Hymn Blog - June 7, 2009

A very busy Sunday as we welcome new members, say farewell to faithful friends, covenant with an inquirer, celebrate a birthday, and celebrate communion.

VU 409 – Morning Has Broken. Born into a literary family in England in 1881, author Eleanor Farjeon earned her living as a poet, journalist and broadcaster. This beautiful text became a pop hit in the 1970’s when recorded by Cat Stevens. Farjeon also wrote the advent carol, “People Look East”. The tune, BUNESSAN, is a traditional Gaelic melody, first published in 1888.

VU 383 – Come, O Holy Spirit, Come. This invocation of the Spirit comes to us from the Yoruba people of West Africa. It is beautifully suited to use as a processional into the sanctuary.

MV 176 – Three Things I Promise. On Trinity Sunday it is appropriate that we use this lovely trinitarian hymn of commitment. Written in 1997 by Brian Wren, it is set to BLANN, a tune written in 1999 by Dan Damon. Wren, born in England and ordained in the Congregational Church, now lives in the United States. Damon, a life member of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, is a United Methodist minister in Richmond, California.

VU 236 – Now Thank We All Our God. This wonderful hymn of praise was written by Lutheran cantor and pastor Martin Rinckart, ca 1636.  He wrote it as a table grace for his family amid the famine, plague and destruction of the Thirty Years War. The English translation by Catherine Winkworth appeared in 1858. It is set to Johann Crüger’s chorale tune NUN DANKET.

VU 429 – May the Blessing of God Be upon You. The text is by Gordon Nodwell, former minister of Deer Park United Church, Toronto, and the tune, MACRAE, is by William Wright, long time organist at Deer Park, and recent honorary Doctor of Divinity recipient from Victoria University.