Music Participants: February 13, Sanctuary Choir.

Choir Anthem: The Sanctuary Choir anthem on February 13, Christ is Made the Sure Foundation, is a new musical setting of a classic text. Originally a seventh-century Latin hymn, it was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851. This was a period when scholars were rescuing ancient texts as well as exploring texts from traditions outside the English-speaking world. Neale's translations of ancient Latin and Greek hymns set the standard for faithfulness to the original while creating beautiful and memorable hymns. Among his other beloved texts are O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; Good Christian Friends, Rejoice; All Glory, Laud, and Honor; and Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain. The medieval text was drawn from passages in 1 Peter, Revelation, and Ephesians and is believed to have been written for the dedication of a church. It is a powerful call for us to be more than just a building or community as we become a church. The musical setting is by Gilbert Martin, who studied at Westminster Choir College, has worked for many years as a freelance composer of sacred music, and is a resident of Dayton, OH.

Ordination Hymn: Pat and Beth Flannagan commissioned this Sunday's postsermon hymn, From Our Mothers' Wombs You Know Us, for the ordination of Meg Flannagan at our church in 2006. Mary Louise Bringle, one of the most noted hymn writers working today, wrote the text, and our own Ann Holler composed the music. It reminds us, not only those ordained but all baptized, that we have each been called to service in Christ's church. The choir has sung this hymn for baptisms, and it is most appropriate for a service at which we ordain and install new church officers for service to Christ's church.

Test Hymn: The test hymn we will sing this week, Shall We Gather at the River, is hardly a new hymn, although it has never appeared in a Presbyterian hymnal. Both words and music were written in 1864 by Robert Lowry, who was a 38-year-old Baptist pastor serving a congregation in Brooklyn, NY, at the time. According to one source quoting Lowry: "It was a time when an epidemic was sweeping through the city, and draping many persons and dwellings in mourning. All around friends and acquaintances were passing away to the spirit land in large numbers. The question began to arise in the heart, with unusual emphasis, 'Shall we meet again? We are parting at the river of death, shall we meet at the river of life?' ... The words and music of the hymn began to flow out, as if by inspiration." Lowry wrote a number of popular hymns, but this has been his most widely sung creation, nearly taking on the nature of a folk song. Clearly drawing on the imagery of the opening verses of Revelation 22, it is a reassuring confirmation of the joys of eternal life. - Vicki & Steve Fey

February 13: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lessons: Psalm 146; Mark 10:35-45

Sermon: The Promise of Life Fulfilled, Gordon Turnbull

In Our Prayers