Magnify the Lord

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, sings her praise to God in cosmic, psalmodic fashion, according to Luke 1. Sung on the occasion of Mary meeting her relative Elizabeth, with both of their surprising pregnancies in bloom, Mary does not, however, refer directly to her pregnancy, but rather focuses on the mighty acts of God, on his mercy and faithfulness to his people. Quoting from the Psalms and the Song of Hannah (I Sam. 2), Mary directs our attention to what God is doing in her life and throughout his world: the God she magnifies is the One who brings down mighty rulers from their thrones and who lifts up the humble, who fills the hungry with good things but sends the rich away empty, and who keeps his covenant promises to his people.

In the rhythm of the church year, Advent is the season of expectancy, of rehearsing the mighty acts of God from Scripture, and of waiting for the mighty acts of God still to come, in our lives and at the consummation of time. So we join with Mary in singing her song of praise to the Mighty One, and in working in fear and trembling for the full coming of the kingdom of Christ, even as we patiently await his return.

In this service, through the movement of Scripture and prayer, music of hymns and anthems, images and metaphors, may God’s Spirit inspire us to magnify the Lord who is our Savior!

Prelude: Triptych on "At the Name of Jesus," William H. Bates

I. Introduction
II. Variations 

Processional Hymn: "Once in Royal David's City"

Psalter Hymnal 346
St. 1, unison
St. 2, men
St. 3, women
St. 4, harmony
St. 5, unison, with descant by David Willcocks

Greeting

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, 
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And also with you. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination

Advent Responsory: "Wait for the Lord, Whose Day Is Near"

Worship and Rejoice 116
All, harmony, three times

I. The Lord Is Near

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-8 

"Rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 4:4, 6, 7), Henry Purcell

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

II. Branch of Jesse

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-9

"The Beatitudes" (Matthew 5:3-12), Damijan Mocnik

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," Michael Praetorius and Jan Sandström

"Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come"

Psalter Hymnal 337
St. 1 and 2, harmony
St. 3 and 4, unison

III. A Child Is Born

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 1:28-35

"Magnificat: Canticle of Mary," Jeffery L. Ames and S. Scott Leaman

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

IV. Joy

Scripture: Isaiah 35; Luke 7:18-23

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"O Come, O Come, Immanuel"

Psalter Hymnal 328
St. 1, unison, harmony on refrain
St. 2, men
St. 3, Women's Chorale
St. 4, Campus Choir
St. 5, harmony
St. 6, women
St. 7, unison with descant by David Willcocks

V. Come Quickly & God's Patience

Scripture: Psalm 70; 2 Peter 3:8-13

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"An Advent Credo," Joseph M. Martin

"E'ven So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" (based on Revelation 22) Paul Manz

VI. The Lord Is Near

Scripture: Psalm 110; Philippians 2:5-11

"At the Name of Jesus"

Psalter Hymnal 467
St. 1-2, unison
St. 3, Campus Choir
St. 4, union, with a descant by Ralph Vaughan Williams
choral interlude, Campus Choir
St. 5, unison, with a descant by Ralph Vaughan Williams
St. 6, unison

VII. New Heaven & Earth

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25

"And I Saw a New Heaven" (Revelation 21:1-4), Edgar L. Bainton

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Lo! He Comes, with Clouds Descending"

Psalter Hymnal 612
St. 1-3, harmony
St. 4, unison

Charge, Prayer, and Benediction

Recessional Hymn: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Psalter Hymnal 345
St. 1-2, harmony
St. 3, unison with a descant by John Ferguson

Postlude: Triptych on "At the Name of Jesus," William H. Bates

III. Finale - "Christians, this Lord Jesus Shall Return Again"

Service cover art by He Qi