Light of the World

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 19, 2020
Many of our hymns and anthems on these Sundays after Epiphany focus on the theme of light - the light of the star leading the Magi to the Christ child, and Jesus, the Light of the World, made manifest at his baptism, in his ministry, and at his Transfiguration.

 In today's offertory anthem, "Heavenly Light," we hear echoes of the chants of the Russian Orthodox Church. Rich harmonies (and low bass notes!) support a soaring soprano melody. 
Alexander Kopylow (1854-1911) was a student of famous Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He is best known for his choral compositions and string quartets. 

 American conductor and arranger Peter Wilhousky (1902-1978), "discovered" and arranged Kopylow's composition, adding a new English text. Wilhousky, a child of Ukrainian immigrant parents, was particularly adept at arranging music from Russian and eastern European sources and popularizing them with American audiences. In addition to "Heavenly Light," he is best known for pairing a Ukrainian folk song with his own Christmas text, "Carol of the Bells." (The original folk song had nothing to do with Christmas!)

In the case of "Heavenly Light," the new English text by Alice Mattullath retains the theme of light, but it is not a literal translation. The original Slavonic text for this music is the Phos hilaron ("O gracious light"), a 3rd century Greek evening hymn. It remains a fitting prayer for these Sundays after Epiphany, as Jesus' light shines forth into the world. Hear a recording: Heavenly Light
Sent from heaven,
Thy rays were given on great and small to shine,
O Light Divine!
May each soul in sorrow’s night see the heavenly light!
Thou blessing to all creation,
Lead us to our salvation!
All those whose feet may falter,
Lead unto the sacred altar!
Oh shine from above,
Divine light of love!
Show us the way unto our God, we pray!
Thou our beacon and guide shalt be!
Light Divine, we praise Thee!
Music for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 19, 2020

 Hymns
542   Christ is the world's true light (St. Joan)
550   Jesus calls us; o'er the tumult (Restoration)
124   What star is this with beams so bright (Stanza 5) (Puer nobis)
757   Will you come and follow me (Mary Alexandra)
535   Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim (Paderborn)

 Service Music 

Gloria in excelsis S-277   New Plainsong, David Hurd
Psalm 40:1-8     St. Martin's Psalter, Thomas Pavlechko
Sanctus S-125     A Community Mass, Richard Proulx
Memorial Acclamation S-138     McNeil Robinson II
Great Amen S-146     Robinson
Fraction Anthem S-154     New Plainsong, Hurd

 Anthems
Heavenly Light     Alexander Kopylow
Lead Me, Lord     Samuel Sebastian Wesley

 Organ Voluntaries
Jesus, Lead Thou On     Paul Manz
Let Us Eve Walk with Jesus     Richard Hillert

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