Playlist for March 10, 2013

There are some notable musicians and lyricists in this week’s lineup.  First of all, the music for “Hiding in Thee” was written by Ira D. Sankey, that Sweet Singer of Methodism and Gospel Music Hall of Fame member who was Dwight Moody’s right hand music man for about 30 years. Christopher Tan provides beautiful, meditative accompaniment for “Hiding in Thee”.  Be sure to check out Hymnpod.com for more of his piano recordings.

While most folks remember Anglican John Newton for composing “Amazing Grace”, he also authored “Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken” which truly amazes me for its depth of doctrine and scriptural imagery. I am especially awed by the final verse:

Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name.
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.

“Solid joys and lasting treasure” indeed!

Pastor John’s PM sermon topic was entitled “The Ancient of Days”. He and I had already decided to include “O Worship the King” for congregational singing since the first verse references “The Ancient of Days”. I selected the other hymns based on a similar theme regarding the antiquity and immortality of God. I had failed to notice until the congregation was singing “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” that this hymn’s first verse also references “The Ancient of Days”.  How’s that for Providence?

Another interesting nugget of joy that I discovered after putting together this week’s playlist is that the music for the hymns “Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken” and “O Worship the King” were composed by brothers Franz Joseph Haydn and Johann Michael Haydn, respectively.

Sunday School
Hymn – “Trust and Obey” (John H. Sam­mis/Dan­iel B. Town­er)1

Morning Worship
Hymn – “Like a River Glorious” (Fran­ces R. Ha­ver­gal/James Mount­ain)1
Hymn – “Hiding in Thee” (Will­iam O. Cush­ing/Ira D. Sank­ey)2
Offering – “I Need Thee Every Hour” (An­nie S. Hawks/Ro­bert Low­ry)3
Hymn – “Moment by Moment” (Dan­i­el W. Whit­tle/May W. Moo­dy)4
Hymn – “Where He Leads Me” (Er­nest W. Blan­dy/John S. Nor­ris)5

Evening Worship
Hymn – “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” (Walter C. Smith/Welsh Hymn Melody)6
Hymn – “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (Isaac Watts/William Croft)6
Offering/Special – “Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken” (John Newton/Franz Joseph Haydn)7
Hymn – “O Worship the King” (Robert Grant/J. Michael Haydn)6

Notes
1. Piano recording by Faith Music Missions from Evangelistic Congregational Hymns.
2. Piano recording by Christopher Tan from HymnPod.com.
3. Keyboard solo by Mary Ann Shideler.
4. Guitar accompaniment by Ken Rigby.
5. Piano recording by Beth Lynch from The Wilds Songbook (8th Edition).
6. Piano recording by Worship Service Resources from 25 Majestic Hymns.
7. Guitar recording by David Chapman from Sun of My Soul.