TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM 7.6.7.6 D (“Gentle Mary Laid Her Child”) Biblical Text: Matthew 1:18-25 Tune: Piae Cantones, 1852. Arr. by Ernest C. MacMillian, 1930. Joseph heard the troubling news: Mary was expecting! What should he, a just man, do? He sought God’s directing. Joseph thought to send her home-- leave her, without blaming; Then an angel in a dream spoke of joy, proclaiming… “Go, take Mary as your wife; Joseph, don’t you fear it-- God has formed a precious life by the Holy Spirit! Mary soon will bear a son; you shall name him Jesus. When the prophet spoke of him, he said, “God is with us!” God of love, we too may face times of doubt and trouble. May we know your daily grace, even when we struggle. Just as Joseph answered, “Yes!” with new dedication, We rejoice, for we’ve been blessed by your incarnation. Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Click here to go to the hymn order page. … [Read more...]

ADELAIDE (“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”) Biblical Reference: Matthew 1:18-25 Tune: Adelaide A. Pollard, 1906 Joseph was troubled by what he knew! Mary was pregnant; what should he do? He wanted justice— not to cause shame. He would dismiss her, placing no blame. Joseph was sleeping; that night he dreamed. Nothing was really as it had seemed. “Don’t be afraid— make Mary your wife. God has a plan for your baby’s life.” Hearing that message, Joseph obeyed, Seeing a new path God’s love had made. He stood by Mary, waiting that birth, Seeing God’s Son there— Savior of earth! God, when our troubles seem far too great, Help us to listen, wonder and wait; Sometimes the world is not as it seems. Give us your vision; give us your dreams. Text: Copyright © 2016 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Click here to go to the hymn order page. … [Read more...]

TALLIS’ CANON LM (“All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night”) Biblical Reference: Luke 2:19; Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 Tune: Thomas Tallis; adapt. Parker's Whole Psalter, c. 1561 When Mary hugged her newborn son, She pondered all that God had done. Could she know all her child would be-- The life he’d bring humanity? When shepherds heard the angel’s joy, They went to find that baby boy. Could they see there in Bethlehem A friend to outcasts just like them? When wise men came with gifts to share, They saw young Jesus playing there. Could they behold in one so small God’s gift most precious of them all? God, make us faithful, humble, wise To know that Jesus changes lives. May we be open to the way That he would change our lives today. Text: Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Click here to go to the hymn order page. … [Read more...]

ST. LOUIS 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.6 (“O Little Town of Bethlehem”) Biblical Text: Matthew 11:2-11. Tune: Lewis Henry Redner, 1868. “Are you the one who is to come?” John bravely asked the Lord. John knew the hope he’d counted on And sought a guiding word. So Jesus gave this answer: Tell what you hear and see! Tell John about the sick and poor— How God has set them free! “Are you the one we’re longing for—The name above all names? We hear each day a thousand words That make competing claims: “Buy this and you’ll be happy!” “Find meaning here or there!” But Lord, these other things we seek Lead only to despair. “Are you the only one we need?” Remind your church anew That in the midst of sin and greed Our joy is serving you. In you we still see wonders As peace replaces fear; You heal the sick, lift up the poor And bring your kingdom here. Text: Copyright © 2010 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Click here to go to the hymn order page. … [Read more...]

Biblical Reference: Matthew 11:2-11 Tune: Oliver Holden, 1793 CORONATION (“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”) “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait some more?” With John in prison, he sent friends to ask this of the Lord. With John in prison, he sent friends to ask this of the Lord. Then Jesus told them, “Go tell John the things you see and hear: The sick are healed, the dead are raised, God’s reign is coming near. The sick are healed, the dead are raised, God’s reign is coming near.” “The poor have good news brought to them! The hungry have their fill. Though John is great, in God’s great reign, the least are greater still! Though John is great, in God’s great reign, the least are greater still!” O God, we gather in this place to worship and to pray; May we your church now welcome in your joyful reign today. May we your church now welcome in your joyful reign today. Text: Copyright © 2016 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Click … [Read more...]

Biblical Reference: Matthew 3:1-12 Tune: Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, 1813 NETTLETON 8.7.8.7.D (“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”) Did your parents pray at table? Did your aunt serve Jesus well? Did your grandpa preach the gospel? Is your grandma serving still? This is not your folks’ religion! God is calling you, yourself! You must make your own decision— take your own faith off the shelf. What’s the fruit of your repentance? Are you willing to be changed? Has the gospel made a difference? Is your life now rearranged? Have you changed more than a smidgen— till the world now thinks you’re odd? Does your day-to-day religion show the peaceful reign of God? Do you trust in God’s abundance— not in hatred, pride and fear? Is the love of Christ your compass as you welcome strangers here? Do you work to end the violence, and to share and share some more? Are you humble, peaceful, present to the outcast and the poor? God, we point to those before us who have … [Read more...]