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This week’s Prayer Meeting Podcast is an extended worship jam based on the theme of Advent.

1:27 Creator of the Stars of Night
3:25 Wake Awake for Night is Flying/All Our Trials
8:42 O Come, Divine Messiah
11:33 O Come O Come Emmanuel
15:40 Arise the Kingdom is at Hand
18:32 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus/ Be Still and Know
21:50 How Brightly Beams the Morning Star
25:47 Hark a Herald Voice is Sounding
28:15 Behold, the Bridegroom Comes

Feel free to pass this podcast along to anybody whom you feel would be blessed by it. Also, if you’re a musician or worship leader, feel free to use these songs in your own circles.

I have compiled all of the songs into one master Advent resource.  To download, right click “The Free Advent Hymn Songbook for Guitar“ and select “Save As.”  You have my permission to use these in your own circles.  Enjoy.

Lyrics below:

CREATOR OF THE STARS OF NIGHT
Latin 9th century
CONDITOR ALME

Creator of the stars of night
Thy people’s everlasting light
Jesus, Redeemer of us all
And hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.

Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.

At Whose dread Name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

O Thou Whose coming is with dread
To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.

WAKE AWAKE FOR NIGHT IS FLYING/ ALL OUR TRIALS
Philip Nicolai, 1599
Harm. by J.S. Bach, 1731

“All our trials” – Spiritual

1 “Wake, awake, for night is flying,”
the watchmen on the heights are crying;
“Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”
Midnight hears the welcome voices
and at the thrilling cry rejoices:
“Where are the maidens pure and wise?
The Bridegroom comes: Awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia!
With bridal care and faith’s bold prayer,
to meet the Bridegroom, come, prepare!”

2 Zion hears the watchmen singing,
and in her heart new joy is springing.
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all-glorious
and strong in grace, in truth victorious.
Her star is risen, her light is come!
Now come, O Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son.
Sing hosanna!
We answer all in joy your call;
we follow to the wedding hall.

All our trials, Lord, soon be over.

3 Lamb of God, the heavens adore you,
the saints and angels sing before you
with harp and cymbals’ clearest tone.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
where, joining with the choir immortal,
we gather round your radiant throne.
No eye has seen that light,
no ear the echoed might
of your glory;
yet there shall we in victory
sing shouts of joy eternally!

Public Domain

O COME DIVINE MESSIAH
Abbe Simon-Joseph Pellegrin 1663-1745
Tr. by Sr. Mary of St. Philip 1825-1904

O come, divine Messiah;
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away

O Christ, whom nations sigh for,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold
Come, break the captive’s fetters,
Redeem the long lost fold.

Dear Savior haste!
Come, come to earth.
Dispel the night and show Your face
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.
O come, divine Messiah;
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph
And sadness flee away

You come in peace and meekness
And lowly will Your cradle be
All clothed in human weakness
Shall we Your Godhead see.

O COME O COME EMMANUEL
Latin 9th Century
Arr. by Nick Alexander

1 O come, O come, Immanuel,
Come ransom captive Israel.
O come, Dear Wisdom from on high,
O come, yes, come, Great Lord of might,

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel!
Behold, shall come, Emmanuel.

2. O come, You Bright and Morning Star,
Come, bring us comfort from afar!
O come, Great King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.

3. O come, teach us Your ways to go.
To us, Your path of knowledge show
O come, Dear Key of David, come
And open wide our heavenly home.

ARISE THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND
Johann Rist, 1651 Tr. by Cath. Winkworth, 1858
verses added H. Lewars, 1913
Mel. 1598

Arise, the Kingdom is at hand
The King is drawing nigh
Arise with joy, you faithful band
To meet the Lord most high!
Go forth in bright array
He comes salvation bringin
With loud hosannas singing
Go meet Him on His way.
Go meet Him on His way.

Look up, you drooping hearts today!
The King is very near:
Oh, cast your griefs and fears away
For lo, your Help is here!
He is your very Lord;
His kingdom with you sharing
High comfort to you bearing,
In Sacrament and Word
In Sacrament and Word

Arise with footsteps joyous
You Saviour King to greet
He comes, the Prince all glorious
Strong God, yet gentle, sweet.
Come all with one accord;
Your hearts with ardor yearning
Your lamps well trimmed and burning
Go forth to meet Your Lord.
Go forth to meet Your Lord.

Public Domain

COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS
HYFRODOL; Rowland H. Prichard, 1811-1887

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s hope and consolation
Hope of all the strength Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart.

Public Domain

BE STILL AND KNOW
Author unknown

Be still and know that He is God
He is the Lord that heals Thee.
In You, O Lord, we put our trust.

Copyright unknown.

HOW BRIGHTLY BEAMS THE MORNING STAR
Johann Adolf Schlegel 1765
Tr. by Catherine Winkworth 1863
Tune: WIE SCHON LEUCHTET

How brightly beams the morning star
What sudden radiance from afar
Doth glad us with its shining?
The ray of God that breaks our night
And fills the darkened souls with light
Who long for truth we’re pining
Thy Word, Jesus,
Truly feeds us, rightly leads us
Life bestowing.
Praise, oh praise such love o’erflowing.

Through Thee alone can we be blest;
Then deep be on our hearts imprest
The love that Thou hast borne us
So make us ready to fulfill
With burning zeal Thy holy will,
Though men may vex or scorn us;
Savior, let us,
Never lose Thee, For we choose Thee
Thirst to know Thee.
All we are and have we owe Thee!

O praise to Thee who came to save
You conquered death and burst the grave;
Each day new praise resoundeth.
You are the Lamb who once was slain,
The Friend whom none shall trust in vain
Whose grace always aboundeth;
Sing, you heavens:
Tell the story of His glory
Till His praises
Flood with light earth’s darkest places.

Public Domain

HARK A HERALD VOICE IS SOUNDING
Latin 6th Century
En clara vox redarguit
Tr. by Fr. E. Caswall, 1695
Tune: Merton (Monk) 1850

Hark a herald voice is sounding
“Christ is nigh!” it seems to say;
Cast away the dreams of darkness
O ye children of the day!

Startled at the solemn warning
Let the earthbound soul arise;
Christ her sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies

Lo! the Lamb so long expected
Comes with pardon down from heav’n.
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow.
One and all to be forgiv’n.

So when next He comes with glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear
May He then as our Defender
On the clouds of heav’n appear.

Honour, glory, virtue, merit
To the Father and the Son
With the coeternal Spirit
While eternal ages run.

Public Domain

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMES
George A. Macfarren (alt.)
MIDNIGHT
New arrangement by Nick Alexander

Behold the Bridegroom comes
Arise in the middle of the night
And blest is he prepared and steeled
Whose lamp is burning bright;
But woe to that dull servant, whom his Master shall surprise
With lamp untrimmed, unburning and with slumber in his eyes.

Keep watch, my soul, keep watch, beware
Lest you in sleep, sink down
Unless you be giv’n o’er to death
And lose your golden crown
But see that you be sober
With a watchful eye, and thus
Cry “holy, holy, holy God
Have mercy upon us!”

That day of fear shall come
My soul, slack not your toil
But light your lamp and feed it well
Make it bright with oil
You do not know how soon may sound that cry at eventide
Behold our Bridegroom comes; Arise!
He comes to meet His Bride

Beware my soul, take your good heed
Let you in slumber lie
And like the five, remain withou,
And knock and vainly cry;
But watch and bear your lamp undimmed,
And Christ shall gird you on
His own bright wedding robe light
The Glory of the Son.

That day of joy shall come
My soul, slack not your toil
So light your lamp and feed it well
Make it bright with oil
You do not know how soon may sound that cry at eventide
Behold our Saviour comes; Arise!
He comes to meet His Bride

Public Domain

Do you have a favorite Advent song?  Share it in the comments box below.

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Feel free to download any song notation and use it in your own circles.  May these songs bless you this coming Thanksgiving season.

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD
Johann Cruger, Marin Rinkart

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us from all ills, in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
The Son and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, whom earth and Heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Public Domain

WE LIVE BECAUSE OF YOU
AUthor Unknown

We Live because of You, Lord
We Live because of You
Ev’rything You have is ours Lord
We Live because of You

Copyright unknown

PSALM 8
Author unknown

O Lord, our Lord how majestic Your Name is
How great is Thy Name in all the earth
Who hast set Your glory above the high heavens
And stilleth Your foes through a Child in its birth.

When I think on Your heavens the work of Your fingers
The moon and the stars which You have ordained
What is man in Your mem’ry a man that You mindest
The son of the man that You carest for him?

Copyright unknown

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
Author unknown

Praise and thanksgiving let everyone bring
Unto our Father for ev’ry good thing!
All together joyfully sing.

Copyright unknown

WE PLOW THE FIELDS
Johann A.P. Schulz, 1800; CLAUDIUS

We plow the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

Refrain

All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all His love.

He only is the Maker of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.

Refrain

We thank Thee, then, O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest, our life, our health, and food;
No gifts have we to offer, for all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desirest, our humble, thankful hearts.

O LORD I THANK YOU/THANK YOU THANK YOU JESUS
Author unknown/Author unknown

O Lord I thank You, I really thank You
I just thank You all the days of my life.
O Lord I thank You, I really thank You
I just thank You all the days of my life.

When I was hungry, Lord You fed me
When I was hungry, Lord You fed me
When I was hungry, Lord You fed me
And I just thank You all the days of my life.

When I was broken, Lord You healed me
When I was broken, Lord You healed me
When I was broken, Lord You healed me
And I just thank You all the days of my life.

When I was lonely, Lord You came to me
When I was lonely, Lord You came to me
When I was lonely, Lord You came to me
And I just thank You all the days of my life.

Thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus in my heart
O thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus
Thank You, thank You Jesus in my heart

Copyright unknown

GIVE THANKS TO GOD MOST HIGH
Isaac Watts; Darwall’s 148th

Give thanks to God most high,
The universal Lord,
The sovereign King of kings;
And be His grace adored.
His power and grace
Are still the same;
And let His Name
Have endless praise.

How mighty is His hand!
What wonders He has done!
He formed the earth and seas,
And spread the heav’ns alone.
Your mercy, Lord,
It shall endure;
And ever sure,
Abide Your word.

He sent his only Son
To save us from our woe,
From Satan, sin, and death,
And every hurtful foe.
Your power and grace
Are still the same;
And let his name
Have endless praise.

Give thanks aloud to God,
To God the heav’nly King;
And let the spacious earth
His works and glories sing.
Thy mercy, Lord,
Shall still endure;
And ever sure
Abide Your word.

Public Domain

EGO AUTEM
Roman Gradual

Ego autem in Dómino sperávi:
Exsultábo, et laetábor in túa misericórdia
Quia respexísti humilitátem méam.

I profess now, the Lord, my God I do trust
I will exult and be joyful
in Your own steadfast love and mercy
because You have noticed this affliction upon me.

Public Domain

THANKS TO GOD FOR MY REDEEMER
August Ludvig Storm (1862-1914)  Tr. by Carl E. Backstrom (1901-1984), alt.
Tune: John A. Hultman (1861-1942)  TACK O GUD

Thank You God, You’re Our Redeemer
And for all that You provide
Thanks for times in all our mem’ries
You came, Jesus, to our side
Thank You for Your soothing springtime
Thanks for dark and dreary fall!
And our tears, now long forgotten
‘Twas Your peace placed in our souls!

Thank You for pray’rs that You’ve answered
And for pray’rs which You’ve denied!
And for storms that we’ve had weathered
Thanks for all that You’ve supplied
Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure
Thanks for comfort in despair
Lord, Your grace no one can measure
And Your love’s beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by our wayside
And for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow
And Your gift of heav’nly peace!
And Your hope, today, tomorrow
And for all eternity!

Public Domain; Discovered at hymnary.com

Extended Thanksgiving Worship Set !!!!!!!!

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This episode is the first podcast in its new format, namely, a straight worship session.  If you are interested in the music notation, right-click and download each of the titles.  This worship set was crafted by Nick Alexander.

1. LIFT JESUS HIGHER
Author Unknown
Lift Jesus higher, Lift Jesus higher
Lift Him up for the world to see
He said “If I be lifted up from the earth
I will draw all men unto me.”

Public Domain

2. COME GO WITH ME TO THAT LAND
Author Unknown

Come go with me to that land
Come go with me to that land
Come go with me to that land where I’m bound
Come go with me to that land
Come go with me to that land
To that land, to that land, where I’m bound.

2. Be singing and dancing n that land…
3. There’s milk + honey in that land…
4. You’re gonna meet Jesus in that land…
5. Well, don’tcha know heaven is…

Public Domain

3. IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE
Walter Chalmers Smith, 1824-1908; Welsh Melody (p.d.)
v.2 Nick Alexander (based on Introit)

1. Immortal, Invisible, God only wise
In light inaccessible, hid from our eyes
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days
Almighty, victorious, Your Great Name we praise!

2. Our God says these words,     for He’s gracious and true:
“Just call upon Me,     and I will answer you.
I will think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction.
And I’ll lead back your captives from ev’ry nation.”

3. Great Father of glory, Pure Father of light
Your angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
Of all Your rich graces, Lord, this grace impart:
Take-the veil from our faces, this veil from our hearts.

Public Domain

4. SOFTLY AND TENDERLY
Will L. Thompson (1847-1909)

1. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals – he’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home;
You who are weary – come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

4. O for the wonderful love  he has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy + pardon,
Pardon for you and for me..

Public Domain

5. AMEN DICO VOBIS
Roman Gradual; Tr. by Nick Alexander

1. Amen díco vóbis, quídquid orántes pétitis,
crédite quia accipiétis, et fíet vóbis.

2. Verily, I say to you, ev’ry prayer that you request
Be confident that you have received it,
And it shall be yours.

Public Domain

6. O SAY, BUT I’M GLAD
Rev. James P. Sullivan, Mildred E. Sullivan

1. There is a song in our hearts today
Something we’ve never had
Jesus, You’ve taken our sins away
O say, but we’re glad!

O say, but we’re glad, we’re glad!
O say, but we’re glad!
Jesus, You’ve come and our cups’ overrun
O say, but we’re glad!

2. Wonderful, marvelous love You bring
Into a heart that’s sad
Through darkest tunnels the soul just sings
O say, but we’re glad!

Public Domain

7. I WILL BLESS THEE, O LORD
Author Unknown

We will bless You, O Lord,
We will bless You, O Lord
With a heart of thanksgiving,
We will bless You, O Lord

With our hands lifted up
And our mouths filled with praise
With a heart of thanksgiving,
We will bless You, O Lord

Copyright unknown

8. O, HOW I LOVE JESUS
Author Unknown

O, how we love Jesus
O, how we love Jesus
We love You so, Jesus
Because You have first loved us!

Copyright unknown