January 27, 2023

The prelude this 4th Sunday after the Epiphany is a David Lasky setting of "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty", in the form of a "Partita", thereby having several contrasting short movements, like variations, the first being a "Prelude", the second a "Trio", and the third a "Fugato". The well-known hymn you will immediately recognize is actually an old 17th-century melody. David Lasky (born 1957), is American, residing in Vermont, and is active in almost every facet of church music -- composing, teaching workshops, playing recitals, and conducting.

Our popular processional hymn, "God the Omnipotent" (569), is another example of how a wonderful hymn can remain well-loved through time, as it was written in the 19th century.

Our more recently written Gospel hymn is "Lord, make us servants of your peace", 593, well known at Calvary.

Our energetic anthem, "Let Earth Awake and Sing", is by David Catherwood (b. 1956), who is Northern Irish and composer in residence at Campbell College in Belfast.

Our first communion hymn needs no introduction-- "The old rugged cross", and relates to the day's reading from First Corinthians, as does the second hymn, "In the cross of Christ I glory" (441).

Our closing hymn, "Rejoice, ye pure in heart" (556), is another favorite from the very early 20th century

The postlude is a Jonathan Reuss setting of "A mighty fortress is our God". Jonathan, as you might remember, is a contemporary American, serving a large Lutheran Church, but also doing computer work by day and often composing in the evening-- a guy with apparently unbounded energy!