September 7, 2025

Last week we closed the service singing "How firm a foundation" (636), a hymn appropriate for both this past Sunday and this Sunday.  Since we won't repeat the singing of it, I will play a setting of it for the prelude; it is by Dale Wood, whose music I often use.

Our opening hymn will be the Handel tune you probably know as a Christmas carol, but 546 is the text "Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve, and press with vigor on", a text by the prolific Philip Diddridge, as you might note in the hymnal notes.  

The Gospel hymn will be "Fight the good fight with all thy might" (552), a familiar late 19th-early 20th century tune by William Bord.

Our anthem -- "Lead Me, Lord" -- uses texts from both Psalms 5 & 4, and is by the English organist and composer, Samiel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876), often referred to as "S S Wesley", so as not to be confused with his composing father, "Samuel Wesley".  I think you will be grateful for the return of the choir!

Communion hymns are most familiar, especially the first; they are 490 ("I want to walk as a child of the light"), and 366 ("Holy God, we praise Thy Name").

Closing, we will sing "Go forth for God, go forth in peace" (347), a 20th century Eric Routley hymn we often sing.

The postlude will be J.S. Bach's "Fantasie in A Minor".