This week our worship service features some very "Lutheran" moments. When I think of Lutheran hymns, I think of texts from our tradition that were written by Lutheran pastors or theologians, follow Lutheran theology, and might also come from ethnic groups with largely Lutheran populations - such as Germany and parts of Scandinavia. Today's Lutheran moments are marked with the Luther Rose.
OPENING VOLUNTARY Allegro
Cynthia Dobrinski (1950-2021)
The St. Mark's Ringers begin worship with a piece by one of the handbell world's most prolific and best-known composers. Handbells are a unique instrument and composers are still finding ways to make different sounds. Allegro makes use of many of these techniques.
mallet roll it's like a drum roll, only with mallets on a bell instead of drumsticks on a drum
shake the ringer literally shakes the bell forward and back, causing the clapper to sound continuously
martellato the body of the bell is struck against the table's padded surface
martellato lift the bell is immediately raised after being struck against the table's padded surface
ring touch the bell is rung quickly near the shoulder, then immediately damped
thumb damp the ringer holds a thumb against the bell while it is being rung
How many of these techniques can you spot in this fun-to-ring piece?
How many of these techniques can you spot in this fun-to-ring piece?
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| Some of our St. Mark's Ringers |
ELW 833
The singer begins by lifting their own praise. By the time the hymn is done, all creation has been enjoined and the singer looks to the time when their voice will be joined with the song of angels to sing ten thousand hallelujahs. No text could be more appropriate as we gather for worship!
HYMN OF THE DAY Now Thank We All Our God (Nun danket alle Gott)
ELW 840
This is one of those "big" hymns, often accompanied by trumpets and drums - we'll hear the trumpets in today's postlude. It may be thought of as a festival hymn - J. S. Bach even wrote one of his famous cantatas around it. All this being said, it's surprising to learn the author originally intended it as a table prayer.
This is one of those "big" hymns, often accompanied by trumpets and drums - we'll hear the trumpets in today's postlude. It may be thought of as a festival hymn - J. S. Bach even wrote one of his famous cantatas around it. All this being said, it's surprising to learn the author originally intended it as a table prayer.
I wasn't able to learn which tune was first sung with Joachim Neander's (1650-1690) text. The hymn appears in ELW at #757 with a tune by Herbert Howells, the renowned English composer. Nick Klemetson's tune is a new one that imparts the confidence of someone who trusts in God.
OFFERING HYMN Around You, O Lord Jesus (O Jesu, än de dina)
ELW 468
Our Lord's welcome to the table is heard plainly through the text of this hymn by Franz Mikel Franzen (1722-1847), a Swedish-Finnish priest in the Lutheran diocese of Strängnäs in Sweden. The first known printing with this tune, which probably has Danish origins, was in 1569.
COMMUNION HYMNS
This hymn, both text and tune, is by Cathy Skogen-Soldner, who has served Lutheran churches as a youth director and a contemporary worship coordinator. About the hymn, she says, ". . . even though we may only us a few handfuls of water when we baptize, I included larger bodies of water to invite the singing congregation to celebrate the generous heart of God."
Thank You, Lord This Far By Faith 293
This song is a powerful and deliberate outpouring of gratitude to God that was sung with fervor in the Black churches. Not based on a perfunctory or transactional thanksgiving, this song calls the singer into a life-altering orientation of gratitude - one that is at the core of what it means to be Christian. Whether one is elated or despairing, God has been so good that the church can give thanks. (From Sundays & Seasons)
"Thank You, Lord" appears in All Creation Sings, but I've chosen the arrangement from "This Far By Faith," an Augsburg Fortress hymnal that "celebrates the abundant gifts of African American worship and song." Feel free to sing it with abandon. If time permits, we'll sing it twice!
"Thank You, Lord" appears in All Creation Sings, but I've chosen the arrangement from "This Far By Faith," an Augsburg Fortress hymnal that "celebrates the abundant gifts of African American worship and song." Feel free to sing it with abandon. If time permits, we'll sing it twice!
SENDING HYMN Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Azmon)
ELW 886
Every time I sing this hymn, I'm taken back to Bible camp along the shores of Lake Lundgren near Pembine, Wisconsin. I hear a dearly loved old teacher say, "How can I ask for a thousand tongues to sing when I don't use the one I have enough?"
Every time I sing this hymn, I'm taken back to Bible camp along the shores of Lake Lundgren near Pembine, Wisconsin. I hear a dearly loved old teacher say, "How can I ask for a thousand tongues to sing when I don't use the one I have enough?"
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| Lake Lundgren Bible Camp - from about the time I went there. Shared by a fellow camper via Facebook. |
But this morning we sing as a community, not as individuals, so all our voices are joined together (whether 40 or 100) as the Holy Spirit sends us out as witnesses, "to spread through all the world abroad" the good news of God's saving grace through Jesus Christ.
CLOSING VOLUNTARY Now Thank We All Our God
Robert A. Hobby
See my comments at the Hymn of the Day - don't forget to listen for the trumpets!
CLOSING VOLUNTARY Now Thank We All Our God
See my comments at the Hymn of the Day - don't forget to listen for the trumpets!
sources: Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Wikipedia
Augsburg Fortress website
Sunday and Seasons (Augsburg Fortress)
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (referred to as "ELW")
Wikipedia
Augsburg Fortress website
Sunday and Seasons (Augsburg Fortress)
Evangelical Lutheran Worship (referred to as "ELW")
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