ADVENT
CHAPEL
Poetry
Series
Luther
College, Decorah, IA
10:00 a.m.
Center for Faith and Life
December
2002
Daily
Advent Litany
Recited responsively each day at the opening of worship:
Liturgist: Spirit of love beyond our conception:
Congregation: Come to us here where the earth blooms with snow.
Liturgist: Take human form and magnify beauty:
Congregation: Help us be peaceful people of God.
Preacher: Marty Haugen
Liturgist: David Vásquez
Organist: William Kuhlman
Hymn: "The World First Gathered Chaos Up" (see handout) Gilbertson/Black
Solo: "Balulalow: A Cradle Song" Peter Warlock
Poems: "I syng of a maiden" Medieval anonymous poem
"the astrologer predicts at mary's birth" Lucille Clifton
"mary's dream" Lucille Clifton
"Pondering These Things" Carol Gilbertson
Preacher: Carol Gilbertson
Liturgist: Mike Blair
Organist: William Kuhlman
Soloist: Sandra Peter
Oboe: Jennifer Gookin
Hymn: WOV 636 - "Before the Marvel of this Night" Marvel
Solo: "Magnificat" J. S. Bach
Poems: "The Annunciation" Edwin Muir
"from spiraling ecstatically this" e. e. cummings
Preacher: Kendra Korte (LC'03)
Liturgist: David Vásquez
Organist: William Kuhlman
Soloist: Rebecca Lister
Hymn: "Love Came Down at Christmas" (see handout)
Solo: "My Lord, What a Morning" Burleigh
Poem: "Nativity" Li-Young Lee
Preacher: Nick Preus
Liturgist: Deanna Langle
Organist: William Kuhlman
Soloist: Lonnie Norwood (LC '06)
Hymn: LBW 315 - "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" Hyfrydol
Solo: "In the Bleak Midwinter" Christina Rossetti and Eric H. Thiman
Poem: "The Slip" Wendell Berry
Preacher: Ruth Caldwell
Liturgist: David Vásquez
Organist: William Kuhlman
Soloist: Beth Ray
Hymn: "From Heav'n Above to Earth I Come," verses ????
Solo: "Come My Way, My Truth, My Light" Ralph Vaughan Williams
Poem: "Christmas" George Herbert
Preacher: Kate Narveson
Liturgist: Mike Blair
Organist: William Kuhlman
Soloist: Jennaya Robison
Hymn: LBW 42 - "Of the Father's Love Begotten" Divinum Mysterium
Solo: "Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion"
Poem: "Annunciation" by John Donne
Preacher: Dale Nimrod
Liturgist: Mike Blair
Organist: William Kuhlman
Preacher: Wintlett Taylor Browne
Luther's Advent chapel series this year is based on poetic texts as well as biblical readings. Each speaker will talk about a different poem which directly or indirectly re-frames such biblical stories and theological ideas as the Annunciation (the angel's announcement to Mary of her role as Jesus' mother), the incarnation (the divine spirit becoming human flesh), and the preparation for the immensity of God's coming--to doubters as well as to believers.
This program is part of the Luther Poetry Project, designed by English Professor Carol Gilbertson, the 2002-04 Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Humanities, which is designed to raise campus awareness of poetry's power and relevance. The project aims to bring poetry into campus life through the following initiatives: disciplinary conversations; "Poems 4 Friday," regular poetry readings by local faculty, staff, and students; poetry readings and residencies by guest poets; a regular Chips poetry column; and chapel programs such as this Advent series.
Named in honor of Dennis M. Jones (1932-90), former Luther professor of English, the Jones Distinguished Teaching Professorship is a two-year award to a member of the Luther faculty who honors the values and traditions of the humanities, engages significant issues in a humanities discipline, demonstrates the ability to nurture the intellectual life of students, and provides academic leadership in the humanities. The projects of the Jones Professorships, which are funded by a National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant, are to enhance humanities education at Luther College, particularly at the introductory level. Previous Jones Professors have been John Moeller (Political Science), Mary Hull Mohr (English), Ruth Caldwell (Modern Languages), Bradley Hanson (Religion), and Robert Larson (Theatre/Dance).
