Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Oct 26 and 3 Lutheran Hymnwriters

Today, October 26, Lutherans around the world celebrate 3 of three favourite hymnwriters: Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt. All 3 were German Lutheran pastors. A popular Advent hymn by Philipp Nicolai is “Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying.” A familiar Lenten-Good Friday hymn based on Isaiah 53 by Johann Heermann is “Ah, Holy Jesus.” My favourite all-time traditional hymn was written by Paul Gerhardt, “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth,” a Lenten hymn based on Isaiah 53. You can learn and read more about these hymnwriters by clicking on their names and their hymns. Once you’ve clicked on a hymn, you can listen to the tune and sing along by clicking on Midi.

Prayer: O God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight delight to worship: Thank you for pouring out your Spirit on your servants Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann and Paul Gerhardt who, with the gifts of music, enliven our praises and proclaim your word with power. Through this ministry you have given us new awareness of your beauty and grace, and join our voices with all the choirs of heaven, both now and forever; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [ Prayer slightly edited from: Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 74 ].

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