First Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg VA June 3, 2013

This was Senior Sunday where the graduating high school seniors did most of the readings and the sermon.  Also it was Confirmation Sunday with a large class joining the church including one who was baptized.

Prelude:

Two verses on What e'er Our God Ordains is Good...........Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748)

If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee.....................................Harold R. Vetter  (1931-2010)

Postlude:

Chorale Prelude in Canon: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.......Johann Gottfried Walther

The titles make a mini-sermon if read in sequence. 

The first verse of the Walther piece for the prelude has the melody in the soprano, ornamented with contrasting segments on two manuals.  Rohrflote 8, Octave 4 on the Great vs. Gedeckt 8, Principal 2, Cymbel III on the Swell with box partially closed. 

The second verse of the Walther "What e'er" is a canon between the soprano and pedal.  The manuals were Spitzflote 4, Viola 4 (actually a mild principal).  The pedal was Cromorne 8, Gedeckt 8 Tremolo on the Positiv coupled to the pedal, played an octave higher.  

The Vetter is a 2 voice "alio modo" in 17th century style.   The left hand was Bassoon 16,  Viola 4, Principal 2 on the Swell.   The right hand was Gedeckt 8, Cromorne 8, Principal 4, Plein Jeu IV and tremolo on the Positiv.   The unornamented melody was in the right hand, with a bouncy, running and jumping counterpoint in the left hand. 

The Postlude was full organ including a manual 16' reed, and 32' Flues and Reeds in the pedal with everything coupled.