"Assembled for Song" - New Hymn Anthology by GIA - Will Have 7 John Dalles Hymns

I learned today that several of my hymns are about to be published in "Assembled for Song", a new hymnal anthology being created by GIA Music in Chicago.

They are the publishers of my book "Swift Currents and Still Waters" (2000).

The new hymn titles are:
1. O Spirit Grant Us Courage
2. The Day the Church was Born
3. God Write Your Blessed Name
4. As Morning Stars Together Sing
5. Here Face to Face We Long to See
6. Of Dust of Earth and Breath of God
7. O God, Our Lives are Parched and Dry

The only hymn among them that has appeared in print before is the last, which GIA published this past year, set as an anthem with the music by Dorothy Frisch.

All of them are written to be sung to familiar hymn tunes, and will appear "interlined" with the music, just as hymns are printed in the hymnals in the pews. They will also appear as text alone (the way poetry is printed).

The new hymnal anthology will be introduced at the 2011 Annual Conference of The Hymn Society, meeting this summer in Colorado Springs.

Here are some notes on these hymns...

"O Spirit Grant Us Courage"

is a prayer for the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in the trying times of life. In it, the singer admits a need for God's power, guidance, renewal and love. The words "Have no fear!" which are always the first words spoken to God's people when they meet God or God's representatives, might be called the theme of this hymn. The hymn is set to the familiar tune AURELIA.

"The Day the Church was Born"

is a hymn for Pentecost, the birthday of the church. Using images that come from Acts Chapter Two, the hymn's first stanza is all about the Wind of the Holy Spirit. The second stanza emphasizes the tongues of fire; the third, the ability of those first church members to talk to people in every language about the risen Christ. The final stanza asks for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our age. The hymn is set to be sung to the tune FOREST GREEN.

"God Write Your Blessed Name"

is set to the tune FESTAL SONG most commonly associated with the hymn "Rise Up, O Men of God". Hebrews 8:10, Jeremiah 31:33 and Psalm 7:3 are passages that encourage God's Word to be written upon our hearts. The four stanzas comprise a prayer that this may happen and that God would serve as the Author of all we do.

"As Morning Stars Together Sing"

was written as a farewell hymn for Hildur Satre Breese, who had served as organist at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, when she returned to Texas following her serving in Pittsburgh. So the themes are all music-related. As such this would be a fine hymn for a music appreciation Sunday. The tune is ELLACOMBE.

"Here Face to Face We Long to See"

is the 'oldest' of the hymns in this collection, the sixteenth hymn I wrote, and dates from 1990. It was written on a very blustery late-autumn day, at lunch time, in Highland Park in Pittsburgh, when I was serving Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. Those who know Highland Park will picture the spot, on the lower ring road around the park, where, if the leaves are off the trees (they were) and if you find just the right location, you can look across the Allegheny River toward Aspinwall, Blawnox and Sharpsburg and beyond (where many of our church members lived). The hymn is one that reflects Moses' longing to see God, a longing all people share. The cloud-filled grey skies, twisting bare tree limbs and the wind-tossed brown leaves all figure in the words of the hymn. It is set to the tune MELITA.

"Of Dust of Earth and Breath of God"

is set to the hymn tune MOZART. It reflects on our human make-up; that is, that we are both made of very ordinary stuff (the dust of the earth) and yet have within us the wondrous gift of God (God's breath). The first stanza is centered on our human frailty and simplicity as 'bits of earth-bound clay'. The second speaks of our transcendent nature. The third offers a view of our humanity in which faith prevails--we do not wish to simply be dust. The fourth and the final stanza asks God to make us able to engage all we are in God's praise and service.

"O God, Our Lives are Parched and Dry"

is the newest of these hymns, and has been set as an anthem by Dorothy Frisch that was published by GIA this past year. Now it is available for congregational song, set to the hymn tune CANONBURY. Throughout, it is a prayer for God to fill us with the Living Water of Christ. The Gospel of John, Chapter Four, is the key associated passage of Scripture.

A Hymn for Palm Sunday

Along The Road Our Savior Came

A Hymn for Palm Sunday

Luke 19:28-40

By John A. Dalles

Suggested Familiar Tunes:

KINGSFOLD, ROSEATE HUES, SHACKELFORD, VARINA

Meter: CMD

Along the road our Savior came upon a donkey’s foal—

A blameless beast not ridden on, till chosen for this role.

As Christ approached Jerusalem, great multitudes appeared

And sang with joy to welcome Him—Salvation drawing near!

They freely gave the best they had—the garments from their backs.

They spread them on the dusty road to soften Jesus’ tracks

They smoothed His way toward victory and His eternal throne,

That He would gain on splintered cross, by dying there, alone.

They cut whole branches from the trees. They waved the fronds of palm.

Their shrill hosannas caught the breeze, rebounding far and long,

And on He rode in humbleness, our promised Lord and Christ

Whose diadem would be of thorns; whose life was sacrifice.

Self-righteous ones, there in the crowd said, "Scold your raucous friends;

Rebuke them, they are rude and loud, their boisterousness offends!"

Such disingenuous piety scarce hid their evil ways.

This is how it will ever be - when wrong responds to grace.

But Jesus did not silence them; far from it, Jesus said

That even if no shouts were heard, the stones would sing intead—

So sing, His people! Sing this day of passion and of palms.

For Christ the Lord has come our way: All praise to Christ belong!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

If you wish to use this hymn, please follow the instructions in the headder of this blog.

A New Book on the Beatitudes...

I am happy to announce the publication of a new book of which I am one of the authors:

The Beatitudes: How Happy Are You? by John A. Dalles, Anna L. Liechty and Phyllis Vos Wezeman

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This book offers a thematic approach for communicating the message of the Sermon on the Mount and the eight teachings of Jesus known as the "Beatitudes." The Beatitudes: How Happy Are You? explores in depth the famous teachings of Jesus in Bible times, focusing on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the eight Beatitudes as a whole (Matthew 5:3-11), and each statement as a challenge for Jesus' followers to live by today. The book provides helps for congregations to use to create a focus on the Beatitudes within worship, during education, and for nurturing children, youth, and adults.
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Worship leaders, pastors, music directors, Christian educators, teachers, small group leaders, and parents will be able to use The Beatitudes: How Happy Are You? to help others deepen their understanding of Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount. The ideas in the resource can be used for a variety of worship, study, and congregational life experiences. Through their participation, people of all ages will experience the Beatitudes as a way for Christians to find a "handle" on happiness. They will connect Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount with both the high calling and the joy of discipleship. They will understand that what may seem contradictory and puzzling about the statements Jesus makes in the Beatitudes can make perfect sense when they join the throng who gather at Jesus' feet to see with new eyes and hear with new ears.

The book includes a series of new hymns that I wrote, one for each of the Beatitudes.

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Wekiva Presbyterian Church members will be glad to know that the book includes portions that were first presented here at our church.

To read more or to order the book, follow this link:

http://leaderresources.org/thebeatitudesprint

The Messiah's Star - A Service of Lessons and Carols for Epiphany

Yesterday we had a worship service of Epiphany scripture and songs, a sort of Lessons and Carols for Epiphany, called "The Messiah's Star", that I had put together from various sources and included all the expected Epiphany hymns plus two new ones of my own making. It was a nice way to stay with the liturgical calendar in an age where, after Christmas, such things as Epiphany are soon forgotten.

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Epiphany (meaning "appearance" or "manifestation") is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as fully human in Jesus Christ. Epiphany falls on January 6 (and can be marked on the Sunday that falls between January 2 and January 8). On the day of Epiphany, we commemorate the visit of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, remember the star that announced Jesus' birth, and therefore, Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles.

This celebration was also a good way to enjoy beloved and inspirational music on our organist, Bob Joyner's last Sunday at Wekiva. Bob began at our church three months after I arrived, that is in August of 1997. His musical gifts have added so much to our worship for nearly fourteen years, and we will miss him. For his last Sunday with us, he had great hymn introductions to the many Epiphany hymns we sang, as well as some lovely duets with Joan Grace and Olivia Signer. We also had great singing from the congregation as well as from the choir of the morning, "Sanctuary" with alumni from "Ransomed and the Worship Band".

The service was perfect for the occasion, even though I had planned it since about this time last year and had not a glimmer of a notion that we would be marking Bob's last Sunday with this event.

I was STILL not able to say where Bob is going because they had not yet told the congregation where he was going that this change was about to take place. Because Bob had asked me not to mention it at all, until last Sunday, and because the transition time came over the Christmas holidays, there were some in worship yesterday who were hearing it for the first time, and some who are still not back from vacation who will return to the news that Bob is gone. The timing is awkward, to say the least, but there is nothing to be done about it.

The Hospitality Committee and the Human Resources Committee had a lovely reception for Bob after both services. Many thanks to Ilene and Julie and their helpers, including their family members, for making it a festive morning! There were gifts and cards wishing Bob well in his new endeavors, and the choir presented him with a gorgeous handmade quilt by our church member and master quilter, Linda Leathersich, at the noon reception, after which Bob did at last tell the congregation he will become the organist at Markham Woods Presbyterian Church. I mentioned to some of our church members that we will think of Bob as a musical missionary whom we have sent out to serve in a new place.

Surely, Surely God Is Gracious

Psalm 73

Possible Familiar Tunes: NETTLETON; FABEN
Possible Less Familiar Tunes: DAILY, DAILY; HALL (JONES)
Meter: 8787D

Surely, surely God is gracious,
To the pure in heart always,
Surely, surely, God shall save us,
Should we stumble on life’s ways,
God our refuge, God our ruler —
Though our flesh and heart may fail,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
By your strength we shall prevail!

We had nearly lost our foothold,
Envying the arrogant—
While the smugness of the wicked
Tyrannized the innocent!
God our refuge, God our ruler —
We prefer your sacred way,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
To your praise we turn this day!

Here within your sanctuary
All pretense each one forsakes
Bring your light extraordinary
As a dream when one awakes!
God our refuge, God our ruler —
Set aside all fantasy—
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
By your truth we are made free!

Surely you are always with us,
as our hand, O God, you hold,
Guide and your good counsel, give us
Until heaven we behold!
God our refuge, God our ruler —
Though our flesh and heart may fail,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
By your grace we shall prevail!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Star and Candlelight

For a lovely listen to composer Henry Kopczynskie III's setting of my lyrics, go to this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-stZg62oK8


Immaculate Conception Church Children's Choir

Portsmouth, NH

Director - Roxanne Raeside-Wilton

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Star and Candlelight

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Composed by Henry Kopczynskie III (music) and John Dalles (lyrics)

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Featured vocalists: 11-year old Katie Mahoney (soloist)

with Jordan Lena Alto - Karrie Burnett Tenor - Chris Poulin Bass - Tim Lena Guitar - John O'Sullivan, Tim Lena Piano, Bass, Harp, Strings - Karrie Burnett Flute - Wendy Dillon Audio Engineer - Kevin Schladenhauffen

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Composer Henry Kopczynskie III is a celebrated musician who serves as the musical director of Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Parish, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. A Milford, NH native, Henry Kopczynskie is a pianist, accompanist, conductor, composer, vocalist, and vocal coach. He has served as music director for many theatrical productions throughout Southern New Hampshire. Henry holds a degree in composition from Boston's Berklee College of Music. Henry is at home working in a very broad array of musical styles, from Baroque to Broadway. He was nominated twice for best music direction by the NH Theatre Awards for 2008. Recent productions for which he served as Music Director include The Wizard of Oz (The New Thalian Players, Manchester), The Music Man (Manchester Community Theatre Players), and Oklahoma (Nashua Actorsingers). Henry offers instruction in piano, voice, music theory, and composition.

Great Potter, Shape Our Human Lives

Genesis 2:7, Isaiah 64:8, Jeremiah 18:4, Romans 9:21

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

Great Potter, shape our human lives—
As You shape vale and hill,
And by Your skill and grace revise
Our hearts to do Your will.
Take all of our impurity,
And temper us with care—
Till strong and useful we may be
Your blessedness to bear!

Once we were undefined and vague,
Until by grace, refined.
Now every trace of common clay,
Unto You we resign.
We bear the image and the mold
Of all Your love contains
Your gospel message to enfold,
Your wonders to proclaim.

With life abundant fill us full
As gladly we convey
Your living water pure and cool
To thirsty ones this day.
O fill us with all righteousness
With all things good and fair,
So others, by our acts, are blessed
And sense Your boundless care.

When we are crushed by bleak distress
May we return to You,
And even in our brokenness
Find You will make us new.
Great Potter hold our human lives
Formed to Your high design,
So we may do all You devise
This day and for all time!



Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles