Music Notes: March 10th, 2013

Fourth Sunday of Lent

This weekend, we continue Pastor Sandberg's stewardship sermon series through Lent.

Why do we give?  As we've explored, there are many reasons, but one of the primary reasons is love, love for each other, our church, and God.  Giving is an act of love.  Just as God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son for us, we in turn can give all that we have and all that we offer back to God and his mission.

This weekend is also Lutheran Schools week.  We are blessed to have Lisa Alexander, who has worked tirelessly coordinating all the volunteer readers, worship leaders, and musicians in order to fill all the necessary spots for worship this weekend.

Given all these wonderful students playing such a variety of music across all four services, I couldn't possibly write about it all, so this week's edition of Music Notes will focus only on the hymns for worship.

OPENING HYMN

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

There is always room for joy even in Lent.  Even more so than joy are the themes of love that pervade this lovely 18th century text by Henry van Dyke.  We see this in the very first line, "... Lord of love."

Stanza two shows us nothing but reasons to give.  The wonderful world around us... all the gifts we have been given.  All the wonders of the world, time and space, give us reasons to share what we have been so graciously given.

The final stanza recaps this idea of a giving God ("Thou art giving and forgiving...").  The hymn concludes as it begins, with a prayer to God to teach us how to love each other.

HYMN OF THE DAY

God Loved The World

The first stanza paraphrases one of the most well known, quotable scriptures in the entire Bible.  If asked to quote one scripture, a lot of people would cite John 3:16, thanks to its important message and existence in mainstream society.

Each subsequent stanza supports and expands on this scripture.  Stanza two emphasizes Christ as the chief cornerstone of the church, and stanza three follows up on the second half of the scripture, making clear that Jesus rescued us from death.

Like many hymns in our ELW, this one concludes with a Trinitarian statement of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

COMMUNION HYMNS

Blest Be The Tie That Binds

If you are a frequent partaker in the theater, you may know that this hymn plays a very crucial part in Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize winning play, Our Town.  The words certainly are reflective of a small community with close ties.

John Fawcett, the author of this text, was a British pastor and theologian.  The story behind this hymn is both interesting and inspiring.  Pastor Fawcett was a much loved pastor in the very small English town of Wainsgate.  He had a growing family and his meager salary was hardly sufficient for supporting them.  In 1772 he received a call to one of the largest Baptist churches in London, and chose to accept.  However, the reaction to his leaving was so strong and fervent that he elected to stay.  In commemoration of this, he crafted this hymn, whose first stanza reads,

"Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.  The unity of heart and mind is like to that above."  It has gone on to become one of the paramount hymns of Christian love and unity.

What A Fellowship, What A Joy Divine

This is a wonderful hymn that we have used frequently in the past.  Everything I have said in the past about the history and lineage of this hymn of course still applies.

I have gone back and forth on the best way to perform this hymn.  Most tend to do it at a rather brisk, joyful tempo.  I was always an advocate of a more contemplative, slower rendition, but I certainly see the positives of both.  I'm not sure how it will come out this Sunday.  Perhaps we will find a happy medium!

CLOSING HYMN

Jesus Loves Me

If you ask anyone, whether they go to church or not, to name any five hymns in the world, there is a good chance "Jesus Loves Me" will be one of them.  The original hymn by Anna Warner was comprised of seven stanzas, three main ones which are still used today.  The poem originally comes from a novel titled Say and Seal, and was adapted to a tune by American musician William Bradbury.  The hymn was reportedly first sung to a sick, dying child.  This hymn has gone on to become widely used with children.

Of course, this is also a beautiful manifestation of our message for Sunday.  It is a wonderful recognition that we understand the love that God has given to us and for us.  Only be recognizing that can we begin to comprehend the power and love we can have for God and each other.