisWestIndiancarolthatfeaturesidiomaticCaribbeanrhythms,harmony,andmelodiccontour.Manyofthe
charactersofthenativityarerepresented:Mary,Jesus,angels,shepherds,andwisemen.Piano,organ,orinstrumentalensembleworkwellwiththissetting.Regardlessoftheharmonicinstruments,addlotsofpercussion!Makesurethetemporemainslively,andencouragesomemovementwithinthecongregation.MaryHadaBabyThisAfricanAmericanspiritualisagreatwaytoofferafour-part,acappellahymn(asledbythechoir)onChristmasEve.Thisspiritualisalsoawaytoincorporatemultigenerationalgroups—children,youth,andadults—bydividingupstanzaswitheachgroupleadingadifferentstanza.Therepetitionofthetextandthepredictablecontourofthemelodywillmakethisanimmediatefavoritewithpeopleofallages.Don’ttakethetempotooquickly,however.Allowittoremainsteadyandmoderate,and,ifclappingduringthesong,besuretoclaponlyonbeatstwoandfour.PREACHINGNOTESOverthepastfourweeksoftheAdventseason,wehavetalkedaboutalotofthings.Thefirstweek,wetalkedaboutthefragilityoflifeandtheneedtonotonlyexamineourlivesandthechoiceswearemaking,butalsotoliveincontinualgratitudeforallthatwehavebeengivenbythegraceofGod.Thesecondweek,wetalkedaboutJohntheBaptist,theonewhowassentbyGodtopreparethewayoftheLord.Isuggestedthat,likeJohn,duringtheweeksbeforeChristmas,we,whocallourselvesdisciplesofJesusChrist,mustworkdiligentlytoprepareourselvestoreceivehimbyengaginginintentionalactsofrepentanceandturningourselvesandreorientingourlivesbacktowardGod.OnthethirdSunday,wefoundourherofromthepreviousweek,JohntheBaptist,lockedupinjailandexperiencingafewdoubtsabouttheroleofJesus.Wetalkedabouttheprecariousnatureoftheworldandhow,duringtimesoffearanduncertainty,weneedtogivetestimony:tolookaroundtheworldtoseeandnametheclearsignsofconfirmationthatJesusis,indeed,theMessiah,Emmanuel,thepromisedonesentbyGodtosavetheworld.Andfinally,lastweek,wetalkedabouthowJoseph’sdreamwasn’tabirthnarrativeaboutJesus.ItwasanarrativeaboutJoseph’sawakeningtotherealityofGodintheworld.Isuggestedweallneedtolivenotasifthestatementthat“Godiswithus”ismerelyadream,butarealitythatcallsustorespondinwordandactionasdisciplesofJesusChrist.
Howdowerespondinwordandaction?Thatquestiondeservesamuchlongeranswerthantimeallowsthisweek.Thatisasermonseriesinandofitself!Soyou’llwanttotakeamomenttoinvitepeopleonChristmasEvetobesuretocomebackforthenextSermonSeries,“ComeandSee!”beginningJanuary8,2017.Inthisseries,wewillexplorethecall
tofollowhim,andtheresponseofmanydifferentpeople,duringtheseasonafterEpiphany.
Sonowwecometotheeveningthatwehavebeenpreparingforalloftheseweeks.Areweready?Areweprepared?HavewepreparedthewayoftheLord?Havewemadehispathsstraight?ThefamiliarstoryofthebirthofJesustoldinLuke’sGospelseemsparticularlyhelpfulforourpredicamentthisyear.Aswewerelookingatthestoryasateam,wenoticedthatLuke’sdescriptionofthebirthofJesusbringstogetherpeoplefrommanydifferentplacesandwalksoflife:shepherdsinthefield,acouplefromoutoftown,aninnkeeper,anangeloftheLord,andaterrifyingheavenlyhost.Thesecharactershavenoinherentconnectiontooneanother.Buttheirlivesintersectinapowerfulencounterastogethertheybearwitnesstothebirthofthisextraordinarychild.Theircommonexperienceandwitnessallowsthemtofindunity,eveninthemidstoftheirverydifferentcircumstancesoflife.Itallowsthemtofeelamomentarypeace.Ithelpsthemseepastthepastandthepresenttocatchaglimpseofafuturethatcouldbedifferentfromwhattheyhaveknown.Theycanseeinthischild’sface,ifonlyforasecond,thepromiseofGod’skingdom.Weliveinaturbulenttime.Aswehavenotedoverthepastfourweeks,theworldrightnowisinaprecariousandevenfrighteningperiodforpeopleintheUnitedStatesanditsneighborsaroundtheglobe.Nomatterwhatpolitical“side”peoplehavebeenonoverthepastfewmonths,thepresidentialelectionhasnowended.TheUnitedStateshasapresident-electwhowillbeinauguratedinjustafewweeks.Therearesatisfiedwinnersanddisappointedlosers.Thereareglobalneighborswhoareexcitedabouttheoutcome,andglobalneighborswhoareconcerned.Nomatterwhoweareorhowwefeel,wehavebeenunitedbythiscommonexperience.Likewise,thestateoftheUnitedMethodistChurchasadenominationisalsoinaprecariousandfragilestateaswestruggletofindawaytomaintainunitywhilerecognizingourever-increasingdiversityasweliveintotherealityofbeingaglobalchurch.Itisawonderfultime,andyetitismadeallthemoredifficultbyourdesiretohonorthedifferencesandwide-rangingopinionsthatexistwithinourworldwidedenominationalfamily.Sotherealityis,thisChristmas,familiesinyourcommunitymaybegatheringfortheholidayswithunresolvedfeelingsandverydifferentopinionsabouttheseoutcomesandwhattheymaymeanforthefuture.Therecouldbetensionaroundthetableinmanyhouseholds,tensioninthewidercommunity,andtensionaswegatherascongregationstocelebratethebirthofJesusChristinoursanctuariesonChristmasEve.InyourlocalchurchonChristmasEve,thegatheringofpeopleinthesanctuaryislikelygoingtoincludenotjustDemocratsandRepublicans,andnotjustprogressive,moderate,andconservativeUnitedMethodists,butmembersandnon-members,regularattendeesandnon-
regulars,localvisitorsandfolkswhoareintownfortheholidays.TherewillbepeoplewhohavenotbeeninchurchsincelastChristmasEve.Therewillbemanywhohavenotheardyourseriesuptothispoint.Andtherewillbesomewhoreallydon’tbelievethatJesusistheSonofGod,andwhocametochurchonChristmasEvenottocelebratethebirthoftheirLordandSavior,buttopleasetheirfamilyorlovedones.Andso—smackdabintothemiddleofthisdifficultsituationofunresolvedfeelings,diverseopinions,religiousandpoliticaldifferences,holidaytension,andfriendssittingalongsidefoes—asignofpeaceisbornintotheworld.ThesceneinLuke’sGospelofthebirthofJesusisahecticsituation.It’snotjusthecticbecauseofthemultitudecharactersinvolved.Itisalsohecticbecauseitinvolvesthecollisionofmultipleanddiversescenesintothissingularmomentintime:thecensusthatcausedayoungcoupletotravelagreatdistanceacrossdesertsandmountainsontheweekoftheirchild’sbirth;the“novacancy”signattheonlyinnintown;theshepherdsterrifiedbytheangeloftheLordappearingandspeakingoutofthenightsky;theheavenlyhostpraisingGod;andthechildbeingborninastableandlaidtorecoverfromthebirthexperienceonabedofhayinamanger,surroundedbyhisparents,animals,andcuriousandoverwhelmedshepherds.Itishectic.But,then,childbirthisalwayshectic.Ivividlyremembergivingbirthtomytwosons.Thedetailsofthosetwosceneswereverydifferent,buttheywereequallyhectic.Givingbirthisnotapeacefulorpleasurableevent,afterall.Itisviolentandmessyandpainfulandfrightening.Andyet,intheaftermath,thereisanewbornbaby,swaddledinsoftblanketsandgentlylaidinyourwaitingarms.Whenyougazeuponthefaceofyournewbornbaby,youforgetaboutthemanypainfulmonths,weeks,days,andhoursthatprecededthemoment.Youforgetaboutthesacrificesyoumade.Youputitallbehindyouandsimplyconcentrateontheincrediblepeacethatyoufeel.Aftertheviolenceofabirth,thereisaquietandpeacethathappens.Thereisjoy,contentment,relief.Outofthefrenzyandcrazinessoftheworldsituation,thepoliticalprocess,andtheholidayseason,comesasignofpeace.ThebirthofJesus,hisexistence,hislifeandteachings,hisdeathandresurrection,hispromisetocomeagain:ItisasignfromGod.ItisadivinecommunicationfromGodtoallpeople.Itisapromisethatthereishopefortheworld.ThegoodnewsIwantyoutoproclaimfromthepulpit,whereveryouserveinthisgreat,wideworld,isthatonthisday,inthecityofDavid,aSaviorwasborn.HeistheMessiah,theLord,thePrinceofPeace.Thisgoodnewsisnotjustforacertaingroupofpeopleoracertainscene.Thisgoodnewsisforwhoeverhasearstohearit.Itisnotageneralmessage.Itisspecificandpersonalforeachmemberofthehumanfamily.
Forthosewhoarestrugglingwithsomesortofpersonalproblem,itisapromiseofhealing.Forthosewhodon’tbelieveJesusChrististhesonofGod,itisaglimpseofGod’sloveforallGod’schildren.Forthosewhofeellikethewholeworldisintheviolentthroesofchaosandconfusion,itisamomentofrespiteandreflection. Forthosewholiveindarknessandfear,itcastsgreatlight:thepledgethatanewday,anewweek,anewyear,anewlife,iscomingforeachandeveryoneofus. Forthosewhoimaginethatthisworldisn’tworthsaving,itspeaksawordofhope.Andforthosewhoonthisnightfindthemselvesatoddswithsomeoneorsomething,itoffersapromiseofpeacethatpassesallunderstanding,nowandforevermore.PLANNINGNOTESInTheSeriesWhilethisserviceispartfiveofaseven-partseriesofservices,inmanyways,andperhapsformostwhowillattendit,itwillbeastandaloneservice.Still,keepthesenseoftheseriesinmindasyouplanit.Evencallattentiontoitasappropriate,particularlyasthisserviceleadsintothenexttwo.WeconcludedAdventonSundaywithDream.Tonight,weexploreacoreelementofGod’sdreamfortheworld,thedreamofPeace.Theincarnation,GodbecomingfleshanddwellingamongusinJesus,isalreadypartofGod’smakingpeacewithhumanityandthegreatercreation.Anangelannouncesthistoshepherds,andMary’sponderingof“allthesethingsinherheart”embodiesGod’sdreamofpeacesetlooseintheworldthroughJesusinanotherway.InThisServiceManywillcometoChristmasEveserviceswhogenerallyattendfewifanyotherservicesduringtheyear.Ifyouwantsomeofthesepeopletocomeback,thereareatleasttwothingsyouneedtodo.Oneistoinvitetheminacompellingway.Whilethemosteffectiveinvitationsarepersonalinvitationsfrompeople(notthepastor!)whoalreadyknowthem,aneffectivepublicinvitationcanhelpreinforcethepersonalone.Besuretousethisservicetoinvitefolksbothtotherestoftheservicesinthisseries(ChristmasDayandEpiphany,January1)andtoanyChristmas-relatedeventsyoumaybehosting.
Butdon’tstopthere.ProbablymostfolkswillnotcomebacktomorrowornextSunday,giventhetimeofyear.Sobesuretomakeastronginvitationandofferacompellingpreviewofyour“SeasonafterEpiphany”seriesaswell.Theoverallthemeforthisseriesinthecomingyearis“ComeandSee,”echoingtheinvitationofJesustoAndrew,andthenAndrewtoPeterinJohn’sGospel.DecideupfrontwhetheryourseriesinvitationwillstartwithBaptismoftheLord(whichmayfeel“insider”forsomewithitsfocusonreaffirmingthebaptismalcovenant)orthefollowingSunday(January15).IftheinvitationisforJanuary15,keepinmindyou’llneedtomakesuremoreofyourfolksmaketheinvitationoneononebetweennowandthen.AsecondismakethisChristmasEveservicemore“traditional”thannot.Yourannualguestsorotherlessfrequentguestsarehighlylikelytocomeexpectingtodowhatthey’vealwaysdonethisnightwithonlyminorvariations.TheywanttosingfamiliarChristmashymns,hearthestoryfromLuke,celebrateCommunion,andlightcandlesto“SilentNight.”Theydon’twantfolksmessingwiththesebasicstoomuch.ThisiswhatChristmasEveservicesaretothem.Don’tbreaktheirtrust.Ifyoudochangethisuptoomuch,youcanexpectafewangryresponses,andalotofthoseyouinvitetojoinyouforthenextseriessimplydeclineyourinvitation—andperhapswillnotshowupnextyearonChristmasEve,either.Thisiswhysomanyelementsinourcommendedservicearetraditional,includingtheuseoftheChristmasEveorChristmasDayliturgystraightfromTheUnitedMethodistHymnalandBookofWorshipandthesingingofmanyfamiliarChristmashymns.Oneelementthatmaybelessfamiliarisoursuggestedpairingof“NightofSilence”with“SilentNight,”butsincethecongregationsings“SilentNight”atthecandlelightingwiththetraditionalwordsandtext,theeffectmaybemoreamplificationofthetraditionthansomethingentirelynew.
CHRISTMASDAY:WORD
MusicNotes
PreachingNotesPlanningNotes
FULLSERVICE
ENTRANCEPrelude:MedleyofChristmassongsthatbeginonlowerpitches—maybestartingwithsomethinglike“LetAllMortalFleshKeepSilence”(UMH626)or“OftheFather’sLoveBegotten”(UMH184).*Greeting:JesusChristisborntoday!Alleluia!*Hymn“WhenChristmasMornisDawning” UMH232or
“OMorningStar,HowFairandBright” UMH247PrayerofIlluminationBeborninourhearing,LordJesus,andopenourlivestoyou:OurWord,ourLight,ourLife.Amen.WORDANDRESPONSEGospelReading John1:1-2HymnorChoralorBandon“Word”suchas“WordofGod,ComeDownonEarth”(UMH182)Prayers:Forthemissionofthechurch,tolistenandfollowtheWordmadeflesh...GospelReading John1:3-5HymnorChoralorBandon“Life”or“Light”suchas“ChristIstheWorld’sLight”(UMH188)or“BreakForth,OBeauteousHeavenlyLight”(UMH223)orJaneMarshall’s“EternalLight”(seehttps://www.riteseries.org/song/Hymnal1982/658/forahymn-basedversion)Prayers:Foroursocial,economic,andpoliticallife—toreflectthelightofChrist,andbuild,sustain,andprotectlifeofeverykindinourworldGospelReading John1:6-8Hymn/Song/Poem/Pastor’sCommenton“Witness”suchas“Go,TellItontheMountain”(UMH251)or“OnChristmasNight”(W&S3064)Prayers:Forallwhoproclaimthegospel,andforourselvestoproclaimChristfaithfullyGospelReading John1:9-11Song/Hymn/ChoralPiece/Poem/Pastor’sCommenton“Unwelcome,”including“WelcometoOurWorld”asonesonginthismix(ChrisRice,CCLISongSelect#2317391)Prayers:Forallwhoareleftbehind,isolated,harmed,orunwelcomedbytheworld,andforallwhoaresickGospelReading John1:12-14Song/Hymn/ChoralPiece/Poem/Pastor’sCommentonSeeingtheGlory/LightShiningonUssuchas“LightoftheWorld”(MattRedman,CCLISongSelect#2650577)Prayer:GloriainExcelsis/Lord’sPrayer[Reflection:“Word”]THANKSGIVINGANDOFFERINGHymn “SingWeNowofChristmas”(upbeat),stanzas1-3 UMH237NewVerse4Wordinfleshamongus,Godtakinghumanform,WeproclaimyourgloryonthisChristmasmorn.REFRAIN
NewVerse5ThanksandpraisetoJesus,thankstoGodonhigh,ThankstoHolySpirit,OneinThreedrawnnigh.REFRAINSENDINGFORTHHymn“JoytotheWorld” UMH246DismissalWehaveseenhisglory,thegloryasofGod’sonly-begotten,fullofgraceandtruth.Howgreatourjoy!Goforth,andproclaimit!ThanksbetoGod.OtherrecommendedhymnsforChristmasDay: “HeIsBorn” UMH228 “LoveCameDownatChristmas” UMH242 “‘TwasintheMoonofWintertime” UMH244 “ItCameUpontheMidnightClear” UMH218MUSICNOTESLetAllMortalFleshKeepSilenceThetextofthishymnismysteriousinitspresentationofChristdescendingtoearthbecauseitisawonderfuluseofanamnesis(bringingthepastintothepresent)andprolepsis(bringingthefutureintothepresent).ThefullnessoftimeisaddressedasweacknowledgeChrist’spresencewithusinthepastandwhenGod’sreigncomesinfullnessupontheearth.Althoughapowerfulhymnontheorgan,thereareamultitudeofwaystoembodythemoodofthehymn:
• Organaccompaniment,eitheraswrittenoraltered.• ChoralhumonanopenDchord(D,A),withasoloistleadingthecongregationona
unisonmelody.• Thesamehumplayedasadroneontheorgan.• Eventhoughitisnotaplainchant,itcouldbesunginthesamemanner,acappella
withunisonmelody.OftheFather’sLoveBegotten“Evermoreandevermore.”TheconcludingwordsofeachstanzaofthisbeautifulplainchantmelodyringasthecontinuingpraiseoftheincarnationandthepresenceofGodinfleshthroughJesusChrist.Thistune,DIVINUMMYSTERIUM,hasbeenusedinrecentyearsasachantthatisoftensetwithothertunes—forinstance,seethechoralwork,“HopeForResolution”
(Earthsongs,ES.W-034)—asastatementofpraise.Thefirstthreephrasesmoveupward,asdoourpraiseand,especiallyindaysofold,theincensethatrepresentsprayersrisingtoheaven.However,themelodyreturnstothetonic(D)attheendofeachstanza.Singingplainchantismadeeasierbyhavingaconfidentsongleader,andachoirisveryhelpfulaswell.Whensinging,IwouldrecommendadifferentapproachthanplayingtheaccompanimentaswritteninTheUnitedMethodistHymnal.Eitheruseabasspedalpointfromanorganorotherbass-clefinstrumentwithaunisonmelody,oruseanopenDchordfromanyinstrument(D,A),whetherorgan,piano,guitar,orstrings.Allowaflutetodoublethemelodyonthefirststanza,thenencouragesomebasicimprovisationonaDscalethroughout,especiallyintransitionsbetweenphrases.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-of-the-fathers-love-begottenOr,shouldyouchooseadifferentapproach,hereisasettingwiththetraditionalPolishcaroltune,WZLOBIELEZY:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/of-the-fathers-love-begotten-traditional-polish-melodyWhenChristmasMornIsDawningThissweetGermanfolktuneservesastheperfectsettingforthischildren’snativityhymn.Thishymn,likeotherswrittenforchildren,expressesthewonderofbeinginthepresenceofthenewbornJesus.Ifyourchildrenwerelikemineataveryyoungage,theyarefascinatedwithbabies!AllowthemthissamefascinationwiththestoryofJesus’birthassungthroughthishymn.Thoughtherearethreemusicalphrasesinthishymn,thetextisquiteshort,asthesecondphraseisalwaysrepeated.Asimpleorganorpianoaccompanimentworkswellforthisselection.Ifyourpianisthassomebasicimprovisationskills,Iwouldrecommendanalbertibass(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urW0KOTY1Ok)accompaniment(àlaMozart)inthelefthand.OMorningStar,HowFairandBrightThishymnhasbeensungformanyyears,andthetunehasoftenbeenusedasthecentralthemeforotherworks(seeMendelssohn,“ThereShallaStarComeOutofJacob”).Oneofthelongerhymntextsandtunesinourhymnal,itisanadventuretosingandrequirestheuseofthehymnalforaid.Thoughthefirstsix-measurephraseisrepeated,itislongenoughthatusingascreenmaynotbehelpfulinthesingingofthisparticularhymn.However,thesettinginthehymnalisalsoawonderfulfour-partchoralsettingbyJ.S.Bach,soyoumayevenchoosetousethishymnasachoralworkinworship.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-morning-star-how-fair-and-brightWordofGod,ComeDownonEarthIhavediscoveredthatmosthymnsinTheUnitedMethodistHymnalthatrefertothe“Word”arespecificallydirectedtothe“word”asScripture.ThisisoneofthefewhymnsthatrefertotheWordasdescribedinthefirstchapteroftheGospelofJohn.Thoughnota“Christmashymn,”italldependsonhowyouinterpretwhatisrequiredtobesuchatext.John1isalwaysthelectionaryScriptureforChristmasDay,soitseemsmostappropriate!Thischoraleisbest
accompaniedbyorganorpiano.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-word-of-god-come-down-on-earthChristIstheWorld’sLightThismostinterestinghymnbyFredPrattGreenpresentsuswithwhatittakestoconfessChristasSavior,includingthefactwecannot“servehimanddespiseanother.”ItalsouseslanguagenotoftenseeninhymnsinregardtoJesus:Hewas“soldonceforsilver”and“murdered.”Thesetruthsfromthegospelscanbehardtoaccept,letalonesing.However,itisimportantinproclaimingthegospelthatweincludethisasapartofthestory.InthecontextofChristmas,thefirststanzapresentsuswiththereflectiononlight,andsingingstanza1onlyinamedleywiththehymn,“IWanttoWalkasaChildoftheLight,”wouldbemostfitting.Approachingthisasamedleywillgivealittlemoretimetofocusonthelightimagery.Inorderforthistobemosteffective,beginplayingthefirstphraseof“IWanttoWalkasaChildoftheLight”(inthekeyofD)onthelastnoteof“ChristIstheWorld’sLight.”Allowthefirsttwophrasesof“IWanttoWalk”toserveastheintroduction.Whereasthefirsthymnismoreofachorale(and,thus,effectivelyaccompaniedonorganorpiano),thesecondisintendedtobeafolkhymnandcouldbeaccompaniedbyanynumberofinstruments,includingpiano,guitar,organ,and/oranycombinationofstringorwindinstruments.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-christ-is-the-worlds-lightBreakForth,OBeauteousHeavenlyLightThetextofthischoraleisacombinationoftextsbyJohannRist(translatedbyJohnTroutbeck)andFredPrattGreen.InachoralesettingharmonizedbyJ.S.Bach,thisselectionwouldworkwellasacongregationalhymnforthosewellsuitedtosingingchorales,anditcouldworkforanychoirtosingasafour-partchoralresponse.Organistherecommendedaccompaniment.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-break-forth-o-beauteous-heavenly-lightEternalLightFoundinTheHymnal1982,thisChristopherIdlehymnfocusesupontheeternalnatureofourrelationshipwithGod.Vividimageryoflightisfoundinthehymn,whichmaybebestsungasachoralresponse.JaneMarshall,composerofthechoralstandard,“MyEternalKing,”haswrittenthetune,whichmaybemoreaccessibleinsomechurchesthanothers.Accompanimentisbestonorganorpiano.Go,TellItontheMountainOneofthemosthighlyanticipatedsongstosingatChristmasisthisbelovedspiritual.Allowthechildreninyourchurchtocomeforwardandleadthesinging!Sometimesadultslacktheenergyneededtosupportthisenergetichymnofproclamation,andchildrencanhelpusreclaimthat.Bands,choirs,bells,andanyotherinstrumentalensemblescertainlyhaveaccompanimentsforthissong,anditworkswelltosingquicklyorslowly.Itsversatilitymakesitaccessibletoanychurch,anywhere!HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-
hymns-go-tell-it-on-the-mountainChordsheet:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/go-tell-it-on-the-mountainOnChristmasNightManypeopleknowthistraditionalEnglishChristmascarolbyitstunename,SUSSEXCAROL.Thepairingofitherewiththefocusof“witness”isevidentwhenconsideringtheinclusionofthestoryoftheangels’news,whichisalsoakintoanothercarolinthesamekeyandmeter,“GoodChristianFriends,Rejoice”(UMH224).ThoughoneisEnglishandtheotherGerman,thetwoworkverywelltogetherifyouaresearchingforamedleyofChristmassongs.TheybothtellofthenewsofJesus’birthandcanflowseamlesslyfromoneintotheother.“OnChristmasNight”alsohasagreatdealofimageryofthelightfoundinJohn1.Keepthetempomovingsothemelodyhasajoyous,celebratorymood,butnotsofastthatthecongregationisunabletobreatheappropriatelybetweenstanzas.Therearealsoanumberofinstrumentalsettingsofthisfamiliarcarol,includinganumberofoptionsforhandbellsathandbellworld.com.WelcometoOurWorldChrisRicehaswrittenatouchingsongofwelcomethatcallsustoaddressthepainwewitnessandfeelinourcommunity.Jesuscomesasthebringerofpeaceandsalvation,andwemakeroomforhiminourhearts,inourchurches,inourcommunities,andinourworld.Don’tmaketheaccompanimentofthiscontemporaryhymnoverlycomplicated.Simpleisbetter;aguitarorpianobestbringsoutthecharacterofthetextandtune.LightoftheWorldOneofthesongsinthemodernrepertoirethatembracesthebiblicalimageryofJohn1,MattRedman’s“LightoftheWorld”isaccessibleformanycongregations.Thechordstructureisverysimple,butacoupleofelementsareabittricky:(1)Theentranceofthemelodyintheversesontheleadingtone(7thdegreeofthescale),and(2)thepresenceofagreatdealofsyncopation.Repetitioncanbehelpfulinthesesections.IrecommendsingingandplayingthisselectioninthekeyofG,atleastthefirsttimeitissung.Thetessitura(locationofthemajorityofnotes)inthechorusremainsabithighifthecongregationdoesnotknowthesong,soloweringittoGishelpfulinitsteaching.SingWeNowofChristmasThisFrenchcarolhasbecomemorepopular,andthetunehasalsobeenusedoftenwiththeEasterhymn,“NowtheGreenBladeRiseth”(UMH311).Werecommenduseherewithstanzas1-3only,sincestanzas4and5specificallyaddresstheEpiphany.Thetuneisbouncy(asitshouldbe!),sodon’tletitdragwithanaccompanimentthatistooloudorheavy.Thereareanumberofchoral,children’s,andhandbellarrangementsofthistune,andmanyareaccessibleforchoirsofanysizeorability.ThereareseveraloptionsavailablefromtheChoristersGuild,http://www.choristersguild.org.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-sing-we-now-of-christmasJoytotheWorld,TheLordHasCome
ThisreimaginationoftheIsaacWattstextisaneffectivewaytobookendthisservicewiththetraditionalsettingsungatthebeginning.Therecommendedliturgicaluseinthisserviceissingingthechorusonly.Itiseasilyaccompaniedbypiano,guitar,orband.Onethingtonote:IfusingCCLISongSelectasthesource,thefirstbeatofthechorusisactuallyarest(The“joy”onthefirstbeatistheconclusionofeachstanza).Invitethecongregationtobeginsingingonbeat2ofthechorus.HeIsBornManychildreninyourcongregationandcommunitymayknowthisChristmascarolbecauseofitswideuseinchildren’schoirs,bothinchurchesandinthegreatercommunity.Givethemeninyourchoirtheabilitytoserveasthebagpipesbysingingare-enunciateddroneonan“O”vowelinopenfifths(Basses:F,TenorsC),especiallyontherefrain.Theycanevenscoopintoitalittlebittosimulateabagpipe/drumcombination.Handdrumalsofitswelltoaccompanythisjoyfulsong.However,ifyouhappentohavepeopleinyourcongregationwhoactuallyplaybagpipesand/oroboe,putthemtowork!Ifyourchurchhasachoir,simplyinstructthemtosinginfourpartsonthestanzas.Youmayalsochoosetoputafermata(briefhold)onthelastnoteofeachstanzabeforereturningtotherefrain.Keepthetempolively!HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-french-carol-he-is-born-celebrates-joyous-seasonLoveCameDownatChristmasThishymnwouldalsomakeagreatpairingwith“IntheBleakMidwinter”foratwo-songsetofhymnsbyChristinaRossetti.EventherhythmsofthisIrishmelodyandtheHolsttuneof“IntheBleakMidwinter”areverysimilar.ThefocusonGod’sidentityasLoveisattheveryheartofWesleyanhymnody,andthusthishymnisawonderfulpartoftheMethodistrepertoireofhymnsforthisseason.Accompanywithasimpleinstrumentationoforgan,piano,orguitar,andaddotherinstrumentsasable.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-love-came-down-at-christmas‘TwasintheMoonofWintertimeThisChristmascarolhasriseninprominencebecauseofitsimportanceasanearlyNativeNorthAmericannativitycarol.ThehymnisrepletewithimagerythatoriginatesfromtheHuronpeopleofNorthAmerica.Itisverysingableandcanbeaccompaniedinanumberofways.Yes,itmaybeplayedonorganorpiano,butitisalsofrequentlysungwithahanddrumandunaccompaniedflute.Careneedstobetakenatthetransitionintotherefrainwithalongenoughpauseforbreathbeforetherefrainbegins.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyslowingslightlyinthemeasurebeforetherefrainandinsertingacutoffatthebreakinthemeasurewithenoughtimeforaquickbreath.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-twas-in-the-moon-of-wintertimeItCameupontheMidnightClearHavingfoundasmuchuseasanAdventhymnasaChristmashymn,“ItCameupontheMidnightClear”offersaclearsenseofanticipationtowardatimewhenpeaceshallruleoveralltheearth.Thehymnbeginswiththeangels’songandmovestowardtextmorereminiscentof
thebiblicallanguageofthereignofGod.ThiswouldserveasagreatadditiontothehymnsingingofChristmasDaybecauseitisaverywellknownhymnwiththemesofhopeandpeace.Thebestaccompanimentforthishymniseitherorgan,piano,orunaccompaniedSATBchoir.Don’tletthetempolag,however,becausethesenseofanticipationisenhancedbythebusierfeelofthe6/8meter.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-it-came-upon-a-midnight-clearPREACHINGNOTESWewouldencourageyounottopreachtoday;butifyoufeelyoumust,hereisapossibledirection.InthedaysfollowingChristmas,lotsofpeoplearejustexhausted.Weclergyareexhausted.Musicleaders,layleaders,choirmembers,andchurchstaffareexhausted(especiallyonayearwhenChristmasEvefallsonSaturday!).Churchmembers,especiallyactiveones,areexhausted.Maybefolksareevenkindofgladitisover.Theymightberelievedthat,afterthisservice,theywillhavealittlebreakfromchurch.Andsoitisimportanttorealizethatpeople’sfeelingsmaybealloverthemapastheygatherforworshiponChristmasDay.Theremaybesomewhofeelresentful.Theremaybethosewhoareinattendancemoreoutofguiltthanjoy.Andtherewillbesome,hopefullymorethanafew,whoaredownrightthrilledtobeinworshiponChristmasDay!Whetherfolksarefeelingjoyful,excitedandpeacefultoday,orfeelingliketheyjustsurvivedawar,thetruthofthematteristhateveryyearwhenpeoplecometothisholiday,insomeformoranother,weallhavetoreinterpretourexperienceoftheholidayseasonaccordingtoourcurrentlifecircumstances.Christmasisadaythatis,formostpeople,ladenwithbothexpectationsandmemories.WebringtoChristmasDaynotonlyourpresentcircumstances,butourghostsofChristmasespastandourhopesforChristmasesfuture.TherearethosewhoremembertheChristmasesofchildhoodwithfondnessandjoy.ForthosewhohadpositiveChristmasexperiencesaschildren,theremaybeastrongdesiretore-createthatexperienceascloselyaspossiblefortheircurrentfamilysituation.Butofcourse,nomatterhowhardwetry,wecan’tachievethisgoal.Wecan’treturntothepast,andwecan’tbringbacktolifethecastofcharactersortheparticularcircumstancesthatwereapartofitall.Thosethingsweholdinourmemories,nomatterhowidyllicwerememberthemasbeing,cannotbereproduced.Theyarethepast.Otherpeople’sChristmases-pastdonotbringhappymemories.Theyarethestuffofnightmares,dominatedbymemoriesofparentsorlovedonesfighting,deepdisappointments,
heavydrinking,notenoughmoney,siblingrivalry,resentment,anger,grief,beingcartedbetweendivorcedparents,orfeelingsofterriblelonelinessandloss.Forthosewhosememoriesarenothappy,Christmas-presentmayrepresentachancetomakeacompletebreakfromChristmasespast.Theyareanopportunitytoreinterprettheholidayandbuildnewmemoriestoreplacetheoldones.John’sversionofthebirthofChristisacompletereinterpretationoftheold,old,storytraditionallyreadonChristmasEve.InJohn’sGospel,thereisnovisitationfromanangel,noshepherdskeepingtheirflocksbynight,nostarinthesky,nostableandmanger,nomotherandchild.InJohn’sGospelthere’sjustthe“Word.”“InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.HewasinthebeginningwithGod.Allthingscameintobeingthroughhim,andwithouthimnotonethingcameintobeing”(John1:1-3,NRSV).Assuch,John’sreinterpretationoftheChristmasstoryprovidesanecessarycorrectivetotheothergospelnarrativesaboutthebirthofJesus.Itisareinterpretationofthetraditionthat,whilenotacompletebreakfromtheotherversions,isapartofthestorythatmustbetoldifwearetofullyunderstandwhatthisseasonisabout.John’sopeningnarrativeisnotaboutthebirthofJesus.Rather,itisaboutthebirthofGodintotheworldandGodgivingbirthtotheworld.ItisaboutGod’screationofthisworldandallthatisinit.Itisabouthowinthebeginningoftime,theWordofGodbecameflesh.ItisaboutGodincarnate,Godwithus,Emmanuel,inthepersonofJesustheChrist.Itisabouthow,inthebeginning,thatsameWord,thatsamefleshandbloodperson,thatsamemanwhosebirthwejustcelebrated,wasalwayswithGod,partofGod,ofthesamebeingasGod.JohnstartswiththepremisethatGodcreatedusandthatpartofthatactofcreationwasGod'sWord,ormessage,orangle,orstamp,orintention,oridea,orideal,orpurpose,allofwhichhesumsupastheWord.Beforetherewasanything,beforecreation,therewastheWord.TheWordwastherewithGod,allalong,fromthebeginning.TheWordwasthesameasGod.TheWordwasGod.TheWordwasthesourceoflifeitself,sothatalloflifehasthegeneticstampoftheWordbuiltintoit.It’sinourDNA.BecauseoftheWord,alloflifehasnotonlyageneticstampoftheWord,butalsoabuilt-inawarenessofthelightthathascomeintotheworld.Humanbeings,whoarecreatedinGod’s
image,areendowedbyourcreatorwithanaturalimpulsetobefollowersoflightinsteadoffollowersofshadowanddespair.God'screativeactivityandtheworkoftheWorddidanddoesnotendwiththeactofcausingthemoonandstars,sunandearth,plants,animals,andpeopletocomeintobeing.AllofthesethingscomefromtheWord,butcreationisnottheend.Goddidnotsetitallintomotionandthengoaway.TheWordbecameahumanbeing.TheWordwasborn,fleshandblood,andbecameaparticipantinthedailyeventsandstrugglesofhumanlife.TheWord,whichhadalreadygiventheimpulsetobefollowersoflight,cametofocusinoneindividual:JesusChrist,fullofgraceandtruth.BecauseGodsentGod’sonlysonintotheworld,wecanliveaschildrenofthelight.BecauseofJesus,wecanresistourhumantemptationtodwellintheshadowsandfearsanddespairofthepast.BecauseofJesus,wecanfighttoimprovethehandthattheworldhasdealtus.BecauseofJesus,ourlivescanbereinterpreted.Wecanbere-created,bornagain,andgivenanewlifethroughChrist,whoisGodwithus.BecauseGodhascometousinthisway,wehaveasecondchancetomakethingsright.Andathird,andafourth,andahundredth,ifweneedit.BecauseofJesus,wehavebeengiventheopportunitytoreinterpretourpastsandmovetowardalifelivedinthelightoftruthandgraceratherthanalifeovershadowedbythedarknessofourpainfulmemoriesandexperiences.Thegoodnewsfortodayistheproclamationthatthelighthascomeintotheworld,fullofgraceandtruth.ThelightofChristisstrongerthanthepowersofdarknessandevilthatthreatenus.AndthepoweroflifeinChristJesusisstrongerthananymemory,strongerthananysetback,strongerthananyevilthatthreatensus,strongereventhanthepowerofdeath.Whathascomeintobeinginhimwaslife,andthelifewasthelightofallthepeople.ThelightofChristshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknessdidnot,andwillnotever,overcomeit.ThisisthepromisethatisbornintotheworldthroughthebirthofJesus.Thisisthehope,thelove,thejoy,andthepeaceofChrist.Thisisthecenterofourcelebration.Thisisthereasonwehavethestrengthtogoon.Thisiswhywecankeeprewritingourlifescripts,allthewayintothelifethatistocome.PLANNINGNOTESInThisSeriesInthethreeservicesofthisseason,wemovefromPeace(ChristmasEve)toWord(ChristmasDay)toReveal(EpiphanySunday,nextweek).PeaceisannouncedandcelebratedasboldgoodnewsonChristmasEve.ThefocusoftheChristmasDayreadingsonWordmovesustowardcontemplation.Nextweek,wepickupthemoodofwonder,love,andpraiseaswellas
awarenessofthethreattheincarnationofGodinJesusChristposedandposestothepowersofthisworld.TodayChristmasEvewasjustlastnight.ChristmasDayisrarelycelebratedatallinourchurches.Whenitis,itmayonlybewhenitfallsonaSunday,asitdoesthisyear.Attendanceislikelytobelowtoday.Peoplemayhavestayeduplatelasteveningcelebratingwiththeirfamiliesandfriends,evenafterlateChristmasEveservices.Manyotherswillsimplystayhomeorgoouttobreakfastthismorningwiththeirfamiliesandoutoftownguests.Sowhateverhappenstodaymayneedtobeinamoreintimatemodethanlastnight’scelebration.Today’ssimpleserviceoflessons,songs,andprayerswithanactofthanksgivingratherthanCommunionandperhapswithabrief,moreconversationalhomily,ifany“sermon”atall,mayhelpfitthatbill.Still,youmayhavesomevisitorsaswellasafewwhohavereturnedfromormissedtheChristmasEveserviceandwanttoattendsomesortofChristmasservice.SobesuretobejustasattentivetoinvitingalltoworshipnextSundayaswellasthelaunchofyourSeasonafterEpiphanyseries.Andplantokeeptheinvitationscomingthroughthecomingweeksaswell.
EPIPHANYSUNDAY:REVEAL
MusicNotesPreachingNotesPlanningNotes
FULLSERVICE
ENTRANCEIfthechurchhasacrèche,todayisthedayforthevisitationofthewisemenbearinggifts.Considerincludinganenactmentofthis,eitherasanopeningprocessionalwhilesinginganappropriatesongortwoorthree,orinpreparationforthereadingofthegospellessonfortoday. “WeThreeKings” UMH254
“TheFirstNoel” UMH245 “Star-Child” TFWS2095 “OnThisDayEarthShallRing” UMH248 “There’saSongintheAir” UMH249 “WeWouldSeeJesus” UMH256PrayerofIlluminationBriefspokenseguebytheworshipleaderfromlastsongdirectlytothereadings
WORDANDRESPONSEFirstReading Isaiah60:1-6HymnorSong “OMorningStar,HowFairandBright” UMH247or “LoveHasCome” W&S3059SecondReadingEphesians3:1-12ProcessiontotheCrèchewithWiseMen(ifnotdoneearlier)Gospel Matthew2:1-12 Sermon “Reveal”Choral/BandAnthem “AStarShoneBright” W&S3051or“JesusSaves” (Hughes/Herbert,CCLISongSelect#5322950)PrayersofthePeopleUse“Jesus,theLightoftheWorld”(W&S3056orAfricanaHymnal4038,ordownloadablefromOnelicense.net)asanongoingrefrainSingstanza1andchorus.Playstanzawhilepraying:Forallcreation,Rockandplasma,iceandwater,Stars,galaxies,andbosons,Andeveryformoflifeyouhavemade:Shiningintheuniverse,Andshininginourhearts:Hearourprayer,LordJesus.Singstanza2andchorus.Playstanzawhilepraying:Forleadersineveryformofcommonlife:Innations,states,cities,towns,tribes,companiesgreatandsmall,Incongregationsanddenominations,Especiallyforourbishop,(Name),ourdistrictsuperintendent(Name),andourpastor(s)andlayleader(s)(Names):Shiningintheuniverse,Shininginourhearts,
Hearourprayer,LordJesus.Singstanza3andchorus.Playstanzawhilepraying:Forallwhoareinisolationandallwhosufferbecauseofsickness,injustice,loneliness,orprejudice;Revealyourlightinthemandinus,Andletyourhealinganddeliveringpowerflowthroughthemandthroughus:Shiningintheuniverse,Shininginourhearts,Hearourprayer,LordJesus.SingChorustwice.THANKSGIVINGANDCOMMUNIONWordandTableIIforInvitationtotheTable,Confession,PardonandPeaceOfferingOffertoryMusic
“WhatGiftCanWeBring” UMH87*AnyoftheselectionsbaseduponEpiphanythatarenotchosenforthisSundaywould
workwellwiththeofferingsincethescripturalnarrativeinvolvesastoryofgiving!GreatThanksgivingforEpiphany BOW58-59HymnsDuringCommunion “CuandoElPobre”/”WhenthePoorOnes” UMH434
“SomeChildrenSeeHim” W&S3065ThanksgivingafterCommunion
AlmightyGod,wegiveyouthanksforthisholymysteryinwhichyouhaverevealedyourselftous.Sendusoutintotheworldtoseeandbearwitnesstoyourrevelationinallthings,andinvitealltocome,tasteandseeyoursavingpower;throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.
SongofSendingSungto“Jesus,theLightoftheWorld”WegoforthinJesus’name,Jesusthelightoftheworld;
ShiningwiththeSpirit’sgleam,Jesusthelightoftheworld.Chorustwice.DismissalDeaconorLayLeader:Goforth,beholdtherevelation,Andrevealittooneandall.Jesusisthelightoftheworld!Christinyouisthehopeofglory!People:Berevealedinus,LordJesus!ThanksbetoGod!PostludeMUSICNOTESWeThreeKingsAfavoritetosingfortheobservanceoftheEpiphany,thishymntellsthestoryofthemagiandtheirvisittoJesus.Inrecentyears,however,thishymnhasfallenunderabitofscrutinybecauseofitsdeclarationthattherewerethreemagieventhoughthegospelwriterofMatthewdoesn’tassignanumber.Itisclearthatthehymnwriterassignedonepergift—gold,frankincense,andmyrrh.Thisinaccuracymayneedtobefleshedoutmoreoutsideofworshipbecauseitdoesn’tnecessarilymakethishymnunsingable.Thestoryitself(anditssinging)isonechildrenandadultsbothcanandneedtosingtogether.Keepinmindthisisnotafive-stanzahymnthatcanbetrimmeddownbecausestanzas2-4eachaddressoneofthegiftsgiventoJesusbytheMagi.Theliltingtimesignature(3/8)givesthishymnarockingfeelthatIhaveoftenpicturedasofa“songforajourney.”Oneofthebestinstrumentstoaccompanythistune,otherthananorganand/orpiano,isatambourine.ItgivesitanEasternflairthatcancreateamemorableeffectonthisday.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-we-three-kingsTheFirstNoelThistraditionalEnglishcarolisoftenthoughtofasacarolforChristmasEveorChristmasDay,butitcentersmoreuponthestoryoftheEpiphanythanthebirthofJesus.TherefrainisnewsofJesus’birth,andthisnewsisshowninthishymnbytheangelandthestar.Unlike“WeThreeKings,”ifyouneedtosinglessthanfivestanzas(dependingonitsliturgicaluse),itispossibleto
singstanzas1,2,and5andstilltellthestoryeffectively.Ifitispossible,haveyourchoirsingallfourpartsintherefrainthroughout,andhavethesopranossingthetenorpartoftherefrainuponeoctaveforapowerfuldescantonthefinalstanza.Star-ChildShirleyErenaMurrayandCarltonR.YounghaveteameduptocreateamostpoignanthymnoftheChristmasseason.ThishymnisaproclamationofjusticeandremindsusthatweareallchildrenofGod,nomatterhowoldweareorinwhatsituationwefindourselves.Awonderfulsettingofthishymnisavailablethroughitspublisher,HopePublishingCompany(https://is.gd/JaS0J8),andfeaturesmultipleinstrumentsforaccompaniment,includinghandbells,winds,andpiano.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-star-childOnThisDayEarthShallRingThismelodymaynotbefamiliarforsomechurches,butrestassureditisaChristmasstandardinmanyplaces.Thereisaninherentpowerinthistext/melodycombination,andthePERSONENTHODIEtuneisexcitingforkeyboardists.PronunciationoftheLatintextisasfollows:“ee-deh-ohglah-ree-aheenek-shell-seesdeh-oh.”Ifyouhaveahandbellchoir,therearemanywonderfulsettingsofthishymnavailableathandbellworld.comorring-press.com.ThetunehasadistinctRenaissance-eracharacter,soevenifyousingthiswithorganorpianoastheaccompaniment,addatambourineinapatternwithaquarternoteonbeats1,3,and4,withtwoeighthnotesoncount2tocreateaspiritedatmosphere.There’saSongintheAirThestarpointstothenewsofJesus’birthinthisbelovedtraditionalChristmashymn.Besuretokeepthetempolivelyasareminderthatthis“SongintheAir”isgoodnewsforallpeople!HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-theres-a-song-in-the-airWeWouldSeeJesusThistextfocusesuponthebirth,childhood,andministryofJesus.Sometimesthebroadscopeofthenarrativefoundinthehymncanprovedifficultinfindingagoodtimeforitsuseinworship,butitsinclusionoftheEpiphanystoryprovidesonesuchoccasiontosingitheartily.AnewfolksettingbyJacksonHenryisalsoavailable:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/we-would-see-jesus.Inthefirstfourstanzas,themelodyisfoundinthebottomnotes;butinthefifthstanza,themelodyisfoundinthemiddlenotes.Theotherharmonyprovidedisoptional.Thetempoisveryslowandisreminiscentofaslow,bluegrassballad.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-we-would-see-guides-us-from-nativity-to-epiphanyOMorningStar,HowFairandBrightThishymnhasbeensungformanyyears,andthetunehasoftenbeenusedasthecentralthemeforotherworks(seeMendelssohn,“ThereShallaStarComeOutofJacob”).Oneofthelongerhymntextsandtunesinourhymnal,itisanadventuretosingandrequirestheuseof
thehymnalforaid.Thoughthefirstsix-measurephraseisrepeated,itislongenoughthatusingascreenmaynotbehelpfulinthesingingofthisparticularhymn.However,thesettinginthehymnalisalsoawonderfulfour-partchoralsettingbyJ.S.Bach,soyoumayevenchoosetousethishymnasachoralworkinworship.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-o-morning-star-how-fair-and-brightLoveHasComeAnothernotablehymnidentifyingJesusas“Love,”thistextandtunecombinationrepresentoneofthebestconnectionsbetweenJesusastheSonofGodandtheLightoftheWorld,whichisatimelymessageforEpiphany.ThelaststanzaaddressesourmoderncontextandthepromiseofLoveas“thepeaceourheartsareseeking.”PairingthiswithBRINGATORCHisawonderfulwaytointegrateawell-knowntuneintotheworshiplifeofthecongregation.Therangeiswellplacedforthevoice,andusingaflute,violin,oroboe(orothertrebleclefinstrument)todoublethevoiceswillgivemusicalinterestandvocalsupport.Theaccompanimentcaneasilybeprovidedonorgan,piano,orguitar.AStarShoneBrightF.RichardGarlandhascreatedanexpressionofEpiphanythatlinkswiththisservice,especiallythroughthepleato“revealtousyourholyway.”SincemostChristmasandEpiphanyhymnsareveryChristocentric,thistextprovidesanoption,too,tofocusupontheroleoftheHolySpiritinourobservationofthisholyseason.ThesettingofthistextwithOWALYWALYbringsatunenotusuallyassociatedwithChristmasandEpiphany,buttheuseofthisfamiliartunewillhelpthecongregationfocussolelyonthetext.Accompanywithanykeyboardinstrumentorguitar,alongwithasoloorduoinstrumentalgroupplayinganimproviseddescantorthesopranoandaltopartsuponeoctave.Ifyourchurchhasachoir,itwouldalsobepossibleonthelaststanzatohaveatwo-partcanonbyhavingthesecondpartechobysingingtheirfirstthreeeighthnotesonthe“and”ofthedownbeatinthefirstfullmeasure.Thisplacesonepartonasustainedhalfnotewhiletheotherpartsingsthemovingeighthnotesineveryphrase.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/a-star-shone-bright1Musicalscore:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/a-star-shone-brightorinWorship&Song.JesusSavesThisselectioniswellchosenforabandanthem.Therangeisverywide,anditwouldbebestsungbyatenorwhohasasignificantrangetosinglowandhigh.Thesamelanguagethatisincorporatedbythehymn,“Lovehascome,”isalsofeaturedinthissong,soitwouldbeagreatconnectionwiththeearlierhymn.Shouldyouchoosetosingthissongwithyourcongregation,IwouldrecommendchangingthekeytoAandsingingtheverseuponeoctaveandthensingthechorusaswritten.Whensungthatway,theversestillresideswithinanacceptablepartofthevoiceforcongregationalsinging,andthetransitiontothechorusisseamless.Jesus,theLightoftheWorld
Therearetwoversionsofthissongyoucanusetochoosefromwhenplanningthisservice:Worship&Song,3056,orTheAfricanaHymnal,4038.TheW&SsettingincorporatesatextbyKenBible(whowrote“LoveHasCome”)andfocusesupontheimageryofthestar.TheversionfromTheAfricanaHymnalusesthetextof“Hark,theHeraldAngelsSing”alongwiththefamiliarrefrain.Eithersettingisagreatpossibilityforcongregationalsinging.Don’tsingthissongtooquickly.Itmusthaveaslow,rockingcharacter,whichcanbeaccomplishedatametronomemarkingofabout100-104.Anorgan(especiallyaHammond!),piano,orgospelbandcanaccompanythissongwithstyle.Shouldyourchoirwanttosingthisasananthemorusethepieceitselfasthecongregationalsongthroughouttheprayer,seethisarrangementbyAndréThomas,publishedbyChoristersGuild(CGA1063,http://www.choristersguild.org/store/cga1063-walk-in-the-light-satb/120/).Ithasafairlyadvancedpianoaccompaniment,butyouwon’tregretusingitifyourpianistcanplayadvancedrepertoire.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/jesus-the-light-of-the-worldWhatGiftCanWeBringWhensingingthisJaneMarshallhymnduringtheoffering,itputsthecongregationintheshoesofthemagiwhenconsideringwhatgiftstopresentinsupportofthechurchanditsmission.Thehymnitselfisaproclamationofthanksgivingandhastheabilitytobeagiftitself:“Thissongwenowofferinhonorandpraise!”Thebestaccompanimentforthishymnisorganorpiano.Simpleguitarpartscanalsobecreatedwithatrebleinstrumenttoenhancethemusicaltexture.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-what-gift-can-we-bringCuandoElPobre(WhenthePoorOnes)SingingthisbeautifulhymnattheEpiphanycreatesanimageofhospitalitysurroundingtheholyfamily,welcomingthemagi(the“strangers”thatarealludedtointhetext)intotheirhumblehome.Thecharacterof“CuandoElPobre”isdistinctlySpanish,anditshouldbesunglongingly,yethopefully.Thereareanumberofwaystomusicallysupportthehymn,includingasologuitar,piano,andtwoflutesonsopranoandaltoparts.HistoryofHymns:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-when-the-poor-onesSomeChildrenSeeHimThisAlfredBurtcarolwaschosentobeapartofthecollectionWorship&Songbecauseofitspoignancy,butalsobecauseofitsleveloffamiliaritywithinmanycongregations.Manyofthecolorsusedinthissong,whentakenoutofcontext,couldbeseenasculturallyinsensitive.However,thepresenceofallthecolorstogetherwithsuchacaringtextcanbeaunifyingelement,too,celebratingdiversityinwaysinwhichmanychildrencanespeciallyrelate.Thispiecewasoriginallyintendedasasolowithpianoaccompaniment,butdespiteitssomewhatirregular5/4-timesignature,thesingablephrasesmakethisanaccessibleChristmasselectionforcongregations,too.IftheEinthesecondphraseistoohigh,itispossibletosingthisdownonewholestepinthekeyofE-flat,thusmakingthehighnoteaDinstead.Hymnstudy:http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/some-children-see-him
PREACHINGNOTESIlovehomeimprovementshows.Fromtheoldiesbutgoodieslike“ThisOldHouse”and“TradingSpaces”tocurrentpopularshowslike“RehabAddict,”“LoveItorListIt,”“FliporFlop,”“FixerUpper,”and“HouseHuntersRenovation.”Younameit!Ilovethemall.IthinkIfirstheardtheword“reveal”usedasanounyearsagoontheshow,“TradingSpaces.”Theclimaxoftheshowwasthereveal,orthetourbythehomeownersandthecamerasofthefinishedspaceaftertherenovationwascompleted.Everythingthathadhappenedintheshowbeforethismomenthelpedtheviewertoanticipate,butnotquiteenvision,thefullpictureofthefinishedspace.Soifwewanttocopthisideaofthe“reveal”andapplyittotheChristianfaithintermsofthepersonofJesusChrist,wemightpointtoEpiphanySundayastheclimacticmomentoftheannualAdvent-Christmas-Epiphanycycle.ForeventhoughthestoryofthemagifollowingthestartopayhomagetothechildJesusmaynot,atfirstglance,seemlikethefirstmomentinwhichweseethe“reveal,”that’sexactlywhatitis.Why?BecausetherevealinthishighholyseasonisnotthebirthofJesus.Itistheconfirmationofhistrueidentity.SIDEBAR:Epiphany,Theophany,andBaptismoftheLordbyTaylorBurton-EdwardsWeexpecttohearaboutandseeimagesofthewisemeninassociationwithEpiphany,aswell,perhaps,asChristmasEveorChristmasDay.Youmightexpecttofindmanysuchimagesinpaint,sculpture,orlivingpageants.Somechurchesmayevenhavestatuarydepictingthem.Butthere’soneotherplacethemagishowupwithsignificantfrequencyinchurches,EastandWest,fromaboutthefifthcenturyon:baptismalfonts!Whymagionbaptismalfonts?BecausetheearliestcelebrationsoftheFeastofEpiphany(orTheophanyintheOrthodoxchurches)celebratedboththebirthofChristandthebaptismofChrist.Indeed,partofthepurposeofthedaywastodrawastraightlinebetweenChrist’sbirthandhisbaptism,hisincarnationandthedeclarationbythevoicefromheaventhatheistheSonofGod.Thewatersofhisbirthandthewatersofhisbaptismareone.IntheEasternChurch(Orthodox),theFeastofTheophanyalsothusincludesoneotherelement:TheBlessingoftheWaters.ThisisanadditionalritualthatfollowsafterthemaincelebrationoftheFeastofEpiphanyattheprincipalmorningservice,andisoftendoneoutdoorsatanearbystreamofwater,particularlyonethatisasourceofwaterforthatarea.Thewateristhenliberallysharedwithallaround,bothbysprinklingthepeopleandencouragingpeopletotaketheblessedwaterstodrink.TheideaisthemanifestationorappearingofGod(Epiphany/Theophany)inJesusChrististhedefinitivesignthatGodindeedintendstoredeemthewholeofcreation,notjustsinfulhumankind,andpouroutmercyandcompassiononall.TolearnmoreabouttheobservanceofTheophanyintheOrthodoxChurch,
seehttps://oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-year/epiphany.ENDSIDEBARInthepast,whenIhavereadthisScripture,Ihavebeen,atvarioustimes,focusedontheprofessionsofthemagi,orthescienceofthestar,orthepurposeofthedream,orHerod’sstrangebehavior,orthegifts.Butthistimearound,Iwanttofocusontheresponseofthemagi.Fromthetext,weknowthatthesemenfromtheeastobservedastarrisinginthesky.Theyknewthisstarsignaledthebirthofaking,andnotjustanyking,butspecificallythekingoftheJews.Idon’tknowhowtheyknewthis.Wecanreadspeculationfromscholarsandexpertsonthesubject.Wecanminethehistoryofastrology.WecanexplainitastheworkofhindsightonthepartoftheauthorofMatthew’sGospel.Wecanattributeittoscience,orprophecy,oreasternreligion.Butthefactis,wedon’tknowexactlyhowtheyknew.WeknowonlywhatMatthewtellsus:theysawastarrisingandtheyhittheroadforJerusalem,bearinggifts,topayhomagetothenewly-bornkingoftheJews.SIDEBAR:“THESTARINTHEEAST”ByTaylorBurton-EdwardsThewayweunderstandandteachhowthestarsparticipateinthestoryofthecomingofthemagicanbeeitherastumblingblocktoaskepticalworldorapointofrevelationandwonder.Thewaythisstoryisoftenpopularlytold,themagiseethestarinthesky,andthenuseittonavigatefirsttoJerusalemandthentothehomewhereJesuswas.Thestarisoftenpicturedasmovingaboutinthesky(arather“un-star-like”behavior)likeaGPSindicator,andthemagiarepicturedasfollowingthestarwhereitleads.Weknowthisisn’thowstarsbehave,atall.It’snotevenhowplanets(thewordplanetliterallymeans“wanderer”)behave.SodidthewritersoftheNewTestament,andsodidZoroastrianastrologersatthetime.SoratherthancontinuingtotellthisstoryasifthestarwerelikeaGPSindicator,andsomakingthewholethingseemfoolishtomodern(orevenancient)ears,besuretopaycloserattentiontowhattheBibleactuallysaysandhowthatdovetailswithancientastrologicalunderstandings,andevenwithmodernscience.WhattheBibleportraysisthatastarsignalingthebirthofakinginJudeaaccordingtothen-currentastrologicalunderstandingshadappearedinthenightsky.ThemagifollowedthestaratthispointonlyinthesensethatthestarindicatedJudeaasthelocationofthebirth.TheycrossedtheArabiandesertfromsomewhereintheEast(BaghdadorTehran?)andwenttoJerusalem,thecapitalofJudea,consideringitasthemostlikelyplaceeithertofindhimorto
learnmore.Indeed,whentheyreportwhyandhowthey’vecometoJerusalem,theysaynothingof“followingthestar”atall.TheytellHerodandothersonlythattheyhadseen“hisstaratitsrising”(Matthew2:3)andthereforeheadedtoJerusalem.TheydidlearnmoreinJerusalem,notfromthestar,butfromscribeswhorelatedtheprophecyofthebirthofamessiah(anewDavid)inBethlehem(David’shometown).Herod,notthestar,sentthemtoBethlehem.TheGreekinMatthew2:9couldbetranslatedeither“thestarwentaheadofthem”or“thestarledthem.”Inthefirstcase,thelanguageismostlylikelyastrological.ThestarwasmovingrelativetotheotherconstellationsastheymadetheirjourneyfromJerusalemtoBethlehem.Inthesecondcase,itmeanstheywerestilltrackingthesamestarassomesortofpointofreferenceformeaning,ifnotpreciselocation.WhentheyarrivedinBethlehem,theystartedlookingforthechild.Ononeofthoseevenings,theyobservedthestar“wasstationedabovewherethechildwas”(2:9).Thekeyphrasehereis“wherethechildwas.”Thiscuriousphraselikelydoesn’tmeanthestarwasseendirectlyaboveanyoneparticularhouseasopposedtoanyotherhouseinthesmalltownofBethlehem.Thedistancesaretoogreatforthatpreciseareckoningoflocationfromtheconstellationsintheskytoaparticularpointonearth.Andtheywouldhaveknownthat.Thefarmorelikelymeaning,giventhattheywereastrologers,wouldhavetodowiththerelativepositionofthestartheyhadbeentrackingwithrespecttothe“houses”namedintheirastrology.Sothestartheyweretrackingwas,ataparticularpoint,positionedabove“wherethechildwas,”i.e.abovethe“houseofthechild,”orScorpio,aswemaycallthatconstellation.(SeeadescriptionofthedivisionofhousesinZoroastrianastrology:http://zoroastrianastrology.blogspot.com/p/world-horoscope.html.)ThesecondmeaningpointstothemseeingthestarinthispositionwhentheyarrivedwhereJesuswas.Thattheyrejoicedgreatlytoseethestar(verse10)probablyindicatesthestardidnotsimply“stop”(i.e.,stopshining,thoughthatisalsoapossibletranslation).ThepositionofthestarrelativetotheconstellationswhentheyarrivedatthehomeofJesusindicatedtothemagithatwhatthestaranditslocationwerepointingto(anewbornKingofJudea)wasnowdirectlybeforetheminthephysicalhousetheyhadcometo.There,theyofferedtheirgiftsandtheirhomagetoJesus.ENDSIDEBARLikewise,wedon’tknowwhytheymadeadetourtoinformHerodabouttheiractions.Allweknowisthattheydidthis,andthenewsfrightenednotonlyHerod,but“allofJerusalemwithhim,”sothatHerodcalledallofhisexpertstogethertogatherinformationonexactlywhothischildwasandwhathisbirthmightmeanforhisempire.Andafterhehadconsultedhisownexperts,hesummonedthemagibackforasecondconversation,presumablysohecouldcomparetheinformationhehadreceivedfromhisownpeopletotheinformationbeingprovidedbytheseoutsiders.
Hethentoldthemagianoutrightlie.Hesentthemforthtovisitthechildwithinstructionstolethimknowexactlywherethebabywaslocatedsothathetoocouldpayhomagetothenewbornking.AndsothemencontinuedontheirwaytoBethlehem,followingthestartotheexactspotwherethebabylay.MatthewtellsuswhentheyenteredthehousewhereJesusandhisfamilywerestaying,theywereoverwhelmedwithjoy.Theykneltbeforehimandpresentedhimwithgifts.Afterthevisit,theyleftfortheirowncountry“byanotherroad.”Again,wedon’tknowwhy.WecanconcludefromthestorythattheytookadifferentrouteinordertoprotectthechildfromHerod,butMatthewdoesn’tsaythatdirectly.Allhesaysisthattheywere“warnedinadream”nottoreturntoHerod,andjustlikeJosephinthestoryfromanearlierchapter,theyactedonthatdreamasifitwerereal.Sothatisallwereallyknow.Thesearethehints,theclues,theglimpsesintothemeaningofthevisitofthemagifromtheEast.Thequestionis,whatisthebigrevealofferedbywayofthisstory?WhatpictureofcompletiondoesitprovideforthereadersofMatthew’sGospel?WhatdoesittellusaboutwhoJesusreallyis?Ithinkthatinthesamewaythedesigndetailsinarenovationprojectultimatelymakeorbreaktheproject,sothepowerfulverbsinthispassagearewhatmakethebigrevealinthisstory:observed,came,payhomage,frighten,search,find,setout,stopped,knelt,offered,warned,left.Thesestrongactionwordsrevealadirectprogressionfrombeliefandactiontoconfirmationandresponse.AlthoughthemagifollowacompletelydifferentbeliefsystemfromthatofthefamilyofJesus,oreventhepeopleofHerod’sempire,thesignstheyseethroughthewindowoftheirownreligiousworldviewcompelthemtorespondtothebeliefsofthisotherfaithtradition.Notonlythat,theyseeinthisotherreligioustraditionthatinthischildthedivineisnotjustpresent,butpowerful.SeeingJesusforthemselvesnotonlyconfirmsthatheisindeedtheoneofwhomtheprophetsspoke,butthatthesigntheyreadintheskyhadledthemtosomethingveryrealandsomethingveryjoyful.Theyexperiencethedivinepresenceandpowerpersonally.Andtheyrespondbykneelingdownbeforehim;thatis,essentially,worshipinghim.Whathashappenedinyourlifethatledtothe“bigreveal”thatJesusChristwasyourLordandSavior?Howcanyouhelppeoplefromotherbeliefsystems,especiallythosewhohaverejectedorganizedreligioningeneralortheChristianfaithinparticular,experiencearevealthatconfirmsforthemJesusChristisLord?HowcanyourevealJesustotheseseekersinthestyletheyprefer,thelanguagetheyuse,andwithauthenticrespectfortheirpresentspiritualbeliefsystem,nomatterwhatitis?
WhatsignsfromtheworldaroundyoucanyoupointtothatrevealthepresenceandpowerofChristatwork,andthatmightleadotherstoactinresponsetothebeliefsoftheChristianfaith?Whyisthismomentthebig“reveal?”Whatgoodnewsdoesitproclaim?ItisapublicacknowledgementbythosewhoareverymuchoutsidersthatJesusisLord.Itisaconfirmationthatalltheearthmustbowdowntohim.Itisconfirmationthattheheavenscooperatetoidentifyhim.ItisconfirmationthatreligiousleadersfromotherlandsnotonlyrecognizehimasthekingoftheJews,butrespondtohimasadivinepresenceintheworld.Itisconfirmationthathispowerfrightensthoseinworldlypower.IfJesuscanberevealedasLordtoleadersfromanotherreligioustradition,thentheLordshipofJesuscanberevealedtoanyoneinthewholeworld!WhatisourresponsetothegoodnewsthatJesusisKing?Howhaveourlivesbeenchanged,andhowareourlivesstillbeingtransformed,bythebigrevealthatJesusChristisLord?Asourseriescomestoaclose,besuretotakeamomenttogiveapreviewofthenextseries,whichkicksoffaweekfromtodayandinvitefolkstocomeback.HavingrecognizedinthebigrevealthatJesusChristisLord,overthenexteightweeks,wewillbeginlivingintothenewrealityofhisLordshipasweinviteothersto“ComeandSee”thismanwecallourSavior.ThisserieswillbefocusedonintroducingJesustopeoplewhodonotyetknowhim,orreintroducinghimtopeoplewhohaveknownhiminthepastbutinrecentyearshavefallenawayfromtheirrelationshipwithhim.Wehopethatyouwillusethisseriesasanevangelisticefforttostartthenewyear.Wewantyoutostronglyencouragethemembersofyourcongregationtoinvitesomeonetheyknowwhodoesnothaveachurchhometo“comeandsee”theJesusthatdrewthefirstdisciplestohimandto“comeandsee”whathisearlyministrywasallabout!Remember,thisisthetimeinJesus’lifewhenallmannerofpeopleflockedtohearhimteachandexperienceorwitnesshishealingpower.MakesurethatyourcongregationknowsthatitistheirresponsibilityaswellasyourstosharethegoodnewstheyhavecometoknowinJesusChrist.Tellthemtobringafriendtochurch,andplantogetyour“A-game”onasyoupreparepreachtheamazinggoodnewsfortheSeasonafterEpiphany!PLANNINGNOTESIntheSeriesTodaymarkstheconclusionoftheAdvent-Christmasseries.Eachseries’conclusionneedstodotwothings:(1)deliverinastrongwayonthewholeseriespromise,and(2)makeasegueandofferapreviewoftheupcomingseries.
ThisflowofthisserieshasbeenWatch,Turn,See,Dream,Peace,Word,andReveal.WestartedinAdventwithanticipationofarevelationtocome.Today,wecelebratewhathasbeenrevealedinthefirstcomingofJesusChristandtheongoingworkoftheHolySpiritthroughandbeyondChrist’sbody,thechurch.Wehavemovedfromfearfulhope,throughrepentance,towardexperiencingtheworldandGod’shopefortheworldinnewways.Whiletheincarnationalsounleashesthreatintotheworld,threatagainstthecontinuinghegemonyofentrenchedpowersthatresistthesavingwayandworkofGod,italsounleashesahopeandcelebrationsomassivethattheuniverseitselfdeclaresChrist’sbirthinwaysthatmoveZoroastrianastrologerstojourneyhundredsofmilesacrosstheArabiandeserttopayhimhomage.Theupcomingseries(SeasonafterEpiphany)supportsthechurchinaseasonofevangelism,invitingpeopleto“comeandsee”whatJesusandhiscalltodiscipleshipareaboutandtobepreparedmorefullytoliveasdisciplesthroughtheseasonofLentthatfollows.TodayBecausethisyear’scelebrationofEpiphanyfallsduringtheChristmasholidays,andrightafterNewYear’sEve,attendanceatworshipmaybehardtopredicttoday.ButthatisnoreasonnottocelebratetherevelationofGodinJesusChristtothewiderworld,evenacknowledgedbytheuniverse,today.Indeed,today’sgospelreadingmakesforagreatNewYear’skickoff.Keepinmindthattheeffectivekickofffornewcomersforyournextseriesmaybeintwoweeksratherthannextweek(BaptismoftheLord).Nextweek’scelebrationmaybeappropriatelyprimarilyfocusedonpeoplewhoareinapositiontoreaffirmthebaptismalcovenantaswell,perhaps,astheWesleycovenant,ratherthanonnewcomersbeinginvitedtocomeandseewhatdiscipleshiptoJesusamongyoumaybeallabout.ProcessiontotheCrèchewiththeWiseMenIntheorderofScripturesweusefortheChristmasseason,wetellthestoryoftheshepherdsonChristmasEveandthestoryofthecomingofthemagionEpiphany.Ifyourcongregationhasacrèche(nativityscene),todaywouldbeagooddayforpeopledressedaswisemen(possiblychildren)tobringmagifigurinestothecrècheandpresentthemthere.Thismaybeofferedatthebeginningoftheservice,accompaniedbythesingingof“WeThreeKings”(ifdesired)ordonewithsingingorinreverentsilenceasanintroductiontothereadingofthegospel.
