“While We Are Waiting”

November 26, 2024
Anthem As the Dark Awaits the Dawn Carl Schalk text Susan Palo CherweinAs the dark awaits the dawn So we await your light O Star of promise, scatter night Loving bright, loving bright Till shades of fear are goneAs the blue expectant hour Before the silv’ring skies We long to see your day arise Whole and wise, whole and wise O lucent Morning Star As the moon reflects the sun Until the night’s decrease May we your healing light release Living peace, living peace Unto your holy dawnShine your future on this place Enlighten ev’ry guest That through us stream your holiness Bright and blest, bright and blest Come dawn, O Sun of grace
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.

Shifting Sands

November 17, 2024
The Beatitudes H.R. Evans text from Matthew 5 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heav’n. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, Blessed are ye when men shall persecute you, And shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is thy reward in Heaven! Rejoice, be exceeding glad and glorify the Father in Heav’n.

The Sound of Two Coins

November 10, 2024
Offertory Anthem arr. Mark Hayes text by Darlene Zschech My Jesus, my Savior, Lord there is none like you All of my days, I want to praise the wonders of your mighty love My Comfort, my Shelter, Tower of Refuge and Strength Let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship YouShout to the Lord all the earth let us sing, power and majesty, praise to the King Mountains bow down and the sea will roar at the sound of your name I sing for joy at the work of your hands Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand Nothing compares to the promise I have in you.
Christ, Who Was Before the World Began Brenda Portman text by Angier Brock Christ, who was before the world began; Christ with God, as all things came to be; Christ in ev’ry atom, ev’ry span Of hope and light across eternity; You took on our humanity; You walked the shores of Galilee. You healed the blind and set the captives free, And still you walk with us through history. Christ, we are your people gathered here, Holding earth’s near future in our hands. Needs are great, but good news draws us near With dreams of justice, love’s sweet providence. Come set our hearts at liberty And give our faith vitality. Help us to serve, in peace and confidence, As faithful stewards of your new covenant. Christ the hope of generations past; Christ as yet our compass, star, and guide; Christ who summons us to feast and fast By which the greatest love is multiplied: You pour out grace unsparingly,You ask us to live daringly. Teach us to answer with a clear “Amen!” And through your church, may you be glorified.

“Giving up?”

October 20, 2024
Anthem We Shall Walk Through the Valley arr. Undine Smith Moore African American Spiritual Ah, Lord we shall walk, shall walk in peaceWe shall walk through the valley in peace We shall walk through the valley in peace And if Jesus himself shall be our leader We shall walk through the valley in peaceThere will be no trials there There will be no trials there And if Jesus himself shall be our leader We shall walk through the valley in peace
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.
Anthem   Lord, Here Am I John Ness Beck text Fanny CrosbyMaster, Thou callest, I gladly obey; only direct me, and I'll find Thy way. Teach me the mission appointed for me, what is my labor, and where it shall be. Master, Thou callest, and this I reply, “Ready and willing, Lord, here am I.”Willing, my Savior, to take up the cross; willing to suffer reproaches and loss. Willing to follow, if Thou wilt but lead; only support me with grace in my need. Master, Thou callest…Living, or dying, I still would be Thine; yet I am mortal while Thou art divine. Pardon, whenever I turn from the right; pity, and bring me again to the light. Master, Thou callest…