September 22, 2024

The prelude is a Dale Wood setting of "Fairest Lord Jesus", hymn 383.  Mr. Wood (1934-2003) was a prolific American composer and choral director of whom I have written before.  Many organists depend on his compositions, which are simple but of high quality.  

Our processional hymn is a favorite of many, hymn 390, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation".  Note in the hymnal notes that the melody is over 400 years old!

Our Gospel hymn is "When Jesus left His throne, he chose a humble birth", 480. Note that this is an old English folk melody later adapted as a hymn, by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Our anthem is "My Spirit Longs For Thee", another appealing tune by the prolific Englishman of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Richard Shephard.  The text, which will be in the bulletin insert as usual, is 18th century and by J. Byron; it is worth contemplation.

During communion we will sing the 20th century hymn, "Eternal spirit of the living Christ", 698, another hymn you know well.  Hopefully we can also sing "Day by day", 654, which we didn't have time for last week.

Closing will be the first 3 verses of 636, "How firm a foundation", an American hymn, of course, which originated in "The Sacred Harp" collection, as you may note.

The postlude is based on hymn 366, "Holy God, we praise your Name", and is by the contemporary American, Robert Hobby (b.1962), who serves as music director at Trinity English Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He is a very prolific composer and his music is used widely.