Music Appreciation and Glenn L. Rudolph

This past Sunday, March 11th, was Music Appreciation Sunday at Wekiva Presbyterian Church.

The many musical choirs and ensembles brought us lovely sacred works and lifted our hearts to praise. 

A Prayer for Music Appreciation Sunday, by John A. Dalles:

"God we thank you for calling us to praise you. To give our hearts, minds and voices to you in worship. We thank you for the creative minds from Miriam and King David onward whose gifts of music have been passed down to us. We thank you for our choirs and for choirs of angels, who together lift our hearts to praise. Bless, O Lord, the sacred musicians here at our church and in every church, in every time, whose music connects us to you, and you with us."

On a personal note, I was so pleased that one piece was an anthem by Glenn Rudolph for the occasion, since Glenn and I have been collaborating for more than a decade (Glenn writes the music, I write the words). Glenn is often asked to write anthems for special occasions in the church (that is the case with several we have done together). I did not, however, write the words to his anthem from this past Sunday.

The anthem that the choirs presented is one that Glenn wrote for lyrics by Al Bayly, (b. Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, England, 1901; d. Chichester, England, 1984). Called "Lord, We Bring Our Gift of Music" (2009), it has been published by MorningStar (2011) Catalog No: MSM-50-9215. Here is what Glenn says about the anthem on his website:

"Anthem for children's choir, SATB choir and organ with optional trumpet and flute. Original setting of the text "When the Morning Stars Together" by Albert F. Bayly. Commissioned in honor of Dr. John King, Music Director, Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, Scarsdale, NY. Premiered January 10, 2010. Published by MorningStar Press."

It is a splendid piece that ends with a congregation part, singing to the great Welsh hymn tune HYFRYDOL, composed by Rowland Prichard in 1844. I have long loved that particular hymn tune, and especially so since the day that Hal Hopson told me that Prichard used the rhythmic movement of the Welsh weavers at their looms as the inspiration for his music.

This anthem was also presented at Montreat this past summer, when a number of our church members were there. 

You may read more about Glenn and his compositions here:

Reindeer Music

You may click here to read about the hymn writer whose words comprise the lyrics of the anthem:

Alfred F. Bayly

Till We Meet Again

Till We Meet Again

A Parting Hymn

Text: John A. Dalles, March 12, 2012

Tune: WHELPTON

Meter: 5.5.6.5.

Till we meet again,

Till we meet again,

May God go with us all—

Till we meet again!

Till we meet again,

Till we meet again,

May Jesus be our guide—

Till we meet again!

Till we meet again,

Till we meet again,

God’s Spirit dwell in us—

Till we meet again!

God go with us all,

Jesus be our guide,

God’s Spirit dwell in us—

Till we meet again!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

A Farmer Went Out, the Seed to Sow

The parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:3-23

Text: John A. Dalles, March 12, 2012

Tunes: ALMA or HIS WONDEROUS WAYS

Meter: 9.8.9.8.

A farmer went out, the seed to sow;

And as he eagerly scattered it,

Some fell on paths where it did not grow—

The birds swooped down and devoured it.

Some seed fell where there was rocky ground,

And sprang up quickly, shoot after shoot;

But in the sunshine those plants were burned,

And withered because they had no root.

Some seed fell where there were many thorns,

To choke what grew within that field.

Some fell on ground that was rich and warm,

And gave a fruitful, abundant yield.

May we too share the news we’ve heard:

The seed that falls on fertile ground

Is one who understands Christ’s word,

And from that life, grace shall abound!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

O Sovereign and Almighty Lord

A hymn after the Liturgy of St. Mark, 2nd Century A.D.

Text: John A. Dalles, March 10, 2012

Tune: LITTLEFIELD

Meter: LM

O Sovereign and Almighty Lord,

Bless all your people, all your flock;

Give us your peace, your help, your love,

So in your presence we may walk!

O Sovereign and Almighty Lord,

We are your servants, and your sheep;

Within your fold, unite us now,

Your peace to know, your love to keep!

O Sovereign and Almighty Lord,

One body and one spirit, we,

Profess one hope, proclaim one love,

And praise your holy majesty!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Our God, God of All Humankind

After a prayer of St. Patrick (389-461)

Text: John A. Dalles, March 10, 2012

Tune: CANBERRA

Meter: CMD

Our God, God of all humankind,

We offer you our praise,

We give you every heart and mind,

And pledge to walk your ways!

O God of heaven and of earth,

Of rivers, moon and sun,

Of all the stars, and of our birth,

We praise you, every one!

God, you inspire and quicken things,

To thrive as you have planned.

The fish that swim, birds' feathery wings,

All creatures o’er the land.

You own all things, support all things,

Cause stars and suns to shine;

No wonder all creation sings,

As sings this heart of mine!

You have made wells in arid lands,

Pure fountains, clear and cold,

You carved the canyons with your hands,

High mountains, big and bold!

You placed the islands in the sea,

Placed lofty peaks above;

You placed your breath in such as me,

And in our hearts, your love!

God of high mountains, valleys low,

Of shady glades and hills,

God over heaven and below,

Imagination thrills!

O God, who dwells on earth and sea,

In every time and place,

Now, make your dwelling place in me,

And all who sing your praise!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

We Rise Today Through Heaven’s Power

After an Early Scottish Prayer

Text: John A. Dalles, March 10, 2012

Tune: HAYS

Meter: LMD

We rise today through heaven’s power,

To sing God’s praise in this glad hour,

For we are blessed by God’s own Son,

In Jesus’ light, our race is run!

We rise today, and soon shall rise,

Beyond the blue of heaven’s skies,

Unto the realms of lasting grace,

There to behold our Savior’s face!

We rise today through radiant moon,

that makes the night as bright as noon,

For night is just the same as day,

To God who sends us on our way!

We rise today, and soon shall rise,

Beyond the blue of heaven’s skies,

Unto the realms of lasting grace,

There to behold our Savior’s face!

We rise today through splendored fire,

God’s Spirit sends us to inspire;

The wind of hope God sends as well,

And tongue to speak, good news to tell!

We rise today, and soon shall rise,

Beyond the blue of heaven’s skies,

Unto the realms of lasting grace,

There to behold our Savior’s face!

We rise today through lightning’s speed,

and thunder’s roll, our God to heed,

God’s still small voice, we also hear,

If we will sense that God is near.

We rise today, and soon shall rise,

Beyond the blue of heaven’s skies,

Unto the realms of lasting grace,

There to behold our Savior’s face!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

May God the Father Bless Us

A benedictory hymn after a prayer of Æthelwold (908-984)

Text: John A. Dalles, March 10, 2012

Tune: WOODWARD’S LITANY

Meter: 7777

May God the Father bless us;

May Christ the Son care for us;

The Holy Spirit teach us;

Every moment of our life!

May God be our defender;

May Christ be our sure keeper;

The Spirit our protector;

Of our body and our soul!

May God Almighty bless us;

May Christ the Savior guide us;

And may God’s Spirit fill us;

On this day and ever more.

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Lord, Because You Have Made Us

A hymn after a prayer by Anselm (1033-1109)

Text: John A. Dalles, March 10, 2012

Tune: ALLMÄCHTIGER GOTT

Meter: 8888

Lord, because you have made us,

We owe you the whole of our love;

Lord, because you redeemed us,

We owe you the whole of ourselves!

Lord, because of your promise dear,

We owe you our entire being;

Lord, because of your vision clear,

We owe you our entire seeing.

We owe you much more than our self,

You are far greater than we are,

Lord you have given us yourself:

Lord you are ours, and yours we are!

We pray that we may taste by love,

All that we know from knowledge true;

Place our devotion far above,

All else that we might think or do!

So, draw us closer to you, Lord,

Wrapped in the fullness of your grace;

Grant us to dwell within your word,

And flourish there, in love’s embrace!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

God, You Have Given Us Your Word

After St. Jerome (342 - 420 A.D.)

Text: John A. Dalles, March 9, 2012

Tune: ST. PAUL (STANIFORTH)

Meter: 888888

God, you have given us your Word—

a light to shine upon our way;

May we absorb all we have heard,

So you may guide us, day to day.

God, from your Word may we receive,

The will and wisdom to believe!

We meditate upon your Word,

We follow what it teaches us,

You lead us all, with one accord,

Along the way of righteousness.

God, from your Word may we receive,

The will and wisdom to believe!

God, may your true, eternal light,

Surround and guide us more and more,

until our days are pure and bright,

in Jesus Christ, our Living Lord.

God, from your Word may we receive,

The will and wisdom to believe!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

O Good Shepherd, Seek Me Out

After St. Jerome (342 - 420 A.D.)

Text: John A. Dalles, March 9, 2012

Tune: SHERBORNE (MENDELSSOHN)

Meter: 7.7.7.7.

O Good Shepherd, seek me out,

For, I am weighed down by sin—

Lost, alone, afraid, in doubt—

Bring me to Your fold again.

O Good Shepherd, with your voice,

Speak your word, so I may hear

Your good favor and rejoice,

Both to sense and find you near.

O Good Shepherd, may I live,

In your meadows all my days,

With your flock, forever give

All my gratitude and praise.

Copyright © 2012, John A. Dalles

O Lord, Who Has Mercy on All

After Ambrose of Milan (339-397 A.D.)

Text: John A. Dalles, March 9, 2012

Tune: YOSEMITE

Meter: 8.7.8.7.

O Lord, who has mercy on all,

Take our sins away from us,

May your Holy Spirit kindle,

Inward fires of righteousness!

O Lord, who has mercy on all,

Take our hearts of stone away,

Give us hearts of flesh to love you,

and adore you day by day!

O Lord, who has mercy on all,

Take from us our waywardness;

May we follow and enjoy you,

In the paths of holiness!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Deep Peace of God’s Running Wave to You

After an Ancient Scottish Prayer

Text: John A. Dalles, March 9, 2012

Tune: CONCORD

Meter: 9999D

Deep peace of God’s running wave to you.

Deep peace of God’s coursing surf to you.

Deep peace of God’s splashing swells to you.

Deep peace of God’s living stream to you.

Deep peace of God’s running wave to you.

Deep peace of God’s flowing air to you.

Deep peace of God’s quiet earth to you.

Deep peace of God’s shining stars to you.

 

Deep peace of God’s still, small voice, to you.

Deep peace of God’s gentle wind to you,

Deep peace of God’s cooling breeze to you.

Deep peace of God’s growing fields to you.

Deep peace of God’s silent woods to you.

Deep peace of God’s tranquil hills to you.

Deep peace of God’s glowing sun to you.

Deep peace of God’s beaming moon to you.

 

Deep peace of God’s light of light, to you.

Deep peace of God’s guiding hand to you.

Deep peace of God’s unseen ways to you.

Deep peace of God’s great regard to you.

Deep peace of God’s perfect plan to you.

Deep peace of God’s only Son to you.

Deep peace of God’s Spirit’s gifts to you.

Deep peace of God’s whispered word to you.

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Teacher, Leader, We Implore You

After a prayer of Clement of Rome (First Century)

Text: John A. Dalles, March 9, 2012

Tune: BEACH SPRING

Meter: 8787D

Teacher, Leader, we implore you,

Be our helper, our strong arm;

help us worship and adore you,

As you shield us from all harm.

Be our hope when hearts are heavy,

Be our joy when skies are gray,

Teacher, Leader, we adore you,

Every moment, every day!

Teacher, Leader, we implore you,

Be our savior, be our friend;

Help us love you and adore you,

And walk with you to the end!

Be our guide when we are baffled;

Be our home when we return.

Teacher, Leader, we adore you,

All your goodness, we would learn!

Teacher, Leader, we implore you,

Be our master, be our king;

help us serve you and adore you,

Our best blessings may we bring!

Raise the fallen, tend the needy,

Feed the hungry, bless the poor,

Teacher, Leader, we live for you,

This new day and ever more!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles