Voices Found: Christ's morning's star, VF 77, Communion, Lent, Easter, Annunciation

 



Voices Found: 77

We stand within the circle of Christ's eternal light.
No more to walk in darkness, no more to live by sight.

We live by faith he gives us, our food our bread and wine.
And ever lift our praises beyond life's earthly signs.

We sing with shining voices, made worthy by his light.
Hosanna in the highest, Christ, morning's star burns bright.

Words: Beverly Easterling
Music: Carl Haywood
 

"We stand within the circle" is a delightfully simple song for Communion, appropriate especially during the Lent/Easter season, or for Baptism.  Carl Haywood's folk tune is easy to learn and you can sing it as a round.  The optional accompaniment can be varied to suit the needs of the group as suggested in The Leader's Guide to Voices Found.  

The third verse of Easterling's text echoes the ancient hymn "Wie schoen leuchtet der Morgenstern"  by Philip Nicolai in 1597. Johann Sebastian Bach based his 1725  cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, on that chorale, which he wrote for Sunday, March 25, when the Feast of the  Annunciation fell on Palm Sunday. Following Bach, you might consider singing this hymn for Annunciation in March or during Advent.

The Biblical text below is appointed for Lent IV, Year A.

John 9:1-6

9As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ 3Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4We*must work the works of him who sent me* while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.

https://www.churchpublishing.org/products/voicesfound2

For background and performance suggestions please see The Leader's Guide to Voices Found



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Voices Found:A ballad for Mary VF #4

Image
                                                                                       Voices Found #4 Mary heard the angel's message, Verses 1 and 2 Mary heard the angel's message: "Greetings, Mary, favored one. Do not fear, for God is with you; you will one day bear God's son." Filled with questions, filled with wonder, she proclaimed her faith in God: "May it be as you have spoken; I'm the servant of the Lord!" When she heard her cousin's greeting, Mary's heart was filled with joy, so she sang of God's great blessing promised in her baby boy: "God has looked on me with favor, so I sing this song of praise. God has worked, the proud to scatter; humble hungry ones to raise." Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Music:  Ecce Deus,  Alfred V. Fedak "Mary heard the an...
Read more

Voices Found: Kyrie, by Hildegard of Bingen, Wonder Love and Praise #841

Image
                                                                                     Kyrie by Hildegard of Bingen  Hildegard's Kyrie is published in Wonder Love and Praise, a  supplement to the Hymnal 1982 of The Episcopal Church . Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) was the first woman to write liturgical music for the Western Church. Her music, notated in the neumes of her time, is preserved in two  manuscripts in Europe.   With the publication of Wonder Love and Praise,   my transcription of Hildegard's chant is available in modern notation for today's worship.    Now all can sing Hildegard's ethereal music . Kyrie  is ecstatic,  florid, and filled  with soaring melismas  best performed by a soloist or small group...
Read more

Voices Found: Singing of Joseph, the Dreamer, VF 64

Image
                                                                                                              A lily, symbol of Faithfulness  Voices Found #64, verse 2  Joseph in your darkest night, angel message hearing, You cast not your live aside, scorn and anger fearing. When a loved one brings us grief, rips our world asunder, Dreamer, may we have your heart, open to God’s wonder. Words: Carol Goodwin King Music: Tempus ad est floridum from Piae Cantiones, 1582 Joseph  rarely appears in  Christmas Carols even though he courageously   nurtured and  and protected Mary during her Holy Pregnancy. His love affirmed her willingness to bear the Christ-child. Therefore it is appropriate t...
Read more