Music for Worship Sunday September 9

Focusing on our devotion to Christ and the cross as we are in worship this week, the music for FirstLight has an introspective feel to it. We will be singing some old favorite choruses, “More precious than silver,” Jesus, draw me close,” and “He has made me glad.” Also included in the opening set of music is Tommy Walker’s “He knows my name.” Here is a link to a really nice music video of the song. The Prophets will be singing one of their favorite songs, “There is a longing in our hearts” at the offering. Anne Quigley is an artist/composer affiliated with Oregon Catholic Press. The closing song at FirstLight will be John Bell’s hymn “The Summons.” The tune and original secular lyric for the song, “Kelvingrove,” have a rich history of their own. Coupled with John Bell’s powerful text of commitment and devotion the tune has taken on new life as a worship song. Here is a link to some photos of the Glasgow, Scotland park (and now museum) that gave rise to the original music and text.


Hymns at the 11 AM service include the aforementioned “The Summons” plus “Lift high the cross” (Crucifer) and “In the cross of Christ I glory” (Rathbun). Alice Keith Knowles ("Keithie") joined our congregation in early summer and brought a wealth of musical talent and lore with her. This week she will play pieces for violin at the prelude and offertory. Vivaldi’s "Sonata in D" is a violinist favorite with flashy arpeggios throughout. The piece also includes challenging triple- and quadruple-stops, three and four notes played at once (keep in mind it’s a violin!!) Charles Callahan’s “Valediction” is one of the few works by this composer not based on one or more hymn tunes. It’s interesting to hear what Dr. Callahan does with original material. The piece is an interpretation of John 14.1-4, 27, a highly introspective work. The organ postlude will be a rousing fanfare on the tune associated with “Stand up, stand up for Jesus,” by Alice Jordan (b. 1916). At age 12 Dr. Jordan wrote her first work, a school song for Callanan Junior High School. Long associated with Drake University where her husband Frank Jordan was on faculty, she is still at work composing today. The choir anthem this Sunday is Allen Pote’s perennial favorite, “Psalm 139,” marked by a flowing accompaniment and lyrical melody.