C 5665 GOD IS NEAR Joel Raney SATB

w/opt. 4 Handbells & Congregation

THE JOEL RANEYCHORAL SERIES

HO PESince 1892

Publishing CompanyCarol Stream IL 60188

www.hopepublishing.com800-323-1049

GOD ISNEAR

A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent

Words & Music by

Joel Raney

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God Is NearFor S.A.T.B. Choir and Piano with optional Handbells and Congregation

© 2010 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188.www.hopepublishing.com 800-323-1049

All rights reserved.The copying of this music is prohibited by law and is not covered by CCLI, LicenSing, or OneLicense.net.

4 Bells used: C6, D6, G6 & A6 Words and Music byJOEL RANEY

3

A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent

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God Is Near

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(Piano underscores Responsive Litany and Candle Lighting)

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Repeat as needed untilCandle Lighting is finished,then segue to page 8, m. 57

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God Is Near

5

God Is Near

6Advent texts by Rev. Rich Davis, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, River Forest, IL

FIRST SUNDAY - THE ANGELS’ MESSAGE: HearResponsive Litany

Candle Lighting

Advent is a time to hear again of God’s redeeming work.Give us ears, O Lord, and help us to hear.Advent is a time to hear again of God’s reconciling love.Give us ears, O Lord, and help us to hear.Advent is a time to hear again of God’s unmerited grace.Give us ears, O Lord, and help us to hear.Advent is a time to hear again of our ultimate hope.Give us ears, O Lord, and help us to hear.

Today we light the first candle. The first candle reminds us that as we wait upon the Lord wedo so with a sense of heightened awareness. In a world where our attention is easily divertedin many directions, Advent is a time to quiet ourselves and listen for God’s word with expec-tant ears. This Advent may we hear and receive the message of the One who continues to speak.

SECOND SUNDAY - THE ANGELS’ MESSAGE: BelieveResponsive Litany

Candle Lighting

During Advent we recall God’s promises spoken to us long ago.For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God.During Advent we anticipate promises yet to unfold.For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God.During Advent we recall God’s mighty deeds from ages past.For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God.During Advent we anticipate mighty deeds yet to come.For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God.

Today we light two candles. The first candle reminds us that Advent is a time to hear again themessage of hope offered through Jesus Christ. In a season when our lives abound with activ-ity, Advent is a time to listen with faithful expectation. The second candle invites us to recallthe mighty deeds God has performed throughout the ages, and to recognize the marvelous waysGod is at work today. As we continue our Advent journey let us hear what God has spoken andbelieve what God has promised.

THIRD SUNDAY - THE ANGELS’ MESSAGE: Accept

Responsive Litany

During Advent our eyes are opened to the wonders of God.With God all things are possible.During Advent our faith is nurtured by the promise of God.With God all things are possible.During Advent our hope is reawakened to the presence of God.With God all things are possible.During Advent our lives are touched by the love of God.With God all things are possible.

God Is Near

7Candle Lighting

Today we light three candles. The first candle reminds us that Advent is a time to hear againthe message of hope offered through the Savior’s birth. The second candle calls us to believethat just as God worked mighty deeds in ages past, God is still actively at work today. Thethird candle is lit as we draw closer to God in faithful acceptance. Advent reminds us thateven when God’s ways exceed our understanding, God’s word still demands our trust. As wecontinue our Advent journey, let us hear what God has spoken, believe what God has promised,and accept what God has revealed.

FOURTH SUNDAY - THE ANGELS’ MESSAGE: Obey

Responsive Litany

During Advent we remember God’s faithfulness shown to us.Help our lives to reflect your ways, O Lord.During Advent we remember God’s humility set before us.Help our lives to reflect your ways, O Lord.During Advent we remember God’s commands, spoken to us.Help our lives to reflect your ways, O Lord.During Advent we remember God’s incredible love shared with us.Help our lives to reflect your ways, O Lord.

Candle Lighting

Today we light four candles. The first candle reminds us that during Advent we hear again thegood news of ultimate hope offered through Jesus Christ. The second candle calls us to believethat just as God fulfilled the promise to the Israelites, God’s plan continues to unfold in ourworld today. The third candle calls us to accept that with God nothing is beyond possibility,for we serve a God who can do all things. We light the fourth candle as a call to faithful obe-dience to the ways of God. As we continue our Advent journey, let us hear what God has spo-ken, believe what God has promised, accept what God has revealed, and obey what God hascommanded.

CHRISTMAS EVE - THE ANGELS’ MESSAGE: Welcome

Responsive Litany

Tonight we gather with joyful hearts to receive God’s greatest gift.Joy to the world, the Lord has come!Tonight we hear again the good news that was given for all people.Joy to the world, the Lord has come!Tonight we join in steadfast wonder at God’s amazing love.Joy to the world, the Lord has come!Tonight we welcome the Savior whose birth has forever changed our lives.Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Candle Lighting

Tonight we light all the candles. The first candle reminds us that Jesus Christ is the gift ofhope to a world in need. The second candle calls us to believe that just as God’s wonder filledthat first Christmas night, God still works miracles today. The third candle calls us to faithfulacceptance of God’s unfolding plan. The fourth candle calls us to embrace God’s unchangingword. And tonight, we light the final candle, as we celebrate God’s amazing love by welcom-ing the birth of our Savior.

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God Is Near

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God Is Near

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CLOSING PRAYER

FIRST SUNDAY

SECOND SUNDAY

THIRD SUNDAY

FOURTH SUNDAY

CHRISTMAS EVE

Gracious Lord, thank you for the ways you continue to speak to a world in need.Through both prophets and angels you declared the message of hope, the way of heal-ing, and the coming of a Savior. As you spoke in the days of old, so we know youcontinue to speak to us today. As we begin our Advent journey, grant us ears that trulyhear and hearts to openly receive. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ. Amen.

Gracious Lord, we thank you that your word never changes and your promises neverfail. In faith we know that everything you have spoken about will come to pass. Yetlike your people of old, we often struggle during times of waiting. As we cast ourfaith in your unfailing promises, enable us to also trust the timing of your response.We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Gracious Lord, as we continue on our Advent journey, help us to hear again the mes-sage of the season, to place our faith in your unfolding promises, and lead us towardsfull acceptance of your will as it unfolds in the world and in our lives. We pray this inthe name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Gracious Lord, open our eyes to the wonders you have done, open our ears to thepromises you have spoken, and open our hearts that we might become the people youhave called us to be. We pray this in the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Gracious Lord, our Advent journey has culminated in this night. As we celebrate thecoming of Christ, open our eyes to see your wonder, open our hearts to know your joy,and open our lips to tell of your glory. For to us a Child has been born, to us a Saviorhas been given. We pray this in the name of Christ, our newborn King. Amen.

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God Is NearHANDBELLS

A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent

Music byJOEL RANEY

4 Bells used: C6, D6, G6 & A6

© 2010 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188.www.hopepublishing.com 800-323-1049

All rights reserved.The publisher grants permission to reproduce this page for performance.

& bb œ œ œ œLis ten to the

Congregation:

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.˙- -

© 2010 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188.Permission is granted by the publisher to reproduce this page for congregational use.

12

God Is NearA Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent

Words and Music byJOEL RANEY

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

“God is Near” was designed to support the lighting of the Advent candles. It

includes a choral opening followed by a call and response litany, and a read-

ing (with piano underscore) to be recited with the lighting of each candle. At

the conclusion of the candle lighting, the choir, with optional congregation,

join together with a choral response. Each weekly ceremony concludes with

a closing prayer. The litanies, readings and prayers, as well as the parts for

the congregation and handbells, may all be reproduced.