“O Wisdom which camest out of the mouth of the most high, reaching from one end to another, mightily and sweetly ordering all things;
come and shew us the way of understanding.

“O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, who didst appear to Moses in a flame of fire in the bush and gavest him the Law in Sinai;
come and redeem us with thine outstretched arms.

“O Root of Jesse who standest as the ensign of the people, before whom kings shall not open their lips, to whom the nations shall pray;
come and deliver us, tarry now no more.

“O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel, thou that openest and no man shutteth, who shutteth and no man openeth;
come and lead the captive from prison, sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.

“O Dayspring, splendour of eternal light and sun of righteousness;
come and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

“O King of Nations and their desired one, thou corner-stone who makest both one;
come and save man whom thou hast formed from clay.

“O Emmanuel our king and lawgiver, the hope of all nations and their saviour;
come and save us, O Lord our God.”

Source: http://nottinghamchurches.org/seasons/o.html

City of Sorrows
by Fernando Ortega

By the waters of Babylon
Still and deep
The sun rose at midnight
I was not asleep
I saw a man with a javelin
A carriage of steel
His eyes burned like sapphires
Wheels turning in wheels

Oh Jerusalem
City of thrones
The blood of your people
Still darkens the stones
City of sorrows
Spread on a hill
Bride of the prophets
They dream of you still

by Rev. Mitch Hescox 

Alleluia, Alleluia 
Give thanks to the risen Lord 
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name 
 
Jesus is Lord of all the earth 
He is the King of creation 
 
Spread the good news o’er all the earth 
Jesus has died and has risen 
 
We have been crucified with Christ 
Now we shall live forever 
 
Come let us praise the living God 
Joyfully sing to our Savior

            -Donald Fischel 

Give thanks to the risen Lord … isn’t that Thanksgiving is all about.  We forget so easily that yes Jesus is Lord of all the earth.  He is the King of creation. The first North American Thanksgiving celebrated, at least the image, of different cultures working together and being dependent on the creation for physical life.  Our corporate Thanksgiving vision links Native Americans and new immigrants together caring for creation, working together sustainably and in a fashion living as one in God’s Kingdom. 

While our memory of Pilgrims and Native Americans working together may have become somewhat idealized, Thanksgiving represents a snapshot into Jesus’ proclamation, “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” Picture in your mind God’s blessings if:

• We worked for the common benefit of all;
• Respect and value given to new immigrants;
• We recognized all creatures as created by The Creator;
• The Earth was prized as a precious gift instead of a commodity;
• We truly denied ourselves, picked up our cross, and followed Jesus.

 What a blessed Thanksgiving!  Then all the earth – all creation would sing: 

Alleluia, Alleluia 
Give thanks to the risen Lord 
Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name!

Words: Fanny Crosby, 1868. Music: Howard Doane, 1870

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain

Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?

For a good temporary rendition go to Red Mountain Church or Bart Millard