Fifth Sunday of Lent
In drawing closer and closer to the death and resurrection of Jesus, this week we see an account of the final Passover festival in which he takes part in. From the Gospel of John, chapter 20, Jesus compares the tragedy of his death to a seed planted in the ground. Where a seed is just a seed, a death is just a death. But that seed will eventually sprout and bear much fruit, just as his death will lead to his resurrection and the salvation for all.
We are honored to have the Wartburg Chapel Choir joining us in worship this week. In addition to their two anthems, they will be leading the rest of the 9:00 AM service as well, so we would love to see you this weekend to enjoy this special treat in worship.
HYMNS AND SONGS
I Love To Tell The Story (Opening Hymn- 7:45 AM)
Katherine Hankey, an English poet, was born in London in 1834. Among her most popular poems is an expansive, two part poem about the story of Jesus. From the second part of that poem, titled "The Story Told," was born this hymn as we know it today, "I Love To Tell The Story."
In the Anglican church at the time, there was very little, if any, congregational music. The music mostly took form in chant or psalm singing. Hankey was among the group of reformists that sought to put the Word of God into the voices of the people. "I Love To Tell The Story" was one of the first hymns of this reformed tradition (soon to become Methodist), that was not written by someone named Watts or Wesley.
There is little to discuss in this text. It is written in a very accessible, common style, which was the goal of the music in this movement. The music matches suit, featuring a harmonic, four-part structure based around tonic and dominant harmonies. The endearing simplicity of this text and tune (composed by German-American church musician William Fischer), has led to its enduring legacy, and its inclusion still in all modern hymnals, despite its antiquated style.
O God, Beyond All Praising (Opening Hymn, 9:00 AM)
The bulk of the theology in this great 20th century hymn is contained in stanza two. It recalls the message of the Gospel story, where the flower of earthly splendor is destined to die and give itself up to the Lord. But out of that, hidden from all of us, the "eternal seed is sown," and grows into the garden of heaven. Through that death and rebirth, we are all set free and given the final victory.
This timeless tune is drawn from one of the greatest symphonic works of 19th century, The Planets by Gustav Holst. More specifically, the tune comes from the B section of Jupiter. In context, it almost sounds like a theme song from a western, one of the epic moments where a cowboy is crossing a large expanse of desert with a small ranch on the horizon. As a hymn tune though, it has a noble, regal quality, which brings a splendor and grandeur to just about any text it is set to.
Restore In Us, O God (Hymn of the Day- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)
Our hymn of the day today is written by Carl Daw, former president of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada. Generally, his language in hymnody describes the impact that God has on the world. A good deal of his hymns are set in the corporate, congregational voice, and this one is no different, hence the title, "Restore in us, O God."
Set in the common meter of 6686 with one syllable per note, it creates a very short, succinct hymn. Each stanza has a direct focus. The first is love and renewal, second is power and rebirth, third is baptism and conquering death, and the final one is fulfillment of the covenant of Abraham, which has been a consistent Lenten theme this year.
As The Grains Of Wheat (Communion Hymn- 9:00 AM)
Sticking with the theme of grain being a metaphor, this brief piece of liturgical music by Marty Haugen (from the Now The Feast And Celebration liturgy) explains how just as the grains of wheat are gathered from the world into our Communion bread, we, as a community, are gathered into one together in the name of Christ (the phrase "gathered into one" even gave birth to an entire Catholic hymnal).
Seed That On Earth Is Dying (Communion Hymn- 9:00 AM)
We sang this hymn on the first Sunday of Lent, and we will be reprising it this weekend. Its very first line encapsulates the primary message of the Sunday's Gospel, "Seed that on earth is dying, rises to bear much fruit." This is precisely the point Jesus makes in his statement. At the same time, it echoes the sentiment of "As the Grains..." as it goes on to describe the grapes that are crushed turn into the wine we share. It's a fine hybrid of both the ideas of the words of Christ and the Eucharist.
On What Has Now Been Sown (Closing Hymn- 7:45 AM)
This hymn is a perfect ending to a service with this Gospel, as it calls us to essentially sow our own seeds and take them out into the world to share the goodness that has sprouted. These wonderful, inspiring words were written by John Newton, who also wrote another hymn that *a few* people know, which happens to go by the name "Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound."
The text is set to DARWALL'S 148TH, composed by John Darwall, an English clergyman and hymnodist. You may think that because of the name, that he wrote at least 148 tunes, but in fact, it has the number 148 because the original text was a paraphrase of Psalm 148 (Rejoice, the Lord is King). This tune has one of the greatest closing lines in all of hymnody, ascending over an octave in steps for a glorious conclusion.
CHORAL ANTHEMS
The Wartburg Chapel Choir will be presenting two anthems. At the offering, they will sing Dr. Black's setting of John Ylvisaker's song, Shine Like The Sun. During communion they will present Howard Helvey's setting of Psalm 139, "Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me Out and Known Me." Both selections will be accompanied by Wartburg's Symphony conductor, Dr. Daniel Kaplunas. I cannot express by gratefulness enough to Dr. Black and her students for sharing their talents here at St. Paul's this weekend.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
I Love To Tell The Story- Emma Lou Diemer (Prelude- 7:45 AM)
Emma Lou Diemer, professor emeritus of composition at the University of California: Santa Barbara, is known for her fusion of tonal melodies with contemporary harmonic techniques in her sacred organ compositions. This arrangement of Katherine Hankey's tune is no exception. The melody is presented clearly and succinctly in both the soprano and tenor ranges, but is surrounded by harmonies that are simultaneously beautiful, surprising, and puzzling. The piece is rounded out by a constant pizzicato figure in the pedals, which creates a very rustic, southern vibe.
Prelude on THAXTED- Robert Bucklee Farley (Prelude- 9:00 AM)
This work using the Gustav Holst tune is both similar and different to the Emma Lou Diemer setting to the Hankey tune. On one hand it contains a straight forward rendition of the tune in multiple registers of the organ, but instead of the crunchy harmonies, this setting contains an endless river of 16th notes accompanying the tune.
Toccata in G minor- Johann Pachelbel (Postlude- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)
Most Pachelbel toccatas follow a standard formula, containing rapid figurations in the hands over long pedal tones in the feet. This G minor toccata contains these features, but rather than using florid, free counterpoint, the figures in the hands take on more of an imitative character. The harmony is also more varied, traveling all the way to the major VI key area of E-flat major (theory geeks know what I mean, ha ha!). It finally resolves at the end with a picardy third (G major), for an uplifting ending.
Don't forget, this is our final week of standard Lenten Sundays. Next week is Palm Sunday, where Holy Week begins and we reach ever closer to the resurrection.
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