Without the Fire


The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 13, 2019

Through hymns and anthems, we can experience the work of great theologians throughout church history. This week's communion anthem is based on a text by Thomas 
á Kempis (1380-1471), a medieval monk and author who lived and worked in the Netherlands. Thomas spent his days immersed in scripture and prayer, working as a copyist of manuscripts. In his lifetime, he copied the entire Bible 4 times. While instructing novices in his religious order, he wrote a series of pamphlets which were later combined into a book entitled The Imitation of Christ.
Nebraska hymn poet Rae E. Whitney (b. 1927) wrote today's anthem text which is based on Thomas á Kempis' writings. Listen to a recording: Without the Fire
Without the Fire, there is no Burning,
without the Teacher, there's no Learning,
without the Shepherd, no safe Keeping,
without the Sower, there's no Reaping.

 Without the Judge, there is no Pleading,
without the Bread, no heav'nly Feeding,
without the Vine, no holy Drinking,
without the Mind, no Christly Thinking.

 Without the Way, there is no Going,
without the Truth, no inward Knowing,
without the Life, there is no Living,
without the Cross, no full Forgiving.

 Without the Grave, no Resurrecting,
without the Light, no Love's Reflecting,
without the Vision, no clear Dreaming,
without the Savior, no Redeeming.

 The musical setting is by David Ashley White, our featured composer this fall. Read more in a previous post: No More A Stranger

 This text is remarkably simple yet profound. I invite you to reflect on it in the week ahead.

 Read more about Rae E. Whitney here: Whitney Awarded Bishop's Cross
Music for the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
October 13, 2019

 Hymns
411   O bless the Lord, my soul!   St. Thomas (Williams)
493   O for a thousand tongues to sing   Azmon 
For your generous providing   Holy Manna
763   As we gather at your Table   Raquel
410   Praise, my soul, the King of heaven   Lauda anima

Service Music
Gloria in excelsis S-277     New Plainsong, David Hurd
Psalm 37:1-10     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

 Anthems
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling   -Henry Purcell, arr. Fedak
Without the Fire, There Is No Burning   -David Ashley White

 Organ Voluntaries
O Bless the Lord, My Soul   -Healey Willan
Chaconne   -Louis Couperin

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