September 18, 2022

Sunday's prelude, "Ah, Jesus Christ with Us Abide", is one of 66 "choral improvisations" (Op. 65) by the early 20th century German composer, Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933), who had a profound knowledge of music theory and wrote in a more or less late romantic style.

Our processional hymn, 390, is a favorite, and both text and melody have been around since the 17th century as you may note.

The Gospel hymn is less familiar, though it is from the same period, except for the 3rd verse; it is 475, "God himself is with us". It is a very beautiful hymn and relates to the day's reading from Luke.

The anthem, "All from the Sun's Uprise", is a paraphrase of Psalm 100, and is by the English Philip Tomblings (1902-1986), well educated at the Royal College of Music, and composer of another anthem we often sing, "Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life". This text also exists in hymn 487.

Communion hymns are 538 (20th century setting of an old text), and 701, an entirely 17th century hymn, music by the well known Johann Cruger.

The closing hymn is 368, "Holy Father, Great Creator", the text set to the tune "Regent Square", which most people know as "Angels from the realms of glory", a Christmas hymn. The very prominent Lutheran composer, educator, and organist, Paul Manz (1919- 2009), wrote our postlude setting of "All Glory be to God Alone".