February 19, 2023

The prelude for the last Sunday after Epiphany is a Dale Wood setting of the hymn, "Guide me ever, Great Redeemer". Mr. Wood (1934-2003), is known in some circles as one of the most important American church music composers of the 20th century, his music being most accessible and used widely by church musicians. The tune for this hymn is "Beach Spring", from the "Sacred Harp" (1844).

Our processional hymn is "The Church's one foundation", 525, tune by the well known Samuel Wesley and text by Samuel Stone, both 19th century, making the hymn an important favorite for well over a century.

"When Christ was lifted from the earth", 603, is our Gospel hymn; as you may note, from the 20th century.

Our anthem is the most famous "Panis Angelicus" (O Lord most Holy), one the most important works of Cesar Franck (1822-1890), who was one of the most impressive 19th-century French romantic composers. Of course, last year was the 200th anniversary of his birth, and many concerts were given in his honor. Born in Belgium, Franck spent his entire career in Paris.

The first communion hymn is "Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love", 602, a simple but effective 20th-century favorite. Following, we will sing a round -- in 3 parts, 710, "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord".

Closing, we will sing "Love divine, all loves excelling", 657, text by another Wesley (Charles), and the famous tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard. The hymn is a fitting culmination to these Sunday's of Epiphany.

The postlude is "Chromatic Fugue" by Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), whom you know well. You also know that a fugue is sort of like a round, with different "voices" entering one after another and interweaving. In this case, there are 3 voices.

"Chromatic" means moving stepwise, or from one note to the next, without leaping over other notes. You might listen for this in the theme, which in musical circles is called the "subject".