March 8, 2026

     The prelude is a set of variations on the hymn tune, "That Priceless Grace", by
the contemporary American whose music I often play, David Lasky.  The hymn tune
is not in our hymnal, but is a simple and most "singable" tune that one might think
he or she "knows".  
     Our processional hymn is the familiar but centuries old hymn, "Hail, thou once despised
Jesus", 495.  Moving forward only slightly in time is our beautiful Gospel hymn, "As longs
the deer for cooling streams" (658), a paraphrase of Psalm 42: 1-7.
     Linda Wozniak will play the flute solo in our anthem, "Come Follow Me", which is actually
a very old tune (16th-17th century), arranged by the renowned contemporary church music
composer, John Leavitt.  The text, by Johann Scheffler, is 17th century.
     Communion hymns are "O Jesus, joy of loving hearts" (649), and, "Jesus, lover of my
soul" (699).
     Closing, we will sing the most popular "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah" (690), which as
you may note is early 20th century but uses an older text.
     The postlude is a fairly simple "chaconne"-- a chaconne having a repeating bass line (here
played on the pedals), usually in a triple meter.  This originated in the baroque period as a
dance form, though J.S.Bach wrote a number of chaconnes.  The hymn base is "O Lord,
throughout these forty days".  You will of course recognize the tune; the setting is by the
20th century American, Franklin D. Ashdown.