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Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” - Isaiah 40:1-5 NIV
This Sunday is our annual Hanging of the Greens Service. This is the first year we are having the service in our Great Hall. The message is still the same: Prepare the way for the Lord! This is about more than making the church pretty so it feels like Christmas. The paraments that were green for the last several weeks are changing to purple, the color of royalty (Christ the King), penitence, and reflection. The Advent wreath and purple and pink candles appear as we light a new candle each week and reflect on the hope we have in our Savior. Holly, ivy, poinsettias, and other greenery will adorn our Great Hall. Yes, there's a tree. It's a Chrismon tree, covered with white and gold symbols of Christ, our Savior, Lord, and King (hence the crown on the top of the tree). A nativity scene (creche) will also be placed near the tree, to help us remember that holy night.
And there will be music... music to be heard, anthems on which we can meditate, hymns to sing together in praise to our Almighty God, the author of this amazing true story. We would love to hear your voice join ours this Sunday! There will be a Hanging of the Greens Service at drive-in as well, with all the symbolic elements of the Great Hall service. And of course, we will be livestreaming the service in the Great Hall at 11:00 a.m. Join us this Sunday!!
Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
O blest is Christ who came in God's most holy name.
Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior's rule embrace,
And tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.
O blest is Christ who came in God's most holy name.
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