4th Sunday of Easter
This is the Sunday I always associate with Shepherd's Sunday, as Psalm 23 is usually the featured psalm on the 4th Sunday of Easter. This year, with Building Vision, Sparking Mission, things are a little bit different. While I will miss having to decide which version of "The Lord Is My Shepherd," will be sung, I think I'll be okay!
This week is actually going to focus on a portion of Isaiah 55. In the latter half of the book of Isaiah, the new creation God talks about throughout the Bible has been fulfilled. This concept is the focus of this service, and has driven music selection.
PRELUDE
Partita on ST. ANNE- Paul Manz
Several movements from Paul Manz's partita on O God Our Help In Ages Past will be featured here. Manz, one of the forerunners in church music and hymn playing in the 20th century, has crafted a creative, imaginative setting, with each movement of the Partita representing a different stanza of the hymn. The first is for the stanza beginning, "Before the hills in order stood," which is a serene depiction of a world of nothingness. Sparse harmonies decorate the thin texture as the tune slowly unfolds.
The second to be played, based on the stanza, "Time, like an ever rolling stream..." paints the text through the use of a moving bass line that represents the stream. It is also in triple meter, which enhances both the idea of the music moving forward and the pastoral nature of a river.
OPENING HYMN
O God, Our Help In Ages Past
Isaac Watts' famous paraphrase of Psalm 90 takes center stage here. Watts, the "father of English hymnody," actually composed a complete metrical, poetic psalter, but this is by far his most famous effort.
The concept here is that of an everlasting, ever living God who created all things, oversees all things, and renews all things (help in ages past, hope for years to come). Multiple stanzas talk about the concept of creation, specifically the two that are being depicted in the prelude. While the creation aspects are important, they are a means to an end. The true message here is that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and will be with us through all our trials, adventures, and tasks as we move forward.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Light Dawns on a Weary World
Rev. Mark Anderson (St. Paul's member) always tells me exactly what he thinks. No sugar coating, no punches pulled. That's what I love about the man. (I also know he reads this blog regularly, which is why I'm mentioning this.)
About a year or so ago, Light Dawns on a Weary World was the Hymn of the Day one Sunday. Mark came to me after church that day and said, "Nick, I hate that hymn." With a slight smile on my face, I expected him to cite something musical about it... it went too high... there wasn't anywhere to breathe... something like that. Instead, he said that trees don't actually clap their hands... hills and mountains don't sing. I chuckled and we went back and forth a bit.
I know he was being a bit tongue-in-cheek, and I don't want to assume whether or not Rev. Anderson was in full on joke mode or whether his "gripes" were 100% serious. However, the images described in the refrain of this lovely hymn by Mary Louise Bringle are both Biblically based and beautifully poetic. The idea is that God gives a refreshing and renewing light to the world. Not only does it refresh the physical world, but it also entails themes of social justice. A refreshed, renewed world begets a refreshed, renewed people, ready to do God's work.
COMMUNION HYMN
You Satisfy The Hungry Heart
I knew I'd get a shepherd hymn in here!! Actually, it's only mentioned in passing at the beginning of the first stanza. In a larger scope, it is a hymn of thanksgiving for the bread of life that refreshes us.
The hymn tune is titled BICENTENNIAL, and was written collaboratively by Omar Westendorf and Robert Kreutz. Hence the tune name, it was composed for the United States Bicentennial worship at the Washington National Cathedral in 1976.
CLOSING HYMN
On Our Way Rejoicing
This can likely be put into the category of 19th century revival hymn. Its use of mostly tonic and dominant harmonies are very indicative of the mid-1800's style.
The title of the hymn really does a wonderful job at summarizing the hymn in its entirety. There are overtones of Easter still in the second line of the first stanza ("Christ our Lord has conquered"). The entire first stanza is actually quite Christ-centered, whereas the second becomes a Trinitarian statement of faith and thanksgiving. The penultimate line of the refrain, "as we forward move," seems especially appropriate at this particular time.
POSTLUDE
Chorale on ST. ANNE- C. Hubert H. Parry
Hubert Parry, an English cathedral composer from around the turn of the century, is less known for his organ works, but the few that there are are absolutely wonderful. His pinnacle work is likely this chorale based on the tune for O God Our Help In Ages Past.
Surprisingly, the actual chorale is quite difficult to discern in the context of the whole piece. Only the first phrase is heard in a straightforward way, and it is done so using a technique called augmentation, where the melody is stretched along very long notes, each lasting two measures. The entire piece is filled with sequences and other harmonic devices that reference the original tune though, so all is not lost.
The following several pages of standard English-style harmonies and textures, the final two pages erupt in a wonderful fantasy as the piece grows to a satisfying conclusion.
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