"What Can't Wait"

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Here’s a hymn inspired by A Sanctified Art’s upcoming 2019 Advent theme, “What Can’t Wait.” It is written in 8.7.8.7 D and, while it can be sung to many tunes, HYFRYDOL is recommended. If you’re interested in having it notated to a different tune, please contact me and I’ll be happy to transcribe it for you. The traditional Sundays of Advent are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. While this can be sung as a full, five-verse hymn, each verse is intended to be sung for a corresponding Sunday. The fifth verse is intended for Christmas Eve. Also, while it can be used in various places in worship, it is suggested to be used as a sung response to the assurance of pardon or as part of an Advent candle lighting liturgy.

Permission is given for use in congregational worship.  Please give the following credit:  "Copyright 2019 Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com"

Click here for a pdf of this hymn (all five verses)

Click here for a pdf of Verse 1 only.

Click here for a pdf of Verse 2 only.

Click here for a pdf of Verse 3 only.

Click here for a pdf of Verse 4 only.

Click here for a pdf of Verse 5 only.

Enjoy this hymn? Check out my other Advent resources by clicking HERE.

Hope can’t wait; she beckons brightly, shining surely in the dark.
To the lonely, lost, and labored, hope endows the Spirit’s spark.
In our times of deep despairing, God renews the troubled soul.
Mercy strong beyond comparing mends and makes the broken whole.

Peace can’t wait; she beckons brightly, softening the hardened heart.
Blessing all with brilliant beauty, fighting that which tears apart.
Violence has lost its power; now’s the time for God’s shalom.
Nevermore shall war devour; all the soldiers welcomed home.

Joy can’t wait; she beckons brightly, giving grace amid the gloom.
God is God of new beginnings; failed, forgotten buds will bloom.
God forgives and gives us laughter, mirth that mothers us to health.
Joy surrounds before and after; endless source of wondrous wealth.

Love can’t wait; she beckons brightly; saving, sealing us to grace.
God disperses every mercy to redeem the human race.
Love requires imagination, truth and courage, risk and trust.
Love renews the whole creation; grows the grains up from the dust.

God can’t wait to be among us; heaven’s blessing comes to earth.
Feel the sparkle of God’s presence; hope fulfilled at Jesus’ birth.
Come and sing, our wait is finished; Christ is here in flesh and bone.
See the pow’r of hate diminished; love has won and calls us home.

What Can't Wait (HYFRYDOL) All Verses - Score.jpg
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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.