January 15, 2022

The prelude this second Sunday after Epiphany is a set of variations on Puer Nobis, the 15th century melody which is hymn 124 in our hymnal; they are by the contemporary American, Michael Burkhardt, who, along with being sought after as a clinician, teaches at Eastern Michigan University.

Our processional hymn is 543, as you may note, a 20th century tune (with a very traditional harmonization), but with a text based on The Third Song of Isaiah.

Our Gospel hymn, 706, is the familiar "In your mercy, Lord, you called me", slightly more recent words, but music from the 18th century by the well-known William Boyce.

Our well-loved and popular anthem, "Draw Us In the Spirit's Tether", is by the American, Harold Friedell (1905-1958), who at the culmination of his career was teaching at Union Theological Seminary's School of Sacred Music.

Communion hymns are the melodic "We the Lord's people", 51, all 20th century, and 312, "Strengthen for service, Lord". Do check out the origin of the text!

Our final and closing hymn is the most familiar, "Ye servants of God, your master proclaim", 535, an 18th-century melody and text (later harmonization).

The postlude is "Glory to God in the Highest" by Pergolesi (1710-1736), successful in his short years at composing both opera and Sacred Music. His death at 26 from tuberculosis makes one wonder how much he would have written had he had a normal life span!