June 15, 2025

For the prelude on this Trinity Sunday I will play a simple arrangement of our processional hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy" (362), by Charles Callahan (1951-2023), American composer, organist, pianist, teacher and choral conductor, who was a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Our Gospel hymn is the first 4 verses of 366 (Holy God, we praise thy Name); these 4 verses, note, are a paraphrase of the "Te Deum". The 17th century tune is familiar.

Our anthem is the famous "God So Loved the World" from John Stainer's oratorio, "The Crucifixion". The text, of course, is probably the most famous of all Biblical texts!

During communion the choir will also sing Harold Friedell's "Draw Us In the Spirit's Tether", Friedell (1905-1958) taught at both Julliard and Union Seminary; this might be his most famous work. Following, we will sing the "Torah Song", hymn 536.

Closing, we will sing hymn 368, "Holy Father, great Creator", which tune, of course, is widely known as a Christmas carol, and is by the prolific 19th century Henry Thomas Smart.

The postlude is based on the day's Gospel hymn, (tune name, "Grosser Gott"), and is a setting by the American contemporary of whom I have written many times, Robert Hobby.