Advent & A New Church Year

This Sunday after Thanksgiving for many begins the season of Advent (if your tradition follows the Church Year), or it may be when you  start using Christmas songs in your worship.

In my church this Sunday , we will observe the 1st Sunday of Advent. On this day, we will focus on Christ comings – both His first coming in the incarnation, and His final (second) coming to rule and reign one day. Among the music I’l be using in our services are the following found in The Christian Life Hymnal:

• Prelude: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming #84
• Opening hymn: Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending (Tune: Helmsely) #211
• Offertory: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel #72
• Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night #76
• Recessional: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed #79

Here is a descant for Hail to the Lord’s Anointed.

What songs are you using in your church during this season of Advent leading up to Christmas? (Please share with the readers of this blog in the comments section.)

DESCANT #591 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (Tune: St. George’s Windsor)

Here is a descant for Thanksgiving. I am using it this Sunday at my church in a medley of Thanksgiving hymns we will all sing at the offertory, as follows;
#591 Come, Ye Thankful People Come, vs. 1
#589 Now Thank We All Our God, vs. 1, 3 (in E flat)
#590 We Gather Together, vs. 1
#591 Come, Ye Thankful People Come, vs. 4 with descant

Available in Key of F as well.

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Thanksgiving Day