Music Spotlight (Sunday, August 29, 2021)

Opening Hymn

#625 "O Lord My God" (HOW GREAT THOU ART) 

One of the most beloved hymns of Christendom, "How Great Thou Art" travelled the globe before it reached our American ears. Around 1886, a Swedish pastor penned nine stanzas. 

...Boberg's inspiration is said to have come one day when he was caught in a thunderstorm on the southeastern coast of Sweden. The violence of the storm followed by the return of the sun and the singing of birds left him falling to his knees in awe. Soon he penned the nine stanzas of the original version in Swedish beginning with “O Store Gud, nar jag den varld beskader.” Several years later, Boberg unexpectedly heard his poem sung by a congregation to an old Swedish folk melody... READ MORE.

By 1927, the hymn had been translated into German and Russian. English missionary Stuart K. Hine (1899-1989) and his wife heard the Russian version sung as a vocal duet in the Ukraine. When war broke out, Hine and his wife were forced to return to England in 1939. They used the first three stanzas in evangelistic endeavors during the “Blitz years.” 

"How Great Thou Art" was subsequently used in the "Billy Graham Crusades" of the 1950's. You may be most familiar with his gospel rendition or that of Elvis Presley. However, the Swedish version is understated and sung in strict rhythm. So this hymn--sung in many languages and styles--seems to strike the heartstrings of Christians around the world. 

Middle Hymn

#787 "God Weeps with Us Who Weep and Mourn" (MOSHIER) 

This hymn began as a wordless tune composed by Sally Ann Morris in 1995 upon reading the obituary of Thomas Layton Moshier, a friend who died from AIDS. Several months later the tune was sent to Thomas Troeger, who created this text, incorporating references to Romans 12:15 and Job. Troeger (b. 1945) was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1970 and the Episcopal Church in 1999, and remains dually aligned with both traditions. He served as national chaplain to the American Guild of Organists and for the last three years has hosted the Season of Worship broadcast for Cokesbury. [Source]

Closing Hymn

#819 "Be Still, My Soul" (FINLANDIA) 

This text appears at the time of German pietism, similar in spirit in many regards to the Wesleyan revival in England of the same era. Katharina von Schlegel (1697-?), though we don't know much about her life, is thought to be the leading female hymn writer of this period. The hymn comes to us via a translation by Jane L. Borthwick (1813-1897), a member of the Free Church of Scotland.

The melody comes from a symphonic tone poem by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) by the name of Finlandia, Op. 26. Out of agitated and tumultuous opening music, symbolizing the struggles of the Finnish people, emerges the serenity of the hymn-like melody we know as FINLANDIA, symbolizing hope and resolution. 

...The Peace Celebrations of 1899 provided the political backdrop for the composition as well as a subtle protest by the composer against the rising censorship from Russia felt in the nearby Scandinavian countries. The censorship was so intense that the composition could not be programmed publically under its formal title Finlandia, as the Russian Empire would deem that too patriotic. In order to please the Russian censors, other titles were devised such as "Happy Feelings at the Awakening of Finnish Spring."... READ MORE.

Offertory

"Be Still, and Know That I Am God" by Roberta Bitgood

Roberta Bitgood (1908 – 2007) was an American organist, choir director, and composer. She was a pioneer of 20th-century American church music, and the first woman to serve as national president of the American Guild of Organists. Our very own Charlsie DeLoach will sing Bitgood's beautiful composition, "Be Still, and Know That I Am God" today.

Special Music

The congregation is invited to sing the refrain of this beautiful Psalm setting by John L. Bell with the One and Done choir during worship today. Take a listen to this lovely a cappella version!