I think this was the first hymn paraphrase of the liturgy that I ever did, and it was for a Christmas Eve service at the church where I was the associate pastor. I’ve always loved the tune “Divinum Mysterium,” better known as the hymn, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” Simple, meditative, and lovely, it seemed the perfect melody for my paraphrase of the Sanctus. The only catch: trying to score it was more difficult than anticipated, so I just kept the melody line!

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I had fun with this. You can use this as the Prayers of the Church, or as an extended Kyrie, especially on the Sunday after Christmas (when many congregations have a services of lessons and carols anyway). It’s set to the tune, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” (a sadly overlooked carol in politically correct times!).  The petitions are sung by the cantor, assisting minister, or someone else who can enunciate and get the words out briskly. The refrain is done by the whole assembly. It’s written so that almost every syllable has its very own note, until the refrain, so that even though the words certainly march along, the cantor doesn’t have to think hard about what syllable goes with what note!

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The Gloria in Excelsis is the quintessential Christmas carol, being sung over shepherds and flocks near Bethlehem the night of Jesus’ birth. This paraphrase of the Gloria (pretty much the exact same version as for Advent) now uses, appropriately, the tune “Carol,” usually known as “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” Enjoy!

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As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be…. In the Kyrie, we begin, “In peace, let us pray to the Lord.” In the Gloria, we echo the angel’s sweet words, “peace to those whom God favors.” In the Agnus Dei, we pray that the Lamb of God should grant us peace. And now that the service is ending, we echo Simeon’s words: Lord, now you let your servant go in peace. For my hymn paraphrase of Simeon’s song, the Nunc Dimittis, I selected a tune that also echoes the theme of early American tunes I’ve used throughout the hymn paraphrases of the liturgy. It’s called “Distress,” and despite that name, it’s a plaintive but peaceful tune. We use it for 2 hymns: “We Place Upon Your Table, Lord,” and “O Christ the Healer, We Have Come.” As we indeed have received healing at our Savior’s table, that seems fitting.

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“Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us. Grant us peace.” One of the simplest and most eloquent of prayers, we sing it just before receiving the Body and Blood of this Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world to do just that – forgive our sins, and make peace between us and God, us and one another, and even us and our own restless and broken hearts. For my simple paraphrase of this simple prayer, I used a simple tune: Southwell, often set to the words, “Lord Jesus, Think On Me.” Which seems eminently appropriate, doesn’t it?

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“Holy, holy holy is the Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of his glory!” Isaiah heard the angels crying out to one another, and this hymn shook the very foundations of the Temple – and of Isaiah’s own soul. I believe the Sanctus (“Holy!”) ought to convey awe in the face of the profound mystery of our Lord’s self-giving revelation in the Sacrament. And it should convey deep love: God’s love for us, and our response of love for Him. What better hymn tune to convey all this than yet another early American tune: Wondrous Love? My feeble words lean totally on Scripture, and are carried by this lovely melody.

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When Bach and others composed their Masses, they always included the “Credo” – the Nicene Creed. Martin Luther wrote a paraphrase of the Apostles’ Creed (We All Believe in One True God). Singing the core of our faith is a good way to embed it deep within. We don’t just memorize – we “sing it by heart!”  Well, I’m not in the same league as Bach or Luther. But I did decide to write several paraphrases of the Nicene Creed for use at different times of the year. Here’s the one most suitable for Advent and Lent. It uses a stately (but not dirge-like) tune: Old 124th, often set to the hymn, “Turn Back, O Man, Forswear Thy Foolish Ways.” Don’t let the tempo drag!

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I know, I know. A lot of folks don’t use a “hymn of praise” in Advent or Lent. But some do. And I’ve written one that reflects the wording of the traditional “Gloria in Excelsis,” modifies it a bit as we look forward to that glorious day when the angels sing it in full-throated harmony – AND I use a lovely early American tune (Consolation) that is often used in Advent for the hymn, “The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.”

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This brief paraphrase of the Kyrie is sung to the tune for “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” (Tune name: Rresignation). It’s done as a call-and-response. The cantor sings the first half of each line. The congregation responds with “Have mercy, Christ, on us” or “Amen, Lord Christ, amen” as the second half of each line. Like many early American tunes, once you’ve learned the first line, you have learned 3/4 of the whole tune, so it’s very easy to do!

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THE PRAYERS, 

Christ the King Sunday, Cycle B (November 25, 2018)

In the power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Father of our Lord Jesus for the world, the church, and one another.

A brief silence

Gracious Father, you have made your Son King of creation and head of your holy Church. Bind that Church to Christ with cords of love; make it unswerving in faith, radiant in holiness, and bold in witness to him. Use it to draw all people to his Cross, there to acclaim him as Lord, King, and Savior.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son fairer than the sparkling stars on high. Let the light of his love bring joy to the hearts of all Christians who suffer because they name Jesus as Lord; and may that same light illumine and cleanse the darkness in the hearts of their tormentors. Help us to remember them in prayer, to stand with them in witness, and to provide tangible help for their physical needs.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

You have made your Son our Savior and Lord. Fill the people of this congregation with your Holy Spirit, so that in all we say and do, among all people we encounter, we acclaim Jesus Christ as Son of God and Son of man.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son fairer than sunlight and moonlight, sparkling stars or the radiant beauty of this good earth. Give to all who love the beauties of this created realm, a deep and everlasting love for the uncreated light and supernal beauty of your Son, the Word by which all worlds were made.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son Lord of the nations. By your Holy Spirit, conform the hearts of rulers and people to the heart of Christ; and let his peace reign undisturbed in every land.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son our light, joy, and crown. Grant that his strong saving love might accompany those who serve our country, here and abroad. Fill them with honor, courage, and wisdom; bring them home in safety when their task is done; heal and strengthen all who have been wounded; and help us to transition well into civilian life.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You have made your Son fairer than woodlands, meadows and flowers of blooming spring. Let his beauty, healing, and compassion cause all sorrowing hearts to sing. Especially this day we pray for the needs of: {List}

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Most gracious Father, you have made your Son to shine more brightly than the angels of heaven itself. We thank you for the lives of the faithful departed, including {List}, who already see his glory face to face. Fill us with such faith and love that, in your good time, we shall join them in singing, “Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forever more be thine.”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 For Jesus’ sake, dear Father, graciously hear and generously answer our fervent petitions, to your glory and for the benefit off for whom we pray. Amen.