Sing to the Lord

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // This night is “silent” and “holy” because of the “Holy infant” who brings God’s peace to the world, and sets us apart as his beloved people. “Heavenly peace” is not a picturesque Christmas scene, but the peace Christ comes to give in his birth - peace between God and humankind, becoming man and taking our sin.

Stanza 2 // For a night we dress up with hymns such as this one, stanza two is honest about our reaction to such news! “Shepherds quake” at the sight, because the “glory of the Lord” needs a Word from God’s messengers for this to be good news! “Do not be afraid” is at least part of the message we sing! From heaven, we hear [and sing] the good news of this blessed night - “Hallelujah!” meaning “Praise the Lord!” Why? Because, as the hymn tells us, “Christ, the Savior, is born!”

Stanza 3 // Jesus is born to bring “love’s pure light” and the “dawn of redeeming grace” to lowly shepherds, lowly Lutherans, and lowly people, terrified by God’s power and might. At this birth and with these gifts, Christmas Eve is made holy, for God speaks a Word of hope, silencing all fear.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 281 -  Silent Night, Holy Night! - ꜱᴛɪʟʟᴇ ɴᴀᴄʜᴛ
• ELW 268 - From Heaven Above - ᴠᴏᴍ ʜɪᴍᴍᴇʟ ʜᴏᴄʜ
• ELW 270 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - ᴍᴇɴᴅᴇʟꜱꜱᴏʜɴ
• ELW 273 - All My Heart Again Rejoices - ᴡᴀʀᴜᴍ ꜱᴏʟʟᴛ ɪᴄʜ
• ELW 274 - On Christmas Night - ꜱᴜꜱꜱᴇx ᴄᴀʀᴏʟ
• ELW 275 - Angels, from the Realms of Glory - ʀᴇɢᴇɴᴛ ꜱǫᴜᴀʀᴇ
• ELW 276 - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - ᴡ żłᴏʙɪᴇ ʟᴇżʏ
• ELW 279 - O Little Town of Bethlehem - ꜱᴛ. ʟᴏᴜɪꜱ
• ELW 282 - It Came upon the Midnight Clear - ᴄᴀʀᴏʟ
• ELW 283 - O Come, All Ye Faithful - ᴀᴅᴇꜱᴛᴇ ꜰɪᴅᴇʟᴇꜱ
• ELW 289 - Angels We Have Heard on High - ɢʟᴏʀɪᴀ
• LBW 41 - O Little Town of Bethlehem - ꜱᴛ. ʟᴏᴜɪꜱ
• LBW 44 - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - ᴡ żłᴏʙɪᴇ ʟᴇżʏ
• LBW 45 - O Come, All Ye Faithful - ᴀᴅᴇꜱᴛᴇ ꜰɪᴅᴇʟᴇꜱ
• LBW 46 - All My Heart Again Rejoices - ᴡᴀʀᴜᴍ ꜱᴏʟʟᴛ ɪᴄʜ
• LBW 50 - Angels, from the Realms of Glory - ʀᴇɢᴇɴᴛ ꜱǫᴜᴀʀᴇ
• LBW 51 - From Heaven Above - ᴠᴏᴍ ʜɪᴍᴍᴇʟ ʜᴏᴄʜ
• LBW 54 - It Came upon the Midnight Clear - ᴄᴀʀᴏʟ
• LBW 60 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - ᴍᴇɴᴅᴇʟꜱꜱᴏʜɴ
• LBW 65 - Silent Night, Holy Night! - ꜱᴛɪʟʟᴇ ɴᴀᴄʜᴛ
• LBW 71 - Angels We Have Heard on High - ɢʟᴏʀɪᴀ
• LSB 358 - From Heaven Above - ᴠᴏᴍ ʜɪᴍᴍᴇʟ ʜᴏᴄʜ
• LSB 360 - All My Heart Again Rejoices - ᴡᴀʀᴜᴍ ꜱᴏʟʟᴛ ɪᴄʜ
• LSB 361 - O Little Town of Bethlehem - ꜱᴛ. ʟᴏᴜɪꜱ
• LSB 363 - Silent Night, Holy Night - ꜱᴛɪʟʟᴇ ɴᴀᴄʜᴛ
• LSB 366 - It Came upon the Midnight Clear - ᴄᴀʀᴏʟ
• LSB 367 - Angels, from the Realms of Glory - ʀᴇɢᴇɴᴛ ꜱǫᴜᴀʀᴇ
• LSB 368 - Angels We Have Heard on High - ɢʟᴏʀɪᴀ
• LSB 377 - On Christmas Night - ꜱᴜꜱꜱᴇx ᴄᴀʀᴏʟ
• LSB 379 - O Come, All Ye Faithful - ᴀᴅᴇꜱᴛᴇ ꜰɪᴅᴇʟᴇꜱ
• LSB 380  - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - ᴍᴇɴᴅᴇʟꜱꜱᴏʜɴ
• LSB 393 - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - ᴡ żłᴏʙɪᴇ ʟᴇżʏ
• RH 104 - From Heaven Above - ᴠᴏᴍ ʜɪᴍᴍᴇʟ ʜᴏᴄʜ
• RH 106 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - ᴍᴇɴᴅᴇʟꜱꜱᴏʜɴ
• RH 107 - Silent Night - ꜱᴛɪʟʟᴇ ɴᴀᴄʜᴛ
• RH 108 - Angels We Have Heard on High - ɢʟᴏʀɪᴀ
• RH 115 - O Little Town of Bethlehem - ꜱᴛ. ʟᴏᴜɪꜱ
• RH 118 - All My Heart Again Rejoices - ᴡᴀʀᴜᴍ ꜱᴏʟʟᴛ ɪᴄʜ
• RH 119 - O Come, All Ye Faithful - ᴀᴅᴇꜱᴛᴇ ꜰɪᴅᴇʟᴇꜱ
• RH 126 - Angels, from the Realms of Glory - ʀᴇɢᴇɴᴛ ꜱǫᴜᴀʀᴇ

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // Each stanza of this hymn is a prayer. The first speaks to the state of God’s people apart from Christ - mourning in “lonely exile” and in need of God who will “ransom” those who are “captive.” Jesus - Son of God - comes that we might be free from all things.

Stanza 2 // Both Old and New Testaments recognize Christ as “Wisdom” or the “wisdom of God.” Here, we pray for the wisdom of the promised Messiah - what the world sees as foolish! - and the promise we have in Christ’s cross.

Stanza 3 // The God for whom we pray and wait is the same who gave the Law. This stanza puts the grace of God in context - we are saved from a Law we cannot keep. God shows favor to those who disobey and betray Him.

Stanza 4 // This Old Testament promise is echoed in this weekend’s Scripture passage. The promised One comes from the house of David/branch of Jesse to save us from “depths of hell” and give us victory “o’er the grave.” We pray to Jesus - who comes to save!

Stanza 5 // The “key of David” is again a reference to Jesus Christ, this time particularly from the New Testament book of Revelation. This is a reference to the promise we hear in this weekend’s reading - Christ being from the “house of David” - and a promise! God will use this key to open the kingdom of heaven when he comes to earth.

Stanza 6 // Identifying Christ as the Dayspring finds its roots in the song of Zechariah. Like the bright morning star sung elsewhere in other chorales, Christ’s power for which we pray in this stanza is light that would overcome all darkness in mercy and forgiveness.

Stanza 7 // The King for which we wait and pray is one of unity and peace, binding all people together as His forgiven sinners, and giving peace unlike any earthly ruler. When this King comes, he will bring peace, even as the Old Testament prophets promise.

Stanza 8 // The repetition of this stanza turns a prayer into a plea. There is longing in these words, even as we celebrate Advent 4 on Christmas Eve! When these words are repeated - particularly when the hymn is sung as a complete text - we hear them as longing and demand that God would fulfill what He has promised.

Refrain // The repeated word in this refrain is the same given to Mary: “Rejoice!” - “Be glad” - “Know God’s grace!” - God “shall” come to us, as He has promised.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 257 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - ᴠᴇɴɪ, ᴇᴍᴍᴀɴᴜᴇʟ
• ELW 247 - Come Now, O Prince of Peace - ososǒ
• ELW 251 - My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness - ᴋɪɴɢꜱꜰᴏʟᴅ
• ELW 254 - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus - ᴊᴇꜰꜰᴇʀꜱᴏɴ
• ELW 263 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• LBW 28 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• LBW 30 - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus - ᴊᴇꜰꜰᴇʀꜱᴏɴ
• LBW 34 - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel - ᴠᴇɴɪ, ᴇᴍᴍᴀɴᴜᴇʟ
• LBW 180 - My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord - ɪᴄʜ ʜᴇʙ ᴍᴇɪɴ ᴀᴜɢᴇɴ ꜱᴇʜɴʟɪᴄʜ ᴀᴜꜰ
• LSB 332 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• LSB 338 - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus - ᴊᴇꜰꜰᴇʀꜱᴏɴ
• LSB 357 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - ᴠᴇɴɪ, ᴇᴍᴍᴀɴᴜᴇʟ
• LSB 934 - My Soul Now Magnifies the Lord - ᴡᴏ ɢᴏᴛᴛ ᴢᴜᴍ ʜᴀᴜꜱ
• RH 97 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• RH 103 - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel - ᴠᴇɴɪ, ᴇᴍᴍᴀɴᴜᴇʟ

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // John the Baptist exists to tell us one thing. In the words of this hymn: “The Lord is nigh!” John speaks that we might know the “glad tidings” of Christ.

Stanza 2 // This second stanza tells us of John’s work [and the work of Law] to prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Savior. It is not our actions which “make straight the way of the Lord” but God’s work of repentance by which we are prepared for Christ.

Stanza 3 // Because we hear a Word which convicts us in sin, we “hail” Christ as “our Savior, refuge, and great reward.” A Savior is the reward of sinners, who “waste away and decay” without the favor of God in Christ. 

Stanza 4 // The fourth stanza turns to words of prayer. Though these seem to be somewhat specific requests, the final hope echoes the words heard in the first section of this weekend’s text. Just as John came to testify to the light, so we pray God would “fill the world” with the divine light of his mercy. This is a prayer for all people.

Stanza 5 // For all those wondering what to do when Advent texts seem to be the same week by week or year after year, this stanza can help! Our Lord’s arrival means “freedom” has been “won” for us! We join our voices with John the Baptist, pointing to the One who comes to take away our sin.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 249 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ
• ELW 246 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding! - ᴍᴇʀᴛᴏɴ
• ELW 250 - Blessed Be the God of Israel - ꜰᴏʀᴇꜱᴛ ɢʀᴇᴇɴ
• ELW 255 - There’s a Voice in the Wilderness - ᴀꜱᴄᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ
• ELW 256 - Comfort, Comfort, Now My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• LBW 29 - Comfort, Comfort, Now My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• LBW 36 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ
• LBW 37 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - ꜰʀᴇᴜᴇɴ ᴡɪʀ ᴜɴꜱ ᴀʟʟ ɪɴ ᴇɪɴ
• LSB 344 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ
• LSB 345 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - ᴍᴇʀᴛᴏɴ
• LSB 347 - Comfort, Comfort Ye My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• RH 94 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - ᴍᴇʀᴛᴏɴ
• RH 98 - Comfort, Comfort Ye My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• RH 101 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // The opening words of this hymn are not a directive, but a proclamation of what God does through John the Baptist. As this weekend’s text declares, God sends John to prepare the way that the “King of glory foretold” might be greeted by those who wait for the promised Messiah.

Stanza 2 // This stanza won’t leave us comfortably in the season of Advent. Instead, we hear echoes of the Palm Sunday narrative - “palm branches” and “garments” are laid before the King. The promise of God [to send a Savior] will not fail and overcome all doubt.

Stanza 3 // When the promised One arrives, all preparation comes to an end! We have nothing left to do but “fling the gates wide open” to greet the “promised King!” For all who have a checklist of what makes for proper Christmas preparation, this stanza reminds us Christ comes as King of “all nations” and “all people.”

Stanza 4 // If preparation was completed in John the Baptist and the King has arrived in Jesus Christ, what is left for Christians to do? Stanza four summarizes our task well: “Let your praise be sounding for kindness so abounding.” In other words, sing to the Lord!

Refrain // In addition to the second stanza, this refrain is also a Palm Sunday reference: “Hosanna to the Lord!” We sing these words not only in the context of Palm Sunday, but especially during this time as those who give thanks for the One who is born to save and “fulfills” all promises of God.

Other Suggestions

• ELW 246 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - ᴍᴇʀᴛᴏɴ
• ELW 249 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ
• ELW 250 - Blessed Be the God of Israel - ꜰᴏʀᴇꜱᴛ ɢʀᴇᴇɴ
• ELW 255 - There’s a Voice in the Wilderness - ᴀꜱᴄᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ
• ELW 256 - Comfort, Comfort, Now My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• ELW 552 - Blessed Be the God of Israel - ᴍᴇʀʟᴇ’ꜱ ᴛᴜɴᴇ
• LBW 26 - Prepare the Royal Highway - ʙᴇʀᴇᴅᴇɴ ᴠÄɢ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀʀᴀɴ
• LBW 29 - Comfort, Comfort, Now My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• LBW 36 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ
• LBW 37 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - ꜰʀᴇᴜᴇɴ ᴡɪʀ ᴜɴꜱ ᴀʟʟ ɪɴ ᴇɪɴ
• LSB 343 - Prepare the Royal Highway - ʙᴇʀᴇᴅᴇɴ ᴠÄɢ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀʀᴀɴ
• LSB 344 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ
• LSB 345 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - ᴍᴇʀᴛᴏɴ
• LSB 347 - Comfort, Comfort Ye My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• RH 94 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - ᴍᴇʀᴛᴏɴ
• RH 98 - Comfort, Comfort Ye My People - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
• RH 101 - On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry - ᴘᴜᴇʀ ɴᴏʙɪꜱ
• RH 102 - Prepare the Royal Highway - ʙᴇʀᴇᴅᴇɴ ᴠÄɢ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀʀᴀɴ

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // The One who comes in glory at the end of all time was crucified for “favored sinners.” Other translations say “our salvation” but the original text is more specific. It is these saints of God who accompany our triumphant Lord.

Stanza 2 // Those to whom Christ comes are the same who rejoice with Him in glory. The hymn is unforgiving: “those who set at nought and sold him, pierced and nailed him to the tree” see the Messiah returning in glory. Those gathered are sinners - who despised and counted as worthless the Savior of the world.

Stanza 3 // Some take issue with the language in this stanza - that those who crucified our Lord could “gaze with rapture” upon the scars of the crucified Christ. In these scars, the “ransomed” see their sin killed once and for all, and rejoice at the coming of this merciful Lord and God.

Stanza 4 // The final stanza which may appear to be a stanza of praise highlights the truth of Christ’s return. Everything we consider in this life will pass away, but Christ will reign over all things at the end of time. This is good news for us today, as we await His return and celebrate the promise He gives in Word and Sacrament.

SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 435 - Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - ʜᴇʟᴍꜱʟᴇʏ
• ELW 244 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ
• ELW 263 - The King Shall Come - ᴄᴏɴꜱᴏʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ
• ELW 260 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• ELW 267 - Joy to the World - ᴀɴᴛɪᴏᴄʜ
• ELW 441 - O Happy Day When We Shall Stand - ʟᴏʙᴛ ɢᴏᴛᴛ, ɪʜʀ ᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛᴇɴ
• LBW 25 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ
• LBW 27 - Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - ʜᴇʟᴍꜱʟᴇʏ
• LBW 28 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• LBW 33 - The King Shall Come - ᴄᴏɴꜱᴏʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ
• LBW 38 - O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide - ᴏ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ, ʀᴇɪꜱꜱ ᴅɪᴇ ʜɪᴍᴍᴇʟ ᴀᴜꜰ
• LBW 39 - Joy to the World - ᴀɴᴛɪᴏᴄʜ
• LBW 351 - O Happy Day When We Shall Stand - ʟᴏʙᴛ ɢᴏᴛᴛ, ɪʜʀ ᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛᴇɴ
• LSB 332 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• LSB 336 - Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - ʜᴇʟᴍꜱʟᴇʏ
• LSB 355 - O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide - ᴏ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ, ʀᴇɪꜱꜱ ᴅɪᴇ ʜɪᴍᴍᴇʟ ᴀᴜꜰ
• LSB 348 - The King Shall Come - ᴄᴏɴꜱᴏʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ
• LSB 387 - Joy to the World - ᴀɴᴛɪᴏᴄʜ
• LSB 508 - The Day Is Surely Drawing Near - ᴇꜱ ɪꜱᴛ ɢᴇᴡɪꜱꜱʟɪᴄʜ
• LSB 509 - Christ Is Surely Coming - ᴋɪɴɢ’ꜱ ᴡᴇꜱᴛᴏɴ
• LSB 515 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ
• RH 97 - Savior of the Nations, Come - ɴᴜɴ ᴋᴏᴍᴍ, ᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇɪᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇɪʟᴀɴᴅ
• RH 99 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ
• RH 123 - Joy to the World - ᴀɴᴛɪᴏᴄʜ

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // In a stanza that can sound like hyperbole, Jesus reigns “from shore to shore” and at all times because of the picture we are given in this weekend’s text. When Christ gives a promise “before the foundation of the world” His people live in a kingdom of forgiveness and inherit the promise of life with God forever.

Stanza 2 // Because we live under Christ’s reign, God’s people offer “endless prayer and praise” to the name of the One who is our reason for worship.

Stanza 3 // This is a beautiful picture of what it means to have God’s promise given from one generation to the next. Knowing God’s love, we “dwell” on this blessing in “sweet song” and trust God’s promise even to “infants” - whose voices add to the praise of our King.

Stanza 4 // The abundant blessings of Jesus’ reign are given further pictorial language in this stanza. “Prisoners leap to lose their chains” - "the weary find eternal rest” and “all who suffer want are blest.” Not only is this imagery we hear in this weekend’s text, but the result of the promise Jesus gives - those captive to sin are free, eternal rest is given in Christ, and we lack nothing in this life or the next.

Stanza 5 // This weekend's text can leave us wondering where we fit in the story - are we a sheep or a goat? This stanza has an answer! It says “every creature” should offer “peculiar honors” to our King. This can sound like God’s people spend their time [or life] doing some strange things for our King! But here, we seek to bring unique or representative honors to the One who reigns over all things. That which represents our King is the promise only He can give:  “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 434 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ
• ELW 430 - Rejoice, for Christ Is King! - ʟᴀᴜꜱ ʀᴇɢɪꜱ
• ELW 434 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ
• ELW 435 - Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - ʜᴇʟᴍꜱʟᴇʏ
• ELW 707 - Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us - ʜʏꜰʀʏᴅᴏʟ
• ELW 855 - Crown Him with Many Crowns - ᴅɪᴀᴅᴇᴍᴀᴛᴀ
• LBW 27 - Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - ʜᴇʟᴍꜱʟᴇʏ
• LBW 170 - Crown Him with Many Crowns - ᴅɪᴀᴅᴇᴍᴀᴛᴀ
• LBW 171 - Rejoice, for Christ Is King! - ʟᴀᴜꜱ ʀᴇɢɪꜱ
• LBW 424 - Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us - ʜʏꜰʀʏᴅᴏʟ
• LBW 530 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ
• LSB 336 - Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending - ʜᴇʟᴍꜱʟᴇʏ
• LSB 525 - Crown Him with Many Crowns - ᴅɪᴀᴅᴇᴍᴀᴛᴀ
• LBW 832 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ
• LSB 851 - Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us - ʜʏꜰʀʏᴅᴏʟ
• RH 22 - Crown Him with Many Crowns - ᴅɪᴀᴅᴇᴍᴀᴛᴀ
• RH 268 - Jesus Shall Reign - ᴅᴜᴋᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴇᴛ

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // Because God gives us any gift, ability, or money in this life, we pray in this hymn God would use us in all of these ways as servants of God to our neighbor’s good. The true purpose of these gifts from God are that God’s Son - Jesus Christ - might be made known.

Stanza 2 // No work we do in God’s name - whether in “some far outlying field” - “suffering” - “reproach” - or “courage” is forgotten by our Lord. To do these works - large or small - are themselves gifts of Almighty God.

Stanza 3 // There is no limit to the “talents” and gifts God gives His people. This stanza lists many: knowledge, triumphs, and zeal. No matter the blessing, we pray in this stanza God would use these to “lift the nations from the shadows to the gladness of the sun” - that all might know God’s love in Christ through the gifts God has given.

Stanza 4 // This is the work of [and gifts given to] the Church: to pray without ceasing, to give the cross of Christ and the forgiveness He brings, and to bring the love [and peace] that passes all human understanding. In this, we are united in faith - recklessly sharing the gifts God has given with the world.

Refrain // More than a quotation of the Lord’s Prayer, this refrain is itself a prayer - asking that the kingdom of heaven be brought to all people through the blessings God gives us as His people.

SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 688 - Lord of Light - ᴀʙʙᴏᴛ’ꜱ ʟᴇɪɢʜ
• ELW 497 - Strengthen for Service Lord, the Hands - ʙᴜᴄᴋʜᴜʀꜱᴛ ʀᴜɴ
• ELW 655 - Son of God, Eternal Savior - ɪɴ ʙᴀʙɪʟᴏɴᴇ
• ELW 669 - Rise Up, O Saints of God! - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
• ELW 685 - Take My Life That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ
• ELW 687 - Come to Us, Creative Spirit - ᴄᴀꜱᴛʟᴇᴡᴏᴏᴅ
• ELW 688 - Lord of Light - ᴀʙʙᴏᴛ’ꜱ ʟᴇɪɢʜ
• ELW 695 - As Saints of Old - ꜰᴏʀᴇꜱᴛ ɢʀᴇᴇɴ
• LBW 383 - Rise Up, O Saints of God! - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
• LBW 404 - As Saints of Old - ʀᴇɢᴡᴀʟ
• ELW 783 - Take My Life That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ
• LSB 842 - Son of God, Eternal Savior - ɪɴ ʙᴀʙɪʟᴏɴᴇ
• RH 233 - Take My Life That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // The call to greet the bridegroom - Christ, our Lord - is urgent! We rise to greet the One who prepares a feast for His people.

Stanza 2 // If we wonder who the bridegroom is in this weekend’s text, this stanza calls Him by name: “Come now, O blessed One, Lord Jesus, God’s own Son.” The song offered by God’s people at His return is the same of the crowds on Palm Sunday: “Hosanna!” We are prepared by God for Christ’s arrival because He comes to save. The conclusion of this stanza says we follow to the “banquet hall.” Today - in faith - we follow to the banquet Jesus prepares, that we might be given all we need in this life, and well-prepared for our Lord’s return.

Stanza 3 // This is a glorious picture of Christ’s return, and the beauty that awaits those given faith in our victorious Lord. This is a glory “no eye has seen” and “no ear has heard.” It is Jesus’ return for those He has chosen, where saints below and above join with the angels in an everlasting song of praise.

SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 436 -  Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying - ᴡᴀᴄʜᴇᴛ ᴀᴜꜰ
• ELW 244 // LSB 515 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ
• ELW 488 - Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness - ꜱᴄʜᴍüᴄᴋᴇ ᴅɪᴄʜ
• ELW 827 - Arise, My Soul, Arise! - ɴʏᴛ ʏʟöꜱ, ꜱɪᴇʟᴜɴɪ
• LBW 25 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ
• LBW 224 - Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness - ꜱᴄʜᴍüᴄᴋᴇ ᴅɪᴄʜ
• LSB 515 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ
• LSB 636 - Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness - ꜱᴄʜᴍüᴄᴋᴇ ᴅɪᴄʜ
• RH 99 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers - ʜᴀꜰ ᴛʀᴏɴᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴍᴘᴀ ꜰᴀʀᴅɪɢ

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 

Stanza 1 // The name of Jesus is “blest” in this stanza because of those our Lord makes his saints. Originally, the hymn began “for all thy saints” underscoring what it means to be a saint. It is not the Church’s [or the Pope’s blessing] but Jesus’ own Word given to sinners.

Stanza 2 // Almost immediately, this hymn points out that saints of God live in the world. They are not angelic, perfect creatures, but flesh and blood human beings, who need God’s protection and strength for the “fight” the devil and this world bring. The battle in which saints engage is a battle for our soul - where the blessing Christ bestows breaks the darkness, and is our “one true light.”

Stanza 3 // The blessing saints receive is not something for which we wait in heaven, but given to those who “feebly struggle” in this life. The “glory” with which our heavenly counterparts shine is the same promise we receive - all saints - whether in heaven or on earth - belong to our Lord.

Stanza 4 // When the struggles of this life seem to outweigh the blessing God promises, the true triumph of being a saint of God is in the “distant song” we are given to hear. In the context of this weekend’s passage, it is Jesus’ replanting of the promise in our ear:  “The kingdom of heaven belongs to you!” 

Stanza 5 // When we are named saints of Almighty God, even death cannot take away this great promise. Even in death, we are given the “rest” Christ promises - a “sweet calm” where we hear nothing but our Lord’s promise in His kingdom.

Stanza 6 // Though not something we often speak [or sing] on this festival day, to be God’s saint means we will rise on the last day when Christ - the “King of glory” returns to judge the living and the dead! In this stanza, we sing of a yet “more glorious day” when the strange blessings Christ shares are removed, and we know only the promise of our triumphant King.

Stanza 7 // Here, we sing a picture of the Church - all those blessed and chosen saints in Christ. This is a number no one can count - even the poor, meek, and mourning! Those whom the world sees as useless, God chooses to be his saints forever.

SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 422 -  For All the Saints - ꜱɪɴᴇ ɴᴏᴍɪɴᴇ
• ELW 422 - For All the Saints - ꜱɪɴᴇ ɴᴏᴍɪɴᴇ
• ELW 426 - Sing with All the Saints in Glory - ᴍɪꜱꜱɪꜱꜱɪᴘᴘɪ
• ELW 427 - For All Your Saints, O Lord - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
• ELW 867 - In Thee Is Gladness - ɪɴ ᴅɪʀ ɪꜱᴛ ꜰʀᴇᴜᴅᴇ
• ELW 873/874 - Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart - ᴍᴀʀɪᴏɴ
• LBW 174 - For All the Saints - ꜱɪɴᴇ ɴᴏᴍɪɴᴇ
• LBW 176 - For All Your Saints, O Lord - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
• LBW 552 - In Thee Is Gladness - ɪɴ ᴅɪʀ ɪꜱᴛ ꜰʀᴇᴜᴅᴇ
• LBW 553 - Rejoice, Ye Pilgrim Throng - ᴍᴀʀɪᴏɴ
• LSB 671 - Sing with All the Saints in Glory - ᴍɪꜱꜱɪꜱꜱɪᴘᴘɪ
• LSB 677 - For All the Saints - ꜱɪɴᴇ ɴᴏᴍɪɴᴇ
• LSB 813 - Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart - ᴍᴀʀɪᴏɴ
• LSB 818 - In Thee Is Gladness - ɪɴ ᴅɪʀ ɪꜱᴛ ꜰʀᴇᴜᴅᴇ
• RH 175 - For All the Saints - ꜱɪɴᴇ ɴᴏᴍɪɴᴇ

ZACHARY'S NOTES:

Stanza 1 // Luther’s paraphrase of Psalm 46 is really an expansion of the original text. The “God of Jacob - our fortress” is quoted in the first phrase, but our reason for singing is because this fortress is not only protection - a “sword and shield” - but wins the battle - this God is our “salvation!” Apart from Christ, there is no power in this world that can confront and win the battle - on earth “[the devil] has no equal.”

Stanza 2 // If the Psalmist says “the Lord of hosts is with us” Luther names this Lord - Christ Jesus! It is Christ who “holds the field victorious” and allows us to fight the battle against the power of this world with God’s assurance of victory.

Stanza 3 // When Psalm 46 says: “The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms totter” Luther writes of “hordes of devils, filling the land, threatening to devour.” In a world that tries to convince us our worth is tied up in having the latest thing - whether an item or our reputation - God sends Jesus Christ to free us. This world’s prince is doomed to fail” because “God’s judgment” is outside the rules and laws of this world - outside the ways in which we measure success - goods, fame, child or spouse. And look what puts an end to it all! Luther says: “One little world subdues [the devil.]” The Word is Christ’s - “You are forgiven.”

Stanza 4 // Because we have God’s promise, all the ways we measure success - “goods, fame, child, or spouse” - can [and will] be taken away. God’s promise is that nothing will take away the life we have in His Son. With one word from Christ, the kingdom is given to us today and forever!

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

• ELW 410 - All Glory Be to God on High - ᴀʟʟᴇɪɴ ɢᴏᴛᴛ ɪɴ ᴅᴇʀ ʜöʜ
• ELW 503/504 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - ᴇɪɴ ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴇ ʙᴜʀɢ
• ELW 517 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ᴇʀʜᴀʟᴛ ᴜɴꜱ, ʜᴇʀʀ
• ELW 590 - Salvation unto Us Has Come - ᴇꜱ ɪꜱᴛ ᴅᴀꜱ ʜᴇɪʟ
• ELW 645 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - ᴡᴇꜱᴛᴍɪɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴀʙʙᴇʏ
• ELW 652 - Built on a Rock - ᴋɪʀᴋᴇɴ ᴅᴇɴ ᴇʀ ᴇᴛ ɢᴀᴍᴍᴇʟᴛ ʜᴜꜱ
• ELW 858 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - ʟᴏʙᴇ ᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇʀʀᴇɴ
• LBW 166 - All Glory Be to God on High - ᴀʟʟᴇɪɴ ɢᴏᴛᴛ ɪɴ ᴅᴇʀ ʜöʜ
• LBW 229 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - ᴇɪɴ ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴇ ʙᴜʀɢ
• LBW 230 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ᴇʀʜᴀʟᴛ ᴜɴꜱ, ʜᴇʀʀ
• LBW 297 - Salvation unto Us Has Come - ᴇꜱ ɪꜱᴛ ᴅᴀꜱ ʜᴇɪʟ
• LBW 365 - Built on a Rock - ᴋɪʀᴋᴇɴ ᴅᴇɴ ᴇʀ ᴇᴛ ɢᴀᴍᴍᴇʟᴛ ʜᴜꜱ
• LBW 367 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - ᴇᴅᴇɴ ᴄʜᴜʀᴄʜ
• LBW 543 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - ʟᴏʙᴇ ᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇʀʀᴇɴ
• LSB 555 - Salvation unto Us Has Come - ᴇꜱ ɪꜱᴛ ᴅᴀꜱ ʜᴇɪʟ
• LSB 645 - Built on a Rock - ᴋɪʀᴋᴇɴ ᴅᴇɴ ᴇʀ ᴇᴛ ɢᴀᴍᴍᴇʟᴛ ʜᴜꜱ
• LSB 655 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ᴇʀʜᴀʟᴛ ᴜɴꜱ, ʜᴇʀʀ
• LSB 656 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - ᴇɪɴ ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴇ ʙᴜʀɢ
• LSB 790 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - ʟᴏʙᴇ ᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇʀʀᴇɴ
• LSB 909 - Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation - ᴡᴇꜱᴛᴍɪɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴀʙʙᴇʏ
• LSB 947 - All Glory Be to God on High - ᴀʟʟᴇɪɴ ɢᴏᴛᴛ ɪɴ ᴅᴇʀ ʜöʜ
• RH 1 - All Glory Be to God on High - ᴀʟʟᴇɪɴ ɢᴏᴛᴛ ɪɴ ᴅᴇʀ ʜöʜ
• RH 11 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - ʟᴏʙᴇ ᴅᴇɴ ʜᴇʀʀᴇɴ
• RH 169/170 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - ᴇɪɴ ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴇ ʙᴜʀɢ
• RH 71 - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast In Your Word - ᴇʀʜᴀʟᴛ ᴜɴꜱ, ʜᴇʀʀ
• RH 91 - Built on a Rock - ᴋɪʀᴋᴇɴ ᴅᴇɴ ᴇʀ ᴇᴛ ɢᴀᴍᴍᴇʟᴛ ʜᴜꜱ