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CHRISTMAS DAY - December 25, 2011 |
Broken ruins break forth together
in salvation joy forever.
Break forth in song to our Savior,
singing joy to our Redeemer.
(Isaiah 52:7-10) Break forth and sing, a new song sing
for many a marvelous thing
has our Lord done and is doing.
Let your voices joyfully ring.
(Psalm 98) Christ is anointed with gladness
who has always loved righteousness,
who hates, despises wickedness,
who penitents grants forgiveness.
(Hebrews 1:1-12) Empowered to become children,
children of God by pow’r given
pow’r given by believing in
the name of Jesus, praise his name.
(John 1:12) | |
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT |
The heavens stretched out like a tent
by our Lord wrapped in a garment
of light, where the sun has a tent,
with such a house our Lord’s content.
(2 Samuel 7:1-16, Psalm 19:4, Psalm 104:1-3, John 1:14) In remembrance of God’s mercy,
in thanksgiving for help given me,
as promised, given faithfully,
which fills and lifts up the lowly.
(Luke 1:26-55) Strengthend by the proclamation
of Jesus Christ, acclamation
we make to the eternal one,
to the only wise God. Amen.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-24) An angel was sent to Mary,
Gabriel was his name, wondered she
what the meaning of this might be,
yet she assented readily. A child sent to be born holy
to be our king eternally,
named Jesus and great he will be,
the Son of God Most High is he.
(Luke 1:26-38) | |
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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - December 11, 2011 |
Righteousness sprouts in joyous mirth,
righteousness which the Lord brings forth,
and praise just as the earth brings forth
from planted rooting seed new growth.
(Isaiah 61:11) May those who sow in tears of grief
from their sorrows find blessed relief.
May those tears sown sprout each a leaf
to make a joyous harvest sheaf.
(Psalm 126:5-6) Rejoice always and in all ways.
Rejoice not in evil that betrays
and that ensnares in sinful ways.
Rejoice, give Lord Jesus Christ your praise.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-24) Sent to testify to the light,
John came to prepare a line of sight
for human hearts with crooked spite,
valleys dark, and proud mountain height.
(John 1:6-8, 23) | |
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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT - December 4, 2011 |
Cry out! Cry out! We are but grass.
With’ring, fading as the years pass.
Going to seed yet those roots last
which grow in God’s word unsurpassed.
(Isaiah 40:6-8) Give us life again, the life that gives
rejoicing to your people, that lives
rejoicing in you, love that lives
steadfast, saving love which forgives.
(Psalm 85) Do not ignore this, beloved.
It is not ours to live in dread
With the Lord one day is counted
as a thousand years are counted. And a thousand years are figured
as one day. Not our speed preferred.
God’s slow is not our slow downward
but a patient drawing grace-ward. Do not ignore the Lord’s patience.
Regard it as deliverance.
Regard it as salvation whence
we’re found by Christ from this time hence.
(2 Peter 3:8-15a) How can we prepare the Lord’s way?
Make his paths straight, that’s what you say?
O Lord, kindly prepare the way,
for each the gracious saving way.
(Mark 1:1-8)
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FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - November 27, 2011 |
Consider, O Lord, your people
who fade like those leaves autumnal,
whose sin like wind takes us pell-mell.
Forgive, O Lord, your people.
(Isaiah 64:1-9) Shine forth, O Shepherd, hear our cry.
Stir up your strength, O Lord most high.
Restore us, save us, give us life.
Shine forth, O Shepherd, hear our cry.
(Psalm 80) God’s grace to you. Christ’s peace to you.
Thanks for God’s grace given to you,
given to us in Christ who knew
our sin yet died for me, for you.
(1 Corinthians 1:3-9) Keep awake, Christian, keep awake.
On this world’s wisdom don’t you stake
eternal hopes riches to make.
From our Lord Jesus your hope take.
(Mark 13:24-37)
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THANKSGIVING DAY - November 24, 2011 |
Thanksgiving is remembering
what our Lord God to us does bring.
From God our provision does spring
and so we with thanksgiving sing
(Deuteronomy 8:7-18)As on God’s creation we gaze
with thanksgiving to the Lord raise
a song of overflowing praise
for the righteousness of God’s ways.
(Psalm 65) Abounding in thanksgiving true
for those rooted in Christ who grew
in the faith and who continue
to live their lives in Christ anew.
(Colossians 2:5-7) That we from thanks do not adjourn,
help us remember to return
to thank you Lord so that we learn
your gifts more fully to discern.
(Luke 17:11-19) | |
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CHRIST THE KING - November 20, 2011 |
The Lord God searches for his sheep
though clouds be thick and darkness deep.
When they’re scattered God does not sleep,
but seeks them out, justice to keep.God does his own with justice feed.
The weak he strengthens in their need.
The strays he seeks and home does lead.
Thus our Lord justice has decreed.
(Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24) Thanksgiving to the Lord with joy,
to the rock nothing can destroy,
despite many an evil ploy,
our salvation rock echoes joy.
(Psalm 95:1-2) Thanksgiving to the Lord for you,
for your faith in Lord Jesus true,
for your love for the saints hereto,
may our thanksgivings continue.
(Ephesians 1:15-16) Blind sheep do not see
Jesus when helping the least
Blind sheep only see
The need of the very least. Others do not even see
The need of the least.
(Matthew 25:31-46)
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22ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - November 13, 2011 |
The Lord’s consecrated
are the Lord’s guests, blest, fed,
forgiven, silent before God,
praising the one true God.
(Zephaniah 1:7) Lord, you are our refuge,
our God from age to age,
although our sins Thy wrath engage
Thou graciously does save.
(Psalm 90) About the times, the seasons,
no written instructions
are needed. Christ awakens,
salvation enlivens.
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) Enter into God’s joy,
abundant, fruit-filled joy,
which the Lord’s giving does employ,
which we are to enjoy.
(Matthew 25:14-30) | |
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ALL SAINTS SUNDAY - November 6, 2011 |
Beyond counting, beyond
yet before the throne donned
in purity, those who are found
before the Lamb abound.
(Revelation 7:9-17) At all times, but not all,
at all times a hopeful
promise to praise. Lord, when we fall,
when we fail, save us all.
(Psalm 34) Love given us by our God,
love given that we be called,
and be named children of God
and thus we are labelled.
(1 John 3:1-3) Poor in spirit, mourning,
hungering and thirsting,
Thy kingdom coming, comforting,
filling with true blessing.
(Matthew 5:1-12) | |
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REFORMATION SUNDAY - October 30, 2011 |
The days surely coming
are of the Lord’s making,
are of the Lord’s blest forgiving,
are of the Lord’s giving.The hearts surely knowing
are of the Lord’s making
and most gracious covenanting
to his people bringing.
(Jeremiah 31:31-34) Though the world be not still
our Most High God does will
to be with us, with hope to fill.
God is our stronghold still.
(Psalm 46) The law of faith boasts of grace
granting boldness to face
human sin and then embrace
Christ-given righteousness.
(Romans 3:19-28) Made free, made free, indeed,
made free eternally
by God’s own Son. Set free to be
learning Christ’s word truly
(John 8:31-36)
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19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - October 23, 2011 |
God makes people holy,
congregationally,
proclaiming “You shall be holy”,
a gift to you from me.
(Leviticus 19:1-2) God’s teaching, a delight
dwelt upon day and night, grants
happiness and fruit despite
what challenges alight.
(Psalm 1) Gentle among you, caring
tenderly and sharing
the gospel, not demanding
but our Lord commending.
(1 Thessalonians 2:5-8) The question is legal,
yet the response is simple.
Love the Lord your God first of all
and your neighbor as well.
(Matthew 22:34-40) | |
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18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - October 16, 2011 |
There is no other God.
There is no other Lord.
The one who light and darkness formed
by his empow’ring word.
(Isaiah 45:1-7) A new song sung by all,
that is the blesséd call
to join a new comfortable
with the old so faithful.
(Psalm 96:1) Thankfully and prayerfully
rememembered constantly
works of faith and charity.
In Christ hope steadfastly.
(1 Thessalonians 1:1-3) Insincerely asking,
they start out praising
the sincerity of the teaching
of Jesus, the true king.
(Matthew 22:15-22) | |
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17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - October 9, 2011 |
O Lord, my God you are
a refuge to the poor
whom the strong and needy adore,
faithful forevermore.
(Isaiah 25:1-9) Not in want but in need
of the Shepherd indeed.
The Lord mercifully does
lead and does our soul-needs heed.
(Psalm 23) Stand firm, my joy and my crown.
Stand firm not looking down.
Look to Christ’s despised renown.
In Christ God’s peace is found.
(Philippians 4:1-9) The invited were both
good and bad. Some were loathe
to come or in love to be clothed
and the joy Christ bestows.
(Matthew 22:1-14) | |
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16TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - October 2, 2011 |
Our Lord sings of his love,
love at work from above
on earth and his people’s rebuff
of his well-worked true love.
(Isaiah 5:1-7) Give us life that we may
call on your name and pray
restored, saved, shone upon always
by your grace turned your way.
(Psalm 80:17-19) Press on, press on for the prize
seen with Christ given eyes.
for the heav’nly call arise
from God who grace supplies.
(Philippians 3:12-14) The kingdom cornerstone
stumbled o’er does atone
for our sin thanks to Christ alone
for fruit of faith that’s grown.
(Matthew 21:33-46) | | |
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