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Advent Hymn: Advent Leads Our Hearts

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Advent Leads Our Hearts
Rev. Elana Keppel Levy, 2018
(Tune of “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night”)
ABERYSTWYTH (Joseph Parry, 1876)
1. Advent leads our hearts to hope, when we wander lost, alone.
Though we in the darkness grope, we trust in a savior known.
Righteous Branch and Son of Man, breaking through this world of sin.
Life and justice in his hand, remakes all without, within.
2. Advent leads our hearts to peace, when the way seems rough, unclear
When fear and violence will not cease, we know that our God draws near.
Messenger of covenant, tell us of the Holy Son:
Who self-righteousness confronts, shaping us to live as one.
3. Advent leads our hearts to joy, when we need a festal song.
God renews each girl and boy, with a gladness bold and strong.
Shame removed and lame restored, outcasts gathered safely home –
We rejoice in God, the Lord, let us make our praises known!
4. Advent leads our hearts to love, when we need God’s tender care.
We’re the flock of One above – our good shepherd, always there.
Mighty One, to us be near as you were to Mary mild.
Let us serve you without fear, as we await the heavenly child.
5. Advent leads our hearts to Christ, we have seen a great light.
You have shattered sin’s device, that would keep us in the night.
Counselor and Mighty God, Ever Father, Prince of Peace,
By your grace we’re filled with awe, let our praise of you increase.
~Rev. Elana Keppel Levy, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
Attached: PDF of the lyrics with musical score formatted for half-page legal bulletins (7″ x 8.5″)
pdf icon Advent-Leads-Our-Hearts-bulletin-ready.pdf

CTW: Holy Humor / all-age worship

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One: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
All: Joy! Joy! Joy!
One: Break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! [GtG #236: The Strife is O’er]
One: Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre!
All: We would, but what sound does a lyre make?
One: With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
All: We know that one: toot, toot, toot!
One: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it.
All: Roar!
One: Let the floods clap their hands!
All: [Applause]
One: Let the hills sing together for joy!
Choir: I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay!
One: Christ is Risen! Let us worship God.

~Submitted by Rev. Elana Keppel Levy, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Oklahoma

Hymn inspired by the book of James

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Here’s a new hymn inspired by the Book of James. It is written in 8.7.8.7 D and is sung to the tune, HOLY MANNA.

Permission is given for use in congregational worship. Please give the following credit: “Copyright 2018 Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com”

 

Keep our faith alive and thriving, help us be your servants true.
Stir our hearts to break with grief when hurting people cry for you.
May our works reflect our preaching, may your worship change our ways.
Make our mission full and fruitful, serving you with all our days.

What good is it, Gospel children, if you pray but fail to act?
Is not faith a concrete practice, never only in abstract?
May we live your Gospel fully; hearing, yes, but doing, too!
May our lives reflect your calling, not just when we’re in our pew.

What good is it, God’s beloved, if the Church is naught but talk?
Who are we to shut the door when those who weep and suffer knock?
Far too often have we faltered when we’re called to take a stand.
Free our hearts to serve you boldly, feeding people from your hand.

Faith that’s free from works is deadly, keeping us from serving true.
Make us, mold us, steer us clearly to the truth we should pursue.
All your children need your mercy, help us serve the ones in need.
Seal us in your Holy Spirit, preaching love in word and deed.

Submitted by Rev. Stephen M Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington KY

pdf icon Keep-Our-Faith-Alive-and-Thriving.pdf

POP: songs of love

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Let us pray to the Lord saying:
God of Melody, help us sing songs of love.

God who fills our hearts with song,
we give you thanks for our choir,
our organist, our minister of music,
and all the musicians who gift us with music.
The Psalms implore us to make a joyful noise to the Lord,
and we are grateful for the musical leaders among us.
God of Melody, help us sing songs of love.

God of Songs Old and New,
we give thank for the songs that have been gifted to us
by those who have joined the Church Triumphant,
for the melodies that were taught to us
by our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents.
We thank you for their truth and endurance.
We also give you thanks for new melodies and hymns,
for new hymnals that expand our repertoire of praise,
and address an ever-changing world
with theological language that challenges and compels us.
God of Melody, help us sing songs of love.

God of Praise,
we pray for those who are too comfortable among us,
who need to hear songs that confront and challenge;
we pray for those who are sick and weak,
who need to hear songs that heal and give peace;
we pray for those who are uncertain or scared,
who need to hear songs that uplift and empower;
we pray for those who are grieving,
who need to hear songs that give voice to their sorrow;
we pray for those who are happy,
who need to hear songs that exude unabashed joy;
we pray silently for those on our hearts this day
that they may hear and sing whatever song is needed…
God of Melody, help us sing songs of love.

Melodious God,
hear our prayers as we lift them up to you.
Come to us, as we pray the prayer you taught us to pray, saying: Our Father…

 

Submitted by Stephen M. Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington, KY

Hymn inspired by 2 Timothy

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Here’s a new hymn inspired by the first chapter of 2 Timothy. It is written in 10.10.10.4 and is sung to the tune, ENGELBERG.

Permission is given for use in congregational worship. Please give the following credit: “Copyright 2018 Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com”

 

Guard the good treasure God entrusts to you;
In everything hold fast to what is true;
The Spirit guides and gives us hope anew. Alleluia!

Be not ashamed of what the Lord has done;
We have a holy calling, everyone;
Prepare your hearts, our work has just begun. Alleluia!

Hold fast to teaching that reflects God’s grace;
proclaim the story of Christ’s strong embrace;
and God will give us strength to run this race. Alleluia!

This grace was giv’n to us in Jesus Christ;
We all are saved through his own sacrifice;
We must respond for he has paid the price. Alleluia!

Through your baptism you have been ordained
to preach the love that cannot be contained
and share the fruitful blessing you’ve obtained. Alleluia!

 

Submitted by Rev. Stephen M Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington KY

pdf icon Guard-the-Good-Treasure-God-Entrusts-to-You.pdf