November 7, 2024

While planning the music for this Sunday, so many themes were coursing through my mind: the National Election, Veteran’s Day, and Remembrance of our Transgender Family Members who were taken from us too soon.

My Organ Voluntary is a unique recasting of thr hymn tune “Materna” by the wonderful American composer Calvin Hampton, who was an early victim of AIDS in 1984. We know this hymn tune as “America, the Beautiful” but it was originally set to the text “O Mother Dear, [New] Jerusalem” – hence the tune name Materna. Hampton’s setting sets the familiar melody over a constantly
undulating 16th note pattern in the left hand, growing to a poignant climax in the second statement of the melody, then ending quietly and calmly. I have always loved this setting since it was written, and it is an appropriate way to remember all those “heroes proved in liberating strife who more than self their country loved” on this day before Veteran’s Day.

Our Call to Worship and Opening Hymn will both have glorious last verse arrangements and soprano descants composed by one of my favorite composers, Paul Halley, director of music at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Call to Worship is “O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee” (UMH #430) with its timeless message of living our faith through our actions. Our opening hymn is a powerful new text by Amy Cerniglia, “God of Many Faces”, set to the familiar hymn tune Slane (“Be Thou My Vision”), with soaring last verse harmonies by Halley. You can hear the music to a different text here – the last verse begins at 2:26 in the clip.

The choir’s Anthem “Seek to Serve” returns to the theme of serving the Holy One by serving our fellow humanity. I first sang this chant-inspired anthem under composer Lloyd Pfautsch when I studied with him at SMU from 1984-87. Pfautsch penned the text inspired by scripture and set it to the Kyrie from the 12 th Century Mass IX “Cum Jubilo”. Pfautsch maintains an austere Medieval tone
throughout the accompaniment in keeping with the ancient chant, as a vehicle for the timeless message “may I live in the world as one who always seeks to serve.”

Throughout the month of November it is appropriate to remember our departed, and one of my favorite texts for All Saints and All Souls remembrance is Revelation 14: 4-5, exquisitely set in a brief gem of an anthem by John Goss “These Are They Which Follow the Lamb”. We sing it this Sunday at the Offertory in remembrance of our Transgender citizens whose courage to live into their true selves cost them their life.

As our days have shortened this week, and as we strive to see through post-election darkness, may we find purpose passion in serving the cause of right and serving all who cross our path. I choose to remember the powerful words from Vice President Harris’ concession speech: “Only when it's dark
enough can you see the stars”. Our words and actions can bring darkness or light to all around us – my prayer is that we reflect Christ’s love and compassion in all we do and say!

With a Thankful Heart,
Kenton