Ransomed, Healed, Restored, Forgiven

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
July 7, 2019

Some of you may have been following the #Hymnal1982Bracket voting on Twitter in recent weeks. Today's entrance hymn was one of the favorites highlighted in that contest: "Praise, my soul, the King of heaven." The hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 103 by poet Henry Francis Lyte - author of another well-known hymn, "Abide with me." It first appeared in an Episcopal hymnal in 1874, and it has been included in every Episcopal hymnal since.

 The tune, Lauda anima, was composed specifically for this text by John Goss (1800-1880) an English composer, organist, and teacher. Goss studied with Thomas Attwood at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. (Attwood was a pupil of Mozart, and his gift for composing memorable melodies was certainly passed down to his students.) In addition to this hymn, Goss is well known for his anthems, including "See Amid the Winter's Snow" and "O Saviour of the World." 

 The arrangement found in The Hymnal 1982 utilizes an expanded accompaniment with alternate harmonizations on several stanzas and a thrilling descant on the final stanza. (A descant is a countermelody that soars above the hymntune, highlighting a particular stanza.) It is a textbook example of the Episcopal style of hymn playing! 

 The hymn is popular in both the United States and Great Britain and is frequently sung at weddings. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II requested this hymn to be sung at her wedding in 1947. Here's a lovely recording by the Choir of Westminster Abbey: Lauda anima
Note for all sopranos (and aspiring ones) in the congregation: you're encouraged to sing the descant on the final stanza!

Music for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
July 7, 2019

 Hymns
410, Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (Lauda anima)
679, Surely it is God who saves me (Thomas Merton)
533, How wondrous and great thy works, God of praise! (Lyons)
711, Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Seek Ye First)
657, Love divine, all loves excelling (Hyfrydol)
559, Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us (Dulce Carmen)

 Service Music 

Gloria in excelsis S-280   Robert Powell

Psalm, S-411   Simplified Anglican Chant, Robert Knox Kennedy
Sanctus S-129   Powell
Fraction anthem S-152   Ambrosian chant, adapt. Martens


Anthem
King of Glory, King of Peace   -Mark Schweizer

 Organ Voluntaries
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus   -Richard Hillert
Pasticcio   -Jean Langlais     

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