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Your Light Is Come: A hymn festival for Epiphany

by Charlotte Larsen, Donald H. Postema
Issue #41

In the past, all our Christmas banners and decorations just disappeared after Christmas. But this year we extended the season by planning a joint Epiphany hymn festival with the Ann Arbor Campus Chapel. It was a first for us but one I'm sure will become a tradition since it provided such an appropriate closure to the Christmas cycle.

For the candle-lighting, the two pastors lit their candles from the Christ candle, and then each proceeded down one of the aisles. The growing light gradually filled the sanctuary during the singing of "Light of the World."

—Charlotte Larsen

The Coming of the Light of the World

Prelude

Sinfonia from "Christmas Oratorio"
J. S. Bach

"Unto Us a Boy is Born" Young

"The Three Kings" Cornelius

Call to Worship

God's Greeting... and we greet one another

Hymn: "Once in Royal David's City" stanzas 1,2, 5 PsH 346, PH 49, RL 201, TH 225

Prayer of Adoration and Illumination

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Choral Response: "Shepherds' Farewell" Berlioz

Divine Epiphanies in the Life of Jesus Christ

The Magi

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Hymn: "Arise, Shine, for Your Light Is Come" PsH 198

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Choral Response: "Lovely Child, Holy Child" Berlioz

Jesus as a Child

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-40

Hymn: "Song of Simeon" PsH 216, PH 603, 604, 605

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52

Hymn: "Once in Royal David's City" stanzas 3 4 PsH 346, PH 49, RL 201, TH 225

The Baptism

Scripture Reading: John 1:29-34

Hymn: "Spirit, Working in Creation" PsH 415

Choosing the Disciples

Scripture Reading: John 1:35-42

Hymn: "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" stanzas 1, 3 PsH 488, TH 304

Scripture Reading: John 1:43-51

Hymn: "Oh, I Know the Lord Laid His Hands on Me" PsH 367

Offering

Offertory: "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" Cherwien

The First Miracle

Scripture Reading: John 2:1-11

Hymn: "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" PsH 361, RL 231

The Transfiguration

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:28-36

Hymn: "Of the Father's Love Begotten" PsH 342, Ph 309, RL 190, TH 162

stanzas 1, 2: all
stanza 3: solo
stanza 4: choir
stanza 5: all

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:37-43

Hymn: "Come and Stand Amazed, You People" PsH 338

stanza 1: choir
stanzas 2, 3: all

You Are the Light of the World

Scripture Reading: John 8:12; Matthew 5:14

Candle Lighting

Duet: "Light of the World" Lee

A Time for Quiet Reflection

God's Blessing

Hymn: "As with Gladness Men of Old" stanzas 1, 4, 5 PsH 358, PH 63, RL 228, SFL 143, TH 226

Postlude: "How Lovely Shines the Morning Star" Manz

[Please remain seated for tiw postlude]

Authors

Charlotte Larsen

Charlotte Larsen is music director of Ann Arbor (Mich.) Christian Reformed Church.

Donald H. Postema

Donald Postema is a retired pastor in the Christian Reforemd Church.

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Epiphany -- songs and music | Hymn festivals |