The people that in darkness sat
a glorious light have seen;
the Light has shined on them who long
in shades of death have been.
To hail thee, Sun of Righteousness,
the gathering nations come,
their joy when the reapers bear
their harvest treasures home.
For thou their burden dost remove,
and break the tyrant's rod,
as in the day when Midian fell
before the sword of God.
For unto us a Child is born,
to us a Son is given;
and on his shoulder ever rests
all power in earth and heaven.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace
the everlasting Lord,
the Wonderful, the Counselor,
the God by all adored.
His righteous government and power
shall over all extend;
on judgment and on justice based,
his reign shall have no end.
Lord Jesus, reign in us, we pray,
and make us thine alone,
who with the Father ever art
and Holy Spirit One.
Sung to Dundee at SMV, though it fits with many others.
Offertory was this one, written by John Greenleaf Whittier. My favorite line is Re-clothe us in our rightful mind, a powerful reminder of what we are supposed to be, but are not.
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise;
in deeper reverence, praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee;
rise up and follow thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity
interpreted by love!
interpreted by love!
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace;
the beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm;
O still, small voice of calm.
Sung to Repton.
Offertory was this:
My God, and is thy table spread,
and doth thy cup with love o'erflow?
Thither be all thy children led,
and let them thy sweetness know.
Hail, sacred feast, which Jesus makes,
rich banquet of his Flesh and Blood!
Thrice happy he who here partakes
that sacred stream, that heavenly food.
Why are its bounties all in vain
before unwilling hearts displayed?
Was not for them the Victim slain?
Are they forbid the children's bread?
O let thy table honored be,
and furnished well with joyful guests;
and may each soul salvation see
that here its sacred pledges tastes
Sung to the tune Rockingham.
Post-communion hymn was They Cast Their Nets in Galilee, but it is still under copyright, so I can't post it!
So, now, everyone pick one and sing!
