New Providence Presbyterian September 7 2014

Music for September 7 2014

Prelude: “Fantasia”  (Johann Pachelbel 1653-1706)

Introit: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” (Helen Howarth Lemmel 1863-1961)

Hymn 370: “Just As I Am, Without One Plea”

Prayer Response:  “Hear Our Prayer O Lord” (Psalm 143:1  George Whelpton 1847-1930)

Anthem: “My Lord, What a Morning” (Spiritual, arr. Jay Althouse b. 1951)

Hymn 366: “Jesus, Thy Boundless Love To Me”

Offertory: “Orgelstück”  (Justin Heirich Knecht 1752-1817)

Hymn 620 (Supplemental Hymnal):  “Love Lifted Me”

Closing Response: “May The Grace of Christ Our Savior” (text: John Newton 1725-1807, music: Sir John Stainer 1840-1901)

Postlude:  “Postludium In G”  (Sir John Stainer)

========music notes=========

Helen Lemmel, the daughter of a Britsh Methodist minister, emigrated to the US with her family when she was 12. After working as music critic for the Seattle newspaper and then, as a gifted singer, she studied in Germany at the urging of celebrated singer Ernestine Schumann-Heink.  Upon her return she gave vocal concerts around the country, and became a college voice teacher.  Among her works are a hymnal used by evangelist Billy Sunday (1832-1936).  

John Newton wrote the text of the closing response.  His first career was that of a ship’s captain of a slave ship.  During a great storm on May 10, 1748,  he experienced what he was to refer to later as his “great deliverance.”  After his conversion he retired from the sea and leader of the Calvanistic Methodist Church.  His other hymn texts include “Amazing Grace,”  “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” and “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds.” 

English composer Sir John Stainer was known for his cantata “The Crucifixion” which is sung around the world on Good Friday.  His work as choir trainer and organist set standards for Anglican church music that are still influential.  His “Complete Organ Method” was the teaching method of choice around the world from its publication in 1909 until the mid-20th century. 

New Providence Presbyterian August 31 2014

Music for August 31—Hymn Sing Sunday

Prelude:  “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”  (Donald Hustad 1918-2013)

Introit: “Surely The Presence of the Lord is in this Place (Lanny Wolfe b. 1942)

Hymn 220 “All People That On Earth Do Dwell”  (Psalm 100) 

Prayer Response:  Threefold Amen (Traditional Danish)

Anthem: “The Lord Is My Strength” (Caleb Simper 1856-1942)

      The Lord is my strength and my song and is become my salvation.

        Open me the gates of righteousness that I may go into them and give thanks unto the Lord.

        The same stone which the builders refused is become the headstone in the corner.

        This is the day which the Lord has made.  Let us be glad and rejoice in it!

Fifth Sunday Hymn Sing.  

Offertory:  “Pastorale”  (Caleb Simper)

Hymn 262:  “God of the Ages”

Response:  God Be With You ‘Till We Meet Again (R. Vaughan Williams 1872-1958)

Postlude:  “The Way of the Cross Leads Home”  (Paul Davis b. 1934)

=====Music Notes==========

Caleb Simper, the son of a shoemaker, was born in a village in the west of England, worked in a music shop owned by the Elgar family (Edward Elgar wrote “Pomp and Circumstance”) and spent his life as a choirmaster, organist, and composer.  He produced a prodigious amount of choral and organ music aimed at small parishes.  Over 5 million copies of his anthems had been sold worldwide by the 1920’s.  His anthems are popular in South Africa, Australia, and Singapore and are seeing a resurgence worldwide. 

Paul Davis is a pseudonym for Jama Smith, wife of composer Lani Smith.  Together they have composed or arranged well over 1000 choral and organ works for the Lorenz corporation.  They live in Arizona.   

New Providence Presbyterian August 24 2014

Music for August 24

Prelude:  “The Church’s One Foundation”  (arr. Donald Hustad 1918-2013)

Introit: “Surely The Presence of the Lord is in this Place (Lanny Wolfe b. 1942)

Hymn 423:  “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”

Prayer Response:  Threefold Amen (Traditional Danish)

Anthem:  Jesus Is All the World to Me (Will. L. Thompson 1847-1909)

Hymn of preparation 639 (supplemental Hymnal)  “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” 

Hymn 439:  “In Christ There Is No East or West”

Offertory:  In Thee, O Lord, Have I Put My Trust (Johann Christoph Bach 1642-1703)

Hymn 633 (Supplemental Hymnal )  “Wonderful Words of Life”

Response:  God Be With You ‘Till We Meet Again (R. Vaughan Williams 1872-1958)

Postlude:  “Assurance”  (John Ness Beck 1930-1987 arr. Janet Linker b.1938) 

New Providence Presbyterian August 17 2014

Music for August 17

Prelude:  “Salvation Unto Us Has Come”   (17th century Anonymous)

Introit: “Surely The Presence of the Lord is in this Place (Lanny Wolfe b. 1942)

Hymn 478 “Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven”

Prayer Response:  Threefold Amen (Traditional Danish)

Anthem:  “This Little Light of Mine” (arr. Bob Moody)

Hymn 391 “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated”

Offertory:  “My Jesus, I Love Thee”  (arr. Donald Hustad  1918-2013)

Hymn 280: Amazing Grace

Response:  God Be With You ‘Till We Meet Again (R. Vaughan Williams 1872-1958)

Postlude:  “Toccata al Post Communio”  (Domenico Zipoli 1688-1726)

====== Music Notes ==========

Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  It is fitting, therefore that we include music in our church service from many traditions and eras, yet that which makes sense to our ears.  Today we have a Lutheran Chorale Prelude from the 17th century, a contemporary American Praise Song, a 19th-century response from Denmark, a spiritual arranged just for our choir, the first hymn with text by an Irish-born poet, the second hymn text by a British lady of the 19th century to the tune by an 18th century Swiss composer, an offertory by the organist of the Billy Graham Crusades,  the third hymn of unknown origin but published in Virginia Harmony in 1831, a response by the greatest British 20th century composer, and a postlude by an Italian Jesuit missionary to Argentina.  In the words of the hymn “Jesus is all the world to me.”  

Serenity At Trinity August 6 2014

Serenity at Trinity
August 6, 2014
“Lutheran Chorales, J. S. Bach, and his associates”
Each hymn will be preceded by a chorale prelude from a 17th century German composer.

ORGAN PRELUDE: Prelude and Fugue in G Major BWV 557!......................J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, The King of Creation
Lobe den Herren.... Prelude by Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748) Bach’s Cousin
HYMN #39 Verses 1 & 4 (Please stand and be seated after the hymn) *see hymn notes below

PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE -- Pastor Tim Bohlmann

CHRISTMAS: Now Sing We, Now Rejoice
In Dulci Jubilo..... Prelude by Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694) Father of J.S.’s first wife. Hymn #92 Verses 1&4 (Please remain seated)

PALM SUNDAY: All Glory, Laud and Honor
Valet will ich dir geben.... Prelude:Georg Friedrich Kaufmann.(1679-1735) Lost job competition to Bach Hymn# 160 Verses 1&2 (Please remain seated)

GOOD FRIDAY: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Herzlich tut mich.... Prelude by Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) Bach walked 250 miles to hear him. Hymn #172 Verses 1 & 4 RHYTHMIC METER (Please remain seated)

EASTER SUNDAY: Like the Golden Sun Ascending
Werde Munter... Prelude by J. G. Walther
Hymn #207 Verses 1 & 2 (Please stand and be seated after the hymn.)

PENTECOST: Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord!
Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott... Prelude by Friedrich Wilhelm Zachau (1663-1712)
Zachau was Handel’s first teacher, and preceded J. S. Bach at Halle Hymn #224 Verses 1 & 3 RHYTHMIC METER (Please remain seated)

EVENING PRAYER -- Pastor Tim Bohlmann

REFORMATION SUNDAY: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Ein’ feste Burg... Prelude by Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Friend of J. S. Bach’s father and tutor to all the Bach Children including Johann
Hymn #262 all verses with Amen. RHYTHMIC METER (Please stand and be seated after Amen.)

CLOSING VOLUNTARY: Fugue in C Major!............................................................Johann Pachelbel 

BENEDICTION --- Pastor Tim Bohlmann
Organist: Bob Moody b. 1941 Registrant: Austin Wood b. 1998

*HYMN DIFFERENCES FROM CURRENT HYMNALS:
Hymn marking | indicates a pause for a breath. There is a slight breath pause at bar lines in Rhythmic Hymns. Rhythmic meter gives 1 beat to a quarter note, 2 to a half note and there is syncopation. Hymn 39: Melody is different on last 3 bars of 1st and 2nd lines. Hymn #92: Rhythm is different. Hymn #172 is in Rhythmic Meter. Hymn 224 is in Rhythmic Meter. Hymn 262 is in Rhythmic Meter.

The Trinity Moller is the oldest playable pipe organ in Staunton/Waynesboro/Augusta/Charlottesville/Albemarle in its original location and unaltered tonally or mechanically. Originally hand pumped, an electrically powered blower to provide wind for the pipes was added when Rural Electification came to the area. Nothing else in the church is powered by electricity. http://database.organsociety.org/SingleOrganDetails.php?OrganID=27184
The organ has direct mechanical action linkage (tracker action) connecting manual keys to the pallet valves in the windchest that let air into the pipes. Sliders run at a 90 degree angle, allowing the set of pipes to be selected for playing. The pedal keys play their notes by opening a valve to allow air into copper tubes that run to the pedal chest and operates a valve there that admits air into a pipe. The Tubular system allowed the pedal pipes to be placed in various locations in the chamber as space permitted.
The organ has seven sets of pipes. Each set is called a “stop” because the slider stops the air, or allows it to pass, depending on how the “stop knob” is set:
Great organ (lower keyboard)
Open Diapason 8’ -- 61 open metal pipes that sing “oh” in the bass and “ah” in the treble; loud
The gold pipes in front are the bass pipes of this stop. The remaining pipes are are behind this. Melodia 8’ -- 61 open wood and metal pipes that sing “who” Medium volume Dulciana8’--49openmetalpipesofnarrowscalethatwhisper“eh” Veryquiet
Swell organ (upper keyboard; pipes are in an enclosure with movable shutters for volume control.) Stopped Diapason 8’ -- 61 stopped wood pipes that sing “ooo” medium volume
Vioiln Diapason (sic) 8’ 49 open metal pipes that sing “eee” medium volume
Flauto Traverso 4’ -- 81 open wood and metal pipes that sing “tae” medium volume
Pedal organ (played by the feet)
Bourdon16’--30stopperedwoodenpipesoflargescale. TheysingMMMMMmuchlikethestringbassofthe orchestra. Medium loud.
A “tremulant” applies a violin-like vibrato to the pipes by varying the wind supply.
Couplers that allow one set of keys to play a second or third set with one key.
Swell to Great 8‘ The Great manual also makes the corresponding Swell key go down.
Swell to Great 4‘ The Great manual keys make the corresponding swell keys an octave higher go down.
Swell to Pedal 8’ The pedal also makes the corresponding Swell key play.
Great to Pedal 8‘ The pedal also makes the corresponding Great key play.
When the Swell to Great 4’ and the Great to pedal 8’ are on, the swell also plays in the pedal an octave higher than the sound of the Swell to Great 8. Using multiple couplers makes the touch heavier.

New Providence Presbyterian August 3 2014

Music for August 3 2014

Prelude:  Prelude and Fugue in G Major BWV 557 (J. S. Bach 1685-1750)

Introit:  Surely the Presence of the Lord Is In This Place (Lanny Wolfe b. 1942)

Hymn 139:  “Come, Thou Almighty King

Prayer Response:  Threefold Amen (traditional Danish)

Anthem:  “Victory In Jesus”  (Eugene M. Bartlett 1885-1941)

Hymn (Insert) Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown

Offertory:  “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”  (Dietrich Buxtehude 1685-1750)

Hymn 655 (Supplemental Hymnal) “O God Our Help In Ages Past”

Closing Response: God be With You Till We Meet Again (Ralph Vaughan Williams 1872-1958)

Postlude:  Now Thank We All Our God  (Georg Friedrich Kauffmann 1679-1735)

=======Music Notes===========

Eugene Butler is known as “The Father of Southern Gospel Music.”  Lanny Wolfe also writes in the Southern Gospel style.  The text of “Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown” was written by Charles Wesley in 1742, based on today’s sermon text from Genesis.  When I was adding these words to the familiar “St. Catherine” tune (Faith of Our Fathers) there was an unavoidable line break in the 4th stanza in the word unutterable, so that “un-ut-ter” appears at the end of the first line and “able” appears at the beginning of the second line.  You may want to read through the words of the hymn during the Prelude, and then notice how clearly they parallel the second reading of scripture.  

New Providence Presbyterian July 27 2014

Prelude:  "Voluntary, Op 14 #3"  (Sir Edward Elgar 1857-1934)

Introit: Psalm 84  (arr. Bob Moody)

Hymn 361 "How Firm a Foundation

Prayer Response:  Trinity Alleluia

Anthem:  In Him Is Life --John 1  (Clifford McCormick)

Hymn 333:  Seek Ye First

Offertory:  Simple Gifts (Russell Schulz-Widmar b.1944)

Hymn 327:  O Word of God Incarnate

Response: Go with Us Lord (Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)

Postlude:  Voluntary in D Major  (Samuel Jackson 1818-1885)

New Providence Presbyterian July 20 2014

Music For July 20

Prelude:  Assurance (John Ness Beck 1930-1987, arr. Janet Linker b. 1938)

Introit: Psalm 84  (arr. Bob Moody)

Hymn (Insert) We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder. (arr. Bob Moody)

Prayer Response: Trinity Alleluia

Anthem: Down to the River to Pray—Appalachian Folk Hymn based on a Native American tune, arr. Sheldon curry. 

Offertory:  Voluntary In G  (Samuel Jackson 1784-1869)

Hymn 551:  Come, Ye Thankful People Come

Hymn 341: Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.

Benediction Response:  Go With Us Lord (Thomas Tallis, 1505-1585)

Postlude:  Variations on Two Hymn Tunes (Noel Rawsthorne b. 1929)

New Providence Presbyterian July 13 2014

Music for July 13

Prelude  “On the Lake of Galilee”  (Isaac Barton MD 1857-1938)

Choral Introit “Psalm 84”  (arr. Bob Moody)

Hymn 482 “Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty”

Prayer Response:  “Trinity Alleluia”

Anthem:  “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks”  (Donald Fishel  b. 1950)

Hymn: 414:  As Those of Old Their Firstfruits Brought

Offertory: Pastorale on “Forest Green”  (Richard Purvis 1913-1994)

Hymn 644 (Supplemental Hymnal)  Bringing In The Sheaves

Choral Response “Go With Us, Lord”  (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)

Postlude:  Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Donald Hustad 1918-2013)

========Music Notes==========

The tune for Hymn 414 is called Forest Green.  It was adapted from an English folksong by Ralph Vaughn Williams (1872-1958).   Vaughan Williams was the most famous and prolific British composer of the twentieth century.  

Richard Purvis began playing the organ at age 14 in churches and in the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.  After study at the Curtis Institute of music and study in England and France, he enlisted in the US Army in World War II as a bandmaster.  He composed the Pastorale on Forest Green in a foxhole under enemy fire.  After his release from enemy captivity his band was given the honor of being the first band to march through Paris after its liberation. After the war he returned to his home town and was Organist and Master of Choristers at Grace Cathedral and at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor from 1947 through 1971.  He continued to compose, teach, and give recitals well into his 70’s. 

New Providence Presbyterian July 6 2014

Prelude:  The Penitent’s Prayer (Leslie F. Watson)

Offertory:   God Bless America  (Irving Berlin)

Postlude:  The Open Diapason March   (Louis Meyer) 

Hymns:

263   Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

403:  What A Friend We Have In Jesus 

645 (Supplemental Hymnal)   Jesus Saves

New Providence Presbyterian June 22, 2014

Music for June 22.

(Chiming of the Hour--handbell)

(Welcome and Announcements)

Prelude by The Stonewall Flutes of the Shenandoah: 

Beautiful Savior (arr. Bob Moody, b.1941)

El Shaddai (Michael Card and John Thompson)

(Silent Prayer)

Choral Introit “Psalm 84”  (arr. Bob Moody, b. 1941)

(Call to Worship)

Hymn 371:  Lift High the Cross

(Concerns, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer)

Choral Response “Trinity Alleluia” (traditional)

(First Scripture)

Anthem:  “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” (Haldor Lillenas 1865-1959)

(Second Scripture)

(Sermon with prayer following)

Hymn “ Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said (Charles William Everest, 1833)

To the tune of “The Doxology”

1 Take up your cross, the Sav-ior said,

If you would My dis-ci-ple be:

Take up your cross with will-ing heart, 

And hum-bly fol-low after me. 

2. Take up your cross, let not its weight

Fill your weak spir-it with a-larm;

Christ’s strength shall bear your spir-it up

And brace your heart and nerve your arm.

3. Take up your cross, heed not the shame,

And let your fool-ish heart be still;

The Lord for you ac-cept-ed death

Upon a cross, on Cal-vary’s hill.

4. Take up your cross, then,

In Christ’s strength, 

And calm-ly ev-ery dan-ger brave;

It guides you to a-bun-dant life

And leads to vic-tory o’er the grave. 

Offertory by The Stonewall Flutes of the Shenandoah:

    Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring  (J. S. Bach 1865-1750)

(Doixology and prayer)

Hymn 361:  How Firm a Foundation

(Please be seated for the concluding voluntary)

Concluding Voluntary by the Stonewall Flutes of the Shenandoah

Bourée  (J. S. Bach, arr. Amy Rice Young b.1952)

(Benediction)

Choral Response “Go With Us, Lord”  (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)

Closing Voluntary:  Toccata in F Major BusWV157 (Dietrich Buxtehude 1637-1707)  

Music Notes

The Stonewall Flutes of the Shenandoah is a full-range flute choir including bass flute, alto flute, soprano flute, and piccolo.  Most are members of The Stonewall Brigade Band of Staunton.  The flute choir practices at 6:30 every Monday, before the 8pm band rehearsal or concert.  Members come from Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, Albemarle County, Nelson County, and Charlottesville.  Playing today are Amelia Ammons, Pami Brown-Gaines, Maggie Clower, Don Davis, Jean LaMastra, Pam Mason, Sara Reynolds, Sara Robertson, Sarah Snead, Suzi Wisler, Austin Wood, and Christine Wood.  Conducting today is Spencer Moore. 

Music for June 15-- Trinity Sunday--New Providence Presbyterian.

Music for June 15 — Trinity Sunday

Prelude:  Two variations on “Old Hundredth”  (Dudley Buck 1830-1909)

Choral Introit “Psalm 84”  (arr. Bob Moody, b. 1941)

Hymn 138: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 

Choral Response “Trinity Alleluia” (traditional)

Anthem: “I Sing As I Arise Today”  (Text: attr. St. Patrick 460-535; Music arr. Joseph Clokey 1890-1960)

Hymn 220: Psalm 100 “All People That On Earth Do Dwell”

Offertory:  “All Glory Be to God On HIgh” (Georg Philipp Telemann 1681-1757)

Hymn 429: “Lord, You Give the Great Commission”  

Choral Response “Go With Us, Lord”  (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)

Postlude: “Psalm 19—The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” (Benedetto Marcello 1686-1739)

===========================

Music Notes:

Dudley  Buck was America’s most prolific 19th Century composer.  Born in Hartford Ct, he was educated in Germany, and taught in his own organ studio in Chicago until it was destroyed in the Great Fire.  He returned to New England as composer, concert organist, and conductor, and also conducted and was organist in New York City.

The introduction to “Holy Holy Holy” is by Dr. Joyce Jones, who recently retired as head of the organ department at Baylor University. Her most recent CD was recorded on the organ in the Cadet Chapel at West Point. 

The text of the anthem is known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate.  The musical setting includes two traditional Irish melodies—St. Patrick and Deidre.  It speaks not only to the Trinity but also to God’s Omnipresence. 

Benedetto Giacomo Marcello was an Italian composer, writer, advocate, magistrate and teacher.  Psalm 19 was originally for chorus and orchestra.  This organ score was arranged by Thomas Gieschen (1936-2006.)  

New Providence Presbyterian, June 8 2014

Music for June 8, Pentecost, Communion

Prelude “Come Holy Spirit” (Friedrich Wilhelm Zachau (1663-1712)

Choral Introit “Psalm 84”  (arr. Bob Moody, b. 1941)

Hymn 126 “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove”

Choral Response “Trinity Alleluia” (traditional)

Anthem:  “The Sanctus”  (Martin Luther, 1526 from his “German Mass.” arr. Philip Dietterich b.1931)

Hymn of Preparation 322: “Spirit of the Living God” 

Music during distribution: "Communion" (Leon Boellmann

Hymn 127: “Come, O Spirit”

Offertory: “Pièce pour Orgue”  (César Franck 1822-1890)

Hymn 128: “On Pentecost They Gathered”  

Choral Response “Go With Us, Lord”  (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)

Postlude “Let Us All with Gladsome Voice Praise the Lord of Heaven”  (Healey Willan 1880-1968)

Wedding music on a 1802 English Chamber organ

On June 7 I had the pleasure of playing for a lovely wedding in the chapel at the Trump Winery out neat Ash Lawn-Highland outside Charlottesville VA.

The instrument is a one manual tracker chamber organ with the following stops:
Open Diapason 8'  (common basses with Stopped Diapason below Tenor C)
Stopped Diapason 8'
Principal 4'
Twelfth 2 2/3'  (from Tenor G)
Fifteenth 2'

The OHS database listing is here:
http://database.organsociety.org/SingleOrganDetails.php?OrganID=2679

The processional for the wedding party was Purcell's Fanfare in C, in E. Power Biggs' setting.  Stop changes provided variety.

For the bride it was "Trumpet Voluntary" (Prince of Denmark's March) by Jeremiah Clarke, from the Wedding Music volume of The Parish Organist.

The gathering music included one of the Elgar Vesper Voluntaries, and other Voluntaries by Jackson, Sechter, and Bossi.  A harmonium piece by Franck rounded out the lot.

The recessional was Marcello's Psalm 19, again from The Parish Organist.  Postlude was "Now Thank We All Our God" by Kauffmann from the Peters Edition "80 Chorale Preludes."

New Providence Presbyterian May 11, 2014

Sermon text:    Ruth 2 — Hope in Providence. 

Prelude:  “Hear O Israel, The Lord thy God is one God” (Jaomìr Weinberger (1896-1967)

Introit: “God His Own Doth Tend and Nourish”  (Traditional Swedish Melody)

Hymn 664 (Supplemental Hymnal) : “Great Is The Lord”

Sing all the way through twice, then go back to (D.S.) on the 3rd line

Prayer Response: “Hear Our Prayer O Lord”  (Whelpton)

Anthem: “Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord” (Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee.  

He never will suffer the righteous to fall: He is at thy right hand.

His mercy ever sure, is greater than the heavens.

None e’er shall be ashamed that wait upon Him.

Look to Jesus in every need, and His love shall save thee.

What though the world be cruel and hard, His calm pervades thee.

With patient, gentle voice He whispers to our hearts,

“O weary toil-worn pilgrim, come unto Me and rest. 

Hymn 655 (Supplemental Hymnal)  : “O God Our Help In Ages Past”

Offertory:  “I Call To Thee, Lord Jesus Christ” BWV 639 (J. S. Bach 1685-1750)

Hymn 171:  Psalm 23: “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”

Choral Benediction:  “Go With Us Lord”  (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585) 

Postlude: “Now Thank We All Our God”  (Georg Friedrich Kauffman 1679-1735)

=========================

Music notes

Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord is from the oratorio “Elijah” and is sung by a quartet representing angels. 

The text is loosely based upon Psalm 55:22 and Psalm 16:8.  Jakob Ludwig Mendelssohn Barthlody was born into a prominent Jewish family and later baptized as a Reformed Christian.  A child prodigy, he had early success in Germany where he revived interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and was particularly well-received in England as a composer, conductor, and soloist.  Many of his major works were composed during his ten visits there.  

Kauffman left a legacy of ninety-eight preludes on sixty-three chorales in his Harmonische Seelenlust.  In mid-life he was one of nine prominent musicians competing for the position of Kappellmeister of Leipzig.  He was the prime contender for the job until April 1723, when the town council hired J. S. Bach for the position. 

Bach's chorale Prelude is on a prayer hymn asking for relief from despair, assurance that one would not be put to scorn, protection from misfortune, avoidance of temptation, and assurance of eternal life. 

Hear O Israel is the most theatrical of Weinberger's "Bible Poems" from 1939.  It features the melody from an old Jewish chant set in descending diminished seventh chords and a final chord that literally growls from the depths of the organ.  

New Providence Presbyterian May 4, 2014

Sermon Text: Ruth 1.
Sermon Topic:  Hope in Suffering.  (from Naomi's viewpoint.) 

Prelude:  Prelude #1  (Ernest Bloch 1880-1959)

Introit: “God His Own Doth Tend and Nourish”  (Traditional Swedish Melody)

Hymn 260: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Prayer Response: “Hear Our Prayer O Lord”  (Whelpton)

Anthem:  “Entreat Me Not To Leave Thee”  (Charles Gounod 1818-1893)

Bob Moody, baritone & organist

Hymn 361: “How Firm A Foundation”

Offertory:  Miniature in Lydian Mode, op 55 #8 (Flor Peeters 1903-1986)

Hymn 638 (Supplemental Hymnal) “Take The Name of Jesus With You” 

Choral Benediction:  “Go With Us Lord”  (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585) 

Postlude:  “Fughetta on A Mighty Fortress”  (Johann Pachelbel 1653-1706)

=====Music Notes===

Ernest Bloch was a Swiss-born American composer of Orchestral, choral, chamber, and instrumental works.  The first of “Six Preludes for Organ” was composed in 1949 and appears on the album “Organ Music from Israel.” 

Flor Peeters, a Belgian composer, organist, and teacher composed his Miniatures in 1955.  The Lydian Mode has the 4th note of the scale a half step higher than expected.   

Johann Pachelbel was a German Baroque composer, organist, and teacher who brought the South German organ tradition to its peak.  He uses the first phrase of the hymn as his fugue subject. 

Charles Gounod of Paris was a major classical composer of the 19th Century.  His output included 13 operas, and a large body of instrumental, orchestral, sacred and ballet works. 

Registrations: 

Bloch Prelude:  Swell:  Stopped Diapason 8.  Gt. Melodia 8.  Pedal: Bourdon 16

Peeters Miniature:  Melody on Swell:  Stopped Diapason 8, Harmonic Flute 4

Counterpoint on Great:  Melodia 8.   Pedal Point in Pedal:  Bourdon 16

Pachelbel Fughetta:  Swell:  Stopped Diapason 8, Harmonic Flute 4  

Great:  Open Diapason 8, Swell to Great 4.  Pedal:  Bourdon 16, Great to Pedal.

This gives 8.4.2 in the Great and 16.8.4.2 in the pedal. 

New Providence Presbyterian, April 27

Prelude:  Prelude and Fugue in G Major BWV 557 (J. S. Bach 1685-1750)

Introit: "Alleluia, Alleluia, Sing Praise to the Living God" (Donald Fishel b. 1950)

Hymn 108:  “Christ Is Alive!” 

Prayer Response: "Threefold Amen" (anon.)

Anthem:  Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation  (Dale Wood 1934-2003)

Hymn 446: “Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken”

Offertory:  “All Glory Be to God on High”  (Geog Phillip Telemann 1681-1767)

Hymn 165—Psalm 16 “When In The Night I Meditate”

Choral Benediction:  "Alleluia, Alleluia, Sing Praise to the Living God" (Donald Fishel)

Postlude:  Toccata in F Major (Deitrich Buxtehude  1637-1707)

Easter at New Providence Presbyterian

Pre-Service Music (10:50 am) by The Blue Ridge Brass:

 "My Spirit Be Joyful" from Cantata #146  (J. S. Bach 1685-1750)

  Psalm 19 "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God"  (Benedetto Marcello 1686-1739)

Chiming of the Hour-handbell

Bell Choir Prelude: "Enter With Joy" (Kathleen Wissinger b. 1956)

Introit: "Alleluia, Alleluia, Sing Praise to the Living God" (Donald Fishel b. 1950)

Hymn 123: "Jesus Christ is Risen Today"  (Lyra Davidica 1708)

Prayer Response: "Threefold Amen" (anon.)

Anthem: "Alleluia Praise the Risen King" (Lloyd Larson b.1954)

Hymn 122: "Thine Is The Glory" (Georg Frederick Handel 1685-1759)

Offertory: "The Heavens Are Telling" (Ludwig van Beethoven 1712-1773) 

Hymn 118: "The Day of Resurrection" (Henry Thomas Smart 1813-1879)

Choral Benediction:  "Alleluia, Alleluia, Sing Praise to the Living God" (Donald Fishel)

Postlude: Chorale and Prelude on "Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing" (Chorale–Melchior Vulpius 1560-1615, Prelude–Healey Willan 1880-1968)  (Feel free to stay and enjoy the postlude.) 

=======================

Music Notes:

We welcome the Blue Ridge Brass to our service today.  The group formed from brass players in the Rockbridge Symphony and includes Lisa Forman–first trumpet,  Warren Ramp–second trumpet,  Fred Rickett–French Horn, David Krantz–trombone/euphonium, Roger Ergenbright–tuba.

Thanks to Betsy Reid for directing the bell choir.  

Composer Kathleen Wissinger lives in McGaheysville VA, east of Harrisonburg.  The pre-service selections by the brass were arranged by Douglas Smith (b.1963) who retired in 2010 as professor of Music at the Louisville Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  The offertory was arranged for brass and organ by S. Drummond Wolff (1916-2004), English born and educated, teacher, organist in churches in England, Canada, Bermuda, and the US.   Bob Moody wrote the brass arrangements for the hymns, service music and postlude. 

April 13, 2014, New Providence Presbyterian Church

Chiming of the Hour.

Procession of the Palms--Bell Choir: "Procession" from "All Glory, Laud, and Honor"  (arr. Margaret R. Tucker b. 1936)

Announcements

Prelude--Bell Choir: "Prelude" from "All Glory, Laud, and Honor" (arr. Margaret R. Tucker)

Silent Prayer

Introit: Hosanna!  (Christian Gregor 1723-1801)

Hymn 88: "All Glory, Laud, and Honor"

Prayer Response:  "Kyrie"  (John Merbecke 1510-1585)

Anthem: "Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended?" (Music by Johann Crüger 1598-1662, text by Johann Heermann 1585-1647, translated by Robert Bridges 1899, altered in Psalter Hymnal 1987.)

Hymn #98: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"

Offertory: Ostinato on "Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended?"  (Helmut Walcha 1907-1991)

Hymn 101: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"

Benediction Response:  Go With Us, Lord (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)

Postlude: Slow March (William Boyce 1711-1779)

Music Notes:

Margaret R. Tucker is a native of South Dakota where she attended Yankton College. She received the Bachelor of Music degree in organ from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. In addition, she holds masters degrees in cultural anthropology and choral conducting from the University of Houston. She has served as church organist and/or choir director in Chicago, Illinois; Owatonna, Minnesota; and Houston, Texas; taught music in United Church of Christ mission schools in Turkey; and was one of the first Commissioned Ministers of Music in the UCC.Margaret has more than forty handbell and children's choir pieces in print from fifteen publishing houses.

Christian Gregor was a prolific 18th century Moravian composer and hymnist.  He lived most of his adult life in around Herrnhut, Saxony. He was a liturgist and pastor and one of the first to compose music for the worship service in the Reformed denomination called Moravian. The Moravian church calls him the "Father of Moravian Music."  He left a legacy of over 700 manuscripts of hymns and anthems. 

Helmut Walcha was blinded at age 19 after vaccination for smallpox.  Despite his disability he entered the Leipzig Conservatory and became assistant organist at the Thomaskirche. He taught at the Hoch Consevatory, recorded the complete organ works of Bach twice, first in 1947-52 and again in stereo in 1956-71.  Walcha composed four volumes of chorale preludes for organ as well as arrangements for organ of orchestral works written by others. He taught many significant American organists as Fulbright Scholars, all of whom became major teachers and performers after their studies abroad.

William Boyce is widely regarded as one of the most important English-born composers of the 18th century.  Born in London, he was a choirboy at St. Paul's Cathedral.  His first professional appointment was in 1734 as organist at the Oxford Chapel, and was later appointed Master of the King's Musick and organist in the Chapel Royal. When his deafness became so bad that he was unable to continue in his organist posts he turned to editing the works of Maurice Greene, William Bird, and Henry Purcell.  Boyce is best known as a composer for his eight symphonies, his anthems, and his odes, as well as music for the theater.  Slow March was a movement from a suite for strings arranged for organ for his funeral. 

April 6 2014

April 6 is my first service as the official Director of Music and Organist at New Providence Presbyterian, Raphine VA.  I have been interim since October. 

My duties include selecting all service music, directing the Sanctuary Choir, directing the Bell Choir, playing the 1911 Estey Pipe organ and 1890's Steiff grand piano for services, maintaining the music library, and coordinating the music program of the church.  We currently use the "Blue" Presbyterian Hymnal from 1990, along with a supplemental hymnal published by the church in 2008.  

Prelude: "The Penitent's Prayer"  (Leslie F. Watson 1859-1933)

Introit "I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art" (Text attr. John Calvin.  Music: Genevan Psalter) 

Hymn 234: Psalm 121 "I to the Hills Will Lift My Eyes"

Prayer Response:  "Kyrie"  (John Merbecke 1510-1585)

Anthem:  "Dry Bones"  (Spiritual arr. Donald Moore)

Hymn of Preparation #316 "Breathe On Me Breath of God"

Organ music during distribution: 

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross… (Garrett Parker)

Selections from Miniatures for Organ (Flor Peeters)

Selections from Book 8 of 17 Voluntaries (Caleb Simper)

Hymn #505 "Be Known to Us in Breaking Bread

Offertory:  The Last Supper (Jaromír Weinberger 1896-1967)

Hymn 655 (Supplemental Hymnal):  "O God Our Help In Ages Past"

Benediction Response:  Go With Us, Lord (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)

Postlude: Prelude and Fugue in G Minor BWV558  (attr. J. S. Bach 1695-1750)

Music Notes:

Leslie F. Watson was born in Illinois and lived in Richmond Virginia from 1884. He was the first dean of the Richmond Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and was organist at St. John’s German Lutheran Church and Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Twenty-two of his organ works were published by Lorenz. He and his wife Laura, who was the first female member of the AGO chapter, were the first and only couple in the Richmond Chapter to pass the AAGO guild examination. He also wrote compositions for and conducted the Richmond Philharmonic.

Jaromír Weinberger  was born in Prague and emigrated to the United States in 1921. He started piano study at age five and was composing and conducting by age 10. For a while he taught composition at the Ithica Conservatory in New York State. He returned to Czechoslovakia in 1926 where he was appointed director of the National Theater. He fled the Nazis and came to the United States in 1939 and became a citizen in 1948. He is best known for his opera “Schwanda the Bagpiper.” His dramatic "Bible Poems" were written in 1939 and reflect the gathering war clouds over Europe. The Last Supper, foreshadowing the events of Good Friday, is one of the movements of this suite for organ. 

New Providence Presbyterian March 30 2014

This is what was planned.  See below. 

Music for March 30-- Lent 4 and Commissioning

Bell Choir Prelude: "Pie Jesu" from "Requiem"  (John Rutter  b.1945)

Introit:  "Blest Be The Tie That Binds"

Hymn #175:  Psalm 23- The Lord's My Shepherd

Prayer Response:  "Kyrie"  (John Merbecke 1510-1585)

Anthem:  "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"  (William Kirkpatrick 1838-1931)

Hymn Sing (on a 5th Sunday there is a hymn sing with requests from the congregation. ) 

Offertory:  "Prelude in C Major"  (William Selby 1738-1798)

Hymn 280: "Amazing Grace" 

Benediction Response:  Go With Us, Lord (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)

Postlude:  Rigaudon (Andre Campra 1660-1744)

We had an unexpected snow storm starting at about 7 am.  I left home at 8 to do the 30 minute drive to church so I could do my usual preparation for the 9 am choir practice.  There was a light snow when I left home but it wasn't sticking on the road. The farther I drove the more snow there was.  Halfway to church there was about a 2 inch accumulation on the road, and by the time I reached the church the snow was 5 inches.  So I went from 55 miles per hour on the 2-lane primary road, to 45 to 35 to 25.  Arrived safely.   We had 4 choir members attend and when church time came there were 6 in the congregation. In choir practice we worked on voice parts for anthems up through Easter and adapted the music planned for today's service.  The bell choir canceled because some members could not get there in the snow and you have to have all the bells covered.  I played a prelude that happened to be in my organ bag--Es ist das Heil uns kommen her….Komponist unbekannt  (17th century)  which came from the Peters Edition 80 Chorale Preludes.  We had no sopranos in the choir, so on the introit and benediction responses I sang melody from the organ bench  and the others sang parts, so we had in essence a male quartet with the altos taking the first tenor part and the baritone (me) on the melody.  I sang the anthem as a solo from the organ bench. 

The six members of the congregation enthusiastically suggested hymns for the hymn sing and everyone sang with strength and resolve.   It was a true worship experience for all.   By the time church ended the highway department had plowed the roads and it was an easy drive home.  By the time I reached the halfway point there was little evidence that there had been a storm.  Both sons and daughters in law along with all four granddaughters  came for a delicious Sunday Dinner, which Joy had prepared, and we had a great time together. 

New Providence Presbyterian Church, Raphine VA March 23

Music for March 23 -- Lent 3 and Baptism

Prelude:  "Prelude"  (Jean Langlais 1907-1991)

Introit:  "Blest Be The Tie That Binds"

Hymn: Psalm 95 (Insert) sung to "St. Anne." 

Response to Assurance of Pardon: "Gloria Patri" 

Hymn of Preparation for Baptism #492:  "Baptized in Water"

Prayer Response:  "Kyrie"  (John Merbecke 1510-1585)

Anthem:  "Lord, For Thy Tender Mercies Sake" (Richard Farrant 1525-1580)

Hymn 644 (Supplemental Hymnal):  "Bringing in the Sheaves"

Offertory:  "Simple Gifts"  (Russell Schulz-Widmar  b.1944) 

Doxology

Hymn 645 (Supplemental Hymnal)  "Jesus Saves!"

Benediction Response:  Dresden Amen  (Johann Naumann 1741-1801)

Postlude:  Give Thanks Unto God  (Emma Louise Ashford 1850-1930)

Music notes:

It is not often that we have the opportunity to participate in a worship service where both the Gospel Text and the Sacrament of Baptism fit in perfectly with the grand old Gospel Hymn "Bringing in The Sheaves."  When a child is brought into the Family of God in Baptism we are sowing seeds to be reaped in a Godly life.  The hymn refers to John 4:35-36 and Revelation 14:15.   

Today's Prelude, starkly minimalist-modern in style,  was composed by Jean Langlais, blind from birth, and organiste titulaire at the Basicila of St. Clotilde in Paris from 1945-88. Today's sermon title "Salvation" led me to think of the first verse of "Amazing Grace" which let me to think of the blind composer Langlais and the piece which moves from dissonance to consonance bit by bit.  Today's Offertory "Simple Gifts" is based on the Shaker hymn "Tis the Gift to Be Simple" and speaks to our offerings and also to baptism.  The composer was Professor of Liturgical Music at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin TX.   Emma Louise Ashford's music was published under the name E. L. Ashford, as it was thought in her day that people would not buy music composed by a woman. She composed over 600 pieces, including organ voluntaries, sacred cantatas, hymns, song cycles, anthems, and music for piano and organ instruction, as well as writing the Vanderbilt University "Ode" for Vanderbilt'sd 25th Anniversary. 

Registrations:

Langlais:  Swell: Salicional 8.  Great:  Melodia 8.  Pedal: Bourdon 16.

Schulz-Widmar:  Swell: Stopped Diapason 8.  Great: Melodia 8.  Pedal Bourdon 16

Ashford:  Swell: Harmonic Flute 4   Great: Dulciana 8, Open Diapason 8.  Pedal: Bourdon 16.  Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal, Swell to Great 8, Swell to Great 4

New Providence Presbyterian Church, Raphine VA March 16, 2016

Prelude:"Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty"  (Johann Gottfried Walther 1684-1748)

Introit: "Blest Be the Tie That Binds"

Hymn 482: Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty

Prayer Response:  "Kyrie"  (John Merbecke 1510-1585)

Anthem:  "God So Loved The World"  (Sir John Stainer 1840-1901)

Hymn 443: O Christ, The Great Foundation (Aurelia)

Offertory: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"  (Johann Gottfried Walther)

Hymn 376:  Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Benediction Response:  Dresden Amen  (Johann Naumann 1741-1801)

Postlude:  "The Church's One Foundation"  (Donald Hustad (1918-2013)

Music Notes:

1 Corinthians 12:4  "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit"  Let those who are able sing a harmony part on the hymns to acknowledge the manifold gifts of the Sprit, and let all who are able unite on the melody of the last verse of each hymn to signify the unity of the Church. 

Today's Anthem is on the text of John 3:16 and comes from the Cantata "The Crucifixion".  This cantata, composed in 1887, is still performed around the world during Lent. For your Good Friday meditation, fine recordings of the cantata can be found at www.clarecollegechoir.com, one by the Huddersfield Choral Society at target.com, and others on YouTube.  

Organ music today offers settings of the first and second hymn tunes, as well as the first hymn at the Ash Wednesday service.  

Registrations:

Prelude:  Manual:  Swell Stopped Diapason 8, Harmonic Flute 4.

              Great: Open Diapason 8

              Pedal:  Bourdon 16, Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal.

Cantus Firmus in Pedal.  Manual Parts on Swell 

Offertory:  Swell Stopped Diapason 8  

                 Great  Dulciana 8,  Swell to Great 4

Entire piece played on Great.  A mild "brustwerk" effect. 

Postlude and most Hymns:

Swell Harmonic Flute 4.  Great Open Diapason 8.  Pedal Bourdon 16

Swell to Great 8, Swell to Great 4,  Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal.

This gives a bright 8-4-2 in the manual and 16-8-4-2 in the Pedal. 

For softer verses I switch off the Open Diapason and turn on the Melodia. 

If the pedal line is unclear, I add the Dulciana to the Great, as it adds a certain edge to the bass line.