A choral cantata by Heather Sorenson in six movements, performed by YLPC Chancel Choir with a chamber orchestra. This recording also includes prelude, offertory, and postlude.
Prelude
For the Beauty of the Earth (string quartet)
Movement 1 - Light (Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-14)
In the beginning, was God.
Darkness and shadows covered the face of the deep.
In the beginning was the Word of God.
And the Word was life, the Word was hope, The Word brought light into the darkness.
And the darkness could not overtake the light.
He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him.
But to all who will receive Him, to all who will believe.
He gave the right to be called a child of God.
In the beginning was the Word of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among His people.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among the fallen.
And the Word became flesh, and we beheld his glory.
We beheld His story.
Come and see His glory, the glory of God!
Movement 2 - Humility (Micah 6:6-8)
How shall I come before the Lord?
What shall I bring to bow before my God?
What does He desire?
What does He require from all of His children?
What shall I do to honor Him?
How shall I live to bring glory to His name?
To reflect and not defame?
What does God require?
Does He want sacrifice, riches, and jewels?
Off'rings of heirlooms to meet His approval?
Can the treasures of my heart atone for the sins of will, and sins unknown?
What does God require?
To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.
Live in kindness, be united with forgiveness for each wrong.
This is good.
Lift the helpless, feed the homeless, offer hope to those in need.
Serve the outcast, hold the orphan, embrace the lowliest of these.
This is good. This is right.
This is pleasing in our Father's sight.
How shall I come before the Lord?
How shall I live to bring honor to His name?
Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with our God.
Movement 3 - Refuge (Psalm 46)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.
Though the mountains be moved, and they fall into the ocean.
Though the waters roar, and the hills begin to tremble.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.
Though the skies come alive with the sound of the mighty thunder.
Though the evil rise and our fields and cities plundered.
Though the nations rage and kingdoms crumble.
We will not be moved. We will not be shaken.
Our God does not sleep. We will never be forsaken.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.
She shall not be shaken, for God is in her midst.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble.
Be still and know that I am God.
Movement 4 - Rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
Come unto Me, and I will give you rest and healing for your soul.
Come unto Me, all who are weary, unwanted, unlovely, And I will give you rest and healing for your soul.
Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me.
I am gentle, I am lowly of heart.
I am mercy, of my healing come take part.
Come, and find my yoke is easy.
Come, and find my burden light.
Come unto me.
Find respite for your soul.
Come unto Me, and will give you rest and healing for your soul.
I am here with you. will hide you.
I will hold you safe within My arms.
Come unto me, and will give you rest.
Movement 5 - Worship (Psalm 96)
Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord!
Sing, all ye people of the earth!
Shout unto God with triumph, shout unto God!
Shout, all ye people of the earth.
Sing to God and bless His name.
Declare his might from day to day.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised.
Over heaven and earth His glory reigns.
Proclaim His glory among the nations.
Speak of the wonders of His salvation.
Honor and majesty, beauty and royalty We will ascribe to the God of all creation.
Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord!
Sing, all ye people of the earth!
Our God is great and greatly to be praised By ev'ry tribe and all that was created.
Sing to our God!
Movement 6 - Wisdom (Proverbs 4:1-13)
Listen, my child. Listen, my songs and my daughters.
Listen, my child. Receive the words of a father, Words to make you stronger, words for life that's longer.
Listen, my child. Seek after wisdom and guard her.
Hold her and applaud her, she will be your life.
Remember her, she will protect you, And love her. She will watch over you.
Cherish her, she will exalt you.
Embrace her, and she will grace you with a crown of glory.
Listen, my child. Listen, my songs and my daughters.
Receive these words this wisdom from creation's Author.
Ancient words to ponder, words for life and honor.
When you walk, your steps will not be shaken.
When you run, you will not falter, you'll not fall.
You will not stumble, you will not fall.
Listen, my child. Listen, my songs and my daughters.
Receive these words:
Seek after wisdom and guard her, hold her and applaud her,
For she is your life.
Postlude
Exulate by Daniel Gathrop (performed on Organ by Kevin Jeffries-Phan)