Christmas Musicals for Church
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SACRED PLACES - SATB 2 Sacred are the places that were witness to the life and works of the Savior. Holy is the ground where Jesus traveled during His ministry of grace. Divine are the windswept hills and the rolling plains, the valleys crisscrossed with rugged trails; those winding footpaths where the sandals of His followers kicked up the dust; eager pilgrims, hearts frenzied with faith, rejoicing in the new-breathed gospel. In our hearts, let us walk together the ancien t roads of Nazareth and pace along the golden shores of Galilee. Let us climb the rugged hills and trek the weathered stone streets. Let us take solace and refuge in the quiet gardens and rest beneath the olive trees. With pensive tread, let us walk the way of suffering and kneel in the shadow of Calvary's cross. As we journey in our spirits to the sacred places of our shared faith, may we go in grat itude. May we travel with the expectation of encounter and the desire for discovery. May we walk the road in faith, with our eyes clearly fixed upon Jesus who meets us along the way. For He is our fellow traveler, our Shepherd, and our Guide. It is Christ who "is" the journey and the glorious journey's end. He alone is our divine destination, our pathway of promise, our sacred place. An angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say: "I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Acts 7:30-33 (NIV)* For Holy Week or Tenebrae services, it is recommended that the cantata end with "A Green Hill Far Away." The "Prelude" may then be played as a recessional. For Easter or other celebratory services, the cantata should be performed in its entirety. FOREWORD SCRIPTURE FOR CONTEMPLATION PERFORMANCE NOTES * THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. For Preview Only