Sunday, December 2, 2018

First Sunday of Advent: Communion  

For the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, The Rev. Dr. G. Malcolm Sinclair is calling his sermon “River of Promise.” “There is something in the human spirit that dares to believe Divine Intervention is real. Life is more than just a series of sadnesses, disappointments, and disconnections. Sometimes, when time is right, something comes, and sticks and stays. In this new season, we turn against the prevailing social mood, and hold high the lamp of these better dreams.”  

For the organ prelude, Junior Organ Scholar Timothy Wisnicki will play two Advent chorale preludes from the Orgelbüchlein by J. S. Bach. Minister of Music Dr. Patricia Wright will play Saviour of the Nations, Come, also by Bach, and O Come Emmanuel arranged by Paul Manz. The postlude played by Dr. Wright is another setting of Saviour of the Nations, Come by Bach. The Metropolitan Choir will sing the plainchant Pour Down, O Heavens and Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming arranged by Hugo Distler. The Metropolitan Choristers and Sparklers will sing Prepare a Way for the Lord by Michael Bedord. At the Offertory, tenor Charles Davidson will sing “Come Jesus, Come” from Cantata No.61 Saviour of the Nations, Come by J. S. Bach. The hymns will be No.1 (O Come, O Come Emmanuel), No.2 (Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus), two verses of No.473 (Let All Mortal Flesh), and No.25 (Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending).   The final piece in the carillon prelude played by Roy Lee will be “Sleepers, Wake!” from Cantata No.140, by J.S. Bach, arranged for carillon by Scott A. Orr.  

The Bible readings are Jeremiah 33:14-16 (the righteous branch and the covenant with David), 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (Timothy’s encouraging report), and Luke 21:25-36 (the coming of the Son of Man).