Music for the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Yet even though I suffer the world’s unpleasantness, And though the days grow rougher, And bring me great distress, That day of bliss divine forever shall be mine.   The HYMN OF THE DAY, “From God Can Nothing Move Me” (713) is based on Psalm 73.23: “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.”

Ludwig Helmbold (1532-1598) wrote this hymn in 1563 at the outbreak of a plague in Erfurt, Germany.  Many residents fled the city, and Helmbold penned this hymn for a friend, as their families were anxious at their parting and, concerned for their future, considered they might never see each other again.

Worthy of note among Helmbold’s writings are his complete metrical version of the Augsburg Confession.  He also wrote “Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” (865), a summary of the six chief parts of the Christian faith.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!   The ENTRANCE HYMN, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (790), is by Joachim Neander (1650-1680), the author of over sixty hymns.  He had a love of poetry and nature which is evident in the stanzas of this hymn, which was first printed in 1679.  He also adapted the tune for this text from an existing hymn, first published in 1665.

The PRELUDE is a setting of this hymn by Paul Manz (1919-2009).  He served as kantor of St. Luke—Chicago and Mt. Olive—Minneapolis, as well as professor of music at Concordia University—St. Paul.  He is particularly remembered for leading hymn festivals with his organ music.

Oh, may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us. The HYMN TO DEPART, “Now Thank We All Our God” (895) by Martin Rinckart (1586-1649) was sung to celebrate the Peace of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years’ War in 1648.  It is based on Sirach 50.22-24.