"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

The readings for the Second Sunday of Easter were:

Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31

This is the Sunday when we remember Thomas and his doubts. The second Sunday of Easter is always kind of sad. Last week we had over 1,600 at church. This week we didn’t even have a thousand. The sermon was short; there was only one anthem and no Communion service. So, we actually got out of church ten minutes early. Some might like that, but not me. We only have worship once a week now, and we should at least have a good hour. That’s one reason I really prefer the Episcopal Church. Communion is served every week, and the service is usually ninety minutes.

Our first hymn was Easter People Raise Your Voices by William M. James. The hymn tune is Regent Square by Henry T. Smart.

Easter people, raise your voices,
Sounds of heaven in earth should ring.
Christ has brought us heaven's choices;
Heavenly music, let it ring.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing.

Our second hymn was not one of my favorites -
Up from the Grave He Arose written by Robert Lowry. It can sound pretty awful, but our organist kept a brisk tempo and didn’t hold any of those long fermatas that can ruin a good hymn. So it was pleasant to sing it.

1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)

Our anthem was O Sons and Daughters of the King written in the late fifteenth century by Jean Tisserand. The tune is the fifteenth century French tune O Filii Et Filiae

O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

An angel clad in white they see,
Who sit and speaks unto the three,
"Your Lord will go to Galilee."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

That night the apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear
And said, "MY peace be with you here."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

When Thomas first the tidings heard
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

"My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon my hands, my feet;
Not faithless but believing be."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"You are my Lord and God!" he cried.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

How blest are they who have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

On this most holy day of days
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voice raise.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Our final hymn was Sing with All the Saints in Glory by William J. Irons, set to Beethoven’s Hymn to Joy.

1. Sing with all the saints in glory,
sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth's dark story,
to the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking,
soon the storms of time shall cease;
in God's likeness we, awaking,
know the everlasting peace.

2. O what glory, far exceeding
all that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts, for ages pleading,
never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it,
there on high our welcome waits.
Every humble spirit shares it;
Christ has passed th'eternal gates.

3. Life eternal! heaven rejoices;
Jesus lives, who once was dead.
Join we now the deathless voices;
child of God, lift up your head!
Patriarchs from the distant ages,
saints all longing for their heaven,
prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,
all await the glory given.

4. Life eternal! O what wonders
crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
when, amidst earth's closing thunders,
saints shall stand before the throne!
O to enter that bright portal,
see that glowing firmament;
know, with thee, O God Immortal,
"Jesus Christ whom thou has sent!"

Christ Is Risen. He Is Risen, Indeed!

The readings for Easter Sunday, 2006 were:
Acts 10:34-43
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18

We had an overflow crowd at all three services, plus a 7 am sunrise service. I think we had about 1,600 total people in church this morning. The overflow crowd had to sit in the courtyard, about 100 people out there for each service. Fortunately the rain didn’t begin until about half an hour after the last service. We had a brass quintet, Marine Corps bandsmen from Quantico, and timpani. People always expect instruments on Easter. It was hard for the choir to sing above the brass. I think a lot of the extra people were twice-a-year types, because most of them weren’t singing the hymns.

Our processional hymn was Christ the Lord Is Risen Today by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune was Lyra Davidica.

1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

2. Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

3. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

5. Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

6. King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

The second hymn was the ancient hymn The Day of Resurrection by John of Damascus; translated by John Mason Neale. The tune is called Lancashire by Henry T. Smart.

1. The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the passover of gladness,
the passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.

2. Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.

3. Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.

Our first anthem was a setting of Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat. We sang half of the anthem in Latin, half in English. The organ and brass parts were really splendid.

Our second anthem was Easter Anthem by William Billings. It is a great early American composition. It almost feels like a Sacred Harp shape note song to sing.

The Lord is ris'n indeed! Hallelujah!
Now is Christ risen from the dead,
And become the first fruits of them that slept.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.
And did He rise? Did He rise?
Hear it, ye nations! Hear it, O ye dead!
He rose, He rose, He burst the bars of death
And triumphed o'er the grave.
Then I rose,
Then first Humanity triumphantPassed the crystal ports of light,And seized Eternal Youth.
Hail, all immortal hail, hail.
Heaven all lavish of strange gifts to all,
Thine's all the glory, ours' the boundless bliss.

We had three Communion Hymns.

I Am the Bread of Life written by Suzanne Toolan.

1. I am the bread of life; they who come to me shall not hunger;
they who believe in me shall not thrist.
No one can come to me unless the Father draw them.
Refrain: And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up,
and I will raise them up on the last day.

2. The Bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world,
and they who eat of this bread, they shall live for ever, they shall live for ever.
Refrain
3. Unless you eat of the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink of his Blood,
you shall not have life within you, you shall not have life within you.
Refrain
4. I am the resurrection, I am the life.
They who believe in me, even if they die, they shall live for ever.
Refrain
5. Yes, Lord we believe that you are the Christ,
the Son of God who has come into the world.
Refrain

The second Communion hymn was Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

The final Communion hymn was He Lives

I serve a risen Saviour, He' s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say,
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him, He' s always near.
Refrain:
He lives. He lives. Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life' s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro— all the stormy blast.
The day of His appearing will come at last.
Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal hallelujas to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find.
None other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain:

The closing hymn was Thine Be the Glory by Edmond Budry, translated by Richard Hoyle. The hymn tune is Maccabeus adapted from the oratorio by Georg Friedrich Handel.

Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry, thou o'er death hast won.

Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting. Refrain

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. Refrain

Good Friday, 2006

Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Genesis 22:1-18
Hebrews 10:1-25
John (18:1-40) 19:1-37
Psalm 22:1-21 or 22:1-11

The Youth Choir led the music for the service of Tenebrae. The word tenebrae is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. It is a very solemn service. The readings are the narrative of Christ’s Passion, divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, each one assigned to a different reader. Our service tonight had seven readings. At the beginning of the service the church is illuminated with candlelight. There are as many candles as there are readings, plus a white Christ candle. The readers go up one at a time, read their assigned selections, and extinguish one of the candles, until only the Christ candle remains. Then someone reads the first part of Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted on the cross. Then the Christ candle is put out, leaving the congregation in near total darkness—and near total devastation. At this point, the service ends. There is no benediction and the people leave in silence. We had a hymn for each of the readings, and the Youth Choir sang an anthem. There was no sermon.

The first hymn was Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane. The tune is St. Christopher by Frederick Charles Maker.

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land,
A home within a wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day.

O safe and happy shelter!
O refuge tried and sweet!
O trysting-place where heaven's love
and heaven's justice meet!
As to the exalted patriarch
that wondrous dream was given,
so seems my Savior's cross to me
a ladder up to heaven.

There lies beneath its shadow,
but on the farther side,
the darkness of an open grave
that gapes both deep and wide;
and there between us stands the cross,
two arms outstretched to save,
like a watchman to guard the way
from that eternal grave.

Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eyes at times can see
the very dying form of one
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart, with tears,
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love,
and my own worthlessness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all: the cross.

The first reading was Matthew 26:30-46

The second hymn was Go to Dark Gethsemane by James Montgomery. The tune is Redhead by Richard Redhead.

1. Go to dark Gethsemane,
ye that feel the tempter's power;
your Redeemer's conflict see,
watch with him one bitter hour.
Turn not from his griefs away;
learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

2. See him at the judgment hall,
beaten, bound, reviled, arraigned;
O the wormwood and the gall!
O the pangs his soul sustained!
Shun not suffering, shame, or loss;
learn of Christ to bear the cross.

3. Calvary's mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at his feet,
mark that miracle of time,
God's own sacrifice complete.
"It is finished!" hear him cry;
learn of Jesus Christ to die.

4. Early hasten to the tomb
where they laid his breathless clay;
all is solitude and gloom.
Who has taken him away?
Christ is risen! He meets our eyes;
Savior, teach us so to rise.

The second reading was Matthew 26:47-56.

The third hymn was What Wondrous Love Is This, an American folk hymn that dates from the early nineteenth century.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on.

The third reading was Matthew 26:57-75.

The fourth hymn was O Love Divine What Hast Thou Done by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune is Selena by Isaac B. Woodbury.

1. O Love divine, what has thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father's coeternal Son
bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th' immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

2. Is crucified for me and you,
to bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
ye all are bought with Jesus' blood.
Pardon for all flows from his side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

3. Behold him, all ye that pass by,
the bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
and say, "Was ever grief like his?"
Come, feel with me his blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

The fourth reading was Matthew 27:1-14.

The fifth hymn was Ah, Holy Jesus by Johann Heermann, translated by Robert S. Bridges. The hymn tune is Herzliebster Jesu by Johann Cruger.

1. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted!

2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee;
I crucified thee.

3. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.
For our atonement, while we nothing heeded,
God interceded.

4. For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.

5. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.

The fifth reading was Matthew 27:15-32.

The sixth hymn was O Sacred Head Now Wounded. The text was written by Bernard of Clairvaux, translated by by Paul Gerhardt and James W. Alexander. The tune is known as The Passion Chorale by Hans L. Hassler in the sixteenth century and harmonized by J.S. Bach in the seventeenth century. It is main motif of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion

1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!

2. What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.

3. What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.


The sixth reading was Matthew 27: 33-44.

The seventh and final hymn was the African-American spiritual Were You There?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

The seventh reading was Matthew 27:45-54.

Maundy Thursday

Tonight for the Maundy Thursday Comunion Service we sang the Messe Sollennelle by Louis Vierne . It was the first time I had sung this piece. We really liked it. We mixed portions of the mass with the Communion liturgy so it was a real service, not a concert.

Palm Passion Sunday, April 9, 2006

Palm/ Passion Sunday
The readings for April 9, 2006 were:
The Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1-11
John 12:12-16
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
The Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47
Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)

We had two processional hymns, which confused everyone. The first was Hosanna, Loud Hosanna by Jeanette Threlfall and set to the tune Ellacombe harmonized by W. H. Monk.

1. Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang,
through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

2. From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.

3. "Hosanna in the highest!" that ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice!

The second Processional hymn was Mantos y Palmas (Filled with Excitement) by Ruben Ruiz Avila, translated by Gertruce C. Suppe. The tune is Hosanna by Ruben Ruiz Avila. Fortunately this year we sang it in English instead of Spanish. When we have to sing in Spanish AND process at the same time I can barely keep from falling over my own feet.

Filled with excitement, all the happy throng
Spread cloaks and branches on the city streets.
There in the distance they begin to see,
Riding on a donkey, comes the Son of God
From every corner a thousand voice sing
Praises to Him who comes in the name of God
With one great shout of acclamation loud
Triumphant song breaks forth:
“Hosanna, hosanna to the King!
Hosanna, hosanna to the King!”
As on that entrance to Jerusalem,
We sing hosannas to the Christ, our King,
To the living Savior who still calls today,
Asking us to follow him with love and faith.
From every corner a thousand voice sing
Praises to Him who comes in the name of God
With one great shout of acclamation loud
Triumphant song breaks forth:
“Hosanna, hosanna to the King!
Hosanna, hosanna to the King!”

Our first anthem was Ride on, King Jesus.

Ride on King Jesus ! No man can hinder me!
Ride on King Jesus !Ride on! No man can hinder me!

King Jesus rides on a milk white horse
No man can hinder him
The river Jordan he did cross
No man can hinder him

For He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords.
Jesus Christ, the first and last.
No man works like Him.

Ride on King Jesus! No man can hinder me.
Ride on, King Jesus, Ride on. No man can hinder me.



The third hymn was Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, written by William H. Parker. The tune is Stories of Jesus by Frederick A. Chalinor.

1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

2. First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.

3. Into the city I'd follow the children's band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"

The sermon was really odd and was hard to connect with the stories of Holy week. Of course, we had to sing at two services, so we had to hear it twice.

Our second anthem was the beautiful and moving My Song Is Love Unknown by Samuel Crossman. Our anthem was a setting that was new to me whic I liked, but my favorite setting is the tune Love Unknown by John Ireland.

My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?

He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed for Christ would know:
But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
And for His death they thirst and cry.

Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight,
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
Themselves displease, and ’gainst Him rise.

They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they saved,
The Prince of life they slay,
Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,
That He His foes from thence might free.

In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death no friendly tomb
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
But mine the tomb wherein He lay.

Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.

Our final hymn seemed an odd choice: Are Ye Able? By Earl B. Marlayy. The hymn tune is Beacon Hill by Harry S. Mason.

“Are ye able,” said the Master,
“To be crucified with Me?”
“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,
“To the death we follow Thee.”

Refrain

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are you able to relinquish
Purple dreams of power and fame,
To go down into the Garden,
Or to die a death of shame?

Refrain

Are ye able, when the anguish
Racks your mind and heart with pain,
To forgive the souls who wrong you,
Who would make your striving vain?

Refrain

Are ye able to remember,
When a thief lifts up his eyes,
That his pardoned soul is worthy
Of a place in paradise?

Refrain

Are ye able when the shadows
Close around you with the sod,
To believe that spirit triumphs,
To commend your soul to God?

Refrain

Are ye able? Still the Master
Whispers down eternity,
And heroic spirits answer,
Now as then in Galilee.

Refrain

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-13 or Psalm 119:9-16
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33

The opening hymn was
Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise written by Walter Chalmers Smith. The tune is called St. Denio, a Welsh melody from John Roberts's Canaidau y Cyssegr.


1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render: O help us to see
'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.


The second hymn was When I survey the Wondrous Cross, sung to the tune Rockingham instead of the more usual tune Hamburg . The text ws written by Isaac Watts.

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Katie’s solo was Lord Jesus, Think on Me written by Synesius of Cyrene in the fifth century;translated by Allen William Chatfield.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
and purge away my sin;
from harmful passions set me free,
and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
with care and woe oppressed;
let me thy loving servant be,
and taste thy promised rest.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
nor let me go astray;
through darkness and perplexity
point thou the heavenly way.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
that, when the flood is passed,
I may the eternal brightness see,
and share thy joy at last.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
that I may sing above
to Father, Holy Ghost and thee
the songs of praise and love.


Our anthem was Lord I Call to Thee/em>by Mozart

Our Communion hymns were: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent, Let Us Break Bread Together and Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast by Cgarles Wesley. the hymn tune is Hursley.

1. Come, sinners, to the gospel feast;
let every soul be Jesus' guest.
Ye need not one be left behind,
for God hath bid all humankind.

2. Sent by my Lord, on you I call;
the invitation is to all.
Come, all the world! Come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.

3. Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
ye restless wanderers after rest;
ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
in Christ a hearty welcome find.

4. My message as from God receive;
ye all may come to Christ and live.
O let his love your hearts constrain,
nor suffer him to die in vain.

5. This is the time, no more delay!
This is the Lord's accepted day.
Come thou, this moment, at his call,
and live for him who died for all.


Our final hymn was We Would See Jesus by John E. Park. The hymn tune is called Cushman by Herbert Turner.

We would see Jesus; lo! His star is shining
Above the stable while the angels sing;
There in a manger on the hay reclining;
Haste, let us lay our gifts before the King.

We would see Jesus, Mary’s Son most holy,
Light of the village life from day to day;
Shining revealed through every task most lowly,
The Christ of God, the life, the truth, the way.

We would see Jesus, on the mountain teaching,
With all the listening people gathered round;
While birds and flowers and sky above are preaching
The blessedness which simple trust has found.

We would see Jesus, in His work of healing,
At eventide before the sun was set;
Divine and human, in His deep revealing
Of God made flesh, in loving service met.

We would see Jesus, in the early morning,
Still as of old He calleth, “Follow Me!”
Let us arise, all meaner service scorning;
Lord, we are Thine, we give ourselves to Thee.

God So Loved the World

It was a splendid service today. Scriptures and hymns were all wonderful. The Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Lent were:
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21

Our introit hymn was Christ Is the World’s Light written by Fred Pratt Green in 1968 and set to the tune Christe Sanctorum which dates from about 1681. Fred Pratt Green was the greatest Methodist hymn writer since Charles Wesley. His hymns are both contemporary and theologically sound, something one can't say about many contemporary hymns.

Christ is the world's Light, Christ and no other;
Born in our darkness, he became our Brother.
If we have seen Christ, we have seen the Father:
Glory to God on high.

Christ is the world's Peace, Christ and no other;
No man can serve Christ and despise his brother
Who else unites us, one in God the Father?
Glory to God on high.

Christ is the world's Life, Christ and no other;
Sold one for silver, murdered here, our Brother -
Christ who redeems us, reigns with God the Father:
Glory to God on high.

Give God the glory, God and no other;
Give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father;
Give God the glory, God in Man my brother:
Glory to God on high.

Our first hymn was Amazing Grace
"I was blind but now I see!” John 9:25
This is probably the most popular hymn in the English language. The words were written by John Newton (1725-1807), a slave trader who came to Christ and turned his life around. The tune is called New Britain and is by James Carrell and David S. Clayton, published in 1831. It is undoubtedly a based on a much older folk melody.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

The second hymn was the hymn that’s my second favorite hymn ever.
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light, text and music by Kathleen Thomerson. I could find no midi file for this hymn, but the text is the important thing. In my Google search for midi files I found several testimonials about this hymn. Several people wrote that this is the one hymn that they felt MUST be sung at their memorial services. I feel the same way. It is a wonderful hymn.

I want to walk as a child of the Light.
I want to follow Jesus
God sent the stars to give light to the world,
The Star of my life is Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The love is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

I want to see the Brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear Son of righteousness shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The love is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

I'm looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
We shall know the joy of Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The love is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

Our anthem was God So Loved the World by John Stainer. This old favorite is from Stainer's cantataThe Crucifixion It's one of those old romantic pieces that most choir directors turn up their noses at, but which congregations adore. It is not easy to sing wel. It takes better breath control than my old body has these days.

Our final hymn was O God Beyond All Praising The text is Michael Perry, based on Hebrews 13:15. The tune is called Thaxted by Gustav Holst. It is the theme from “Jupiter” in Holst’s The Planets.I have read that this is the second most popular hymn in the United Kingdom, the most popular being Jerusalem.

O God beyond all praising,
we worship you today
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number
and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your word,
we honor and adore you,
our great and mighty Lord.

Then hear, O gracious Savior,
accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we'II triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.

New Hymnals in My Collection

I bought a bunch of new hymnals at the library book sale today. Most of them are what I call “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting” hymnbooks, but they’re interesting. Many of the hymns in these old books can be found in today’s hymnals, many more I remember from my childhood when churches still had Wednesday night prayer meeting, but a lot of these hymns are completely unfamiliar to me.

The Pilgrim Hymnal, copyright 1935. This is the hymnal for the Congregational Church. The hymns are mostly familiar hymns, still included in contemporary hymnals, but there were three hymns for Labor Day and two hymns for Armistice Day. Isn’t it a shame that Congress changed that holiday’s name? We should honor our veterans, but we shouldn’t forget what Armistice Day meant. I love the way that al of the old British Commonwealth countries call it Remembrance Day. We should remember

Hymns of Praise Number Two, copyright 1925.

Tabernacle Hymns Number Three, copyright 1939

Old Fashioned Revival Hour Songs, copyright 1950.These are hymns from the old radio show.

Hymns of Praise There was no copyright date, but it’s pretty old collection.

Triumphant Service Songs. This copy is in poor condition and missing its title page, but I believe it dates from 1930.

Songs That Touch the Heart, volumes one and two. Copyright 1948 and 1954.
Favorites: Gospel Songs for Solos, Duets, Trios, Quartets and Group Singing, Volumes 2, 3 and 4.copyright 1951.There were no songs that I knew in these three books with the noteable exception of His Eye Is on the Sparrow, and don’t we all love that one?

His Eye Is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me.

Third Sunday of Lent

Third Sunday of Lent

The readings for March 19, 2006 were:
Exodus 20:1-17
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22

Our introit hymn was If Thou but Suffer God to Guide Thee

This seventeenth century hymn and hymn tune was written by Georg Neumark and translated by Catherine Winkworth in the late nineteenth century. The tune is called “Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott”

1. If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
and hope in God through all thy ways,
God will give strength, whate'er betide thee,
and bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
builds on the rock that naught can move.

2. Only be still, and wait God's leisure
in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take whate'er thy Maker's pleasure
and all-discerning love hath sent;
we know our inmost wants are known,
for we are called to be God's own.

3. Sing, pray, and keep God's ways unswerving;
so do thine own part faithfully,
and trust God's word; though undeserving,
thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook at need
the soul that trusted God indeed.

Our first hymn was How Great Thou Art. This is not one of favorite hymns, but I’ve never found a congregation that didn’t just love singing this. I think they mostly love the fermata at the end.

How Great Thou

Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made
I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul my Savior, God, to Thee
How great thou art, how great thou art
Then sings my soul my Savior, God, to Thee
How great Thou art. How great Thou art

When Christ shall come with shouts of adulation
And take me home what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim My God, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul my Savior, God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul my Savior, God, to Thee
How great Thou art. How great Thou art

The second hymn was In the Cross of Christ I Glory
The text was written by John Bowring (1792-1872). The hymn tune is “Rathbun”, written by Ithamar Conkey (1815-1867)


1. In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o'er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

2. When the woes of life o'ertake me,
hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me.
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

3. When the sun of bliss is beaming
light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming
adds more luster to the day.

4. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there that knows no measure,
joys that through all time abide.

5. In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o'er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

Our anthem was “Keep Me Faithfully in Thy Paths, O Lord” by George Frederick Handel, arranged by Richard Proulx © 1980 by GIA Publications, Inc.

Keep me faithfully in thy paths, O Lord,
And cleanse me, cleanse me from my sin…
In thy goodness, Lord, be thou merciful,,
And cleanse me from my sin.

The final hymn was
Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Elizabeth C. Clephane, (1830-1869). The hymn tune is “St. Christopher” by Frederick C. Maker, (1844-1927)

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.

2. Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.

3. I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.

Get behind Me, Satan!

The readings for the second Sunday of Lent were:

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:22-30
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38
Then Jesus began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
The readings from Genesis and Romans both told the story of God’s covenant with Abraham.

It was a mediocre day for hymns. These were the kind of hymns best sung at Wednesday night prayer meetings. The bright spot was that we had a guest organist, and he played the wrong tune for the Gloria Patri at all the services. That kind of made the congregation pay attention. We usually sing this to the tune Meineke, but he played Greatorex, which I think is much nicer.

While most of us in the choir didn’t like the hymns that much, I must admit that the congregation loved these old tunes, and they sang very loudly.
The opening hymn was Standing on the Promises by R. Kelso Carter who also wrote the hymn tune Promises.


1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)

I enjoyed the second hymn a lot more.This Is My Father’s World by Maltbie D. Babcock. The hymn tune is Terra Beata, a traditional English melody, adapted by Franklin L. Sheppard.

1. This is my Father's world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

2. This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
he shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

3. This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Our anthem was Be Thou My Vision.

The final hymn was another old-fashioned sentimental favorite, Take the Name of Jesus with You by Lydia O. Baxter. The tune Precious Name was written by Howard Doane.

Take the Name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe,
It will joy and comfort give you;
Take it then, where’er you go.

Refrain

Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

Take the Name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare;
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy Name in prayer.

Refrain

O the precious Name of Jesus!
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!

Refrain

At the Name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in Heav’n we’ll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.

Refrain

First Sunday of Lent

The readings for March 5, the first Sunday of Lent were:

Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15

Our first hymn was Lord, Who throughout These Forty Days by Claudia F. Hernaman. It is usually sung to the tune St. Flavian, but the United Methodist Hymnal sets the hymn to the tune to the folk melody Land of Rest.

Lord, who throughout these forty days
for us didst fast and pray,
teach us with thee to mourn our sins,
and close by thee to stay.

As thou with Satan didst contend
and didst the victory win,
O give us strength in thee to fight,
in thee to conquer sin.

As thou didst hunger bear and thirst,
so teach us, gracious Lord,
to die to self, and chiefly live
by thy most holy word.

And through these days of penitence,
and through thy Passiontide,
yea, evermore, in life and death,
Jesus! with us abide.

Abide with us, that so, this life
of suffering over-past,
an Easter of unending joy
we may attain at last!

Our second hymn was When Jesus Came to Jordan by Fred Pratt Green. In our hymnal this hymn is set to the tune Complainer by William Walker.

When Jesus came to Jordan
to be baptized by John,
he did not come for pardon.
but as his Father's Son.
He came to share repentance
with all who mourn their sins,
to speak the vital sentence
with which good news begins.

He came to share temptation,
our utmost woe and loss,
for us and our salvation
to die upon the cross.
So when the Dove descended
on him, the Son of Man,
the hidden years had ended,
the age of grace began.

Come, Holy Spirit, aid us
to keep the vows we make,
this very day invade us,
and every bondage break.
Come, give our lives direction,
the gift we covet most:
to share the resurrection
that leads to Pentecost.

Our anthem was a setting of Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley arranged by Hal Hopson.

Jesus walked this lonesome valley;
he had to walk it by himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for him;
he had to walk it by himself.

We must walk this lonesome valley;
we have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us;
we have to walk it by ourselves.

You must go and stand your trial;
you have to stand it by yourself.
Oh, nobody else can stand it for you;
you have to stand it by yourself.

The first Communion hymn was Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence from the fifth century Liturgy of Saint James translated by Gerald Moultrie in 1864. The hymn tune is Picardy, a French carol.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of Light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

The second Communion hymn was Let Us Break Bread Together, the old spiritual. I've read several articles that discussed whether or not this was an appropriate hymn for Holy Communion.


Let us break bread together on our knees,
let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees,
let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees,
let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

The final Communion hymn was Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast by Charles Wesley, set to the tune Hursley. This hymn is in our hymnal twice, once with a set of verses that serve as an altar call, and these verse for Holy Communion. Charles Wesley wrote many, many verse for most of his hundreds of hymns. The hymnal only has four or five verses of a hymn, but for a few of them the editors included a text only page of all the many verses.

Come, sinners, to the gospel feast;
let every soul be Jesus' guest.
Ye need not one be left behind,
for God hath bid all humankind.

Come, and partake the Gospel feast;
Be saved from sin; in Jesus rest;
O taste the goodness of your God,
And eat His flesh, and drink His blood!

See Him set forth before your eyes,
That precious, bleeding Sacrifice!
His offered benefits embrace,
And freely now be saved by grace.

Our final hymn was O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High, a 15th century Latin poem translated by Benjamin Webb. The tune is Deo Gracias.

O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
it fills the heart with ecstasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortals' sake!

For us baptized, for us he bore
his holy fast and hungered sore,
for us temptation sharp he knew;
for us the tempter overthrew.

For us he prayed; for us he taught;
for us his daily works he wrought;
by words and signs and actions thus
still seeking not himself, but us.

For us to evil power betrayed,
scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
he bore the shameful cross and death,
for us gave up his dying breath.

For us he rose from death again;
for us he went on high to reign;
for us he sent his Spirit here,
to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.

All glory to our Lord and God
for love so deep, so high, so broad:
the Trinity whom we adore,
forever and forevermore.

Farewell to Alleluia

Lent is upon us.The last Sunday after Epiphay has come. We celebrate the Transfiguration, say farewell to Alleluia and prepare ourselves for forty days of fasting and penance.

This has been a difficult week for our community. Four prominent businessmen, including three of my friends from Rotary, were killed in a plane crash Wednesday night. The next week there will be four funerals to attend.

2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9

Our introit hymn was O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair set to the tune Deo Gracias, the Agincourt Song.

O wondrous type! O vision fair
of glory that the Church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!

With shining face and bright array,
Christ deigns to manifest today
what glory shall be theirs above
who joy in God with perfect love.

And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision's mystery;
for which in joyful strains we raise
the voice of prayer, the hymns of praise.

Our opening hymn was O Zion, Haste written by Mary A. Thompsonand set to the tune Tidings by James Walch

1. O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is light,
that he who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Refrain:
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.

2. Behold how many thousands still are lying
bound in the darksome prisonhouse of sin,
with none to tell them of the Savior's dying,
or of the life he died for them to win.
(Refrain)

3. Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation
that God, in whom they live and move, is love;
tell how he stooped to save his lost creation,
and died on earth that we might live above.
(Refrain)

4. Give of thine own to bear the message glorious;
give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious;
O Zion, haste to bring the brighter day.
(Refrain)


Our second hymn was some different verses of O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair set to a different tune, Wareham, Aeterne Rex altissime, O nata Lux de Lumine

O wondrous type! O vision fair
of glory that the Church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!

The law and prophets there have place,
the chosen witnesses of grace;
the Father's voice from our the cloud
proclaims his only Son aloud.

O Father, with the eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit, ever One,
vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace
to see thy glory face to face.

Our anthem was based on the hymn Alleluia, Song of Gladness, set to the hymn tune Picardy by Donald Busarow. It is a moving anthem, well suited for the ending of the service on this last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The hymn is 11th century Latin poem, translated by John Mason Neale.

Alleuia, song of gladness, voice of joy that cannot die;
alleluia is the anthem ever raised by choirs on high;
in the house of God abiding thus they sing eternally.

Alleluia thou resoundest, true Jerusalem and free;
alleluia, joyful mother, all thy children sing with thee;
but by Babylon's sad waters mourning exiles now are we.

Alleluia, though we cherish and would chant for evermore
alleluia, in our singing let us for a while give o'er,
as our Saviour in his fasting, pleasures of the world forbore.

Therefore in our hymns we pray thee, grant us blessed Trinity,
at the last to keep thine Easter with thy faithful saints on high;
there to thee for ever singing alleluia joyfully!

God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry Emerson Fosdick. The tune is Cwm Rhondda
by John Hughes.

God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil ’round us,
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

Cure Thy children’s warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.

Set our feet on lofty places,
Gird our lives that they may be,
Armored with all Christ-like graces,
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee,
That we fail not man nor Thee.

Save us from weak resignation,
To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation,
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving Thee Whom we adore,
Serving Thee Whom we adore.

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

The readings for the seventh Sunday after the Epiphany were:
Isaiah 43:18-25
Psalm 41
2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Mark 2:1-12
Our introit hymn was O Christ the Healer by Fred Pratt Green. The hymn tune is Erhalt Uns Herr.
O Christ, the healer, we have come
to pray for health, to plead for friends.
How can we fail to be restored,
when reached by love that never ends?

From every ailment flesh endures
our bodies clamor to be freed;
yet in our hearts we would confess
that wholeness is our deepest need.

How strong, O Lord, are our desires,
how weak our knowledge of ourselves!
Release in us those healing truths
unconscious pride resists or shelves.

In conflicts that destroy our health,
we diagnose the world's disease;
our common life declares our ills:
is there no cure, O Christ, for these?

Grant that we all, made one in faith,
in your community may find
the wholeness that, enriching us,
shall reach the whole of humankind.

The first hymn was O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune is Azmon by Carl G. Gläser.

O for a thousand tongues to sing my dear Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim
and spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy Name.

Jesus! the Name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.

He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive;
the mournful broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.

Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold, your Savior come; and leap, ye lame, for joy!

Glory to God and praise and love be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above the Church in earth and heaven.

Our second hymn was my all-time number one favorite hymn - How Firm A Foundation by Thomas Rippon. This hymn was sung at the funerals of American presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as General Robert E. Lee.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."

Our anthem was The Eyes of All Wait upon Thee by Jean Berger. It was difficult, and we didn’t really have enough weeks to rehearse it, but we did ok. It’s a wonderful anthem.

The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

The final hymn was The final hymn was Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter. The hymn tune is Carter’s adaptation of the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts.

I danced in the morning
When the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon
And the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven
And I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem
I had my birth.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he
I danced for the scribe
And the Pharisee,
But they would not dance
And they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
For James and John -
They came with me
And the Dance went on.

Chorus

I danced on the Sabbath
And I cured the lame;
The holy people
Said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
And they hung me on high,
And they left me there
On a Cross to die.

Chorus

I danced on a Friday
When the sky turned black -
It's hard to dance
With the devil on your back.
They buried my body
And they thought I'd gone,
But I am the Dance,
And I still go on.

Chorus

They cut me down
And I leapt up high;
I am the life
That'll never, never die;
I'll live in you
If you'll live in me -
I am the Lord
Of the Dance, said he.

Chorus

Copyright 1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd. London, England

Snow Instead of Church on February 12!

The readings for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany were:
2 Kings 5:1-14
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45
Psalm 30

Here in Virginia we didn't get hit as badly by the big coastal blizzard as New York and New England, but we did have about a foot of snow and lots of ice. It kept most of us indoors for about a day and a half. There was no way we could get to church on Sunday morning. That was the time of the heaviest snowfall, but one of our pastors and a total of 75 parishoners braved the elements and made it to each of our regular three services. That averages out to about 25 per service, but I think only 10 people actually made it to the 8:30 service. Our normal attendance is about 375 per service, so we were short over 1,000 people this week. Two choir members showed up, and the pastor asked them to sit in the choir loft. The organist couldn't get into town, nor could our daughter who directs the youth choir. But they had three services and here are the hymns they sang.

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven by Henry Francis Lyte. The hymn tune is called Lauda anima by John Goss.

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favor
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.

Father-like, he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

He Touched Me by Bill and Gloria Gaither

Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same


For He touched me, He touched me
What wonderful joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole


Oh since I met this blessed Savior
And since he cleaned and made me whole
Oh I never cease, never cease to praise Him
I'll shout it while eternity rolls


Oh He touched me, oh He touched me
And oh what a joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.

The anthem was supposed to be Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth. Since the congregation knows this anyway, the pastor had everyone sing the anthem.

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

The final hymn was It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio Gates Spafford. This is one of those hymns written as a response to overwhelming personal sorrow. Spafford was ruined financially by the Great Chicago Fire of October, 1871. His only son died that same year. Two years later his family decided to vacation in Europe and during the trans-Atlantic crossing Spafford's four daughters were killed in a collision with another ship. His wife survived the shipwreck. Spafford wrote this hymn a few weeks later.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul...

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Year BRCL
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39

The opening hymn was
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty The text was written by Joachim Neander and translated by Catherine Winkworth. The tune is Lobe den Herren from the Erneuerten Gesanbuch of 1665, harmonized by William Sterndale Bennett.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation.
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
who with his love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.

The second hymn was Have Thine Own Way, Lord. The text was written by Adelaide A. Pollard (1862-1934). The tune is Adelaide by George C. Stebbins (1846-1945).


1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Our anthem was On Eagles Wings It was written by Michael Joncas, based on Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

The congregation sang with the choir on all the refrains.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.


Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.


Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.


Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

Our Communion hymns were:

Gift of Finest Wheat

This American Catholic hymn was composed for the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia
1976, hymn tune by Robert Kreutz,text by Omer Westendorf.


You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
As when a shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice,
so when you call your family, Lord,we follow and rejoice.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.

With joyful lips we sing to you our praise and gratitude,
that you should count us worthy, Lord, to share this heavenly food.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.

Is not the cup we bless and share the blood od Christ outpoured?
Do not one cup, one loaf, declare our oneness in the Lord?
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.

The mystery of your presence, Lord, no mortal tongue could tell;
whom all the world cannot contain comes in our hearts to dwell.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.

You give yourself to us, O Lord; then selfless let us be,
to serve each other in your name in truth and charity.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.


Here Is Bread
Here is bread. Here is wine:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
Break the bread; taste the wine:
Christ is with us here.

Here is grace, here is peace:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
Know His grace; find His peace:
Feast on Jesus here.

In this bread there is healing;
In this cup there's life forever.
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.

Here we are, joined in one:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
We'll proclaim till He comes
Jesus crucified.

In this bread there is healing;
In this cup there's life forever.
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.

Now Let Us from This Table Rise by Fred H. Kaan. The tune is Deus Turom Militum which we sang last week with the hymn Whom Shall I Send?

Now let us from this table rise
Renewed in body, mind, and soul;
With Christ we die and live again,
His selfless love has made us whole.

With minds alert, upheld by grace,
To spread the word in speech and deed,
We follow in the steps of Christ,
At one with all in hope and need.

To fill each human house with love,
It is the sacrament of care;
The work that Christ began to do
We humbly pledge ourselves to share.

Then grant us courage, Father God,
To choose again the pilgrim way
And help us to accept with joy
The challenge of tomorrow's day.

Our closing hymn was the great Charles Wesley hymn A Charge to Keep I Have set to the tune Boylston by Lowell Mason.

1. A charge to keep I have,a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,and fit it for the sky.

2. To serve the present age,my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage to do my Master's will!

3. Arm me with jealous care,as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord,prepare a strict account to give!

4. Help me to watch and pray,and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,I shall forever die.

The postlude was based on the hymn tune The Ash Grove one of my favorite tunes. Last year our handbell choir played an anthem based on this tune.It was wonderful.