Sunday, December 6, Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 6 is the second Sunday of Advent. Find the readings here.
Dear Friends in Christ,
This week’s worship video is now available:
Morning Prayer, Rite II
Morning Prayer, Rite I
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Hope you all got through yesterday's storm OK!
This Sunday we have a special treat in a sermon from our Regional Canon, Martha Hubbard. Some of you may remember Cn. Hubbard's visit to our church last year, or the sermon she contributed to our worship earlier this year. But regardless, today she blesses us with a thoughtful reflection on John the Baptist; a profoundly broad understanding of metanoia, the Greek word usually translated "repentance;" and inspiring thoughts on why she feels great hope in these difficult times.
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Here are Mark's music notes:
Hymns include “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” with the more straightforward tune “St. Thomas.” I chose this because I couldn’t quite image the other tune (a favorite of mine) having a good effect on our little screens. Somehow that tune needs movement. But we’ve done St. Thomas before, and although it is completely different it brings out differences in the meaning of the words! We reprise a hymn from October “Light a Candle” which uses powerful imagery for light, justice and peace, timely both for Advent as well as what the world is going through right now.
Organ music today is by the great German baroque composers, Buxtehude and J.S. Bach, settings of the great Advent hymn “Savior of the Nations, Come” which may be found in our hymnal at #54. We’ll be singing it on Advent IV.
The choirs are working on lovely hymns and carols to be premiered on Christmas Eve. We’d like to have some photos of your crèche sets to help with this video. Please send them to me, mark@stjohnsgloucester.org by December 20. Thank you!
I have now listened to all the Advent services that I listed early last week. I especially enjoyed hearing one of our favorite anthems Mark Sirrett’s “Thou shalt know him when he comes” from the American Cathedral in Paris. Another familiar anthem was sung in Liverpool Cathedral: Paul Manz’s “E’en so Lord Jesus quickly come.” Both boys and girls choirs were featured at the service from Exeter Cathedral, many of the items were done over several days and one can see the decorations being added. The video here is spectacular. And all of the readings are done from different places in the cathedral. I’ll compile a new list tomorrow and it will go out early next week. Consider doing one service every day!