Book of Books, Our People's Strength
The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 20, 2019
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
Memorial Acclamation S-135 Jackson Hill
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
October 20, 2019
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| The St. John's Bible, a modern illuminated Bible |
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)"
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
Amen S-146 McNeil Robinson II
Fraction Anthem S-154 New Plainsong
Fraction Anthem S-154 New Plainsong
Anthem
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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