February 16, 2025

The prelude, "Chorale in E", is by Gordon Young, 1919-1998, a prominent American organist and composer from the Midwest, who, among other studies, had been a scholarship student at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and a student of Alexander McCurdy.  A "chorale" is simply a hymn-like composition.  Though the title states "E" (E Major), the chorale, after a brief interlude, is also presented in E Flat before it returns to E Major.

Our processional hymn is the popular 19th century Welsh hymn, "Immortal, invisible, God only wise", 423.  The Gospel hymn will be printed in the bulletin insert for the text, "Gracious Spirit, give your servants joy to set sin's captives free", though the tune (Abbot's Leigh") is used 3 times in our hymnal (but never with this text).

Our anthem uses the Shaker tune, "Simple gifts", which is in our hymnal (554), but uses a text by Sydney Carter, one with 4 verses and an arrangement by John Ferguson.

During communion we will sing first an appropriate Easter hymn we are not used to singing but is very easy; this is 188, "Love's redeeming work is done".  Secondly, we will sing the famous 17th century hymn, "If thou but trust in God to guide thee", 635.

Closing, we will sing the ever popular "Jesus shall reign", 544, tune known as "Duke Street", that dates back to the 18th century.

The postlude is a relatively short setting of the well known Epiphany hymn, tune name "Wie Schon Leuchtet" (from the 16th century, 496 in our hymnal); it is by the American contemporary, Wayne L. Wold.  Eventually the tune comes through, and you will recognize it!