We have quite a bit of music planned for this Sunday, the Third Sunday in Advent. I would like to share a little from our choir devotional book. In this Sunday’s gospel, John warns of the “wrath to come”, dismissing the people’s defense that being children of Abraham is enough to save them. They ask, “What should we then do?”. John answers that instead of self-examination or denial or penance, we should treat others with fairness and with benevolence. Giving something away to benefit someone else is the type of preparation he has in mind.
As musicians, we certainly have something to give away to the benefit of others. We share our talents and our music, and we use melody, harmony, and rhythm to communicate God’s love.
So, this Sunday we are blessed to have the Trinity Orchestra and the Choristers sharing their gifts with you. You will also be gifted with the beautiful harp music by one of our vergers, Dustin Koonce.
Prelude – O Come, O Come Emmanuel, arr. Jeff Cranfill.
Our orchestra is slowly growing, and this week we will play the most popular Advent hymn in Christendom! The hymn has it’s origins over 1,200 years ago in monastic life in the 8th or 9th century. Seven days before Christmas Eve monasteries would sing the “O antiphons” in anticipation of Christmas Eve when the eighth antiphon, “O Virgo virginum” (“O Virgin of virgins”) would be sung before and after Mary's canticle, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46b–55). The Latin metrical form of the hymn was composed as early as the 12th century. The 1851 translation by John Mason Neale from Hymns Ancient and Modern is the most prominent by far in the English-speaking world, but other English translations also exist. Translations into other modern languages (particularly German) are also in widespread use. While the text may be used with many metrical hymn tunes, it was first combined with its most famous tune, often itself called Veni Emmanuel, in the English-language Hymnal Noted in 1851. Later, the same tune was used with versions of "O come, O come, Emmanuel" in other languages, including Latin. This is also our opening Processional hymn.
The Canticle this week is Canticle 9 – The First Song of Isaiah. We will chant it at the appointed time, and then at the offertory, the choir, joined by the Choristers, will offer Jack Noble White’s well-known arrangement.
Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
and he will be my Savior.
At communion, Dustin and Jack will offer a duet of Savior of the Nations, Come, arranged by Charles Peery. Peery is a graduate of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, where he studied choral music education, organ, and composition. He has performed as harpist with the Webster University Symphony Orchestra, the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra, Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal), and the Gateway Men's Chorus. He is past Dean of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and director of the Gateway Ringers, St. Louis's premier community/auditioned handbell ensemble.
Savior of the Nations, Come also first appeared in hymnals in the 8th or 9th century. The original text is attributed to Ambrose of Milan (340-397), and then was translated into German by Martin Luther (1483-1546).
Prelude – O Come, O Come Emmanuel, arr. Jeff Cranfill
Offertory – The First Song of Isaiah, Jack Noble White
Communion Meditation – Savior of the Nations, Come, arr. Charles Peery
Postlude – Prepare the Way, O Zion, arr. Paul Manz
Hymns:
O Come, O Come Emmaunuel
Canticle 9
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
Watchman, Tell Us Of the Night
Sleepers Wake! A Voice Astounds Us
What Is the Crying at Jordan
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers
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