Advent III: St. Paul, Hamel, Illinois

Here's a picture of how Advent III was celebrated at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hamel, Illinois.

Prelude

Hymntune and Handel: Comfort Ye My People

Handel: Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 40:11; Matt. 11:28-29

Advent III: Getting Another Handel on Isaiah

Isaiah 40:9

Advent III: Getting a Handel on Isaiah

Where the 3-year lectionary takes us to the minor prophet Zephaniah this year, the historic 1-year series takes us to the major prophet Isaiah.

Overture

Isaiah 40:1-3

Isaiah 40:4

Isaiah 40:5

Isaiah 40:6-8

The voice said, Cry.

And he said, What shall I cry?

All flesh is grass,

and all the goodliness thereof

is as the flower of the field:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:

because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it:

surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:

but the word of our God

shall stand for ever.

Isaiah 40:9 with Isaiah 60:1

Isaiah 40:10

Behold, the LORD God will come

with strong hand,

and His arm shall rule for Him:

behold, His reward is with Him,

and His work before Him.

Pastorale

Isaiah 40:11 with Matt. 11:28-29

Matthew 11:30

Advent III: Rejoice in the Lord Always!

High School Style, English Anthem

Wolof Style, Vacation Bible School Tune

Purcell Style, with "Bell Anthem"

Rejoicing on the Guitar

Classical Style, Asian Influence

Praise Band Style, From the Psalms

Fort Bragg Style, New Composition!

Advent III: Getting a Handel on Zephaniah and Zachariah

The 3rd Sunday of Advent is the "Rejoice" Sunday.  Today's reading in the 3-year lectionary was from Zephaniah 3:14-20 (ESV).

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;

shout, O Israel!

Rejoice and exult with all your heart,

O daughter of Jerusalem!

The LORD has taken away the judgments against you;

He has cleared away your enemies.

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;

you shall never again fear evil.

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

“Fear not, O Zion;

let not your hands grow weak.

The Lord your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness;

He will quiet you by his love;

He will exult over you with loud singing.

I will gather those of you

who mourn for the festival,

so that you will no longer suffer reproach.

Behold, at that time I will deal

with all your oppressors.

And I will save the lame

and gather the outcast,

and I will change their shame into praise

and renown in all the earth.

At that time I will bring you in,

at the time when I gather you together;

for I will make you renowned and praised

among all the peoples of the earth,

when I restore your fortunes

before your eyes,” says the Lord.

A related text from another minor prophet, Zachariah, is set to music by George Frederick Handel.

Pastor Peters: Toward a More Inclusive Christmas

Everyone's favorite blogging pastor, Rev. Larry Peters, has an interesting post titled Toward a More Inclusive Christmas.

Every time I hear that -- "A more inclusive Christmas" -- I have to laugh. What could be more inclusive than the God who came to wear the human flesh and blood of a man, as a man, in order to redeem all men (and women) from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation. Christ is the exclusive Savior to the most inclusive faith on earth!

It's been awhile since I featured Pastor Peters, so I want to remind people that even if you don't see an excerpt here on All for Hymn, you can always catch him on his own blog, Pastoral Meanderings.  There is a link to this blog in the side bar.

Introducing Lutheran Summer Music: The CD

Lutheran Summer Music is an annual event that brings together students who have completed grades 8-12 for four weeks during the summer.  Band, choir, orchestra, piano, and organ students come together for encouragement and to improve their skills.

Lutheran Summer Music has produced a CD from their 2009 event.  Listen to excerpts, find out more and purchase the CD for just $18 here.

Also, check out the promo video below.