I have always loved this 13th century plainsong melody, Divinum Mysterium. The hymn can be found in the Lutheran Book of Worship, #42. My setting uses a metrical piano accompaniment over which the chant melody is sung. Often used as a Christmas piece, this hymn anthem is also very effectively used in the Advent season.
Commissioned by St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Minnesota, for the dedication concert of its new J.F. Nordlie organ on April 1, 2001. Praise the Living God Who Sings is a festive choral setting of the text by David Robb of Dalton, Georgia. Robb’s text was inspired by Zephaniah 3:17, "He will rejoice over you with singing." The three stanzas are set in fast-slow-fast form, with the opening and closing sections in 5/4 meter and the pastoral middle section in 3/4. Alleluias resound throughout the anthem, with the final strain repeating in octave unison the dramatic reminder that "God still sings!"
A new tune replaces the old Swedish folk melody of this well-known text found in the Lutheran Book of Worship, #26. A light but rhythmic piano part makes this anthem a good choice for a choir that likes to mix tradition with innovation. Often used during the Advent season, this piece also works well for Palm/Passion Sunday.
An anthem for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, with text by Susan Cherwien. "Return to God from wayward ways, and crossed with ash the threshhold cross, into the desert wilderness." Focuses on general Lenten themes of repentance, reflection, and discernment.
"Come Christ, to waiting earth, and bring your future now to birth." The last lines of this wonderful text by Susan Palo Cherwien will bring you to the brink of Christmas. Particularly well-suited for the 4th Sunday of Advent, or the Advent season in general, the theme of Christ's love coming to a world filled with conflict and war also makes this anthem suitable for general use.
A setting of the much-loved children’s hymn with text by Jaroslav Vajda and tune (Eisenberg) by Carl Schalk. A children’s choir, small group, or soloist may be subsituted or alternated with the soprano section. "Someone Special, I know who: That someone, my God, is you! Who could make a world like this, and a heaven full of bliss. Someone special I must be, since you made it all for me!"
Andrae Crouch’s classic gospel song can be used for Christ the King Sunday, as well as a general anthem througout the church year. Crouch’s words express a vision of heaven, with the hopeful reminder that God is with us through our struggles on the earthly journey of faith. My setting uses a straight-ahead driving gospel piano score, with the exuberant refrain punctuated by a bridge section and a solo/ad lib section which can be repeated as needed before returning to the final refrain and ending.
"Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; wean it from earth, through all its pulses move; stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart, and make me love you as I ought to love." The classic 19th century hymn tune Morecambe, on which this choral setting is based, is found in the Lutheran Book of Worship, #486. My setting uses an optional cello part along with flowing piano accompaniment. Well-suited for use in the Lenten season and for Pentecost Sunday, the words of this wonderful prayer are appropriate throughout the church year.
The text to the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus is the basis for this gospel style original. Following the second refrain, the individual sections of the choir can be layered one at a time on the repeated line "Take it to the Lord, take it to the Lord, take it to the Lord in prayer", building to the energetic restatement of the refrain with an added optional solo vocal descant part. Traditional choirs, gospel choirs, and youth choirs will enjoy this anthem.
This hymn from Ghana is found in in the hymnal This Far by Faith, published by Augsburg Fortress. Centered around the theme "That priceless grace is life for me," the third verse focuses on the cross, "That painful death took sin away," making this a fine anthem for Holy Week. Effectively used for Lent/Holy Week as well as the Easter season.