Epiphany of our Lord
It isn't very often that January 6th actually falls on a Sunday. Some churches choose to eschew the actual day of Epiphany, instead celebrating Epiphany on the Sunday closest to January 6th. When I started planning St. Paul's music for January 2012 last year, I falsely assumed that the appropriate Sunday would be celebrated as Epiphany, but it wasn't. Thankfully in 2013, January 6th falls on a Sunday.
Though we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve/Day, it isn't until Epiphany when we truly come to the revelation that the infant baby is in fact the Son of God. Through the Magi visiting Jesus, it manifests itself for the remainder of the Gentiles in the world.
PRELUDE
Prélude sur l’Introit de l’Épiphanie - Maurice Duruflé
This short organ miniature by Durufle dates from the early 1960's. It was published very infrequently until Augsburg Fortress included it in the Epiphany album of the Augsburg Organ Library.
The three minute piece is based around the plainsong associated with the chant ‘Ecce advenit dominator Dominus' (Behold the Lord and Ruler Has Come). The strict adherence to the plainchant creates a large variety of mixed meter, while sounding completely natural. The tune can be heard in both the accompanying material as well as a solo trumpet throughout.
OPENING HYMN
O Morning Star, How Fair And Bright
This German chorale based on Psalm 45 is suitable throughout the season of Epiphany, as it also touches on baptism and wedding themes as well. The chorale theme associated with it was likely composed approximately 60 years before, but only came to prominence in association with this paraphrase. It is one of the few chorales where the preferred performance is the "rhythmic" version, unlike many others that have been modified to conform with 19th century styles of hymn singing.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Here I Am, Lord
Daniel Schutte composed this hymn in 1981 in response to Vatican II. One of the primary goals of Vatican II was to get the Catholic church into the vernacular using music that was accessible to all, and this hymn certainly accomplished that and has spread itself to other denominations.
As we embark on this visioning process during January, the parallels of God calling us to a task and us responding are obvious. Hopefully this call and response will continue to inspire us throughout this visioning process.
OFFERING
Precious Lord, Take My Hand - arr. Jack Schrader
Emma Rathe joins us this weekend with a continuation of the message of the Hymn of the Day. Despite being dedicated to the journey, we always need help and guidance along the path. Thomas Dorsey's African American spiritual, like many others, starts us in a dark place ("I am tired, I am weak, I am worn"), but takes us somewhere where light predominates and hope is fulfilled ("At the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand"). The one example present in all spirituals is that of hope for the future and the knowledge that our faith will carry us to the promised land.
COMMUNION HYMNS
Arise, Your Light Has Come (7:45 only)
Few hymn writers can express theological concepts through poetry than Ruth Duck can. A professor of worship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Illinois, one of her missions throughout her career in ministry has been delivering the word of God with the goal that everyone understand and comprehend it.
Just as the light appeared to the Magi as they journeyed to Bethlehem, the light now appears to us as we obey the call of the spirit and shine forth our glory to God.
Bright And Glorious Is The Sky (9:00 only)
Few hymns tell the story of the Epiphany better than this wonderful Grundtvig text, with a translation by hymn writer and preacher Jens Christian Aaberg. The Danish folk tune accompanies the story beautifully and is a joy to sing. The story travels from the appearance of the star of Bethlehem (stanza two), to the Magi noticing and being called by it (stanza three). They came expecting a King, instead finding a gentle maiden and her sweet baby (stanza four). They then recognized and proclaimed the true message of Epiphany, that this child was truly the Son of God (stanza five). It concludes with a wonderful scriptural tie in, where this star shows us the way to Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
As With Gladness Men Of Old (9:00 only)
This Epiphany hymn by William Dix (who had the tune associated with it named after him) goes into more detail of of stanzas three and four of the previous hymn. Stanza four hearkens back to our Hymn of the Day and Offering as we ask for guidance along this journey we are taking the entire month of January.
CLOSING HYMN
Arise Your Light Has Come (9:00 only)
(see note above in "Communion Hymns")
POSTLUDE
How Brightly Shines The Morning Star - Mark Sedio
This postlude is both very simple and very elaborate in its delivery. The tune is unmistakable at the beginning, accompanied by an ascending figure in the pedals. Near the middle of the piece, the tonal center starts to disappear. Despite this, the tune keeps rolling... while it is nearly indistinguishable, it is always present. It closes with a very English sounding series of chords where the major II harmony is employed. At the conclusion, the opening line of the tune is sounded one more time in the upper pedals.
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