The First Service of Advent: The Hanging of the Greens
Candler School of Theology
The First Service of Advent
The Hanging of the Greens
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Voluntary Wachet J.S. Bach
The “O” Antiphons Tom Long
Teresa Fry Brown
O EMMANUEL, God-With-Us, our King and Lawgiver, Desire of the nations, Savior of all people.
Come and set us free, O Lord, our God.
Solo: O come, O come, Emmanuel…
O WISDOM, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.
Come and teach us the way of prudence.
Solo: O come, thou, Wisdom from on high. . .
O ADONAI and Leader of the House of Israel, you appeared to Moses
in the flames of the bush and gave him the law on Sinai.
Come, and with your outstretched arm redeem us.
Choir: O come, O come, great Lord of might. . .
O ROOT OF JESSE, You stand for an ensign of the people; kings keep silence in Your presence;
nations bow down in worship before You.
Come; deliver us and do not delay.
Choir: O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree. . .
O KEY OF DAVID and Scepter of the House of Israel, You open and no one shuts,
You shut and no one opens.
Come, and bring forth from prison the captives
who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
All men sing:
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home,
the captives from their prison free, and conquer death’s deep misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O DAYSPRING, Brightness of the light eternal and Sun of justice:
Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
All women sing:
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thy justice here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O KING OF ALL THE NATIONS, the only joy of every human heart:
Come and deliver us whom you formed out of the dust of the earth.
All sing:
O come, Desire of Nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind.
From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Opening Prayer David Petersen
Hymn Hark, the Glad Sound! from Evangelical Lutheran Worship
First Lesson Isaiah 2:1-5 Jason Wright
Wesley de Souza, Portuguese
Hanging of the Garlands
Anthem Carol of the Advent arr. Phillip Dietterich
Hymn There’s a Voice in the Wilderness Crying from ELW
Blessing Becky Copland
Be praised, O God, for the blessings around us that point to you.
Be praised, O God, for the signs of this holy season that awaken us in wonder.
Praise for the steadfast green of these garlands, like your love,
they are enduring in all seasons.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth!
Second Lesson Isaiah 11:1-10 Steffen Lösel, German
Arlette Benoit
Placing the Altar Cloths
Hymn He Came Down Song from Cameroon
He came down that we may have life (x3). . . .Alleluia, forevermore.
Love. . . peace. . . joy.
Anthem Come, Thou Almighty King Setting by Timothy Wright
Blessing Dana Ezell
Be praised, O God, for the blessings around us that point to you.
Be praised, O God, for the signs of this holy season that awaken us in wonder.
Praise for the cloths of blue, cast in the color of the first dawn,
filled with hope for this age.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth!
Third Lesson Isaiah 35:1-10 Yohan Go, Korean
Yvette Higgins Sparks
Bringing in the Poinsettias
Hymn Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn from ELW
Blessing Rex Matthews
Be praised, O God, for the blessings around us that point to you.
Be praised, O God, for the signs of this holy season that awaken us in wonder.
Praise for these blossoms, clear and pure,
like the One who was sent into the world.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth!
Fourth Lesson Isaiah 7:10-16 Greg Ellison
Jacob Wright, Hebrew
Placing the Advent Wreath
Anthem Wha’ cha Gonna Call that Pretty Little Baby arr. Ronald L. Stevens, Sr.
Blessing Arun Jones
Be praised, O God, for the blessings around us that point to you.
Be praised, O God, for the signs of this holy season that awaken us in wonder.
Praise for the lighting of this wreath, lights that will illumine our darkness,
like Christ who brings the light to the world.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth!
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Jan Love
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.
You call all nations to walk to your light
and to seek your ways of justice and peace,
for the night is past, and the dawn of your coming is near.
Bless us as we light the first candle of this wreath.
Rouse us from sleep,
that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes
and welcome him into our hearts and homes,
for he is our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God forever.
Response: Jesus, the Light of the World George D. Elderkin
Walk in the light, beautiful light; come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright,
Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the Light of the world.
Anthem E’en So, Lord, Quickly Come Paul Manz
Prayers for the Waiting World Bishop Woodie White
Hymn Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus UMH 196
Blessing Bishop White
Worship Notes
Organist: Jamie Shiell; Pianist: Dedric Cowser; Instrumentalists: Carrie Yoder, Dalan Vanterpool, Joel LeMon
Choir: The Candler Singers & Voices of Immani
Our thanks to greeters, dancers, and all who have brought garlands, poinsettias, paraments, greenery and light to prepare the space for this holy season. Special thanks to Parker McBride.
Sources: Opening Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer ©1979; Blessings adapted from Sundays & Seasons ©2009
Lighting of the Advent Wreath from Sundays & Seasons ©2010