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Advent Hymn: Advent Leads Our Hearts

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Advent Leads Our Hearts
Rev. Elana Keppel Levy, 2018
(Tune of “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night”)
ABERYSTWYTH (Joseph Parry, 1876)
1. Advent leads our hearts to hope, when we wander lost, alone.
Though we in the darkness grope, we trust in a savior known.
Righteous Branch and Son of Man, breaking through this world of sin.
Life and justice in his hand, remakes all without, within.
2. Advent leads our hearts to peace, when the way seems rough, unclear
When fear and violence will not cease, we know that our God draws near.
Messenger of covenant, tell us of the Holy Son:
Who self-righteousness confronts, shaping us to live as one.
3. Advent leads our hearts to joy, when we need a festal song.
God renews each girl and boy, with a gladness bold and strong.
Shame removed and lame restored, outcasts gathered safely home –
We rejoice in God, the Lord, let us make our praises known!
4. Advent leads our hearts to love, when we need God’s tender care.
We’re the flock of One above – our good shepherd, always there.
Mighty One, to us be near as you were to Mary mild.
Let us serve you without fear, as we await the heavenly child.
5. Advent leads our hearts to Christ, we have seen a great light.
You have shattered sin’s device, that would keep us in the night.
Counselor and Mighty God, Ever Father, Prince of Peace,
By your grace we’re filled with awe, let our praise of you increase.
~Rev. Elana Keppel Levy, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, Okla.
Attached: PDF of the lyrics with musical score formatted for half-page legal bulletins (7″ x 8.5″)
pdf icon Advent-Leads-Our-Hearts-bulletin-ready.pdf

Hymn inspired by the book of James

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Here’s a new hymn inspired by the Book of James. It is written in 8.7.8.7 D and is sung to the tune, HOLY MANNA.

Permission is given for use in congregational worship. Please give the following credit: “Copyright 2018 Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com”

 

Keep our faith alive and thriving, help us be your servants true.
Stir our hearts to break with grief when hurting people cry for you.
May our works reflect our preaching, may your worship change our ways.
Make our mission full and fruitful, serving you with all our days.

What good is it, Gospel children, if you pray but fail to act?
Is not faith a concrete practice, never only in abstract?
May we live your Gospel fully; hearing, yes, but doing, too!
May our lives reflect your calling, not just when we’re in our pew.

What good is it, God’s beloved, if the Church is naught but talk?
Who are we to shut the door when those who weep and suffer knock?
Far too often have we faltered when we’re called to take a stand.
Free our hearts to serve you boldly, feeding people from your hand.

Faith that’s free from works is deadly, keeping us from serving true.
Make us, mold us, steer us clearly to the truth we should pursue.
All your children need your mercy, help us serve the ones in need.
Seal us in your Holy Spirit, preaching love in word and deed.

Submitted by Rev. Stephen M Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington KY

pdf icon Keep-Our-Faith-Alive-and-Thriving.pdf

Hymn inspired by 2 Timothy

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Here’s a new hymn inspired by the first chapter of 2 Timothy. It is written in 10.10.10.4 and is sung to the tune, ENGELBERG.

Permission is given for use in congregational worship. Please give the following credit: “Copyright 2018 Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com”

 

Guard the good treasure God entrusts to you;
In everything hold fast to what is true;
The Spirit guides and gives us hope anew. Alleluia!

Be not ashamed of what the Lord has done;
We have a holy calling, everyone;
Prepare your hearts, our work has just begun. Alleluia!

Hold fast to teaching that reflects God’s grace;
proclaim the story of Christ’s strong embrace;
and God will give us strength to run this race. Alleluia!

This grace was giv’n to us in Jesus Christ;
We all are saved through his own sacrifice;
We must respond for he has paid the price. Alleluia!

Through your baptism you have been ordained
to preach the love that cannot be contained
and share the fruitful blessing you’ve obtained. Alleluia!

 

Submitted by Rev. Stephen M Fearing, Beaumont Presbyterian Church, Lexington KY

pdf icon Guard-the-Good-Treasure-God-Entrusts-to-You.pdf

Advent Hymn: Lord, Our Shepherd…

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tune: Genevan 42 (comfort, comfort ye my people)
text: Stephen Fearing

Lord, our Shepherd and our comfort, hear us now, your people cry.
Show yourself and shine upon us, save your sheep and loose your light.
Darkness cannot win the day; guide our feet and show the way.
Lord, your light and love is spoken; never more shall we be broken.

We, your vine, have always needed your provision and your care.
You, our God, brought us from Egypt; all was perfect, all was fair.
Why must we return to sin?  Why must always we give in?
Come, attend and plant within us light that always shines out from us.

We have long rebuked and wandered; you have brought our sins to light.
We have fought and we have tarnished; you have pushed us from your sight.
Give us chance to live and learn!  May no more your anger burn!
Make your face to shine upon us and no more shall darkness hide us.

Lord, our hope and our salvation, hear us now, we pray and plea.
Show yourself and shine upon us.  Open us and help us see.
Darkness will not win the day!  Light will come and always stay!
God will be our jubilation; evermore our restoration!

Submitted by Stephen Fearing. Follow him on twitter: @stephenmfearing

An Advent Hymn: Love, Come and Live In Us

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Love, Come and Live in Us
(Tune: What Child is This)

O Love, come down and with us dwell,
We’re tired and hurt and broken.
We need your love to make us well,
Your word to us now spoken.
Love, come and live in us,
Heal us ‘til we are whole again.
You, Lord are love and life,
And we will follow you.

Come fill our souls and make them yours,
Give us the love we’ve found in you.
Fill our minds with your light divine,
And make our hearts beat strong and true.
Love, come and live in us,
Heal us ‘til we are whole again.
You, Lord are love and life,
And we will follow you.

As we wait through advent here
May we see things we can do.
Help us to serve you now
And come to make us new.
Love, come and live in us,
Heal us ‘til we are whole again.
You, Lord are love and life,
And we will follow you.

WORDS: Katherine Thomas Paisley 2013
MUSIC: 16th century English melody (Greensleeves)

 

Submitted by Rev. Katherine Paisley, Irving Park United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL