Each week, you may find information here about the music in the traditional worship services at First United Methodist Church in Lewisville, Texas. Some of this information is original; most of it is copied from other websites such as Wikipedia, GBOD, and hymnary.org. It is my hope that this information will enhance your understanding and enrich your worship experience.
About the Organ Music:
Kyrie! Gott Vater in Ewigkeit - J. S. Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organization, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg concertos, the Mass in B minor, The Well-Tempered Clavier, two Passions, keyboard works, and more than 300 cantatas, of which nearly 100 cantatas have been lost to posterity. His music is revered for its intellectual depth, technical command, and artistic beauty. Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognized as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the nineteenth century. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, Bach was recognized by several prominent composers. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Robert Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn were among his admirers; they began writing in a more contrapuntal style after being exposed to Bach's music. Beethoven described him as "Urvater der Harmonie", the "original father of harmony". He is now generally regarded as one of the main composers of the Baroque period and as one of the greatest composers of all time. A highly devout Christian, Bach signed all of his compositions “soli Deo Gloria” (to God alone be the glory).
The Clavier-Übung III, sometimes referred to as the German Organ Mass, is a collection of compositions for organ by Johann Sebastian Bach, started in 1735–36 and published in 1739. It is considered Bach's most significant and extensive work for organ, containing some of his musically most complex and technically most demanding compositions for that instrument. The purpose of the collection was fourfold: an idealized organ programme, taking as its starting point the organ recitals given by Bach himself in Leipzig; a practical translation of Lutheran doctrine into musical terms for devotional use in the church or the home; a compendium of organ music in all possible styles and idioms, both ancient and modern, and properly internationalised; and as a didactic work presenting examples of all possible forms of contrapuntal composition, going far beyond previous treatises on musical theory. Luther had written a greater and a smaller catechism. In the former he demonstrates the essence of the faith; in the latter he addresses himself to the children. Bach, the musical father of the Lutheran church, feels it encumbent on him to do likewise; he gives us a larger and smaller arrangement of each chorale.
The small version of “Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit” does not use the entire chorale melody, but uses a fragment of the theme repeated almost continuously.
Kyrie! God our Father evermore, Mercy Thine in bounteous store,
Thou of all things Ruler and Creator! Eleison!
Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ - Benjamin Culli
“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” was written by Fred Kaan in 1975. Kaan was known and honoured throughout the English speaking world as a hymn writer. He was in the tradition of reformed ministers who wrote hymns to follow and sum up the sermons they preached. Having started to write hymns early in his ministry, his output grew steadily during his career.
Let us talents and tongues employ, Reaching out with a shout of joy.
Bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Christ is able to make us one. At the table he sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless, Love in word and indeed express.
Jesus calls us in, sends us out Bearing fruit in a world of doubt
Gives us love to tell, bread to share. God (Immanuel) everywhere!
Jesus lives again, earth can breath again,
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Benjamin M. Culli is an active composer, a church musician, and a senior keyboard publications editor at the Hal Leonard Corporation. He is the organist at Peace Lutheran Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Culli studied music education at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, and after graduation worked as a high school and elementary school band director. In addition to his duties as a band director, Benjamin also directed the children’s choir and the adult handbell choir. He has composed music for organ, choir, chamber ensembles, and concert bands.
About the Piano Music:
Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service - Laura Kutscher
Albert F. Bayly (1901-1984) was educated at London University and Mansfield College, Oxford. Beginning in the late 1920’s, he served at four Congregational churches in Northumberland, Lancashire and East Yorkshire; in 1962, he became pastor in Thaxted, Essex. After retiring in 1971, he moved to Springfield, Chelmsford, and was active in the local United Reformed Church. He wrote several pageants on mission themes, and librettos for cantatas by W. L. Lloyd Webber (father of Andrew).
Bayly wrote this text in response to a Hymn Society of America search for new hymns on social welfare. It was chosen as the theme hymn for the Second National Conference on the Churches and Social Welfare held in Cleveland, Ohio, October 23-27, 1961. The Hymn Society published the text in Seven New Social Welfare Hymns (1961).
The tune “Beach Spring” is attributed to Benjamin Franklin White, who with the help of Elisha J. King, published The Sacred Harp (Philadelphia, 1844), where it was sung with the text of “Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched.” Named after the Beech Spring Baptist Church in Harris County, Georgia, the church was given its name because of its close proximity to two beech trees at a spring. Although the original spelling of the name should be “Beech,” White’s misspelling “Beach,” has stuck with the hymn throughout the ages. White was mostly a self-taught singing school teacher from South Carolina. Eventually he moved to Hamilton in Harris County, Georgia, where he worked at many different vocations, including a stint in the Georgia Militia. Eventually White married Thurza Golightly, and together the two had 14 children (the same number of children that White’s parents had). At some point along the timeline of Benjamin Franklin White’s history, a rumor was started that he worked closely with William Walker (who was his brother-in-law) to publish Southern Harmonies, but this rumor was probably not true. The two books were wildly popular in the south, but both contained the same southern white spirituals which were popular in the more rural areas. In the 20th century, the tunes from The Sacred Harp, and Southern Harmonies entered into more denominational hymnals and inspired many different composers to arrange the melodies in various ways. The Sacred Harp is one of the most used books in the four-shape notation, and has gone through numerous editions that have been published throughout the years, and even to the present days.
Lord, whose love through humble service Bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken, Offered mercy’s perfect deed,
We, Your servants, bring the worship Not of voice alone, but heart,
Consecrating to Your purpose Ev’ry gift that you impart.
Still Your children wander homeless; Still the hungry cry for bread;
Still the captives long for freedom; Still in grief we mourn our dead.
As, O Lord, Your deep compassion Healed the sick and freed the soul,
Use the love Your Spirit kindles Still to save and make us whole.
As we worship, grant us vision, Till Your love’s revealing light
In its height and depth and greatness, Dawns upon our quickened sight,
Making known the needs and burdens Your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to tireless striving, Your abundant life to share.
Called by worship to Your service, Forth in Your dear name we go,
To the child, the youth, the aged, Love in living deeds to show;
Hope and health, goodwill and comfort, Counsel, aid, and peace we give,
That Your servants, Lord, in freedom May Your mercy know and live.
Laura Kutscher is a gifted pianist, accompanist, and composer. She maintains an active performance and recording schedule and can be heard on several WLP recordings, including her first solo piano disc, For the Beauty of the Earth. Laura received a Bachelor of Music degree and Certificate of Performance from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with majors in piano performance and music composition. She completed her Master of Arts degree at Western Illinois University with emphasis on performance and pedagogy.
About the Vocal Solo Music:
I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me - Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi
The name of the first person who first sang the words “I’m gonna live so God can use me, anywhere, Lord, anytime” is lost to history. This African-American spiritual is one of many that have been passed down through generations. It has been included in printed collections of hymns and spirituals for over 100 years. It was one of the songs that inspired and motivated the Civil Rights movement.
This setting uses the tune SHENANDOAH, a traditional American folk song of uncertain origin, dating to the early 19th century. The song appears to have originated with American and Canadian voyageurs or fur traders traveling down the Missouri River in canoes, and has developed several different sets of lyrics. Some lyrics refer to the Oneida chief Shenandoah and a canoe-going trader who wants to marry his daughter. By the mid 1800s versions of the song had become a sea shanty heard or sung by sailors in various parts of the world.
I’m gonna live so God can use me as I walk this pilgrim journey.
I’m gonna live so God can use me anytime and anywhere
as I seek to share His glory.
I’m gonna pray that God will use me as a light to pierce the darkness.
I’m gonna pray that God will use me anytime and anywhere
as a channel of His mercy.
Lord, show the way and go before me, make me worthy of Your calling.
O take me, Lord, refine and mold me anytime and anywhere.
Hear my fervent prayer, “Lord, send me,” Anytime and anywhere
hear my fervent prayer, “Lord send me.”
O teach me, Lord; o send me, Lord; use me, Lord.
Tom Fettke earned degrees from Oakland City College and California State University at Hayward. He holds a California Lifetime Music Credential in Secondary Music. For many years, he taught vocal music in California's public school systems. He served as church choir director and minister of music in churches large and small for over thirty years. While at the Redwood Christian School System in Castro Valley, California, Fettke held the positions Director of Choral Activities and Supervisor of Music. A high demand calls for Fettke as a guest conductor, clinician and workshop leader. In addition, he is a composer, arranger and producer of music and recordings for the church and school. His published works and recordings number in the hundreds. Thousands of church and school choirs throughout the world sing his classic choral work, The Majesty and Glory of Your Name. Fettke was the creator and Senior Editor of The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration. Fettke also is Senior Editor of The Celebration Hymnal.
Thomas W. Grassi is a composer, arranger, and orchestrator with Lorenz Music. His anthems have appeared in the catalogs of many publishers since the beginning of his publishing career in 1998. He has received a variety of awards over the years from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers; Gospel Music Association; The John Lennon Songwriting Foundation; and the Billboard Magazine Song Contest. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Thomas’s past professional experience includes ministerial positions at Valley Community Church of Pleasanton, California and Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently, Thomas is the Minister of Worship & Music at Kindred Community Church in Anaheim Hills, California. He is a graduate of San Diego Christian College with a BA in Music with an emphasis in sacred choral literature. He has earned his Evangelical Teacher Training Certificate as well, and has taught voice, piano, and guitar privately and in secondary schools for twenty years.
About the Hymns:
Jesus, United by Thy Grace
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. Charles Wesley was the youngest son and 18th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley. As a hymn-writer Charles Wesley was unique. He is said to have written no less than 6500 hymns, and though, of course, in so vast a number some are of unequal merit, it is perfectly amazing how many there are which rise to the highest degree of excellence. His feelings on every occasion of importance, whether private or public, found their best expression in a hymn. His own conversion, his own marriage, the earthquake panic, the rumors of an invasion from France, the defeat of Prince Charles Edward at Culloden, the Gordon riots, every Festival of the Christian Church, every doctrine of the Christian Faith, striking scenes in Scripture history, striking scenes which came within his own view, the deaths of friends as they passed away, one by one, before him, all furnished occasions for the exercise of his divine gift. The saying that a really good hymn is as rare an appearance as that of a comet is falsified by the work of Charles Wesley; for hymns, which are really good in every respect, flowed from his pen in quick succession, and death alone stopped the course of the perennial stream.
All of Wesley's hymns are biblical. They convey the big themes of our faith: forgiveness, love, and charity. Our Song of Prayer today is another favorite, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling." This hymn presents the idea of incarnation: Jesus is the incarnation of God's love. There is no more central Christian concept than this: that Jesus came to be love incarnate, God with us.
Jesus, united by Thy grace, and each to each endeared,
with confidence we seek your face, and know our prayer is heard.
Help us to see in each a friend, each other's cross to bear,
let all their friendly aid extend, and feel the other's care.
Up into you, our living head, let us in all things grow,
till you have made us free indeed and faithful here below.
Drawn by the lodestone of your love, let all our hearts unite;
let us toward each other move, and move toward your light.
Whom Shall I Send?
As Christians, we are called to live as disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 6: 8, God calls out, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” The writer faithfully responds, “Here am I; send me!” British Methodist pastor Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000), providing a hymn based on this scripture, “Whom Shall I Send?,” voices a musical response. Written in 1970, “Whom Shall I Send?” was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church in Canada for a meeting of youth considering Christian ministry as a vocation. It was first published in the author’s 26 Hymns (1971) in Great Britain and then in The Hymns and Ballads of Fred Pratt Green, ed. Bernard Braley (1982). The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) is the only denominational collection in the United States to incorporate this hymn.
In his General Rules for membership in the Methodist Society (1738), John Wesley held that the only thing required of those seeking to become members was, “a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.” In laying out his three primary rules, Wesley called all who sought to be members to do no harm by avoiding evil of every kind. Pratt Green’s hymn acknowledges the challenge of adhering to this rule for those considering Christian vocation. Wesley points out that wherever this [desire] is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits, suggesting a movement to deeper faith by those who desire it. Similarly, Pratt Green’s hymn acknowledges the power of God to work through the person whom God has called. Pratt Green writes, “And yet, believing God who calls / knows what we are and still may be.” Like Abraham, Moses, Naomi, David, the disciples, and Paul, Pratt Green’s poetry recognizes God’s choice to work through flawed people to share hope with a flawed world.
Set to the tune DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, “Whom Shall I Send?” is one hymn among over 100 hymn texts by Fred Pratt Green that appear in denominational hymnals today. Born in 1903 near Liverpool, Pratt Green was a Methodist minister who published his first collection of hymns in 1971. Especially popular in the United States thanks to the promotion of eminent British hymnologist Erik Routley (1917-1982), Pratt Green was named a fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada in 1982. The deliberate and simple language, as well as the popularity and proliferation of his hymns in hymnals published since 1970 in the UK and USA, frequently drew comparisons to Charles Wesley (1707-1788), much to Green’s chagrin.
DEUS TUORUM MILITUM (sometimes called GRENOBLE) was published in France in the 1753 Grenoble Antiphoner as a setting for the text "Deus tuorum militum" (“The God of Your Soldiers”). One of the finest French diocesan tunes from the eighteenth century, it represents a departure in Roman Catholic hymnody from the older chant style.
Whom shall I send? our Maker cries; And many when they hear God’s voice,
Are sure where their vocation lies; But many shrink from such a choice.
For who can serve a God so pure, Or claim to speak in such a name,
While doubt makes every step unsure, And self confuses every aim?
And yet, believing, God who calls Knows what we are and still may be,
Our past defeats, our future falls, We dare to answer: Lord, send me!
Those who are called God purifies, And daily gives us strength to bend
Our thoughts, our skills, our energies, And life itself to this one end.
First United Methodist Church, Lewisville, Texas
A Community of Everyday People Learning to Love Like Jesus
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