Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

The Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2019
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. The name comes from the ancient Latin introit for this day, which begins with the word "Gaudete," meaning "Rejoice." Hear a recording: Gaudete We are reminded that scripture calls us to wait for Emmanuel with joyful expectation, and that the coming of the Lord is near. We light the third, rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath, and beautiful rose-colored vestments are worn on this day.

We continue to sing the great hymns of Advent, and today we also sing the Magnificat, the Song of Mary.
Canticle of Mary (Jen Norton)

This morning's anthem is my choral setting of Charles Wesley's classic Advent hymn, "Come, thou long-expected Jesus." In sixteen elegantly simple lines, Wesley captures the principal themes of Advent: prophecy, incarnation, sovereignty, and final triumph. Sung first by Anglicans and Methodists, the hymn is now included in most denominational hymnals. 

Our choir will also sing this anthem as part of our Advent Vespers, which will be held today, December 15, at 3:00 at St. Cecilia Cathedral, 701 N 40th St., Omaha, Nebraska. The Trinity Cathedral Choir will join the St. Cecilia Cathedral Choir, along with choirs from Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist, and Roman Catholic churches, to sing the great music of Advent. The liturgy will include the premiere of a newly commissioned setting of the Magnificat by Kevin Vogt. All are welcome - please join us to pray, listen, and sing as we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

Music for the Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2019

Hymns
437   Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (Birmingham)
65   Prepare the way, O Zion (Berenden väg för Herran)               
56   O come, O come, Emmanuel (stanzas 5, 6) (Veni, veni, Emmanuel)
640   Watchman, tell us of the night (Aberystwyth)
57   Lo, he comes with clouds descending (Helmsley)

Service Music
Trisagion S-102
Canticle 15, S-247   Betty Pulkingham
Sanctus S-130   Schubert/Proulx
Fraction Anthem S-169   Ray W. Urwin

Anthem
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus     Marty Wheeler Burnett

Music for Handbells
O Come, O Come Emmanuel     arr. Anna Laura Page      

Organ Voluntaries
Variations on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland     Hugo Distler
Magnificat in G Major     Alexandre Guilmant


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