February 25, 2024

The prelude for the second Sunday of Lent is titled "Canticle of Grace", and is based on the hymn tune "New Britain", which is probably the most well known hymn of all time-- "Amazing Grace".  The setting is by the American composer, Franklin D. Ashdown (b.1942) who passed away Jan. 30th, 20223.   You will remember from previous notes that he enjoyed a very long career in both medicine and church music.

Our processional hymn is 149, "Eternal Lord of love, behold your Church", as you may note, a well known tune from the 16th century but with 20th century words.

Another most popular hymn-- "My faith looks up to thee" (691) -- from the 19th century, will be the Gospel hymn.

The text for the anthem, "In You, O Lord, We Find Our Refuge", is a paraphrase of Psalm 31, set to music by the famous 19th century composer, Franz Schubert.

Our communion hymns will be the simple but beautiful "Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray" (654), and 628, "Help us, O Lord, to learn the truths your word imparts", also beautiful in it's simplicity.  

Closing, we will sing the first 3 verses of 636, "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord", perhaps one of the most famous tunes from "The Sacred Harp"?  I know most people love to sing it!

The postlude is a setting of the tune known as "Beech Spring", which is used for several texts; here it is based on "Guide me ever, Great Redeemer".  The setting is by the distinguished American composer, Wilbur Held (1914-2015!), educated at both Union Theological Seminary and the American Conservatory of Music, and then long time professor at Ohio State University.