September 24, 2023

"O God Beyond All Praising" is the title of the organ prelude, but this tune — "Thaxted" -- has several texts, and is the famous melody by Gustav Holst; originally he composed it for his "Planets", but later Ralph Vaughan Williams (a friend of his) used it in a collection of hymns. The setting is by Robert Buckley Farlee, a contemporary American serving in a Lutheran church in Minneapolis.  

Check out the "pedigree" of our first hymn, 334, "Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing". You will note that the text is much more recent.

Our Gospel hymn text is a paraphrase of Psalm 103:1-5, and is 411, "O bless the Lord, my soul!". I think it's a favorite of many.

The anthem is "Bread of the World", and is by the mainly 20th and early 21st century English composer, Richard Shephard, whose music we (and many other churches) use often.  

During communion we will sing hymn 60, "Creator of the stars of night", which, of course, we also sing during Advent.

Closing, we will sing the old 17th century hymn, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation" (390).  I think it would be difficult to find a more loved hymn, and one that's continued for centuries!

The postlude is one I play from time to time-- "Joy in the Morning" by Franklin D. Ashdown, contemporary American.