December 10, 2023

"My Lord, What a Morning", a tune known to most, is an African American Spiritual often associated with Advent; a setting of this hymn by Richard Billingham (20th century, Chicago native, trained there) is the basis for the organ prelude.  Among other compositions, Mr. Billingham wrote arrangements of a number of other spirituals also. 

Our processional hymn is an "Advent staple", 76, "On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh". This 17th century tune is also used for hymn 391, which we sometimes sing-- "Before the Lord's eternal throne, ye nations, bow down with sacred joy".

The Gospel hymn will jump to the 20th century, and is the wonderful "There's a voice in the wilderness crying" -- 75.

The "anthem" will be a duet sung by Noah Henthorn and Audy Walker, and is a setting of the most familiar tune known as "O Waly Waly".  In this setting the text is titled "A Litany for Advent", and is by Shirley W. McRae (1933-2018, American), who wrote extensively for church choirs.  

During communion, Martha Bailey will play an Advent medley by the contemporary, Megan Metheney, which uses both the tune "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and music by the French harpist, Bernard Andres -- a piece called "Les Petite Pas #1".

Closing, we will sing hymn 65, "Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near". This is, I think, one of the most popular Advent hymns.  Check out it's age in the hymnal notes!

The postlude will be a David N. Johnson setting of one of the tunes used for "The King Shall Come" (there are several tunes used for this text, the one in our hymnal being an example of another -- 73).  Mr. Johnson (1922-1987) had a very distinguished musical career in this country.