Category: Hymns

Corona Sabbath 39 JOY

These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with others in your social isolation group.  They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations.  We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.

The post this week focuses on the theme for the third Sunday of Advent – joy.  

This post includes a scripture reading from Claire Stiles, a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and a music video by Hilton Jones.    We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these difficult times as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside.  Light a candle.  Take a look around you.   Breathe.  Life-giving breath.   Be present.  

You may begin with this reading:

 Bright star-maker God,
 travel with us
 through Advent
 

 shine into our 
 dark corners
 

 lead us into 
 ways of justice
 

 warm us 
 with joy and wonder
 

 bring us 
 to new birth.

--Ruth Burgess

When you are ready, start the video below. 

(For written text of the above video click HERE.)

As you listen to the music that follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings that arise for you.  

In closing, you are invited to offer the following closing reading:

 All the broken hearts
 shall rejoice:
 all those who are heavy laden,
 whose eyes are tired
 and do not see,
 shall be lifted up
 to meet with 
 the motherly healer.
 The battered souls and bodies
 shall be healed;
 the hungry
 shall be fed;
 the imprisoned 
 shall be free;
 all her earthly children
 shall regain joy
 in the reign
 of the just and loving one
 coming for you
 coming for me
 in this time
 in this world.
 
 --Sun Ai Lee Park, Hong Kong/USA

Breathe.  Breathe again.  Be filled.  With joy.   Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.

LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

The mission of Lakewood United Church of Christ, as part of the Church Universal, is to:

  • Celebrate the presence and power of God in our lives and in our world;
  • Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people;
  • Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

Midweek Hymns Advent 1 2020

Four completely different style Advent/Christmas songs today: an early music sound, a gentle folk song, a street-corner salvation band, and even a sing-a-long with the words on the screen.

NCH #101 Comfort, Comfort O My People
NCH #105 Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear
NCH #106 My heart Sings Out With Joyful Praise
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

  1. I heard the bells on Christmas day
    Their old familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet the words repeat
    Of peace on earth, good will to all.
  2. I thought how, as the day had come,
    The belfries of all Christendom
    Had rolled along th’unbroken song
    Of peace on earth, good will to all.
  3. Till ringing, singing on its way
    The world revolved from night to day,
    A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
    Of peace on earth, good will to all.
  4. And in despair I bowed my head
    “There is no peace on earth,” I said,
    “For hate is strong and mocks the song
    Of peace on earth, good will to all.”
  5. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
    “God is not dead, nor doth God sleep;
    The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
    With peace on earth, good will to all.”

copyright: public domain Words: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1864.; modified Music: ‘Waltham (Calkin)’ John B. Calkin, 1872.