Christmas Eve hymn: Great, great joy!

“Great, great joy!” the angels sing their song.

“For you is born a Savior holy; yet he rests in manger lowly.”

“Great, great joy!” the angels sing their song.

“Peace on earth,” the heavenly choir sings on,

“For now our God who reigns on high in this child has come down nigh.”

“Peace on earth,” the heavenly choir sings on.

Hope is born, this night in Bethlehem.

The star leads on and calls us ever to One who forsakes us never.

Hope is born, this night in Bethlehem.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune STILL, STILL, STILL, Austrian Carol

            (“Still, Still, Still”)

Advent hymn: When Isaiah spoke a word

When Isaiah spoke a word of holy grace

Of a child born for the people of his place,

Hope and peace and promise filled that sacred space

At the working of God’s almighty hand.

When the angel Gabriel came to Nazareth town,

Mary’s faith was kindled, God’s great hope to crown;

Joy and peace and promise all came pouring down

Through the working of God’s almighty hand.

When to Bethlehem she came that holy day,

Carrying that child just as our Lord did say,

Love and peace and promise joined her on the way,

For the working of God’s almighty hand.

Let us all give thanks for Who was born that night,

And for Mary’s journey – faith that came to sight,

And that death and darkness all were put to flight

By the working of God’s almighty hand.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune CRANHAM, Gustav Holst, 1906, adapted

Advent hymn: Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Now the world says to worry and fret all day;

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

But the children of God do not live that way!

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Refrain: 

Joy! Joy! Rejoice! Always rejoice!

We pray for hope and peace and joy; rejoice! Always rejoice!

“Be afraid! Be afraid!” That’s the noise we hear;

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

But the children of God will not live in fear!

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Refrain

Now the world says “be happy and laugh and smile!”

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

But the church lives to follow the extra mile.

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Refrain

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune FOLLOW, African American Spiritual

    

Advent hymn: A voice cries out in the wilderness

A voice cries out in the wilderness: “Prepare the Lord a way!”

A voice calls out of our loneliness for night to break into day.

We cry that wars and violence and rank injustice cease:

We pray the holy peace of God; come now, O Prince of Peace.

A choir sings into the silent night, “O come, Emmanuel!”

The song breaks into our darkened hearts, our frightened voices now swell.

We cry for healing and for hope, for broken souls’ release:

We pray the holy peace of God; come now, O Prince of Peace.

O every valley shall be filled up, and every heart elate;

For peace is stronger than violence, and love is louder than hate.

We cry for joy and yearn for love and grace now to increase:

We pray the holy peace of God; come now, O Prince of Peace.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune CAROL, Richard Storrs Willis, 1850.

Advent hymn: When the world tells us

When the world tells us “all is lost,” God still says “all is loved in me.”

All is loved and all is forgiven; open your eyes, behold and see!

Love! Love! Show us that Christ is coming!

Love! Love! Show us that Christ is near!

When the darkness says “light is gone,” Light reminds us to be surprised:

See the fire igniting before us; see how the dawn invades the skies!

Light! Light! Show us that Christ is coming!

Light! Light! Show us that Christ is near!

Fear says “cover your eyes and ears”; Hope says “listen and watch and wait.”

Stand and watch, redemption is coming; now hope will come and not be late!

Hope! Hope! Show us that Christ is coming!

Hope! Hope! Show us that Christ is near!

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2018

MUSIC: Tune BRING A TORCH, French melody

Hymn adaptation/editing: O God of Earth and Altar

Adapted for use in service 11 November 2018

O God of earth and altar, bow down and hear our cry; 

Our earthly rulers falter, our people drift and die; 

The walls of gold entomb us, the swords of scorn divide;

Take not your thunder from us, but take away our pride.

 

From all that terror teaches, from lies of tongue and pen, 

From all the easy speeches (that comfort cruel men) that lead us wrong again,

From sale and profanation of honor and the sword,

From sleep and from damnation, deliver us, good Lord!

 

(Tie in a living tether the prince and priest and thrall,

bind all our lives together; smite us and save us all;

in ire and exultation aflame with faith, and free, 

live up a living nation, a single sword to thee.)

 

God, be our only Ruler, our Guardian and our Guide;

No more let earthly rivals distract us from your side.

Bind all our lives together; rebuke and save us all;

O God of earth and altar, now hear our desperate call.

 

 

Text:

Stanza 1: G. K. Chesterton, 1906

Stanza 2: Chesterton, alt. CSF

Stanza 3: first Chesterton, then CSF

Tune: ELLACOMBE, Gesangbuch der Herzogl,. Wirtembergischen Katholischen Hofkapelle, 1784; alt. 1868.