Hymn Blog - February 28, 2010

February 28, 2010 – Second Sunday of Lent

VU 117 – Jesus Christ is Waiting. The hymn was written by John Bell in support of youth work in Glasgow. See the February 14 blog for more information about Bell. The tune, NOËL NOUVELET, is a fifteenth century French carol tune, and comes to us via “The Oxford Book of Carols” (1928). This arrangement is by the Iona Community.

MV 81 – Love Us into Fullness. See last week’s hymn blog.

MV 78 – God Weeps. This Shirley Murray text pictures God weeping at human folly and heartlessness, and waiting for an understanding of God’s revelation in Christ. Shirley Erena Murray is a hymn text writer, born in Invercargill, New Zealand in 1931. Her texts have appeared in more than 100 collections worldwide and have been translated into several languages. She has been an editor with the New Zealand Hymnbook Trust and received international acclaim for her writing, including being made a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music (2006) and becoming a Member of the NZ Order of Merit (2001) for services to the community through hymn writing. She is the first citizen to be so honoured. Shirley has been the Erik Routley Fellow (PCUSA) in 1996 and her hymns have been included in the worship of the World Council of Churches' Assemblies. She was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society in 2009. DELGADO, the setting to this lovely hymn of lament was written by California composer Jim Strathdee.

VU 286 – If You Will Trust in God to Guide You. The German text of this hymn was written by Georg Neumark in 1641, after he had been robbed by highwaymen of all his possessions excepting a prayer book and a few coins. He was unexpectedly employed as a tutor in the home of a wealthy judge when he was almost destitute after a long period of unemployment.  Then and there he wrote this text based on Psalm 55:22. The tune, also by Neumark, was published in his collection in Jena in 1657.

MV 214 – May God’s Sheltering Wings. This beautiful song of blessing uses feminine imagery for God. Author and composer Judith Snowdon was born in England but completed her formal music education in Canada. A recipient of ARCTs from The Royal Conservatory of Music in both Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy, she completed her formal composition studies at Canadian Mennonite University (Bachelor of Church Music) and the University of Winnipeg (Gold Medalist – Bachelor of Arts). An award winning composer and accomplished church musician, Judith also managed a successful private studio for over twenty years and currently teaches piano at The Chocolate River Conservatory in Dieppe, NB. Judith also works part-time for the Mennonite Central Committee and serves as organist/choir director at McKees Mills United Church in New Brunswick where she lives.