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Hymn Blog - May 31, 2009
May 31, 2009 (Pentecost Sunday)
On this high holy day of the Christian year we celebrate the coming of the Spirit and the birthday of the church. The participation of Gael Hannan, of Islington United Church and the Toronto Hearing Foundation will remind us that all, however abled, are called by the Spirit into Christ’s community to share their gifts.
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 last November at the age of 82. The tune MUNICH has been traced back to the 16th century in Germany, and is used by Bach in two cantatas and by Mendelssohn in the oratorio “Elijah.”
MV 156 – Dance with the Spirit. Excerpted from his “Mass for the Healing of the Earth”, this lively dance by Californian Jim Strathdee is a great way to send the children off to Chidren’s Church.
MV136 – This stunning text celebrating the gifts of differently abled people was written by American Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. With deep Methodist roots, she graduated from United Methodist related Lebanon Valley College, before attending Princeton Theological Seminary where she received her M. Div. in 1985. She and her husband are co-pastors at Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Deleware. The tune, SHILOH, is by Blair Odney, Minister of Worship, Music and Mission Strategy at Trinity United Church, Vernon, British Columbia.
VU 204 – Come, Holy Spirit. Our prayer response is a traditional text sung to a setting from the Iona Community.
MV 142 – Oh a Song Must Rise. Author and composer Paul Svenson is a songleader, singer, composer, arranger, record producer, studio musician, trainer and motivational leader. He plays several instruments including guitar, piano, banjo, Hawaiian Steel, mandolin, & bass. He has played on over 40 albums, written and arranged hundreds of songs, and spent most of his life working in the church. He is currently the director of contemporary music at the University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in San Diego, CA.
