December 14, 2025

"Sleepers, Wake" (hymn 61, which we sang Advent 1) is the wonderful tune by Hans Sachs and harmonized by J. S. Bach, and is the basis for Advent 3's prelude by Paul Manz (American, 1919-2009).  There are 3 short variations on the hymn tune.

Our processional hymn is the well known "Come, thou long-expected Jesus" (66), which, as you may note in the hymnal dates back to the 18th century and has a text by Charles Wesley,  The Gospel hymn moves us back to the 20th century with the also well known "There's a voice in the wilderness crying" (75).

Our anthem is "Hark, A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding", by the contemporary English composer, Ian Higginson, words by Edward Caswall.

Check out our first communion hymn -- 444, "Blessed be the God of Israel, who comes to set us free", which is a new hymn to us but a very beautiful one.  The second hymn is the Robert Powell hymn tune, "Herald, sound the note of judgment" (70), which I think everyone knows.

Closing, we will sing "Hark! the glad sound! the Savior comes" (72), another well known 18th century hymn!

The postlude, by the contemporary American, Michael Burkhardt, is based on hymn 65, "Prepare the way, O Zion", the tune being a Swedish folk tune.