Book of Books, Our People's Strength

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 20, 2019



The St. John's Bible, a modern illuminated Bible
The Hymnal 1982 contains nine hymns that focus on "Holy Scripture" (626-634). These hymns speak volumes about our beliefs regarding the Bible. If you'd like to learn about the Episcopal Church's approach to scripture, reading through these nine hymns is a good place to start.

Today, we will sing one of these hymns: "Book of books, our people's strength" (631, Liebster Jesu). According to The Hymnal 1982 Companion, this hymn "recognizes the place of the Bible in the lives of people throughout history, gives honor to its various authors, and praise to God the 'author and giver of all good things.' (BCP 233)"


The author, the Rev. Percy Dearmer (1867-1936), sought to write a hymn expressing appreciation of the Bible in the modern world. 

Book of books, our people's strength,
statesman's, teacher's, hero's treasure,
bringing freedom, spreading truth,
shedding light that none can measure;
wisdom comes to those who know thee,
all the best we have we owe thee.

Thank we those who toiled in thought,
many diverse scrolls completing,
poets, prophets, scholars, saints,
each a word from God repeating;
till they came, who told the story
of the Word, and showed his glory.

Praise we God, who hath inspired
those whose wisdom still directs us;
praise Him for the Word made flesh,
For the Spirit which protects us.
Light of knowledge, ever burning,
Shed on us thy deathless learning.





The tune, Liebster Jesu, was composed by Johann Rudolph Ahle and first appeared in a published collection in 1664. At the prelude, we will hear an organ chorale based on this tune composed by the great German Baroque master, Johann Sebastian Bach. Hear a recording: Liebster Jesu

While common in most mainline Christian denominational hymnals during the twentieth century, "Book of books" has only been included two recent hymnals. However, it remains a well known hymn in Episcopal churches, and with good reason. The hymn celebrates the importance of scripture as a foundation for our Christian faith. It also provides a connection with our history, celebrating "poets, prophets, scholars, and saints" who devoted their lives to translating, copying, publishing, and preaching God's Word. 

As we hear in today's reading from Second Timothy:
As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.


Music for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 20, 2019

Hymns
372   Praise to the living God   Leoni
631   Book of books, our people’s strength   Liebster Jesu
For your generous providing   Holy Manna
711   Seek ye first the kingdom of God   Seek Ye First
530   Spread, O spread, thou mighty word    Gott sei Dank


Service Music
Gloria in excelsis S-277     New Plainsong, David Hurd
Psalm 121     St. Martin’s Psalter, Thomas Pavlechko

Sanctus S-124     New Plainsong
Memorial Acclamation S-135   Jackson Hill

Amen S-146     McNeil Robinson II
Fraction Anthem S-154     New Plainsong

Anthem
As the Father Has Loved Me     -David Ashley White   

Music for Handbells
The Rejoicing     -George Frideric Handel, arr. Martha Lynn Thompson       

Organ Voluntaries
Organ chorale: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier     -Johann Sebastian Bach

Rondel     -Charles Callahan  






                

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