God With Us Emmanuel
Publisher Agape's number one anthem for 2008 was Joel Raney’s “We Wait in Hope: A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent.” "God With Us, Emmanuel" follows the same format. Designed to support the lighting of the Advent candles, it includes a choral opening followed by a call and response litany with piano underscore, then a text to be read with the lighting of the candle. As the candle lighting concludes, the choir comes back in with the option of adding the congregation. The candle lighting portion of your service concludes with the provided prayer. There are five variations, one for each candle. Reproducible parts for the congregation and 5 optional handbells are included. Set mostly in f# minor, this anthem is 67 measures.