Fosdick hymn

Last Sunday we sang #557, "O God, in restless living." The author is Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969). He was known for some outstanding quotes: http://thinkexist.com/quotes/harry_emerson_fosdick/. He really hit the big time with his "God of grace and God of glory," #366, written with great social awareness in the Great Depression in 1931 (rich in things and poor in soul). Fosdick was the first pastor of Riverside church and pastor of maybe the world’s richest man at that time, John D. Rockefeller, Sr. #557 is not found in many hymnals. It is in our blue hymnal because it had become one of the classics of the Brethren. If the tune sounded familiar, it’s because it was used in the 1969 red hymnal and in many other hymnals with, "The sands of time are sinking." (photo, Riverside, Fosdick's church where 557 and 366 were first sung)

Feb. 13 hymns

We have "Brethren, we have met" in our hymnal because the Church of the Brethren share our blue hymnal. It was published first in 1825. The "trembling mourners" of stanza 2 refers to those people under conviction during revival meetings. They sat in a special section, waiting for the spirit to fall on them. We also sang "Will you let me be your servant." Richard Gillard was born in England and made his home in New Zealand. Describing his style as folk, he wrote this in 1976 as part of what then was known as scripture songs. If you look up Romans 12 and Colossians you can easily see why. One hymnal I consult has altered this first line to "won't you let me...."

Remember scripture songs? (See random image to illustrate the 1970s era above.) Well, they are alive and well, even though contemporary has taken center stage. People from Australia, too, pushed the idea of singing actual words from the Bible. Of course, Protestant hymns used to focus on the Psalms exclusively. The 1970 scripture song influence, which first sounded folk-ish and was supported only with an acoustic guitar, went on to be accepted well in the charismatic circles.

6 Feb. 2011 titles

The prelude's longest piece was from Bach's prelude and fugue in D major. The offertory was a piece I prepared based on "My faith has found a resting place," related to the receiving of members immediately before that. You can find that hymn in the green spiral, #43. Hymn watchers are noticing a bit of a comeback for this one by Eliza Edmunds, a Philadelphian from the cradle to the grave. Her years are 1851-1920. She is also known as the author of: More about Jesus would I know; When we all get to heaven; and Will there be any stars in my crown. The music comes from a Belgian opera composer, Andre Gretry (1741-1813)--we're talking powdered wigs and Haydn and Mozart and Thomas Jefferson. Never mind the composer, the words seem appropriate to affirming membership and faith.

Interwoven with that were musical quotes from a hymn Ray Denlinger called to my attention the other day: In heaven above, where all is love, where God the.... I was surprised to find that it was written in Swedish for the author's wife's funeral! I've heard it sung by men's quartets.

30 Jan 2011

Several persons noted with appreciation the main part of the prelude the 30th, but asked me what it was. It was "Praise the Lord, sing hallelujah," # 50 in the blue hymnal. I was caught by several of the phrases, all vigorous and some sounding especially well played in the pedals. #50 is based on Psa. 148.