Hymn Blog - May 23, 2010

May 23, 2010 – Pentecost

VU 195 – On Pentecost They Gathered. The first two stanzas of this hymn retell the Pentecost story, the third reflects on how the story shows God’s desire for inclusivity, and the last is a prayer for the gifts of the Spirit to come to us today. Author Jane Parker Huber was a strong advocate for women in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She wrote scores of hymns, three of which appear in Voices United. “Live into Hope”, is one we sing frequently at TSP. Huber died in 2008 at the age of 82. The tune MUNICH has been traced back to the 16^th century in Germany, and is used by Bach in two cantatas and by Mendelssohn in the oratorio Elijah.

VU 383 – Come, O Holy Spirit, Come. This invocation of the Spirit comes to us from the Yoruba people of West Africa. It came to Voices United from a World Council of Churches worship book and was paraphrased by I-to Loh who is a retired professor of Worship, Church Music and Ethnomusicology at Tainan Theological College & Seminary, also an adjunct Professor of Worship & Church Music at the Southeast Asian Graduate School of Theology.

MV 150 – Spirit God, Be Our Breath. Author and composer Bruce Harding is a singer/songwriter, worship leader, hymnologist and was Managing Editor for More Voices.  He has a PhD in the development of hymn tune repertoire in the United Church, a passion for worship song from around the world, and over twenty years' experience in both sacred and secular music fields.

MV 15 – Holy Sacred Spirit. Our prayer response is by Monica Brown, one of Australia's most highly respected Christian composers and workshop facilitators. Monica is a teacher with additional studies in spirituality, pastoral guidance, liturgy and creative arts. She has been awarded a Masters Honours Degree in Education from the Australian Catholic University, having completed her thesis on spiritual development and the integration of creative process. Her expertise is in religious education, worship and ritual, and scripture story telling through the integration of creative process. Her highly acclaimed book, Embodying The God We Proclaim - Ministering as Jesus Did  reflects something of the depth of spiritual insight that typifies Monica’s ministry.

VU 194 – Filled with the Spirit’s Power. Author John Raphael Peacey was a Church of England pastor and educator who began writing hymn texts in his retirement. His first texts, including this one, were published in 100 Hymns for Today (1969). Hymnologist Carleton Young comments “Unlike many hymns on the Holy Spirit that tell of its witness to the individual Christian, Canon Pearcey’s poem is about the witness of God’s Spirit as we extend our circle of care and concern to include the whole human family.” The tune, NATIONAL HYMN, was written by American George William Warren in 1894, for the New York City centennial celebration of the adoption of the American Constitution, as a setting for the text “God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand.”