The hymns we sing this week all include some form of “temple” or “priestly” imagery, picking up on many of the themes in this week’s passage from Hebrews. The opening and closing hymns of the morning, Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken and Within Your Temple, Lord—Psalm 48, both celebrate “Zion” as a place where God dwells: “go round the…
Light has been a consistent motif found in Christmas celebrations throughout history. From the legend of St. Lucy’s candle headdress which enlivens the winter solstice in Scandinavia, to the “star singer” processions of central Europe where children re-enact the visit of the Magi while singing hymns, these images point to Christ as “the true light” (John 1:9) and “a light…
December 28 (or in our case, the Sunday closest to it) has traditionally marked the observance of Childermas. Also called the Feast of the Holy Innocents, this is a day of remembrance and mourning for the children of Bethlehem murdered by the order of King Herod. Along with Stephen, whose feast day (December 26) is also observed during the week…
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son… —Hebrews 1:1-2a This final morning of Advent includes the same Scripture reading that concluded the choral service on the first Sunday of Advent: the opening of Hebrews 1. This passage…
During Advent, we try to group the seasonal hymns around a central theme which changes from week to week. The past two Sundays have presented groups of hymns celebrating Jesus as the coming King and taking on human form as a baby. This morning, the hymns will focus on the annunciation of Jesus’ birth by angels. The three verses of…
This morning we read Psalm 22, and at a first glance, it does not seem to fit well with the cheery, heartwarming tones of Advent to which we are accustomed. Yet somehow this nativity picture and the solemn tones of Psalm 22 fit hand in hand. This infant, whose arrival we celebrate, came to fulfill the promise God made with…
Advent is usually observed as a season of confession, preparation, and anticipation, looking forward to the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. You’ll notice several added elements in the service this morning: lighting of candles during the Call to Worship, purple accents on the bulletin and the pulpit, and a time of silent prayer followed by a sung response where…
I love being a Christian. Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas are such joyful times in otherwise dreary days. In the midst of barren trees, grey skies, and soggy fields, we make time to remember the unchanging God who gives us every good and perfect gift. I was reminded about how many good gifts our nation has been given when I traveled…
His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood… —William Bradbury This morning’s service points us to the enduring reality of God’s covenant and urges us to rest upon these precious promises. In the gospel invitation, the Lord Himself states that “My covenant of peace shall not be removed” (Isaiah 54:10). The God Of Abraham Praise declares…
Faced with a stern warning against apostasy in the sermon text from Hebrews 6, the elements in this morning’s service were chosen to highlight our own natural tendency to “fall away” (Hebrews 6:6) and God’s promise to grant us perseverance. In our opening hymn, we confess that we are “prone to wander” even from the love of our gracious God…
