June 16, 2024
The prelude is based on our communion hymn, "Father. we thank thee who hast planted thy holy Name within our hearts", which in turn relates to the Gospel reading from Mark. Note in the hymnal that the words date back to the 2nd century and the tune by Louis Bourgeois to the 16th century (we have an anthem of his). The setting of the hymn is by the American contemporary, Edwin T. Childs, who lives, teaches, and composes in the Chicago area and has a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music.
Our well known processional hymn is "Lord Christ, when first Thou cam'st to earth", 598-- actually another 16th century tune but with early 20th century words. You know this hymn well, but did you realize people have been singing the tune for almost 500 years? Our Gospel hymn, 290, might put you in the mood for Thanksgiving, but it is verses 2-4 that relate to the day's reading and are the only ones we will sing. The "title" of the hymn, which always goes by the opening words, is "Come, ye thankful people, come".
At the offertory, we will sing the beautiful "Come away to the skies, my beloved, arise and rejoice in the day thou wast born" (213), a hymn we have been singing here and there for some years-- mainly during the Easter season. Note that the tune is from "The Southern Harmony" ( a Shaker tune), and the words are by Charles Wesley.
Closing, we will sing the great "The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord", 525. You might note that this time it is the "tune" that is by another Wesley-- Samuel Wesley, who was a son of Charles Wesley, and was so talented that he was known as "the English Mozart". Since his dad wrote some 6500 hymns, wouldn't you like to have heard son Charles play some of them?
The postlude, by Charles Ore (American contemporary, b. 1936), is a setting of this closing hymn.
Three additions to these "notes"!
1. In the summer, partly since we are not in a what I would call a strong Liturgical season, we often invite you to give us your favorite hymns that you would like to have sung. Please do this by dropping a note in the offering plate or letting us know otherwise. We will do our best to work them in, but understand that sometimes we can't always include every one.
2. Again, I thank everyone for prayers for my recovery from spinal surgery just last week. So far, the difference is like night and day!
3. Choristers are sitting among you, which I know you enjoy. They deserve the summer break.....but September is not far away! Are there any among you who like to sing who could join us in the fall? Or do you know someone? We really need to build our choir. Seriously, when numbers are small, there is too much pressure on a few, both because they feel too "exposed" and because when they can't attend they can feel guilty for not helping the others. We really must work together on this, as the choir is such an integral part of worship!