Kenneth T. Kosche (See the text and tune at ELW 499.
In church music, a partita is a collection of variations on a hymn tune. We'll hear four variations from Kosche's collection - three at the opening voluntary and one at the closing voluntary.
I chose to play this most Lutheran of communion hymns (partly written by Martin Luther himself!) because of words from the Introduction for the Day: The risen Christ stands among us in the mystery of the holy supper with an invitation to live in him. . . (Sundays and Seasons)
I chose to play this most Lutheran of communion hymns (partly written by Martin Luther himself!) because of words from the Introduction for the Day: The risen Christ stands among us in the mystery of the holy supper with an invitation to live in him. . . (Sundays and Seasons)
GATHERING HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory (Cwm Rhondda) ELW 705
HYMN OF THE DAY Let Streams of Living Justice (Thaxted) ELW 710
To be a disciple of Jesus is to work for justice for the poor and hungry of our world - and not just the poor who lack material resources and those who don't know where their next meal is coming from. There are many ways to be poor and hungry.
The text was written in 1989 and the author had fresh images in his
mind, including the events of Tianenman Square and the cries of justice in Argentina from the Mothers of the Disappeared. These and other images of the time are present in the first stanza.
The text was written in 1989 and the author had fresh images in his
mind, including the events of Tianenman Square and the cries of justice in Argentina from the Mothers of the Disappeared. These and other images of the time are present in the first stanza.
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| A demonstration in Hong Kong on the 20th anniversary of the events at Tianenman Square. By ryanne lai - originally posted to Flickr as 香港人一條心, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8304194 |
The second stanza implores God to teach us how to live together - not just without war and hardship, but in genuine love for each other.
In the third stanza, we ask to be agents of God's kingdom in the world, ruled by love and justice.
MUSICAL OFFERING Kum Bah Yah arr. Michael Larkin
Most people are aware that this song, sung happily around campfires and wherever people gather, had its beginnings as an African American spiritual. The words "Kum ba yah" are an African language rendering of the English "Come by here." It asks God to come and be with those who crying, singing, and praying.
More specifically, this song comes from the Gullah Geechee people - descendants of slaves (mostly from western and central Africa) who lived along the eastern coast of the United States from South Carolina to Florida. One such group lived in the Fort Caroline area in a town called Cosmo. Most of Cosmo is gone except for two historic churches and a cemetery.
Freedom Park (near Fort Caroline in Jacksonville) is a monument to many of these people and their way of life. I can walk to Cosmo from my home. I was happy to visit the park and learn more about their culture.
More specifically, this song comes from the Gullah Geechee people - descendants of slaves (mostly from western and central Africa) who lived along the eastern coast of the United States from South Carolina to Florida. One such group lived in the Fort Caroline area in a town called Cosmo. Most of Cosmo is gone except for two historic churches and a cemetery.
Freedom Park (near Fort Caroline in Jacksonville) is a monument to many of these people and their way of life. I can walk to Cosmo from my home. I was happy to visit the park and learn more about their culture.
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| A historical marker near Fort Caroline in Jacksonville |
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| Another marker at Freedom Park. The park is located at the intersection of Fort Caroline and McCormick Roads in Jacksonville. |
COMMUNION HYMN Lift Every Voice and Sing ELW 841
Two brothers from Jacksonville wrote this song to honor Abraham Lincoln and his Emancipation Proclamation. It was first sung a children's chorus at Stanton School in Jacksonville - at the time an all-black school. The date of the performance was February 12, 1900 - Lincoln's birthday.
Now known as the Black National Anthem, it's a sobering reminder that the road to justice and freedom is rarely an easy one.
Now known as the Black National Anthem, it's a sobering reminder that the road to justice and freedom is rarely an easy one.
SENDING HYMN Jesus Shall Reign (Duke Street) ELW 481
Note: Did you notice the Luther Rose in front of the opening voluntary? For a time, I'll be using that as a symbol that a piece of music is particularly Lutheran.
What makes a hymn Lutheran? Good question! You can read about the criteria I use in a previous blog post that you can find here:
https://smljax.blogspot.com/2014/05/our-lutheran-heritage-in-hymns-is-hymn.html
https://smljax.blogspot.com/2014/05/our-lutheran-heritage-in-hymns-is-hymn.html
COMING EVENT
Just prior to our parish trip to Germany, I'll be doing a demonstration/recital of German organ music and hymns relevant to the places we'll visit. I hope you'll join me!
Sources: The Hymnal Companion: Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Augsburg Fortress)
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Thank you so much Tony for this. I don't get to read your blogs as often as I like but today I made time to read at least two. Looking forward to Sunday singing so much
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