January 22, 2023

The day's organ prelude is a Flor Peeters setting of "Stuttgart", a hymn tune used 3 times in our hymnal, the Epiphany text being hymn 127, "Earth has many a noble city". The Belgian, Flor Peeters (1903-1986), was one of the 20th century's most notable organists and composers. Otho Hoyte will be playing both the prelude and postlude, along with the processional and closing hymns. We are most fortunate to have Pam and Otho Hoyte among us.

While processing we will be singing hymn 119, "As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold", one of the most popular Epiphany hymns.

Likewise, the Gospel hymn, 117, "Brightest and best of the stars of the morning", is among Epiphany favorites.

Our anthem is the Maurice Durufle (French, 1902-1986) setting of "Ubi Caritas", the famous text, "Where there is charity and love, God is there.....", that has been set to music by many composers. Durufle, whose life was concurrent with that of Flor Peeters, was very different-- although unquestionably a genius and highly respected in Paris, he was very reclusive, agonized over each of his relatively few compositions, and was very conservative in his approach to composition.

Our communion hymns are both familiar, 661 being a 20th-century tune, and 550, a melody from "The Southern Harmony" of 1855.

Closing the service we will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (599), in honor of Martin Luther King.

The postlude is a William Harris setting of the tune "Dix", the hymn being our processional for the day. "Sir" William Henry Harris (1883-1973) was a prominent English organist, composer, and choral trainer.