Music for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: September 15, 2019

Opening Voluntary Chorale Prelude and Chorale on “O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht”

Helmut Walcha (1907-1991)

Gesangbuch, Nürnberg, 1676 (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 675)

Our Prayer of the Day begins, “O God, overflowing with mercy and compassion, you lead back to yourself all those who go astray.” The opening line of this hymn petitions, “O Christ, our light, our radiance true, shine forth from those estranged from you. . .”

Today’s opening voluntary begins with a variation on the chorale tune. The setting is by the German organist, Helmut Walcha. The second part of the voluntary is the four-part chorale as it appears in ELW.

Helmut Walcha had poor vision as a child. His condition was brought on by the smallpox vaccine. As he grew older, his eyesight grew worse until, in his late teens, he was completely blind.

Helmut Walcha

So how did he not only become a gifted organist, composer, and teacher, but also famous for his recordings of J. S. Bach’s works? The story goes that he would have other musicians play each individual voice (including the pedal!) from Bach’s works four times. Walcha memorized the voices as they were being played, memorizing each line independently.  Having perfect pitch also helped with this process.

Gathering Hymn Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (St. Denio)

Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW 834)

Hymn of the Day Amazing Grace (New Britain)

ELW 779

“Amazing Grace” is probably the best known of all hymns in American churches, and probably the most sung. We have sung this hymn 16 times in 13 years at St. Mark’s – or 1.2 times each year.  Yes, I keep track of such things!

Many people have a strong emotional attachment to “Amazing Grace.” Four years ago I asked choir members to talk about their favorite hymns. It’s no surprise that “Amazing Grace” was one of the hymns that was chosen. Read about Jane’s connection here: http://smljax.blogspot.com/2015/09/canticles-of-praise-and-hymns-of.html

Musical Offering Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (sung by the Festival Choir)

Michael Larkin

Communion Hymns

Our Father, We Have Wandered (Herzlich tut mich verlangen)

ELW 606

Chief of Sinners, Though I Be (Gethsemane)

ELW 609

Sending Hymn O Lord, Now Let Your Servant (Kuortane)

ELW 313

“Now, Lord, You Let Your Servant Go in Peace” may be sung as a post-communion canticle in the ELW settings of Holy Communion. The rubrics state that if it . . was not sung at the end communion, it may be sung here, or another sending song may be sung.

This morning’s sending hymn is a metrical setting of the canticle set to a Finnish folk tune.  The second stanza goes beyond the scope of the canticle. As we turn to follow the cross in its procession, we ask God to grant that we may follow God’s glorious light, not just as we leave the nave and go into the week, but into the life that comes after this one.

Each Sunday as we leave the nave we see these weavaings that remind us to declare God's deeds in the world. They were given to St. Mark's in 1984 by Paul W. Brandenburger in memory of his aunt, Florence Mina Brandenburger, his father,  Paul Walter Brandenburger, and in honor of his mother, Margret Eide Brandenburger. 

Closing Voluntary O dass ich tausend Zungen hätte  

Jeffrey Blersch

ELW 833

New voices are always welcome in the Festival Choir at St. Mark’s! If you like to sing and have a desire to serve God and the people of St. Mark’s through our music ministry, please contact Tony Cruz.

Sources:

https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Walcha-Helmut.htm