Received from Clark Williamson, director of Music Ministries:

Our John Wesley Bell Choir wraps up the handbell season on Mother’s Day, playing Lloyd Larson’s arrangement of “Let All Things Now Living”.  The tune is based on the traditional Welsh folk melody “Ash Grove”.  Wales is located in the southwest part of Great Britain.  My maternal grandfather was born there.  The hymn stanzas are a paraphrase of Exodus 13:21; Psalm 148 and 150.  The lyrics were arranged by Katherine Davis and can be found on page 2008 in The Faith We Sing booklet.  Verse one includes the following text:  “Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the Creator triumphantly raise; who fashioned and made us; provided and stayed us; who guides us and leads to the end of our days.”

The Chancel Choir will be singing an anthem entitled “My Soul Waits in Silence”.  The piece is composed by choral writer Mary Lynn Lightfoot.  The lyrics are based on Psalm 62:5-7.  Here is the opening choral statement:  “For God alone, my soul waits in silence.  He is my rock and my salvation.  He is my fortress, I shall not be shaken.  In thy light we see light!  O send out thy light, send out thy truth!”  The mysterious sounding melodic material and minor key add to the intensity of this anthem as the mood builds to proclaim the promise: that with God’s help our faith can remain strong against all odds.