December 3, 2023

The hymn basis for the prelude Sunday is an example of how many tunes have been used for different texts.  Robert Powell's inspiration for the prelude was the text "He came to us as one unknown" (not in our hymnal), but the tune was used as an alternative for "Dear Lord and Father of mankind" (hymn 653).  You will remember that Mr. Powell (b.1932) lives in Greenville, SC, and, beside all his composing-- which is extensive, and even in our hymnal-- and organist-choir positions, tuned organs on the side and even worked on our organ in the early 90's.  I might also note that the tune is by the famous Englishman, Charles Hubert Parry (1848-1918).

All hymns for the day will of course help celebrate the wonderful season of Advent.  During the processional we will sing 68, "Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear".  As you may note, though this is familiar,  the text dates back to the 17th-18th centuries.

The Gospel hymn is the great hymn called "Wachet auf", 61, which uses the also great harmonization by J.S. Bach.  It is, of course, "Sleepers, wake!  a voice astounds us.”

The anthem is the beautiful "Never weather-beaten sail" by the famous English composer, Charles Wood (1866-1926).  The text, which uses old English, may take some thought here and there, but by studying it you will be able to easily discern it's meaning, especially appropriate in Advent.

During the Prayers, our talented deacon, Jacque Combs will be chanting a setting that she herself wrote, and it calls for short congregational responses printed in your bulletin.  Just follow the choir!  We are so fortunate to have Jacque with us!

And-- we are also most fortunate to have Audy Walker with us, and at the beginning of Communion he will be singing a "folk setting" of the "Magnificat", by Darwin Leitz, a former pupil of Leo Sowerby and former organist at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The communion "hymn" will be 59, "Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding", descant sung by Diane Crisp, who we are also fortunate to have and has been a faithful chorister for many years-- actually since I began at Calvary 200 years ago (well, not quite.....).

Closing we will sing "Blest be the King whose coming is in the name of the Lord", 74; you will recognize the tune from the Palm Sunday text, 154.

You may recognize the postlude tune also-- "Prepare the Royal Highway", by the American contemporary, Michael Burkhardt, whose music I use from time to time.