Music for the Third Sunday in Lent: March 7, 2021

OPENING VOLUNTARY Solemn Prelude on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

setting, Gerald Near

Thomas Tallis

We usually sing the hymn "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" to the well-known English folk tune Kingsfold; but Evangelical Lutheran Worship also renders it with a tune that has become popular in recent years - Third Mode Melody by Thomas Tallis (1505 - 1585), the famed English Renaissance composer.

It's probably a matter of opinion (mine) that Kingsfold is easier to sing, but Third Mode Melody has its own beauty - an introspective melody with long notes that allows the singer to feel and hear the lyrics in a way that Kingsfold does not. 

ELW presents this text with both tunes and it is the Tallis tune that appears in the "Lent" section of the hymnal, whereas the other falls under the title of "Healing."

Here is a recording of the first stanza sung to Third Mode.

GATHERING HYMN There in God's Garden (Shades Mountain) ELW 342

HYMN OF THE DAY Lord Christ, When First You Came to Earth
Instead of using the tune Mit Freuden zart as it's presented in ELW, we'll use Kirken den er et gammelt hus. You can read more about why in a previous post here: http://smljax.blogspot.com/search?q=lord+christ+when+first

Pastor Daniel leads "Litany for Lent" as part of our gathering rite.
Music by Carolyn Jennings

MUSICAL OFFERING God of Still Waiting 

Carl P. Daw, text
Alfred V. Fedak, music

MUSIC DURING THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION

Lamb of God, Pure and Sinless

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Both settings are by David Cherwien.

SENDING HYMN Lift High the Cross (Crucifer) ELW 660

At the offices of the Florida-Bahamas Synod ELCA in Tampa, Florida

CLOSING VOLUNTARY Prelude and Chorale on "Oh God, My Faithful God"

David P. Dahl / Ahasuerus Fritsch

St. Mark's is holding in-person worship services and we would be happy for you to join us. Read more about our Covid-protocols here: https://stmarksjax.org/covid19.html

Sources:
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Wikipedia
canva.com

Tallis portrait by Engraving by Niccolò Haym after a portrait by Gerard van der Gucht - The Musical Times (1913) H.W. Gray, New York; Novello, London (https://doi-org.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/10.2307/907708), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=101138568

Music for the Second Sunday in Lent: February 28, 2021

 

OPENING VOLUTARY Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley with I Want Jesus to Walk with Me

setting, Thomas Keesecker

Today’s service begins and ends with arrangements by Thomas Keesecker – who is no stranger to the music of St. Mark’s. The Festival Choir has sung several his choral anthems.

Lent is a time of deep introspection, as are the spirituals that are represented here. The expressive writing has hints of jazz and lends itself nicely to a time of pre-worship contemplation.

Keesecker has recently retired from church work but continues to compose. He frequently appears in recitals around the country featuring his piano works, readings, and poetry.

GATHERING HYMN In the Cross of Christ I Glory (Rathbun) ELW 324

HYMN OF THE DAY Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake (Machs mit mir, Gott) ELW 799

The text is by Johann Scheffler (1624-1677) whose father was a Polish nobleman that was forced to leave the country because of his Lutheran beliefs. Scheffler began writing poetry at a young age but became a Roman Catholic in 1653 as his faith and poetry began to lean towards the church’s mystics.

Most of his hymns, including this one, were written while he was still a Lutheran.

MUSICAL OFFERING Cross of Jesus

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

Robert Benson

sung by the Festival Choir

William J. Sparrow-Simpson (1869-1952), an Anglican priest from England, originally wrote this text as part of an oratorio by English composer John Stainer. The oratorio, The Crucifixion, contains Stainer’s beloved “God So Loved the World” – a staple of our choral repertoire at St. Mark’s.

Robert Benson has written a new tune that we sing today.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Festival Choir who have been able to sing with us since we “re-opened” in October 2020. I appreciate your dedication to our task of leading the church’s song. So, thank you to Janet, Lynette, Mark, and Ray – and to Pastor Daniel who also joins us when he can.  I look forward to the day when everyone else will be able to join us!

MUSIC DURING THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION If You But Trust in God to Guide (Wer nur den lieben Gott)

setting, Walter L. Pelz

SENDING HYMN I Want Jesus to Walk with Me (Sojourner) ELW 325

CLOSING VOLUNTARY On My Heart Imprint Your Image with Bless Now, O God, the Journey

Parrot Mountain and Gardens  Pigeon Forge, TN

Sources:
Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Wikipedia

Music for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: January 31, 2021 (Year B)

OPENING VOLUNTARY Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior (Adoro te devote)
setting, Robert Hebble

The text of this communion hymn is attributed to Thomas Aquinas while the tune comes from Processionale, published in Paris in 1697.  Aquinas is one of the church's most celebrated theologians. In addition to writing hymns, he worked to bring together scripture and the philosophy of Aristotle. His feast day is January 28th.

The photo at right is a 15th century depiction of Aquinas by Carlo Crivelli.








GATHERING HYMN Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness (Nettleton)

HYMN OF THE DAY Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit (Ebenezer)
This hymn is not included in Evangelical Lutheran Worship. The author, Thomas Troeger, is one of the best known hymnwriters of our day. He has also authored more than 20 books on preaching and worship.

The hymn retells the story in today's gospel reading and the stalwart tune, Ebenezer, only adds to the drama.

MUSICAL OFFERING We Sing the Praise of Him Who Died William Allen Pasch

MUSIC DURING THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION Now the Silence (Now)
setting Walter L. Pelz, music by Carl Schalk
The church lost one of its important voices this past week. Carl Schalk died on January 24th. It would be hard to overstate his contributions to the music of the church. He was sought after as clinician for church music workshops and composed numerous choral compositions and hymntunes, including this one.

SENDING HYMN Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good (Lobt Gott den Herren, ihr)

CLOSING VOLUNTARY O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (Wie schön leuchtet)
setting, Johann Christoph Bach (1735-1782)

Sources:
Sundays and Seasons
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Wikipedia
Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship

 

 

 

Music for the Third Sunday after Epiphany: January 24, 2021 (Year B)

 OPENING VOLUNTARY You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore 

setting, John Carter

GATHERING HYMN I Love to Tell the Story (Hankey) ELW 661

HYMN OF THE DAY How Clear Is Our Vocation Lord (Weltzin)

MUSICAL OFFERING Jesus Call Us  arr. K. Lee Scott

MUSIC DURING COMMUNION I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light (Houston)

setting, John Behnke

SENDING HYMN You Walk Along Our Lakeshore (Aurelia)

CLOSING VOLUNTARY If You But Trust in God to Guide You (Wer nur den lieben Gott)

J. S. Bach

Music for the Second Sunday after Epiphany: January 17, 2021 (Year B)

OPENING VOLUNTARY Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether (Union Seminary)
setting, Haig Maridrosian

GATHERING HYMN Dearest Jesus, at Your Word (Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier) ELW 520

PSALM 139 O God, You Search Me and You Know Me
a metrical setting by Bernadette Farrell

HYMN OF THE DAY Here I Am, Lord (Here, I Am Lord) ELW 574

MUSICAL OFFERING Be Thou My Vision (Slane)

arranged by Marie Pooler

MUSIC DURING THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNION Partita on "Come, Follow Me," the Savior Spake (Mach mit mir, Gott)
Johann Gottfried Walther

SENDING HYMN O Jesus, I Have Promised (Munich) ELW 810

CLOSING VOLUNTARY Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Lobe den Herren)

Johann Gottfried Walther

Music for Baptism of Our Lord: January 10, 2021 (Year B)

 

OPENING VOLUNTARY Crashing Waters at Creation (Stuttgart)
Setting, David McCarthy

This organ setting of the Hymn of the Day is in the style of an organ trio. Each hand plays an independent voice. Together, the two voices provide counterpoint and accompaniment to the melody in the pedal.

Perhaps the running, dancing, passages in the hands are meant to remind us of running water which, in turn, reminds us of today’s focus: the baptism of our Lord.

 

GATHERING HYMN Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters (Beach Spring) ELW 445

 

HYMN OF THE DAY Crashing Waters at Creation (Stuttgart) ELW 455

 

MUSIC DURING COMMUNION Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters (Beach Spring) Setting, Wayne L. Wold

 

SENDING HYMN When Jesus Came to Jordan (King’s Lynn) ELW 305

CLOSING VOLUNTARY All Christians Who Have Been Baptized

(Nun freut euch)

This hymn by the great Lutheran hymnwriter Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) is not found in ELW.
Here is a recent translation, from the Lutheran Service Book, the hymnal of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

All Christians who have been baptized,
Who know the God of heaven,
And in whose daily life is prized
The name of Christ once given:
Consider now what God has done,
The gifts he gives to everyone
Baptized into Christ Jesus!
Translated by Jon D. Vieker © 2004 Concordia Publishing House

Music for Epiphany of Our Lord: January 6, 2020

PRELUDE As with Gladness, Men of Old (Dix) 
setting, Christine Sullivan

GATHERING HYMN We Three Kings of Orient Are 
(Three Kings of Orient)

HYMN OF THE DAY As with Gladness, Men of Old (Dix)
ELW 302

MUSIC DURING COMMUNION What Child Is This

setting, Craig Curry

SENDING HYMN Drawn to the Light (La Crosse) ELW 593

CLOSING VOLUNTARY We Are Marching in the Light of God (Siyahamba) setting, John Carter