About Sunday’s Music – Seventh Sunday after Trinity

To God all praise and glory!  The HYMN OF THE DAY, “Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good” (819), is Johann Jakob Schütz’s (1640-1690) hymn of our merciful Creator is set to the exuberant tune by famed Lutheran composer Michael Vulpius (c.1560/70-1615). He Who made man also knew that man would need a Savior from his sin. God had placed the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil within Eden (Genesis 2). Though His desire was that man should live, He knew that man would pursue the fruit of the forbidden tree unto death. Thus the Father sent His Son as Savior, Shepherd, Refuge, Rock, Peace, and Salvation for His chosen band. We, who confess Christ’s holy name, continue to sing: “To God all praise and glory!”

–Rev. Thomas E. Lock, Kantor of Trinity—Denver
for Logia Online

Today we hear a variety of settings of the Hymn of the Day.  The introduction is by German composer Gerald Bunk (1888-1958). Stanzas two and four are sung by our soloists, in settings by twentieth-century composers Ludwig Lenel (1914-2002) and Kevin Hildebrand (b. 1973).  Today’s VOLUNTARY is by Keith Kolander and was written for a new, recently-completed series of compositions by Concordia Publishing House based on each hymn tune in Lutheran Service Book.

Lord, Help Us Ever To Retain   In recent weeks, we have sung Luther’s catechism hymns in the Divine Service.  Today’s DISTRIBUTION HYMN “Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” (865) is a succinct summary of the six chief parts by Ludwig Helmbold (1532-1598).  Stanza two: God’s holy Law (Commandments) and faith in the Triune God (Creed).  Stanza three: prayer (Our Father) and entrance into the faith (Baptism).  Stanza four sings of Absolution and the Sacrament of the Altar.