August 6, 2023

The trumpeter, William Ross, who many of you know from his years playing at Calvary Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday -- and also playing 2 benefit concerts with the Biltmore Brass -- has volunteered to play this Sunday. 

The prelude, arranged for trumpet and organ by the contemporary American, David Howard Pettit, is a hymn tune many of you will recognize -- "Here I Am, Lord".  It's by the contemporary Catholic American, Daniel L. Schutte, who has written over 160 hymns and some Mass settings, though this hymn is his most well known. Mr. Pettit, the arranger, is a prominent Presbyterian organist from the Midwest.

Our 19th century processional hymn, 194, "Jesus Lives", is actually an Easter hymn that we did not get to sing this year.  I think you know it well!

Our Gospel hymn, 615, "Thy Kingdom Come", is the same tune as 142, "Lord, who throughout these forty days", that we sing during Lent.  I particularly like verses 4 & 5; they are worth contemplating. 

The congregational hymn at the offertory is "Seek ye first the kingdom of God", 711, one of the most popular 20th century hymns, the text of course coming from Matthew.  During the offertory, Bill and I will play arrangements of 2 hymns, using the grand piano for accompaniment; they are: "Be thou my vision", and "Brethren, we have met to worship". The arranger is the 80 year American composer and arranger of much vocal, band, and instrumental music, James Curnow, who resides in Michigan.

Closing, we will sing the ever popular "God of grace and God of glory", hymn 594. The postlude is another Curnow arrangement, "All creatures of our God and King".

Please find the time to thank Bill for his contribution to our service!