WE SING OF YOU, O CHRIST, AND PRAY

WE SING OF YOU, O CHRIST, AND PRAY
Hymn of Celebration based on St Andrew

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: FOREST GREEN
Meter: CMD

We sing of you, O Christ, and pray
Your perfect will may guide,
Throughout our worship on this day,
And each new day beside.
Like Andrew's life, our own lives claim,
Like Andrew we would turn,
Your gospel message to proclaim,
Discipleship to learn!

Christ, help us travel on your way,
As Andrew followed you.
You called him and he walked away,
At once, toward all that’s true.
O may our church rejoice to be
Upon Your holy way;
To hear your graceful “Follow Me!”
And walk with you, today.

Christ, make us hearers of your word,
As Andrew heard of old,
He listened to the truth You told,
It made him brave and bold.
O may this church we love so well,
In every time and place.
Be bravely true and boldly tell,
Good news of love and grace!

Christ, may our witness reach unto,
Your everlasting goals!
As Andrew was first called, we too,
Shall fish for human souls!
We sing of you, O Christ, and pray
For all the future holds,
Both in our worship on this day,
And as each day unfolds.

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

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