Choral Mass on the Third Sunday of Advent
Mass is celebrated at the All Saints Altar by the curate, Revd James Milwain All music is performed by the choir, as congregational singing is still prohibited Introit Hymn On Jordan’s bank the Baptist's cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Come then and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King of kings. Then cleansed be every Christian breast, And furnished for so great a guest! Yea, let us each our hearts prepare For Christ to come and enter there. For thou art our salvation, Lord, Our refuge and our great reward; Without thy grace our souls must fade, And wither like a flower decayed. Stretch forth thine hand to heal our sore, And make us rise, to fall no more; Once more upon thy people shine, And fill the world with love divine. All praise, eternal Son, to thee Whose advent sets thy people free, Whom, with the Father, we adore, And Spirit blest, for evermore. Amen. Mathias in C Gradual Hymn People look east (words not available, sorry) Offertory Hymn When the King shall come again all his power revealing, splendour shall announce his reign, life and joy and healing: earth no longer in decay, hope no more frustrated; this is God's redemption day longingly awaited. In the desert trees take root fresh from his creation; plants and flowers and sweetest fruit join the celebration. Rivers spring up from the earth, barren lands adorning; valleys, this is your new birth, mountains, greet the morning! Strengthen feeble hands and knees, fainting hearts, be cheerful! God who comes for such as these seeks and saves the fearful. Deaf ears hear the silent tongues sing away their weeping; blind eyes see the lifeless ones walking, running, leaping. There God's highway shall be seen where no roaring lion, nothing evil or unclean walks the road to Zion: ransomed people homeward bound all your praises voicing, see your Lord with glory crowned, share in his rejoicing! Communion Anthem – How beautiful upon the mountains – John Stainer Voluntary – Caprice sur les grands jeux – N J Cléraumbault
