Hymn of the Day March 9, 2008

The Hymn of the Day this Sunday is "Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart," number 170 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship. The text is by Martin Schalling who was a favorite pupil of Phillip Melanchthon, the well-known friend and defender of Martin Luther. It's sung regularly in many Lutheran churches, but perhaps not at St. Mark's. Here is a link to the cyberhymnal which you should be able to open to get a preview of the tune:http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/t/i/ltilwamh.htm. Also, here is a link to a brief biography of Martin Schalling: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Schalling.htm. This is a German tune (not quite through-composed since one of the musical phrases does repeat) and typically longer than many protestant hymns. The text, translated from the German by Catherine Winkworth, culminates in the last verse with the author dying, sleeping peacefully, and then awakening to see Jesus. Hmmm. Sounds like our lenten journey and our life journey have something in common.

Please let me know if you found this information useful!

Also this Sunday, Ellen Olson, St. Mark's member and JSO violist, will play "Were You There?" and Rev. Dale Gatz is scheduled to preach.
In the photo: Spring has come to the courtyard of St. Mark's. This Sunday, be sure to take a moment and enjoy the beauty of our garden! Then thank Rusty Snyder for maintaining the grounds and Marvin "Red" Brown for maintaining the fountain.