Voices Found at the foot of the cross
Voices Found #43
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross Mary sat weeping and gazing with love at her Lord.
He hung there bleeding and suffering and dying.
She could not help him.
She could not carry him home.
Blessed Mary, his mother bore him and rocked him and bathed him with love for her son.
Saw him in childhood and growing to manhood.
She could not help him.
She could not carry him home.
Now with love in their hearts Mary and John sat together and poured out their grief.
"Look, John, your mother" and "Mary, your son, John."
She could not help him.
She could not carry him home.
When it was finished, Jesus was laid in a tomb wrapped in grave clothes of death.
Three long nights after, he left the grave clothes.
She could not help him.
She could not carry him home.
At the foot of the cross we sit with Mary and worship with love in our hearts.
For he has risen and lives with his Father.
We only love him.
He lives to carry us home.
Words and Music: Carol E. Peterson
Carol (Kohlhaas) Peterson, 72, of Chandler AZ, passed away on September 1, 2022.
A composer and hymn writer, CarolPeterson was born in Harrisburg PA to the late John and Jean (Metz) Kohlhaas. She studied composition and organ with Dr. David N. Johnson. She served as organist at Desert Hill Presbyterian Church in Carefree AZ.
Meditation:
Voices Found # 75
Jesus living word incarnate; of Mary, virgin mother born.
Lifted on the cross, most holy, for us crucified and scorned.
Cleanse us by thy true obedience of the holy life outpoured,
feed us with these holy mysteries,
Christ, eternally adored.
Words: Beverly Easterling.
Music : Carl Haywood
About the hymn
"Jesus living word" is appropriate to sing as a Fraction Anthem at the breaking of the bread in Communion liturgy. It emphasizes the unifying nature of the Eucharist. Written for the Sewanee Composer's Project, the text is a metrical paraphrase of the Latin hymn Ave verum corpus. Various choral settings of this hymn, notably by Mozart and Elgar, are staples in many church choirs. Beverly Easterling's brief text is an opportunity for the congregation to sing the Ave verum as at the Fraction. Carl Haywood's easy tune is memorable, accessible for even the smallest congregations and should be sung at a walking tempo. It could also be used on Palm Sunday during communion. (From The Leader's guide to Voices Found)
Beverly Easterling (b. 19490
Beverly Easterling is a writer and voice teacher. Her work can be found in Voices Found, a supplement to the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal. She is a lyricist who has collaborated with noted composers Robert J. Powell, Mark Hayes, Mark Schweizer, and George Mabry. She lives in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Carl Haywood served on the Voices Found hymnal committee as liaison to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. He was also service music editor for Lift Every Voice and Sing: An African American Hymnal published by Church Publishing.
Dr. Haywood, who has sustained a long tenure at Norfolk State University, is a devoted teacher and friend of students and young musicians. A dynamic advocate of NSU, he is Director of Choral Activities and conducts the NSU Concert Choir and the Spartan Chorale. Dr. Haywood frequently serves as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and lecturer for schools, colleges, and churches throughout the country. He also serves as a National Conductor for the 105 Voices of History, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Choir. (from the GIA publishing website)
Comments
Post a Comment