May 12, 2024

First, let me say that this Sunday we will be honoring Noah Henthorn, who will graduate from Christ School the following week.  He has sung with us for 2 years and has impressed us with both his talent and his character.  Please celebrate with us at the reception prepared by the choir.  

The prelude will be a Robert Powell (b. 1932) set of variations that I have played several times; they are on "If thou but trust in God to guide thee", the well known and loved hymn 635.  As you may remember, Mr. Powell has written over 300 works in all genres of church music.  All that I have heard or played are very accessible, singable, and generally uplifting.  As far as I know, he is still living in the Greenville. SC area.

Our processional hymn is the great "All hail the power of Jesus' name", 450, known as "Coronation".  I think everyone likes singing this hymn!

At the Gospel we get to sing the hymn tune known as " Wachet auf" -- Sleeper wake-- which we sing during Advent (hymn 61), but here it is with the words beginning "Praise the Lord through every nation".  This is hymn 484.

The anthem is a setting of "My Shepherd will supply my need", hymn 665.  The 19th c. melody is from Southern Harmony, the words, Psalm 23, of course.  Marie Pooler, 20th century American, wrote the setting, which has a beautiful alto part for verse 3.  Noah Henthorn will sing verses 1 and 2 as a solo.  

During communion we have some harp music back-- played by Lynn Bailey.  The 2 hymn settings-- "Of the Father's Love Begotten" and "Beautiful Saviour", both settings by Brook Boddie, who wrote many hymn settings for harp and recently passed away.  Both hymn tunes are very familiar; "Beautiful Saviour" is known to some as the "Crusaders hymn", but any association with the Crusades has been discounted!

Closing-- another great 19th c. hymn-- "Crown Him with many crowns"-- 494.  Get to know those names in the hymnal--George Elvey--Richard Proulx--Matthew Bridges-- because you will see them often!  

For the postlude I will play "O God beyond all Praising"-- which is known as "Thaxted", the familiar tune by Gustav Holst. This setting is by David Lasky, of who I have written before--and I play this setting every so often too!