I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”
Scripture Readings For the Week:
In the reading from Isaiah, the Lord gives us a vision of eternity, the new heavens and new earth. We see God’s workmanship cleansed of sin and all that sin brings: no more weeping or distress, no more death bringing sorrow; the work of those who who build and farm will not be in vain; the work of parents will be done for joy; even the wolf and lamb shall dwell in peace. In the reading from 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds us that the day of the Lord will come, so that we will not be surprised when it does. He encourages us to live in such a way that we are always ready for the Lord to call us home. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins from Matthew’s Gospel, our Lord shows us the joy that we are waiting for, that He will bring us into, and tells us to watch and be ready for the day of His return.
Prayer of the Day:
O Lord, absolve Your people from their offenses that, from the bonds of our sins which by reason of our frailty we have brought upon ourselves, we may be delivered by Your bountiful goodness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymns
- 514 The Bridegroom Soon Will Call Us
- 516 Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying
- 617 O Lord, We Praise Thee
- 636 Sould, Adorn yourself with Gladness
- 515 Rejoice, Rejoice Believers
Bach Cantata for the Week
BWV 140 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
- Chorus [Verse 1] (S, A, T, B)
“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:
“Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Alleluia!
With bridal care,
yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom who is near.”
- Recit. (T)
He comes, he comes,
The bridegroom comes!(1)
O Zion’s daughters, come ye forth,(2)
His journey hieth from the heavens(3)
Into your mother’s house.(4)
The bridegroom comes, who to a roebuck
And youthful stag is like,(5)
Which on the hills doth leap;(6)
To you the marriage meal he brings.
Rise up, be lively now
The bridegroom here to welcome!
There, look now, thence he comes to meet you.
- Aria (S, B) Soul, Jesus
(Soul)
When com’st thou, my Savior?(7)
(Jesus)
I’m coming, thy share.
(Soul)
I’m waiting with my burning oil.(8)
(Soul, Jesus)
Now open
{ } the hall
I open
(both)
For heaven’s rich meal.
(Soul)
Come, Jesus!
(Jesus)
Come, O lovely soul!
- Chorale [Verse 2]
Zion hears the watchmen singing,
And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord, comes down all glorious,
The strong in grace, the truth victorious;
Her star is ris’n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son,
Hail! Hosanna!
We enter all
The wedding hall
To eat the Supper at Thy call.
- Recit. (B)
So come within to me,
Thou mine elected bride!
I have myself to thee
Eternally betrothed.(9)
I will upon my heart,
Upon my arm like as a seal engrave thee(10)
And to thy troubled eye bring pleasure.
Forget, O spirit, now
The fear, the pain
Which thou hast had to suffer;
Upon my left hand shalt thou rest,
And this my right hand shall embrace thee.(11)
- Aria (S, B)
(Soul)
My friend is mine,
(Jesus)
And I am thine,(12)
(Both)
Let love bring no division.
(Soul, Jesus)
I will thee
{ } with { } on heaven’s roses pasture,(13)
Thou shalt me
Where pleasure in fullness, where joy will abound.(14)
- Chorale [Verse 3] (S, A, T, B)
Now let all the heav’ns adore Thee,
Let saints and angels bow before Thee
With harp and cymbals’ clearest tone.
Of one pearl, each shining portal,
Where joining with the choir immortal,
We gather round Thy radiant throne.
No eye has seen the light,
No ear has heard the might,
Of Thy glory;
Therefore will we,
Eternally,
Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!
- Mt. 25:6.
- S.of S. 3:11.
- Lk. 1:78.
- S. of S. 3:4; 8:2. Note the matriarchal marriage system.
- S. of S. 2:9 and 17; 8:14.
- S. of S. 2:8.
- Is. 62:11.
- Mt. 25:4.
- Hos. 2:20.
- S. of S. 8:6.
- S. of S. 2:6. The Biblical text suggests “embrace” rather than “kiss.”
- S.of S. 2:16; 6:3. The Biblical sein ‘his’ is altered to dein in BG to suit the sense of the dialogue. It allows the rhyme in the translation.
- S. of S. 6:3.
- Ps. 16:11.
(Translation from Lutheran Service Book #516, and Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (uvm.edu))