Gloria S280    Robert Powell (b.1932)

Sequence Hymn 537    Christ for the world we sing    Moscow

Offertory Anthem    Light of the world    John Dankworth (1927-2010)
Text: Paul Wigmore (1925-2014)

Light beyond shadow, joy beyond tears,
Love that is greater when darkest our fears;
Deeper the peace when the storm is around,
Dearer the Christ to the lost who is found.

Light of the world, Jesus shining!
Sins of the world, see him dying!
In our darkness, he is light,
In our crying, he is love,
In the noise of life,
imparting peace that passes understanding;
Light beyond shadow, joy beyond tears,

Love that is greater when darkest our fears;
Deeper the peace when the storm is around,
Dearer the Christ to the lost who is found.

Sir John Phillip William Dankworth, was an English jazz composer, saxophonist, clarinettist and writer of film scores. With his wife, jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine, he was a music educator and also her music director. He had violin and piano lessons before settling eventually on the clarinet at the age of 16, after hearing a record of the Benny Goodman Quartet. Soon afterwards, inspired by Charlie Parker, he learned to play the alto saxophone. He attended the Paris Jazz Festival in 1949 and played with Charlie Parker. Parker’s comments about Dankworth led to the start of an amazing career, beginning with being named 1949’s Musician of the Year.

Sanctus  S129    Robert Powell

Fraction anthem S163    Robert Powell

Communion Anthem    Pilgrims’ Hymn    Stephen Paulus (1949-2014)

Even before we call on your name
To ask you, O God,
When we seek for the words to glorify you,
You hear our prayer;
Unceasing love, O unceasing love,
Surpassing all we know.

Glory to the father,
and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.

Even with darkness sealing us in,
We breathe your name,
And through all the days that follow so fast,
We trust in you;
Endless your grace, O endless your grace,
Beyond all mortal dream.

Both now and forever,
And unto ages and ages,
Amen

Stephen Paulus was a prolific composer of classical music. His music continues to be frequently performed and described by critics as rugged, angular, lyrical, lean, rhythmically aggressive, original, often gorgeous, moving, and uniquely American. The New Yorker characterizes his music as having “impeccable technique and well-honed audience appeal,” while The New York Times says “Mr. Paulus often finds melodic patterns that are fresh and familiar at the same time…His scoring is invariably expert and exceptionally imaginative in textures and use of instruments.” 

Communion Hymn 513    Like the murmur of the dove’s song    Bridegroom