Isaiah's Vision of a Peaceable Kingdom

This service of Lessons and Carols from 2013 journeys through the book of Isaiah sequentially, with readings and music drawn from ten different chapters.

The book of Isaiah, which has often been called “the Fifth Gospel,” preaches the Advent and Christmas gospel in ways that resist both hopelessness and sentimentality. Its texts are full of both unbending realism about the terror of sin and injustice, and resolute hope in the coming of the Messiah and the peaceable kingdom that this Messiah would usher in. This service of Lessons and Carols journeys through the book of Isaiah sequentially, with readings and music drawn from ten different chapters.

The vision of God’s peaceable kingdom was particularly compelling to nineteenth century Quaker artist Edward Hicks (see cover), who painted 61 different versions of Isaiah 11:6-8: “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them…” In some of them Hicks brought this vision of peaceable kingdom forward into recent history, depicting a vision of Native Americans and Pennsylvania settlers living together in peacable harmony.

At this service of Lessons and Carols, we express our gratitude to God for Bert Polman, Professor and Chairperson of the Calvin College Music Department from 2004-2012. As he neared the end of his struggle with cancer this past summer, Prof. Polman was beginning to plan this service, speaking of it as the last service he would shape. He chose the theme Peaceable Kingdom and selected both the readings from Isaiah and Edward Hicks’ painting for the program cover, naming these as a source of profound personal hope during his time in hospice care. Prof. Polman focused his teaching and scholarly energies on three primary areas of expertise: congregational song, the Song of Mary (Luke 1), and
metrical settings of the Psalms—all of which are prominent in tonight’s service. How grateful we are for Prof. Polman’s life and witness, and for the privilege of uniting our voices tonight with all God’s people in heaven and earth, of every time and place, in testifying to the hope we have of the coming of the fullness of God’s peaceable kingdom in Jesus Christ.

Prelude:

Six Variants on "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," Gerald Near
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," John Ferguson
Fanfare, Variations and Toccata on "Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding," James Biery

Processional: "Hail to the Lord's Anointed" (Psalm 72), arr. Roy Hopp

Greeting, Call to Worship, and Prayer for Illumination

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. —Psalm 124:8
In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.” —Isaiah 2:2-3

O send out your light and truth, O God . . .
. . . we pray in the strong name of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you, one God, now and forever. Amen.