Music for the Seventh Sunday of Easter: June 2, 2019

Opening Voluntary This Joyful Eastertide (Vruechten) setting, Ronald A. Nelson

The tune is a 17th century Dutch tune paired with a text by George B. Woodward.  It’s filled with melismas (one syllable sung over many notes just like “Gloria” in “Angels We Have Heard on High”) that dance their way through this joyful hymn.  Sometimes this song is even called an Easter “carol.”

Listen for this tune to come back during the Psalm of the Day. We’ll use it for the refrain.

My plumeria are in bloom! A perfect flower for Easter.

Gathering Hymn O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright (Wie schön leuchtet) Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) 308

This hymn is about at Lutheran as they come – often referred to as the Queen of the Lutheran Chorales.

King David window
in the vestry at St. Mark's

Hymn of the Day Rise, O Sun of Righteousness (Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

ELW 657

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.” Malachi 4:2
The Bohemian Brethren is the first group known to use this 15^th century secular tune for hymn singing.

According to Wikipedia, Otto Riethmüller, a German minister and hymn writer, compiled the stanzas from older sources. As a member of the Confessing Church, his intent was to alert German Christians to the dangers of the rising Nazi party.

The “sun of righteousness” image is also used in the Christmas hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

Musical Offering I Am the Vine (sung by the Festival Choir) Allen Pote

The text is based on John 15:5-13.

Communion Hymns

Carved Tulips at the Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh

In the Bulb There Is a Flower (Hymn of Promise)

This hymn is not in ELW. The words and music by Natalie Sleeth were originally composed as a children’s choir anthem. It can now be found in several denominational hymnals and is a favorite for funerals.

When in Our Music God is Glorified (Fredericktown)

ELW 850

Hymn texts are usually composed independent of any melody. This means that a metered text can be sung with any number of tunes. This morning we use Fredericktown. As we sing “Alleluia,” I’ll be praying for the 12 people who lost their lives due to gun violence in Virginia Beach yesterday.

“. . .even at the grave we make our song Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.” Book of Common Prayer

The nave of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Easter Sunday
2019

Sending Hymn The Church’s One Foundation (Aurelia)

ELW 654

Closing Voluntary When in Our Music God is Glorified (Engelberg) Charles Callahan

“Alleluia” is prevalent in the Church’s song during Easter. This hymn text (which we sang at communion) returns in the postlude with its usual tune.