Music for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost / "God's work. Our Hands." Sunday: September 8, 2019

Opening Voluntary Two Settings of “Allein Gott in der Höh”

Early rendering of Decius' work.

Friedrich Wilhelm Zachau (1663-1712)

J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

I often choose opening voluntaries based on hymns that will be sung during that day’s service; however, today I have chosen two pieces based on today’s Canticle of Praise. The text of the canticle is a metrical setting of Glory to God in the Highest. The tune is borrowed from the hymn found at ELW 410 and is based on a tenth century plainsong (chant) version that was adapted by Nikolaus Decius.

Decius’ version was first sung on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1523.

Gathering Hymn Lift High the Cross (Crucifer)

Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) 660

Jesus carries his cross.
From a Mission near San Diego, California.

Hymn of the Day Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said (Bourbon)

ELW 667

“Bourbon” may seem like an odd name for a hymntune, but perhaps not when you consider this American tune is possibly named for Bourbon County, Kentucky.  Guess what they used to make a lot of there?

Musical Offering Take Now My Voice (sung by the Festival Choir)

Douglas Nolan

From this point in the service our music is more reflective of the “God’s work. Our hands.” theme.

Communion Hymns

They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love (St. Brendan’s)

Text and Music by Peter Scholtes

This is a favorite from my childhood. Every time I sing it, I am transported to the shores of Lake Lundgren Bible Camp in Pembine, Wisconsin. I can still hear the guitars and see the campfire.

Peter Scholtes wrote this in the 60s while he was a priest. Later in life he left the priesthood and became a became a business consultant. See his obituary at https://pscholtes.com/obituary.htm.

We Are Called (We Are Called)

ELW 720

Sending Hymn God’s Work, Our Hands (Earth and All Stars)

Wayne Wold’s entry was the winner for a hymn writing competition for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. Wold wrote an original tune, but also set it to the familiar tune “Earth and All Stars” – which is how we will sing it today.

Closing Voluntary Aeolian Fanfare

Charles Callahan

The Oxford Dictionary defines “aeolian” as “relating to or arising from the action of the wind.” It might be helpful to think of the Holy Spirit sending us out into the world, especially to do our work for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.

Read more about “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday here: https://elca.org/dayofservice?_ga=2.203439312.113437876.1567886902-1027348905.1558465990

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: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal Companion
Wikipedia credit for Decius photo: By Original Work: Johann Spangenberg - http://www.fischer-download.de, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32907629

By Original Work: Johann Spangenberg - http://www.fischer-download.de, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32907629