Holy Father, Great Creator
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 16, 2020
This Sunday, we're singing another Trinity hymn with distinctly Episcopal roots. "Holy Father, great Creator" (The Hymnal 1982, # 368) was written by the fifth presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold (1766-1843).
In this era of American history, the eldest bishop automatically served as presiding bishop while continuing to serve as a diocesan bishop. (Today, presiding bishops are elected for a single, nine-year term.) Bishop Alexander Griswold served in this capacity from 1836 until his death. He was the bishop of the Eastern Diocese, which at that time included all of New England with the exception of Connecticut. The Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold, the 25th presiding bishop and a regular visitor at Trinity Cathedral, is a cousin.
This is the only hymn by Bishop Griswold that remains in constant use, and it currently only appears in the Episcopal hymnal. The text, a prayer to each member of the Holy Trinity, is paired with a rousing tune, Regent Square.
The tune by English composer Henry Smart (1813-1879) was first published in 1867 and paired with a different text, "Glory be to God the Father." In the United States, the tune is commonly associated with the Christmas hymn, "Angels from the realms of glory" (The Hymnal 1982, #93). Smart, who left the legal profession to become a self-taught organist and composer, worked primarily in Presbyterian churches and continued to play the organ after becoming blind at age 52. Regent Square is his best known composition. Hear a recording: Holy Father, Great Creator
Although this hymn has fallen out of use in other denominations, it remains an important part of our Episcopal heritage. Bishop Griswold's hymn to the Trinity appeals to Christians of all ages and is a favorite of our children's and youth choirs, who are singing this Sunday.
Music for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 16, 2020
Hymns
51 We the Lord's people (Decatur Place)
605 What does the Lord require (Sharpthorne)
533 How wondrous and great thy works, God of praise! (Lyons)
488 Be thou my vision (Slane)
368 Holy Father, great Creator (Regent Square)
Service Music
Gloria in excelsis S-277 New Plainsong, David Hurd
Psalm 119:1-8 St. Martin's Psalter
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
Ubi caritas Becki Slagle Mayo
Alleluia! Sing Alleluia Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. John Leavitt
Voluntaries
Andante tranquillo (from Sonata III) Felix Mendelssohn
Chaconne Louis Couperin
February 16, 2020
This Sunday, we're singing another Trinity hymn with distinctly Episcopal roots. "Holy Father, great Creator" (The Hymnal 1982, # 368) was written by the fifth presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. Alexander Viets Griswold (1766-1843).
In this era of American history, the eldest bishop automatically served as presiding bishop while continuing to serve as a diocesan bishop. (Today, presiding bishops are elected for a single, nine-year term.) Bishop Alexander Griswold served in this capacity from 1836 until his death. He was the bishop of the Eastern Diocese, which at that time included all of New England with the exception of Connecticut. The Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold, the 25th presiding bishop and a regular visitor at Trinity Cathedral, is a cousin.
This is the only hymn by Bishop Griswold that remains in constant use, and it currently only appears in the Episcopal hymnal. The text, a prayer to each member of the Holy Trinity, is paired with a rousing tune, Regent Square.
Although this hymn has fallen out of use in other denominations, it remains an important part of our Episcopal heritage. Bishop Griswold's hymn to the Trinity appeals to Christians of all ages and is a favorite of our children's and youth choirs, who are singing this Sunday.
1 Holy Father, great Creator,
source of mercy, love, and peace,
look upon the Mediator,
clothe us with his righteousness;
heavenly Father, heavenly Father,
through the Savior hear and bless.
source of mercy, love, and peace,
look upon the Mediator,
clothe us with his righteousness;
heavenly Father, heavenly Father,
through the Savior hear and bless.
2 Holy Jesus, Lord of glory,
whom angelic hosts proclaim,
while we hear thy wondrous story,
meet and worship in thy Name,
dear Redeemer, dear Redeemer,
in our hearts thy peace proclaim.
whom angelic hosts proclaim,
while we hear thy wondrous story,
meet and worship in thy Name,
dear Redeemer, dear Redeemer,
in our hearts thy peace proclaim.
3 Holy Spirit, Sanctifier,
come with unction from above,
touch our hearts with sacred fire,
fill them with the Savior's love.
Source of comfort, Source of comfort,
cheer us with the Savior's love.
come with unction from above,
touch our hearts with sacred fire,
fill them with the Savior's love.
Source of comfort, Source of comfort,
cheer us with the Savior's love.
4 God the Lord, through every nation
let thy wondrous mercies shine.
In the song of thy salvation
every tongue and race combine.
Great Jehovah, great Jehovah,
form our hearts and make them thine.
let thy wondrous mercies shine.
In the song of thy salvation
every tongue and race combine.
Great Jehovah, great Jehovah,
form our hearts and make them thine.
Music for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 16, 2020
Hymns
51 We the Lord's people (Decatur Place)
605 What does the Lord require (Sharpthorne)
533 How wondrous and great thy works, God of praise! (Lyons)
488 Be thou my vision (Slane)
368 Holy Father, great Creator (Regent Square)
Service Music
Gloria in excelsis S-277 New Plainsong, David Hurd
Psalm 119:1-8 St. Martin's Psalter
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
Ubi caritas Becki Slagle Mayo
Alleluia! Sing Alleluia Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. John Leavitt
Voluntaries
Andante tranquillo (from Sonata III) Felix Mendelssohn
Chaconne Louis Couperin
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