During March, Women’s History Month, we are celebrating each week the contribution women have made to our worship either in our hymns, anthems, preludes or postludes, through musical compositions and/or texts rooted in this history and culture.

For this Sunday our list includes the texts of the Sending and Communion hymns. To catch up with last Sunday, our list included the text of the Gathering Hymn and the Communion hymn tune.

Hymn of the Day: "Now the Green Blade Rises" ELW 379
Text: John Macleod Campbell Crum (1872- 1958)
Tune: NOËL NOUVELET,

Though clearly an “Easter hymn”, these are words that may encourage fruitful reflection at other times also. John Macleod Campbell Crum, an Anglican cleric who served as rector of Farnham and Canon of Canterbury Cathedral, wrote these words specifically for the tune “NOËL NOUVELET”, derived from a fifteenth-century French tune and sometimes called “FRENCH CAROL.” The carol was first published in the Oxford Book of Carols in 1928. You may recognize it from its use in the Christmas carol, “Sing We Now of Christmas.” While the composer is unknown, the tune is known to have come from France in the mid-15th century.

As we leave today’s service, the Closing Voluntary also recalls NOËL NOUVOLET in a setting by Richard Hudson. Professor emeritus of musicology at the University of California, Los Angeles Richard Hudson has degrees from California Institute of Technology, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Syracuse University, and UCLA.

Offertory: “Now” Braeden Ayers

“Now the silence” (1968) is one of Jaroslav J Vajda’s (1919-2008) signature hymn texts. First appearing in the Lutheran publication, This Day, in May 1988, this text is unusual in its construction, the entire text containing fourteen lines and with no punctuation. The author notes, “If there was one hymn text that proved a catalyst for my hymn writing, it was ‘Now the silence.’”

The incessant use of the word “Now” (sixteen times!) places the mystery of the Eucharist into the center of the singer’s consciousness. Furthermore, the descriptive language in the hymn is empirical – drawing us into a sensory experience, the essence of the embodiment of the Incarnation. The Lord’s Supper is no longer relegated to the past as a memorial event, but is a reality “Now” as we see “the vessel brimmed for pouring” and participate in “the joyful celebration.” Communion for Vajda is a manifestation of “the Son’s epiphany” through which we receive “the Father’s blessing.”

Braeden Ayres is a composer, conductor, and music educator who believes that music and singing are for all people. As an artist, teacher, and conductor, his mission is to empower people, explore the human experience, and celebrate the human voice as a tool for self-expression. As a composer, his works vary widely in style, with pieces written especially for changing voices, high school choirs, and collegiate, community, and professional ensembles.

Now the silence Now the peace
Now the empty hands uplifted
Now the kneeling Now the plea
Now the Father's arms in welcome
Now the hearing Now the power
Now the vessel brimmed for pouring
Now the body Now the blood
Now the joyful celebration
Now the wedding Now the songs
Now the heart forgiven leaping
Now the Spirit's visitation
Now the Son's epiphany
Now the Father's blessing
Now Now Now

Opening Voluntary: Chorale Prelude on KUORTANE, Robert Below (1934-2020)

NYLAND, named for a province in Finland, is a folk melody from Kuortane, South Ostrobothnia, Finland. In fact, the tune is also known as KUORTANE and was first published with a hymn text in an appendix to the 1909 edition of the Finnish Suomen Evankelis Luterilaisen Kirken Koraalikirja. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world after David Evans's use of it in the British Church Hymnary of 1927.

In concerto, recital, chamber music, or accompanying, Robert Below exhibited a depth of interpretive insight, command of the instrument, and the beauty of sound which delighted devoted audiences. He was productive as a composer, adding a personal and prolific expression to the literature for voice, chorus, chamber music, keyboard, strings, and symphony orchestra.

Closing Voluntary: “Noël Nouvelet” Richard Hudson (1924)

See Hymn of the Day