Music for the First Sunday in Lent: March 1, 2020

Opening Voluntary Four Variations on The Glory of These Forty Days

(Erhalt uns, Herr) setting, Jacob B. Weber

Think of today’s prelude as a preview of the Gathering Hymn. Paul Westermeyer, one of the leading experts on Lutheran hymnody calls Erhalt uns, Herr one of our “sturdies and most durable” tunes – and he’s right! Bold registrations signal our readiness for the Lenten journey – the third variation is even marked “March-like.”

Gathering Hymn The Glory of These Forty Days (Erhalt uns, Herr)

Looking for a community to walk with you on the Lenten journey?
Look for a cross draped with a purple cloth. You are welcome
at St. Mark's!

Evangelical Lutheran Worship 320

We don’t often hear of people fasting during the Lenten season, but if you are looking for examples to model your fast on, there are several here – first Jesus himself, then Moses, Elijah, and Daniel.

We don’t know who authored the text of this hymn, but Christians have been singing since at least the 11^th century.

Hymn of the Day A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ein feste Burg)

ELW 505

If you’ve been waiting for the chance to sing this favorite hymn in the isometric pattern, then you don’t want to miss church this Sunday! We also sing the rhythmic version at St. Mark’s which is closer to the version that Martin Luther wrote. The move from the rhythmic version to the isometric one took a couple of centuries – and Lutheran chorales weren’t the only victims, it also happened to psalm tunes from the Calvinist tradition.

Many people like to call the version that we sing today the “traditional version,” but it’s a fact that it doesn’t show up in print until 200 years after the Reformation began.

This video shows the difference between the two. First hear the rhythmic version, melody only, played by a solo trumpet. Second, hear the four-part version played on the organ’s principal stops. Incidentally, the trumpet you hear is the one from the original 1984 Zimmer organ, a gift to St. Mark’s by Lydia Kreuger.

Musical Offering (sung by the Festival Choir) Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days

Linda Cable Schute

The composer borrowed an English folk tune (The Turtle Dove) and paired it with a text by Claudia Frances Hernaman (1838-1898), author of more than 150 hymns, many of which she wrote for children. “The Turtle Dove” gives her composition the feel of a traditional hymn. The second verse features tenors and basses singing the melody while the sopranos and altos provide a gentle counter melody. Like much of the music in today’s service, the concluding statement asks Jesus to “abide with us” as we journey through the season of Lent.

Communion Hymns

I Want Jesus to Walk with Me (Sojourner) ELW 325

Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song (Les Petites Soeurs) ELW 808

Sending Hymn Praise and Thanks and Adoration (Freu dich sehr)

ELW 783

Closing Voluntary A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ein feste Burg)

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)

The Windows at St. Mark’s

The top graphic and the video show some of the stained-glass windows from St. Mark’s. Our windows came from Nobis Studios in Oakland, Florida. They are made in the “faceted-glass” style which dates to the Middle Ages when chunks of glass were embedded in cement. The materials have changed, but the beauty of the original style has been retained.

Do you like to sing?
New voices are always welcome in the Festival Choir! Each Sunday we lead the hymns and sung portions of the liturgy in addition to preparing a special musical offering. For more information, contact Tony Cruz or any choir member.

Sources: Wikipedia
Hymnal Companion to Evangelical Lutheran Worship edited by Paul Westermeyer, published by Augsburg Fortress