June 28, 2026

The prelude is based on the popular 19th century hymn, "There's a wideness in God's mercy" (470 in our hymnal), and is a setting by Dale Wood (1934-2003), who was born in California and lived his entire life there.  Along with many other organists, I play various hymn settings of his often; they seem to be a staple in the service repertoire these days. If you check out the hymn notes for our processional hymn (537), you will find that the well loved melody is from the 18th century.  The tune ("Moscow") is used 3 times in our hymnal, this text being "Christ for the world we sing".

Our beautiful Gospel hymn is "Where cross the crowded ways of life", 609, another great tune from the 19th century, although the text is a bit more recent.  We will sing verses 1, 3, and 4. During the offertory we will sing another hymn that compliments the Gospel reading from Matthew, "He who would valiant be", 564.  I might point out that what is used for "titles" of hymns is the opening words, which only make real sense when the entire sentence is read! Communion hymns are "Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless" (343), and "For the bread which you have broken" (341).

Closing, we will sing Charles Villiers Stanford's "We know that Christ is raised and dies no more", 296, a hymn that seems to be one of the favorites of many. The postlude is one I play every so often, "Choral Song", by Samuel Sebastian Wesley. (1810-1876).  You might remember that he is often called "S.S.Wesley" so that he is not confused with his father, Samuel Wesley, who was also a prominent English organist and composer-- who also championed the works of J.S.Bach.

Philip Detra
Director of Music