Hymn of the Day: O Christ, What Can It Mean for Us (ELW 431)
Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, (1939)
Tune: ALL SAINTS NEW, Henry S. Cutler, (1824–1902)
This hymn tune was first published in Delores Dufner’s collection The Glimmer of Glory in Song (2003). Dufner, the author of the hymn text, says this about it:
The question is, “What can it mean for us to claim Christ as our king?” My answer: It means that we may not wield poower over others as the world does, letting might take precedence over right. The way of love is opposite the way of power and, as followers of Jesus, we are called to take the way of love. Love shows itself in other-centered service rather than self-centeredness. The fact that we are wealthy and powerful as individuals, and as a nation, places on us a special responsibility to care for those who are poor and weak.
In this hymn she “tried to reflect that humbler image of Christ, a ‘different kind of king’ whom we are invited to imitate.”
Henry Stephen Cutler composed ALL SAINTS NEW in 1872 for Reginald Heber's text "The Son of God Goes Forth to War," and the two were published together in Hymnal with Tunes, Old and New (1872). That text refers to "the glorious band" of God's people, helping to explain the chosen tune title. The NEW is to distinguish this tune from others that are also called ALL SAINTS. ALL SAINTS NEW has a processional or martial character, inherited no doubt from Cutler's love for the British cathedral tradition of choir processions.
Cutler studied music in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1844. He moved to England, where he listened with interest to the cathedral choirs and came under the influence of the Oxford Movement. Returning to Boston in 1846, Cutler became organist of the Episcopal Church of the Advent and formed a choir of men and boys, to whom he introduced the wearing of liturgical robes. When he took a position at Trinity Church in New York City, he removed women from the choir and used the occasion of a visit by the Prince of Wales to the church to introduce his newly vested men and boys' choir. He also moved the choir from the gallery to the chancel and initiated the chanting of the psalms and the singing of part of the worship service. Cutler compiled The Psalter, with Chants (1858) and published The Trinity Psalter (1864) and Trinity Anthems (1865).
Offertory Anthem: “O For A Closer Walk With God” Charles Stanford (1852-1924)
Text: William Cowper (1731-1800)
Tune: CAITHNESS (anonymous tune, Scottish Psalter, 1635)
Today’s anthem is a beloved setting by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford of the Anglican hymn, “O For A Closer Walk With God,” its text written by William Cowper and set to an anonymous tune from the Scottish Psalter, 1635.
William Cowper (pronounced “Cooper”) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law.
William Cowper wrote this text on December 9, 1769, during the illness of his long-time friend and housekeeper, Mrs. Unwin. In a letter written the next day Cowper voiced his anxieties about her condition and about what might happen to him if she died. Saying that he composed the text "to surrender up to the Lord" all his "dearest comforts," Cowper added,
Her illness has been a sharp trial to me. Oh, that it may have a sanctifying effect! . . . I began to compose the verses yesterday morning before daybreak, but fell asleep at the end of the first two lines; when I awoke again, the third and fourth were whispered to my heart in a way which I have often experienced.
Although Cowper frequently battled depression, doubt, and melancholy, this text speaks of a very intimate walk with the Lord. This song reminds us of the reality that we, though being children of God, do still wander from him, lose the sense of his presence, and need to return.
For the last two decades of his life Cowper lived in Olney, where John Newton became his pastor. There he assisted Newton in his pastoral duties, and the two collaborated on the important hymn collection Olney Hymns (1779), to which Cowper contributed sixty-eight hymn texts.
O for a closer walk with God, a calm and heavenly frame,
a light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb!
Return, O holy Dove, return, sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee morn and drove Thee from my breast.
So shall my walk be close with God, calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road that leads me to the Lamb.
Opening Voluntary “Marching to Zion” Robert Buckley Farlee
To set the tone for the Gathering Hymn, I’ve chosen a setting of the hymn tune ”Marching to Zion” by Robert Lowry (1826 – 1899), an American preacher who became a popular writer of gospel music in the mid-to late 19th century. Some of his music includes “Shall We Gather at the River” and “How Can I Keep From Singing”.
Closing Voluntary “Carillon” Phillip M Young (1937)
Philip M. Young is a native of Greenville, South Carolina. He received his education at North Greenville University, Furman University, and the Graduate School of Music of Florida State University. In 1987 he was awarded the honorary Doctor of Letters from Campbell University.
He served as Minister of Music of The First Baptist Church of Henderson, NC from 1959 to his retirement in 2004, when he was named the church's Composer in Residence.
As a composer he has received numerous awards and commissions. He is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, having won numerous ASCAP standard compositions annual awards.