Sequence Hymn 120 The sinless one to Jordan came Solemnis haec festivitas
Baptism Procession 297 Descend, O Spirit, purging flame [Emmanuel Choirs] Tune 80 Vom Himmel hoch

Baptismal Choral Response You have put on Christ [Emmanuel Choirs]Howard Hughes

Anthem Wade in the water Negro Spiritual arr. Dr. Carl Haywood

Presentation Hymn 131 When Christ’s appearing was made known Tune 80 Vom Himmel hoch

Sanctus S-128 Setting: William Mathias

Fraction Anthem S-152 Christ our Passover is sacrificed Ambrosian Chant

I give you a new commandment Emmanuel Choristers Peter Aston

Communion Hymn 616 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed Es flog ein kleins Waldvogelein

Dismissal Hymn 454 Jesus came, adored by angels Lowry

Music Notes: With Christmas still in the ‘not-to-distant’ past, although it seems as if it is, our music for Epiphany turns somewhat away from the familiar, jolly, happy tunes we love to sing so much at this time of year; however, that does not mean Christmas is gone. This Sunday, we will have three baptisms in a very festive service using tunes with shades of Christmas & Epiphany in great variety, (see above). We will sing the immortal Vom Himmel hoch, the German tune from Luther’s time, translated, ‘From heaven above to earth I come,’ #80, as the tune for two different texts: first as a Baptismal procession in #297, sung by the choirs and then, as the Presentation Hymn, # 131, sung by all. I pray the introduction of it sung first by the choirs will help familiarize it for everyone. Luther was known for his mating of texts with sing-able tunes for he wanted all to participate in the Mass as they could. ‘Wade in the Water,’ a Negro spiritual arranged by Dr. Carl Haywood, will serve as our anthem and we will sing S-128, a stirring setting of the Sanctus by William Mathias for the season of Epiphany. Communion will have another stirring hymn, 616, usually reserved by processions or recessions; however, singing it at the ministration of the Bread & Wine will provide the opportunity to sing this moving text in a quieter, more reflective manner to contemplate the deep meaning of Baptism. In closing, a new hymn we all learned over many Sundays last year and this past, Advent will take us with serene Alleluias to from a past-tense stance to begin to the affirming present-tense that signifies, Jesus alive in our lives, yesterday, today and in the days to come. May our music fill you with spiritual joy and be a daily inspiration in your life. See you at worship – AJH

The Chorister Creed & Prayer

‘I will sing with the spirit and with understanding also’

The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 14:15

Bless, O Lord, us your servants who minister in your temple;

Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts,

And what we believe in our hearts we may show forth in our lives;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen