August 25, 2024

First of all, thanks again for the prayers for my recovery from surgery.  Healing continues, and the surgeon's PA is more than pleased with progress, so much so that I have been given permission to resume lap swimming today.  

The organ prelude is simply titled "Aria", and is by the American organist and composer, Charles Callahan (1951-2023).  His education was extensive, including a degree from the Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia); he served many churches and often conducted his own choral works.  This piece fits right into what the Washington Post described as his "gentle, confident lyricism" and is, in my opinion, very supportive of meditation.

The processional hymn, "Sing praise to God who reigns above" (408) is a tune from the 16th century, as you may note, but one often sung well at Calvary, partly because it is also used for the text of 598.  The day's text relates to the reading from Joshua.

Our Gospel hymn is, I believe, another favorite: "O Christ, the Word Incarnate" (632), another tune that has endured for centuries and then harmonized by Felix Mendelssohn in the 19th century.

You will recognize the words of our anthem, since they are similar to hymn 657, and still by Charles Wesley.. We are fortunate to have 4 choristers singing Mozart's "Love Divine", arr. by Arthur Hutchings.

At some point during communion we will sing "I am the bread of life" (335).  If you are not in your seat and temporarily don't have access to a hymnal, feel free to still join in the refrain, which you know well!  

Closing is the old favorite, "Stand up, stand up, for Jesus" (561).  I am sure the authors of both the text and music had no idea how popular this hymn would become!

The postlude will be Virgil Fox's arrangement of "Now Thank We All Our God", from Bach's Cantata no. 79.   Many of you may have heard of the flamboyant Virgil Fox (1912-1980), who concertized widely, and was also the long time famous organist at Riverside Church in Manhattan from 1946-1965.  Some of his concerts were staged with light shows coordinated with the organ (but not at Riverside Church!).