Anthem Gentle Mary Laid Her Child from Piae Cantiones, 1582 text Joseph Simpson Cook Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger, There he lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger. Such a babe in such a place, can he be the Savior? Ask the saved by grace through faith, who have found his favor.Angels sang about his birth; wise men sought and found him; Heaven’s star shone brightly forth, glory all around him. Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, heard the angels’ singing; All the plains were lit that night; all the hills were ringing.Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger, He is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger. Son of God, of humble birth, beautiful the story. Praise his name in all the earth; hail the King of Glory!

“A String of Lights”

December 8, 2024
E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come Paul Manz text based on Revelation 21 Peace be to you, and grace from him Who freed us from our sins Who loved us all and shed his blood That we might saved be Sing Holy, Holy to our Lord The Lord, Almighty God Who was, and is, and is to come Sing Holy, Holy Lord Rejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell therein Rejoice on earth, ye saints below For Christ is coming soon E’en so Lord Jesus, quickly come And night shall be no more They need no light, nor lamp, nor sun For Christ will be their All
Psalm 104 Music by Autumn text from the 1650 Scottish Psalter Bless God, my soul! O Lord my God, thou art exceeding great. With honor and with majesty thou art clothed in state. With light, as with a robe, thyself thou coverest about, And, like unto a curtain, thou the heavens stretchest out. Thou didst it cover with the deep, as with a garment spread; The water stood above the hills when thou the word but said. They by the mountains do ascend and by the valley ground Descend unto that very place which thou for them didst found. He to the valley sends the springs, which run among the hills, They to all beasts of the field give drink, wild asses drink their fills. For cattle he makes grass to grow, he makes the herb to spring; For th’use of man, that food to him he from the earth may bring. And wine that, to the heart of man, doth cheerfulness impart; Oil that his face makes shine; and bread that strengtheneth his heart. How manifold, Lord, are thy works! In wisdom wonderful Thou every one of them hast made, earths of thy riches full.
Anthem A City Called Heaven arr. Josephine Poelinitz African American Sorrow Song I am a pilgrim, a pilgrim of sorrow, I’m left in this wide world, this wide world alone! Ain’t got no hope, got no hope for tomorrow, Trying to make it, make heaven my home.   Sometimes I’m tossed and I’m driven, Lord. Sometimes I just don’t know which way to turn, Heard of a city, a city called heaven Trying to make it, make heaven my home.