November 2, 2014
- Hymn history: From a teenager to a Bishop
"My Jesus I Love Thee" will be played by the Beulah Instrumental Ensemble for today's Introit. The original text of this hymn was constructed by sixteen-year-old William Featherson of Montreal after his conversion in 1862. The tune that we know today actually was inspired by A.J. Gordon, a Baptist minister from Boston who found the original text and melody in the London Hymnbook of 1864 and composed a new air to the text since he disliked the original tune. The text for our Hymn of Dedication was penned by Bishop William How who drew on chapter 11 of Hebrews for his stanzas laden with the faithful deeds of heroes of the Old Testament. One should also not forget the common underlying theme of the hymn is certainly faith and hence the original title cited Hebrews 12:1: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us."
Sunday's Prelude: River City Brass Quintet
Sunday's Postlude: River City Brass Quintet
Sunday's Musicians: Beulah Instrumental Ensemble
Anat Kardontchik, violin
River City Brass Quintet
Sanctuary Choir