Adapted from Psalm 22:25-31

From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will pay before those who fear him.

The poor shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the Lord.

May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the Lord;

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before him.

For dominion belongs to the Lord,

and he rules over the nations.

To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

and I shall live for him.

Posterity will serve him;

future generations will be told about the Lord,

and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,

saying that he has done it.

Hassell Bullock

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Adapted from Psalm 34:1-8 (RSVUE)

I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
    and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
    so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
    and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Happy are those who take refuge in him!

Adapted by Stuart Strachan Jr. (RSVUE)

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Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

He will judge the people with righteousness and defend the cause of the poor.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

The mystery of the ages is revealed; the eternal plane of God is known to all.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

Let us kneel down before him to give him honor, glory, and praise.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

Let us offer him all the treasures of our hearts and our lives.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

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Responsive Song of Mary (Magnificat), Luke 1:46b-55

 “My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

 and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

 and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Adapted by Stuart Strachan Jr. (NRSV, adapted for liturgical use)

 

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Based on John 1/ Matthew 25

You came to us, Word made flesh, to show us what it means to love.

You came to us, Word made flesh, to teach us how to serve. 

You came to us, Word made flesh, to remind us to clothe the naked and feed the hungry.

Come to us now, Holy Wisdom, Holy Word. Love us, teach us, and feed us as we worship you together now. 

Alleluia! Amen.  

Ellen R. Dawson