I posted a lot of these (like 5 of them) during Lent and I think this is a series that I’d like to continue.<\/p>\n
Our selection this time is “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty” that is used as a processional hymn\/gathering hymn\/opening hymn in a number of Protestant denominations, mainstream and conservative alike. The tune is Unser Herrscher<\/em> by Joachim Neander (composed in 1680 — my taste in hymns settings is “the older the better”) and the lyrics are:<\/p>\n Open now thy gates of beauty, Lord, my God, I come before Thee, Here Thy praise is gladly chanted, Thou my faith increase and quicken, Speak, O God, and I will hear Thee, I love it. because it totally describes the way we should be as we head into Mass\/worship\/prayer: open to hearing God’s voice with the realization that God is present.<\/p>\n I’m amazed that I found this on YouTube but there *is* a video. Woo. It’s from the installation of a bishop in the ELCA<\/a> so they have the phatty organ and handbells with a sweet choir. You’ll see women processing in wearing their stoles — the ELCA<\/a> ordains women as pastors. The last man in the procession who is tall\/thin\/bearded is Bishop Mark Hanson, the presiding bishop of the ELCA<\/a>. I actually *like* this particular YouTube video because it shows us Lutherans doing church music well. The congregation is singing in addition to the choir and handbells, which is how I think hymns should be done.<\/p>\n …<\/p>\n OK… WordPress apparently hates me tonight so click here<\/a> to see it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I posted a lot of these (like 5 of them) during Lent and I think this is a series that I’d like to continue. Our selection this time is “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty” that is used as a … Continue reading
\nZion, let me enter there,
\nWhere my soul in joyful duty
\nWaits for Him Who answers prayer.
\nOh, how bless\u00e8d is this place,
\nFilled with solace, light and grace!<\/p>\n
\nCome Thou also unto me;
\nWhere we find Thee and adore Thee,
\nThere a heav??n on earth must be.
\nTo my heart, oh, enter Thou,
\nLet it be Thy temple now!<\/p>\n
\nHere Thy seed is duly sown;
\nLet my soul, where it is planted,
\nBring forth precious sheaves alone,
\nSo that all I hear may be
\nFruitful unto life in me.<\/p>\n
\nLet me keep Thy gift divine,
\nHowsoe??er temptations thicken;
\nMay Thy Word still o??er me shine
\nAs my guiding star through life,
\nAs my comfort in my strife.<\/p>\n
\nLet Thy will be done indeed;
\nMay I undisturbed draw near Thee
\nWhile Thou dost Thy people feed.
\nHere of life the fountain flows,
\nHere is balm for all our woes.
\n(HT: Net Hymnal<\/a>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n