LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE

The 40th Annual Augsburg University Advent Vespers

The 40th Annual Augsburg University Advent Vespers

Friday, December 6, 2019, 5 and 8 p.m. • Saturday, December 7, 2019, 2 and 5 p.m.

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE

CARILLON GREETING

ORCHESTRAL PRELUDEIsma’a (Listen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Traditional Arabic themes, setting by Leanne Darling

READINGO Lord, you have searched me and known me.You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,”even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.

— Psalm 139:1–12

LITANYLonging for Light, we wait in darknessLonging for truth, we turn to you .Make us your own, your holy people,Light for the world to see .Longing for peace, our world is troubled.Longing for hope, many despair .Longing for shelter, many are homeless.Longing for water, many still thirst .Many the hearts that yearn to belong.Let us be servants to one another .Christ be our light!

— adapted from hymn “Christ Be Our Light”

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PRAYERDear Companion of my day,You are the Holy Mystery I surrender towhen I close my eyes. I give You myself:the flaws, the mistakes, the pettyself-congratulations. I give You my dear ones:my fondest hopes for them, my worries,and my dark thoughts regarding them.Take my well-constructed separation from me.Hold me in Your truth. This day is already past. I surrender it.When I think about tomorrow, I surrender it, too.Keep me this night. With Youand in You I can trust not knowing anything.I can trust incompleteness as a way.Dark with the darkness, silent with the silence,help me dare to be that empty one—futureless,desireless—who breathes Your name even in sleep.

— Gunilla Norris

Conditor alme siderum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7th-century plainchant, Guillaume Dufay (1400–74)(THE AUGSBURG CHOIR)

Conditor alme siderum O bountiful creator of the stars,aeterna lux credentium eternal light of believers,Christe redemptor omnium O Christ, redeemer of all,exaudi preces supplicum. hear the prayers of your supplicants. Qui condolens interitu You, suffering with us the destructionmortis perire saeculum of the world by death,salvasti mundum languidum did save it in its illness,donans reis remedium. providing for sinners a cure. Vergente mundi vespere In the declining evening of the world,uti sponsus de thalamo as a groom from the bridal chamber,egressus honestissima you emerged from the undefiledVirginis Matris clausula. womb of the Virgin Mother. Cujus forti potentiae At whose great powergenu curvantur omnia every knee is bentcaelestia terrestria in heaven and on earth, Nutu fatentur subdita. all confessing with bowed head.

Te deprecamur agie We pray to you, O holy one,venture iudex saeculi judge of the world to come,conserva nos in tempore to save us nowhostis a telo perditi. from our enemy’s treacherous sword.

Laus honor virtus gloria Praise, honor, power, and gloryDeo Patri et Filio be unto God the Father and the Son,Sanctu simul Paraclito and likewise to the Holy Spirit,in saeculorum saecula. forever and ever.Amen. Amen.

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I. LONGING FOR LIGHT, WE WAIT IN DARKNESSHYMN (please remain seated and sing)Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (PICARDY) French folk tune, 17th century arr . Gustav Holst (1874–1934)

— Liturgy of St. James, tr. Gerard Moultrie, 1829–85

READINGSThe silence is all there is. It is the alpha and the omega. It is God’s brooding over the face of the waters; it is the blended note of ten thousand things, the whine of wings. You take a step in the right direction to pray to this silence, and even to address the prayer to “World.” Distinctions blur. Quit your tents. Pray without ceasing.

— Annie Dillard O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you.My heart throbs, my strength fails me; as for the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.But it is for you, O Lord, that I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me;make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

— Psalm 38:9–10, 15, 21–22

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Bereden väg för Herran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swedish folk melody, arr . Mark Sedio ’76 (b . 1954)(MASTERWORKS CHORALE)

Bereden väg för Herran! Berg, sjunken, djup, stån opp! Make a way for the Lord! Mountains, valleys, depths, arise! Han kommer, han som fjärran var sedd av fädrens hopp. He comes, the hope of our ancestors.Rättfärdighetens förste, av Davids hus den störste. The great Sovereign of righteousness from the house of David.Välsignad vare han som kom in Herrens namn. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Guds folk, för dig han träder en evig konung opp. God’s people––he comes for you as an eternal king.Strö palmer bred ut kläder; sjung ditt upp fyllda hopp. Strew palm branches, lay out clothing, sing in hope!Guds löften äro sanna, nu ropa: Hosianna! For the promises of God are true. Cry out: Hosanna!Välsignad vare han som kom in Herrens namn. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

READINGI will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places,so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen,I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me.I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me,so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.

Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness;let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I the Lord have created it.

— Isaiah 45:3–8

In the Depths of Winter’s Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diane McAninch(RIVERSIDE SINGERS)

In the depth of winter’s darkness, lost in gloomy shades of night,all humanity stands watching, waiting for God’s promised Light.Alleluia, alleluia, come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Now the time of preparation— with repentance, hope, resolve,let us ready minds and spirits for the Christ who comes in love.Alleluia, alleluia, come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

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Once he came, and still he’s coming, mystery both new and old—what the hour of his new Advent prophets have not known or told.Alleluia, alleluia, come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Doing justice, showing mercy, praying, praising, let us waitso that we may greet his coming ready for the Daystar’s Light.Alleluia, alleluia, come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

LITANYFor the darkness of waitingof not knowing what is to comeof staying ready and quiet and attentive,we praise you, O God: For the darkness and the lightare both alike to you . For the darkness of lovingin which it is safe to surrenderto let go of our self-protectionAnd to recognize our vulnerability, we praise you, O God: For the darkness and the lightare both alike to you . For the darkness of hopingin a world which longs for you,for the wrestling and laboring of all creation,for wholeness and justice and freedom,we praise you, O God. For the darkness and the lightare both alike to you .

— adapted from “Bread of Tomorrow: Prayers for the Church Year”

’Tis Winter Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monte Mason (b . 1949)(CEDAR SINGERS)

’Tis winter now; the fallen snowhas left the heav’ns all coldly clear;through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow,and all the earth lies dead and drear.

And yet God’s love is not withdrawn;His life within the keen air breathes;His beauty paints the crimson dawn,and clothes each branch with glittering wreaths.

And though abroad the sharp winds blow,and skies are chill, and frosts are keen,home draws her circle closer now,and warmer glows her light within.

O God! Who giv’st the winter’s cold,as well as summer’s joyous rays.Us warmly in your love enfold,and keep us through life’s wint’ry days.

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II. LONGING FOR TRUTH, WE TURN TO YOUHYMN (please stand as you are able and sing)Christ, Be Our Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(CHRIST, BE OUR LIGHT) Bernadette Farrell (b . 1957) arr . Daniel Kallman

(please be seated)

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READINGSI will never have timeI will never have time enoughTo sayHow beautiful it isThe way the moonFloats in the airAs easilyAnd as lightly as a birdAlthough she is a worldMade all of stone. I never will have time enoughTo praiseThe way the starsHang glittering in the darkOf steepest heavenTheir dewy sparksTheir brimming drops of lightSo fresh so clearThat when you look at themIt quenches thirst.

— Anne Porter Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

— Psalm 80:1–3

Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . African American spiritual, arr . K . Boerger (b . 1965)(THE AUGSBURG CHOIR)

There’s a star in the east on Christmas morn.Rise up, shepherd, and follow!It’ll lead to the place where the Saviour’s born.Rise up, shepherd, and follow! Follow, follow.Rise up, shepherd, and follow!Follow the Star of Bethlehem.Rise up, shepherd, and follow! If you take good heed to the Angel’s word,Rise up, shepherd, and follow!You’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herd.Rise up, shepherd, and follow!

Leave your sheep and leave your lambs.Rise up, shepherd, and follow!Leave your ewes and leave your rams.Rise up, shepherd, and follow! When the cold’s too long and your heart’s grown numb,Rise up, shepherd, and follow!In the sky shines a sign of the joy to come!Rise up, shepherd, and follow!

Forth from winter’s darkest nightRise up, shepherd, and follow!Breaks redemption’s heav’nly light.Rise up, shepherd, and follow!

—The last two stanzas have been added to the traditional text by the arranger.

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A Wondrous Birth (Stránnoye Rozhdestvóṽídevshe) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Georgy Svirdov (1915–1998)(MASTERWORKS CHORALE)

Strannoye Rozhdestvo videvshe, Having witnessed a wondrous birth,osveshchenye mira, let us be as light in this world,um na nebesa prelozhim. and turn our minds towards the heavens.Tovo radi Visokiy Bog For this the Most High Godna zemli yavilsilia smirenniy chelovek appeared on earth as a lowly man.Alliluyia! Alleluia!

Strannoye Rozhdesvto videvshe, Having witnessed a wondrous birth,osveshchenye mira, let us be as light in this world,um na nebesa preloshim. and turn our minds towards the heavens.Tovo radi Visokiy Bog na zemliu snide, For this the Most High God descended to earth,da nas na nebesa vozvedet vopiyushchih Yemu: that He might raise up to the heavens us who sing to Him:Alliluyia! Alleluia!

This Endris Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15th-century carol, arr . Sarah Quartel(RIVERSIDE SINGERS)

This endris night I saw a sight,a star as bright as day,and ever among, a maiden sung,“Lully, by by, lullay.”

This lovely lady sat and sang,and to her child did say,“My son, my brother, father dear,Why liest thou thus in hay?”

“My sweetest bird, ’tis thus required,though thou be king veray,but nevertheless I will not ceaseto sing ‘By by, lullay.’”

The child then spake whilst she did sing,and to his mother did say,“Yea, I am known as Heaven-Kingin crib though I be laid.

For angels bright down on me light;thou knowest ’tis no nay.And for that sight thou may delightto sing, ‘By by, lullay.’”

“Now sweet son, since it is so,that all is at thy will,I pray thee grant to me a boon,if it be right and skill,

That child or man, who will or can,be merry on my day,to bliss them bring and I shall sing,‘Lullay, by by lullay.’”

Brightest and Best . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .arr . Shawn Kirchner (b . 1970)(CEDAR SINGERS)

Hail the bless’d morn, see the great Mediatordown from the regions of glory descend!Shepherds go worship the babe in the manger,lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

Refrain:Brightest and best of the stars of the morning,dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.Star in the East, the horizon adorning,guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining,low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall.Angels adore him in slumber reclining.Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.(Refrain)

Shall we not yield him in costly devotion,odours of Edom and off’rings divine.Gems of the mountains and pearls of the ocean,myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?(Refrain)

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READINGIn the shadows, the cave, grave, Jesus’ body is born.The womb darkness and light is born;the grave deepens and light rises.All your secrets that are shared in darknessJesus welcomes in the light, in his body.Envelop him like Mary,as a mother, tendertender strokingBeloved, belovedborders crossed.Light in darkness.Darkness lightenedby a body.Jesus’ bodyfor our bodies,our very human, ugly, torn, beloved beautiful bodies.Torn by bordersBordered on humanJesus’ broken bodyBroken boundariesFor you, for your whole human body.Every body.

— Sonja M. Hagander

III. YOUR WORD ALONE HAS POWER TO SAVE USOn the Beach at Night Alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reinaldo Moya (b . 1984)(COMBINED CHOIRS)

On the beach at night alone,As the old mother sways her to and fro, singing her husky song,As I watch the bright stars shining, I think a thought of the clef of the universes, and of the future.

A vast similitude interlocks all,All spheres, grown, ungrown, small, large, suns, moons, planetsAll distances of place however wide,All distances of time, all inanimate forms,All souls, all living bodies, though they be ever so different, or in different worlds,All gaseous, watery, vegetable, mineral processes, the fishes, the brutes,All nations, colors, barbarisms, civilizations, languages,All identities that have existed or may exist on this globe, or any globe,All lives and deaths, all of the past, present, future,This vast similitude spans them, and always has spann’d,And shall forever span them and compactly hold and enclose them.

— Walt Whitman (1819–92)

This arrangement was commissioned to celebrate Augsburg’s 150th and Advent Vespers’ 40th anniversaries.By looking into the vast night sky, lit by the bright stars, we can sense that we are all connected and will forever be. The Advent message of

yearning for a peaceful world is understood as we move toward the light of hope, a light for the world to see.

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PREPARATION (please stand as you are able and sing)Angels We Have Heard on High . . . . . . . . . . . . (GLORIA) French carol, arr . Edward S . Barnes (1887–1958) arr . Daniel Kallman

1. Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heav’nly song? Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

3. See Him in a manger laid, whom the angels praise above; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while we raise our hearts in love. Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

4. Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn king. Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

— French carol; tr. H.F. Hemy, The Crown of Jesus Music, 1864

(please remain standing and face the cross)

THE GOSPEL READINGIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

— John 1:1–9, 14

Jesus, Son of the living God, splendor, light eternal, king of glory, sun of justice, born of the virgin Mary.Light for the world to see!Jesus, wonderful counselor, strong Lord, eternal God, prince of peace.Light for the world to see!Jesus, most powerful, patient, obedient, gentle and humble of heart, loving all who are pure in heart.Light for the world to see!Jesus, God of peace, source of life, pattern of holiness, friend of all, our God and our refuge.Light for the world to see!Jesus, brother of the poor, treasure of the faithful, good shepherd, true light, inexhaustible wisdom, boundless love, our way and our life.Light for the world to see!Jesus, joy of the angels, master of the apostles, teacher of the evangelists, strength of the martyrs, light of every witness to the truth, crown of all the saints.Light for the world to see!

— adapted from the Taizé Community

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RESPONSE HYMNAngels We Have Heard on High . . . . . . . . . . . . (GLORIA) French carol; arr . Edward S . Barnes (1887–1958)

Now your manger, shining bright, hallows night with newborn light.Night cannot this light subdue; Let our faith shine ever new. Gloria in excelsis Deo; Gloria in excelsis Deo.

— Ambrose of Milan, Martin Luther

(please be seated)

Wexford Carol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr . Nancy Grundahl (b . 1946)(COMBINED CHOIRS)

Good people, all, this Christmas time,consider well and bear in mindwhat our good God for us has done in sending His beloved Son.With Mary holy we should pray to God with love this Christmas Day.In Bethlehem upon that mornthere was a blessed Messiah born.

With thankful hearts and joyful minds the shepherds went the Babe to find,and as God’s angel hath foretold,they did our Saviour Christ behold.Within a manger he was laid,and by his side the mother maidattending on the Lord of Life who came to earth to end all strife.

Come, let us then our tribute payto our good God, as well we mayfor all God’s grace and mercy shownthrough Christ to us, till then unknown;and when through life we wend our way, ’mid trials and suff’rings day by day,in faith and hope, whate’er befall,we’ll wait in peace, God’s holy call.

Gloria, Mvt . I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Rutter (b . 1945)(COMBINED CHOIRS)

Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest.Et in terra pax And on Earth peacehominibus bonae voluntatis. to all those of goodwill.Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. We praise you. We bless you.Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. We worship you. We glorify you.Gratias agimus tibi We give thanks to youpropter magnam gloriam tuam. for your great glory.Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the highest.

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LITANY Arise, shine; for your light has come,and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you . For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you . Nations shall come to your light—to the brightness of your dawn . Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together,they come to you; your children from afar . Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice!

— adapted from Isaiah 60:1–5

IV. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEEHYMN (please stand as you are able and sing)O Come All Ye Faithful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (ADESTE FIDELES), attr . John F . Wade (1711–86)

1. O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him, born the king of angels: (Refrain)

2. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God in the highest: (Refrain)

3. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory giv’n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: (Refrain)

Refrain:O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,Christ, the Lord!

(please be seated)

READINGDescends the Light of lightsinto this hushed worldgripped by ceaseless longing.Breath by labored breath,a room-less place makes spacefor the squinted scream of earth’s salvation.Ranked seraphs wing to field and flocktheir heavenly bodies

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erupting with star-sent radiancemirrored in the visage of vagabonds.Glorias crack the nightdisclosing to muted mortal flesh what the manger knows.Scrunched brown skin stretching around the Word fullof fragile gracenaked truth. Such tender love no darkness can grasp. The after-birth of this infant Adventnow incarnated in our becoming.We are stewards of mercylovers of justiceservants of neighbormakers of peacecitizens of joybeacons of Lightcalledchildren of God.

— Justin Lind-Ayres

HYMN (please remain seated and sing)Silent Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (STILLE NACHT), arr . Franz Gruber (1787–1885)

1. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing, alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

3. Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at your birth, Jesus, Lord, at your birth.

— Joseph Mohr (1792–1848)

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READINGNowI in him surrenderto the crush and cry of birth.Because eternitywas closeted in timehe is my open doorto forever.From his imprisonment my freedomsgrow,find wings.Part of his body, I transcend this flesh.From his sweet silence my mouth sings.Out of his dark I glow.My life, as his,slips through death’s mesh,time’s bars,joins hands with heaven,speaks with stars.

— Luci Shaw

CHORAL CHANT Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see.

PRAYER O Light!Divine and one Holy Trinity,we, born of the earth,glorify you alwaystogether with the heavenly hosts.At the raising of the morning lightshine forth in our soulsyour intelligible light.Amen.

— Matin hymn, Armenian Sunrise Office

POSTLUDE“Sortie” from Suite en forme de messe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Santeri Siimes (b . 1981)

TOWER BELLS PEAL

Join us for a reception hosted by the Augsburg Music and Campus Ministry departments in the Great Hall between services.

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WELCOME TO THE 40TH AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY ADVENT VESPERS! We celebrate this milestone alongside Augsburg’s sesquicentennial festivities as well as Central Lutheran Church’s 100th anniversary. What a joy to gather with forty years in the making. We remember this history by including liturgical readings from the last four decades (can you guess which ones?), welcoming alumni as liturgical party members, continuing the vital partnership with Central Lutheran Church in a gorgeous worship setting, and more. We mark this Advent Vespers with a commissioned composition by Augsburg music faculty Reinaldo Moya called “On the Beach at Night Alone”. The voices of all the choirs and orchestra echo this year’s theme, Light for the World to See. We begin in darkness, trusting that “darkness is as light” to God. Longing for Light, We Wait in Darkness. The Augsburg Choir and Orchestra prepare us to worship, to wait, to long, and to be silent. We sing the ancient Liturgy of St. James in the form of “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”, which is the inspiration for Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres’ stunning poem in the final section. Longing for Truth, We Turn to You, and our response is to sing “Christ, Be Our Light”. The hymn accents our longing for healing in a broken world. The tune’s rich themes are echoed by the Cedar and Riverside Singers, Masterworks Chorale, and Augsburg Choir who sing of shepherds, stars, and the heavens. My poem, written as a response to a recent visit to Bethlehem, leads us into the promise that Your Word Alone Has Power to Save Us. All of your voices join the choirs, orchestra, and liturgical party in singing praise to God for God’s Light For the World to See! The very body of Jesus incarnates the Light. The voices chant: “Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see.” This is our prayer; this is our calling. Thanks be to God!

Rev. Sonja M. HaganderVice President, Mission and IdentityAugsburg University

P.S. Many of you have “Advent Vespers stories.” You met your beloved during rehearsals, never missed a vespers service, dropped the chimes, were renewed and revived by worship, performed in the choirs and orchestra and now attend, were invited by a friend and returned again and again, and sat in the same pew for twenty years. Share your stories this year on Augsburg University’s Facebook page or use the tag #AdventVespers on Instagram or Twitter. We are deeply grateful for your presence.

ABOUT ‘ON THE BEACH AT NIGHT ALONE’When I went searching for a text for this piece, I was immediately struck by Walt Whitman’s beautiful language. The poem presents what could be a simple thought as a series of revelations, and the imagery powerfully brings to life the idea that we are all connected and will forever be so. I wanted to set this text in a way that could bring to life this sentiment, so we begin with a solo voice. As the narrator begins to have this revelation, we hear something akin to the music of the spheres in the orchestra. The music continues to grow grander as the revelation is understood before coming back to a quiet and intimate ending.

Reinaldo MoyaAssistant Professor, CompositionAugsburg University

The 40th Annual Augsburg University Advent Vespers

Friday, December 6, 2019, 5 and 8 p.m. • Saturday, December 7, 2019, 2 and 5 p.m.

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE

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DEAR FRIENDS,Welcome to the 2019 Advent Vespers, the annual worship services that bring together meaningful words and music from the Augsburg University community, set in the magnificent Central Lutheran Church sanctuary, presented as a gift to the thousands of pilgrims who come each year to greet the Advent season. It is a joy to have you with us.

It is particularly meaningful this year as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Advent Vespers in the same year as Augsburg marks its 150th anniversary and Central Lutheran its 100th. Together we give thanks for decades of faithful ministry in the midst of the city.

This year’s Advent Vespers theme, Light for the World to See, is a most fitting theme to lift up how Augsburg and Central Lutheran are partners in God’s work in the world. These Vespers services, along with the Augsburg Health Commons—part of Central’s Restoration Center serving our most vulnerable neighbors—are the most visible of our many efforts together to walk alongside our neighbors in acts of love and mercy. We seek to be God’s light in the world.

Earlier this fall, we celebrated our shared anniversaries with a weekend of worship services focused on our partnership. With glorious music from Augsburg students and a resounding word from President Pribbenow, we were reminded of Augsburg’s founding scriptural motto from the Gospel of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and lived among us.”

Here is both a theological claim—we believe that God broke into human history in the person of his Son, Jesus—and also a practical claim—we are the Word made flesh today and every day as we live as God’s faithful people in the world.

We invite you now to join us and proclaim together that we are “light for the world to see.”

Advent blessings,

Rev. Peter Nycklemoe Paul C. PribbenowSenior Pastor PresidentCentral Lutheran Church Augsburg University

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LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE

Since 1872, Augsburg University has been an important part of the Twin Cities community. Today, more than 3,500 students are being shaped by an educational program that is rooted in our mission: “To educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.”

Augsburg University wishes each of you a blessed Advent, a merry Christmas, and a joy-filled New Year.

LITURGICAL DIRECTORSonja M. Hagander, Vice President, Mission and

Identity

LITURGISTSSonja M. Hagander, Vice President, Mission and

IdentityPaul Pribbenow, University PresidentJustin Lind-Ayres, University Pastor and Director of

MinistriesBabette Chatman ’06, University Pastor

ARTISTIC DIRECTORNancy Grundahl, faculty emeritus

CONDUCTORSKristina Boerger, The Augsburg Choir, Schwartz

Professor in Choral LeadershipAllyss Haecker, Riverside SingersRyan LaBoy, Cedar SingersRafael Rodriguez, Augsburg OrchestraMark Sedio ’76, Masterworks Chorale

ORGANISTMark Sedio ’76, Cantor, Central Lutheran Church

CARILLONTimothy Short, Central Staff Carillonneur

LITURGICAL PARTY Augsburg University studentsLuther Seminary studentsAugsburg alumni

ADVENT VESPERS PRODUCERCathy Knutson ’06 MAL, Coordinator of Fine Arts

ADVENT VESPERS ASSISTANT PRODUCERJami Kadolph ’17, Event and Conference Coordinator

LITURGICAL ADVISORSJanice M. Dames, Campus Ministry Administrative

AssistantAdam Reinke ’14

MUSIC OFFICEDavid Myers, Head, Music Studies Tina Brauer, Music Department

Administrative AssistantMargaret Albers ’21, St. Paul, MinnesotaAbby Eck ’21, Alexandria, MinnesotaNoah Feldman ’21, Plymouth, MinnesotaIan Heseltine ’21, Alexandria, MinnesotaPearl Lockwood ’20, Ester, AlaskaSadie Paulsen ’19, Mondovi, Wisconsin

COVER PHOTOStephen Geffre ’03, adjunct professor

GRAPHIC DESIGNERJen Nagorski ’08

SPECIAL THANKSThank you to the staff and members of Central Lutheran Church and its Public Events Hospitality team for their support and hosting.

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1980 From Heaven Above 1981 Advent Vespers 1982 In the Beginning was the Word. Gloria! Gloria!

1983 Vinea Mea Electa 1984 Advent Vespers 1985 Have Ye Not Known

ADVENTVESPERS

For the past 40 years, audiences have gathered in

the beautiful sanctuary of Central Lutheran Church

to experience the gift of music, word, and art.

Visual art is an essential part of Advent Vespers: We

bask in the glow of stained glass windows, colorful

banners, and artwork on printed program covers—

all thoughtfully created each year to enhance the

theme planned by the music and ministry staff.

These programs, along with the music of choirs,

carols, and orchestra, and the words of poetry,

scriptures, and liturgy, seek to inspire and uplift the

performer and the listener.

—Nancy Grundahl, artistic director1980–2019

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1986 O Come, O Come Emmanuel 1987 Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming 1988 The People in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light

1989 Prophecy, Fulfillment, Celebration

1990 Come, Jesus, Come 1991 Come, Jesus, Come

1992 Out of Darkness 1993 Come O Lord 1994 Venite Adoremus

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1995 O Great Mystery 1996 From Heaven Above 1997 From Darkness Into Light

1998 And on Earth, Peace 1999 Prepare the Way 2000 O Holy Night

2001 Like a Rose 2002 Shepherds, Wake! 2003 Be Still, Prepare Your Heart

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2004 With Peaceful Wings 2005 Love Beyond All Telling 2006 Inscribe Our Hearts

2007 That All May Have Light 2008 At the Name of Jesus 2009 Heaven Cannot Hold Him

2010 My Song in the Night 2011 He Comes to Us As One Unknown

2012 Marvel Now, O Heaven and Earth

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2013 Behold! The Child of Our Longing

2014 Come, Join the Dance 2015 Light Dawns on a Weary World

2016 Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life

2017 Welcome, Noble Guest 2018 Wonder Incarnate

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SOPRANO Sarah Burke ’23, Buffalo, MinnesotaCoryn Jacobson ’20, Maple Grove, MinnesotaAshley Litzinger ’23, Saint Paul, MinnesotaLorone Outlaw ’23, Rochester, MinnesotaGrace Porter ’22, Eden Prairie, MinnesotaEmily Reichman ’21, Roseville, MinnesotaVenessa Rockwell ’21, Lancaster, WisconsinCecelia Stoll ’23, Sioux Falls, South DakotaMolly Tengwall ’21, Brooten, MinnesotaSaige Vacek ’21, Brooklyn Center, MinnesotaTessa Waite ’20, St. Paul, Minnesota

ALTO Sammie Balint ’23, Golden Valley, MinnesotaPhyllis Briscoe ’21, Eden Prairie, Minnesota Kayla Coffland ’22, Anoka, MinnesotaAudrey Darst-Kereakos ’21, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMaya Gonzalez ’22, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMegan Hietala ’21, New Ulm, MinnesotaMarissa Kirchoff ’21, Glencoe, MinnesotaKallan Mercier ’20, Glenwood, MinnesotaChantelle Palermo ’20, Anoka, MinnesotaKelly Shono ’22, Manhattan Beach, CaliforniaLaura Tsai ’21, Minneapolis, MinnesotaAysia Webb ’22, Fremont, Nebraska

TENOR Ian Collins ’21, Princeton, MinnesotaAdam Cullen ’20, Minneapolis, MinnesotaCallan Geier ’20, Hastings, MinnesotaIan Heseltine ’21, Alexandria, MinnesotaNadirah McGill ’21, Minneapolis, MinnesotaHenry Shockley ’21, Cedar Falls, IowaPauls Švalbe ’21, Jordan, Minnesota

BASSPedro Bayón ’23, St. Paul, MinnesotaJacob Henry ’21, South Milwaukee, WisconsinJohn Retterath ’23, Minnetonka, MinnesotaSam Scheuneman ’23, Burnsville, MinnesotaAndrew Springhorn ’23, Shoreview, MinnesotaDylan Taylor-Brunell ’23, Buena Vista, Colorado Trevon Teller ’22, Bloomington, Minnesota

THE AUGSBURG CHOIR

SOPRANO IKatelin Benhardus ’20, Chisago City, MinnesotaRandi Berg ’20, Williamsburg, VirginiaRenee Christensen ’23, Shafer, MinnesotaRachel Cruz ’23, Minneapolis, MinnesotaGabriella Quintanilla ’23, New Brighton, MinnesotaHannah Stachel ’21, Apple Valley, MinnesotaNora Sylvestre ’21, Minneapolis, MinnesotaRuth Telleria ’23, Minneapolis, MinnesotaElla Terman ’21, Minneapolis, Minnesota

SOPRANO IIFrankie Bell ’23, Des Moines, IowaLeila Edeburn ’22, Maple Grove, MinnesotaRachel Ferkin ’23, Plainview, MinnesotaDeja Johnson ’22, Maplewood, MinnesotaLeniya Morrow ’23, Minneapolis, MinnesotaGabriela Nesheim ’20, St. Paul, MinnesotaSari Niles ’23, Forest Lake, MinnesotaSabriya Passmore ’23, Apple Valley, MinnesotaIngri Ramirez ’23, St. Paul, MinnesotaAlex Thurston ’23, Sauk Rapids, MinnesotaCaitlin Tran ’23, Prior Lake, MinnesotaMcKenzie Vergauwen ’22, Sussex, Wisconsin

ALTO ICapri Bryant ’23, Minneapolis, MinnesotaJada Davis ’23, St. Paul, MinnesotaValerie Gearhart ’21, Bristol, VirginiaSam Luhning ’21, Rogers, MinnesotaGemma Marchetti ’23, St. Paul, MinnesotaErica Nondi ’21, Mombasa, KenyaLauren Simon ’23, Maple Grove, MinnesotaMartha Young ’21, Grand Forks, North Dakota

ALTO IIKatrina Armstrong-Wilson ’20, Minneapolis, MinnesotaBernadette Brownrigg Spray ’23, Minneapolis, MinnesotaAlexis Carroll ’23, Minneapolis, MinnesotaKatie Hahn ’23, Fenton, MichiganBella Kallas ’21, Big Lake, MinnesotaNadine Miller ’23, Hancock, MinnesotaSamantha Schenk ’20, Dassel, MinnesotaMagdalen Sheppard ’22, Fenton, MichiganKatelyn Storch ’21, Golden Valley, Minnesota

THE RIVERSIDE SINGERSAllyss Haecker, conductor

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TENOR Cameron Tamjidi ’21, Cleveland, OhioBrendan Tetter ’22, Blaine, MinnesotaAndrew Tollin ’23, Alexandria, MinnesotaSylvester Winfield ’21, Coon Rapids, MinnesotaPheng Xiong ’22, Minneapolis, Minnesota

BARITONELiam Hollidge ’23, Eagan, MinnesotaJoshua Holtz ’21, Gilman, MinnesotaJacob Hanka ’22, Cannon Falls, MinnesotaAlexander Mundahl ’24, St. Louis Park, MinnesotaMichael Olderr ’20, Honolulu, HawaiiWilliam Spray ’22, St. Paul, Minnesota

BASS Ethan Croll ’23, Bettendorf, IowaThomas Pribbenow, ’23, Minneapolis, MinnesotaChandler Rillo ’22, Granite Falls, MinnesotaDamon Vanasse ’21, Delano, Minnesota

THE CEDAR SINGERS

SOPRANOSue BelttKatelin BenhardusLinnea Bergren HanschenLaura BoeCarolyn BraunLeila EdebumSharlene GriebenowMarcia HagenRebecca HartwigKathy HeringElizabeth HoverstenJoy LarsonCarol LeMayJoyce LubinusEmily MetcalfKristine Peterson

ALTOCarolyn AllmonJanet AndersonJean BlosbergKathryn BrewerGrace CorbinLisa CrepeauRachel GreanerElaine HeisterkampLaRhae KnatterudMegan LeahyKristine PetersonSamantha PrivratskyShelby RolfCindy WeldonLiz WeningerMary Kay Willert

TENORBobby BantleScott CooperGary DebeleKristopher HartwigMatt HorstmanSpencer MillerRobert SimeGene Thompson

BASSJoseph AmrheinMatt BervenGary BlosbergPhil BoePhil BurfeindDavid Gorringe Christopher HussNicholas JuveKurt KeegstraMerwyn LarsonJason MadoreJohn NieberPaul OlsonSteve SveomJoel Wilhelm

THE MASTERWORKS CHORALE OF AUGSBURGMark Sedio ’76, conductor

VIOLIN IAngela Hanson Megan Brown ’23, Roseville, MinnesotaLaura Frederiksen ’20, Eagan, MinnesotaOlivia Mahler ’23, Fargo, North DakotaMaya Marchel-Hoff ’23, Duluth, MinnesotaEmma Redden ’23, Savage, MinnesotaAlison Springfield ’22, Rogers, Minnesota

VIOLIN IILara MacLean ’90Frankie Bell ’23, Des Moines, IowaAbby Huynh ’22, Champlin, MinnesotaAdam Lietzau ’22, Cosmos, MinnesotaJudith Nunez ’23, Inver Grove, MinnesotaDerek Parshall ’20, Minneapolis, MinnesotaVince Poch ’23, Apple Valley, Minnesota

VIOLALaurel BrowneMoe Antar ’23, Golden Valley, MinnesotaFelix Mjeble ’22, Minneapolis, MinnesotaMongZong Xiong ’23, St. Paul, Minnesota

CELLOAbigail Eck ’21, Alexandria, MinnesotaCoryn Jacobson ’20, Maple Grove, MinnesotaDerrick Johnson ’18Kenia Martinez ’23, St. Paul, MinnesotaMichael Obert ’18

BASSMark Kausch*Jack Jensen ’23, Hopkins, MinnesotaKristen Moon ’18 MAE

FLUTETrudi Anderson ’77*Margaret Albers ’21, St. Paul, Minnesota

OBOEBrendon BushmanMorgan Ernst ’23, Golden Valley, Minnesota

CLARINETCarley Olson ’14Kristen Jadeke ’22, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

BASSOONAriel Detwiler *Quin Nelson ’21, Verona, Wisconsin

TRUMPETThomas BarnettPam Humphrey

HORNGina GoettlJennifer Greupner

PERCUSSIONRobert Stacke ’71 **Paul McCoyer ’22, Washington, D.C.Jack Sonnabend ’23, St. Paul, Minnesota

HARPJames Buxton

ORGANMark Sedio ’76 *

* Augsburg Faculty** Augsburg Faculty Emeritus

VESPERS ORCHESTRA

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Annie Dillard, “Teaching a Stone to Talk: Expeditions and Encounters” (New York: Harper & Row, 1982), 76. Permission requested.

Anne Porter, “Looking at the Sky,” From Living Things. Copyright © 2006 by Ann Porter. Reprinted with permission from Steerforth Press.

Bread of Tomorrow: Prayers for the Church Year, Janet Morley, ed. (Mary Knoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1992), p. 22, 23. Permission requested.

Gunilla Norris, “Entering Rest,” in “Being Home: A Book of Meditations” (New York: Bell Tower, 1991). Permission requested.

Justin Lind-Ayres, “Descends the Light of Lights,” 2019, used by permission.

Luci Shaw, “Made Flesh,” “Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation” (Grand Rapids: William Eerdmans Publishing, 2006). Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“O Light! Divine and One Holy Trinity,” Matin Hymn, Armenian Sunrise Office, as cited in In Spirit and Truth. Public domain.

Sonja Hagander, “Bethlehem,” 2019, used by permission.

Augsburg University staff make every effort to trace copyrights on the materials used in this performance and publication. If any copyrighted material has been included without permission and due acknowledgement, proper credit will be inserted in future program printings after receipt of notice.

2211 Riverside AvenueMinneapolis, MN 55454augsburg.edu

ABOUT THE COVERThe cover art comes from “Trans: Perspective,” a sculpture by artist Bebe Keith, which is suspended from the ceiling of Gundale Chapel in Augsburg University’s Norman and Evangeline Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion. The sculpture’s theme arises from a dynamic and ever-changing university and community. Bebe Keith is a self-taught artist whose work includes book projects and public art at hospitals, clinics, libraries, an airport, and an event center.

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