Music Notes: May 12th, 2013

Sixth Sunday After Easter

On this Mother’s Day weekend, we will hear the story of one of the most celebrated mothers in the Bible.  Normally heard at Advent, the Song of Mary, also known as the Magnificat, is Mary’s song of appreciation towards God who was willing to bless her with the miraculous gift of a virgin birth. 

Additionally, we have more to celebrate this weekend, when we will recognize the graduating seniors of the congregation, where we will show a slide show featuring the graduates along with the  mothers who have raised them, thereby celebrating both.

Prelude

Mothering God – Carolyn Jennings, arr. Wayne Wold

Both the prelude and postlude this morning are based on hymn tunes by female composers.  This tune, used in the ELW as part of hymn no. 835, “Mothering God,” is arranged here as an organ trio by Wayne Wold.  The organ trio goes back many centuries to the Baroque period where counterpoint was the most popular method of composition.  A trio involves three independent musical lines played in the right hand, left hand, and feet respectively.  Traditionally, each line has its own distinctive sound, so they can be easily distinguished from each other.  This can create difficulties in registration, since not only must the combinations be unique, but they also have to mesh together in a musical way.

This particular trio has an introduction, coda, and two separate iterations of the tune, each done in a different hand.  They also modulate in between from D major to B major.

Opening Hymn

Oh, Worship the King

This hymn is all about God as protector, guider, and redeemer.  In stanza one, God is directly referred to as "shield and defender.”  In stanza two, we reflect on the greatness of God's creation.  The "changeless decree," as it is called, refers to the ever-present, never changing creation story which we continue to see all around us today.  Stanza four represents our need for God.   We are certainly a frail and feeble people, and it will take us receiving the strength of God to carry out his mission both throughout our capital campaign and through the world.

Hymn of the Day

For All The Faithful Women

This is a hymn that celebrates and glorifies women and their history in the Bible.  As the first stanza says, “They served with strength and gladness in tasks your wisdom gave.”  While the hymn recalls the stories of women from both the Old Testament (Miriam, Hannah, and Ruth) and the New Testament (The Woman at the Well, Mary Magdalene, Dorcas, Eunice, and Lois), we will focus on the one stanza that references Mary, as well as one other involving two hard working women, Martha and her sister, also named Mary.  It will close with a general stanza glorifying the Trinity as well as past, present, and future saints as we all strive to do the will of God.

Communion Hymns (9:00 AM only)

Children Of The Heavenly Father

With hymns such as "Children of the Heavenly Father," Lina Sandell has placed herself into the hearts of Christian worshipers young and old, creating one of the most timeless, relatable texts in all of hymnody.

Though Sandell penned these texts, they may not have been successful and widely known if it weren't for the Swedish troubador Oskar Ahnfelt.  He traveled through both Sweden and Norway with a 10-string guitar, singing Sandell's hymns and sharing his ministries.  He was even endorsed by Swedish King Karl XV, who declared that these songs should be shared throughout the entire kingdom.  He later assisted in the publishing of Sandell's texts, which paved the way for them to be included in hymnals throughout the world.

Lord Take My Hand And Lead Me

This was selected primarily for two reasons, both for our continued journey through the Capital Campaign as well as for our seniors as they embark on a new journey in their lives. 

The text and tune of this German chorale are both rather straightforward, and are meant to guide us through all facets of our lives.  As many of us embarked from high school to college, we could probably hear the “tempest rage,” at certain points.  If we allow the hand of God, the “Rock of Ages” to protect us throughout our lives, then nothing will impede us.

Closing Hymn (7:45 AM only)

Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing

The title of this tune, SICILIAN MARINER’S HYMN, is a little misleading.  While the tune is rumored to come from Sicilia, the hymn that it was originally associated with is actually Roman Catholic, from around the 10^th or 11^th century.  The tune actually seems to have inspired Charles Tindley’s civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome.”

This hymn is intended for use as a recessional, as we are dismissed from worship and giving thanks for the Gospel’s joyful sound.

Choral Benediction

May The Peace Of God- Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, arr. NDK

This lovely song is a perfect message for the high school youth as they begin the next stage of their lives.  It is a promise that the peace of God will travel with them as they give praise to Christ eternal for his glorious reign.

The arrangement is a pretty standard SAB voicing, with an accessible piano part beneath it. 

Postlude

O Praise The Gracious Power – Carol Doran, arr. Wayne Wold

This is the third movement of a longer work based on this hymn tune by Carol Doran.  The arrangement uses the entire reaches of the organ.  It starts with an oscillating figure in the hands with the pedal in the bass, but quickly expands to feature fragments of the tune in both the top hand and the organ pedals.  As the piece concludes, it heads through a chromatic figure which quickly oscillates between the hands, ending with a proclamatory statement of the opening line of the tune in the pedals.