Isaac Watts, the story goes, was absolutely dismayed by the dreary music he heard in the Church of England's Psalter. When he complained to his father, his father challenged him to do better if he thought he could improve on what King David wrote. Isaac Watts indeed went on to write over 600 hymns, many of which found widespread use in Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian hymnals. Most of those hymns were composed when he was between the ages of 20 and 22. Many hymns by Isaac Watts have found their way into the Sacred Harp hymnal. This one is a wonderful example of a hymn of adoration.
Thinking of our Muslim brothers and sisters during this month of Ramadan. Also the Birmingham Islamic Society, as it does each year, is inviting the community to share an iftar meal. There is information at their website. Here is an excerpt from their invitation letter (also found on their website):
"We would very much appreciate the opportunity to host you, your family and friends, or your
organization or group on a weekday or a weekend evening between the dates of June 7 and July
4, 2015. We warmly welcome you to observe our evening prayer at sunset. Dinner will follow
with a brief presentation on Islam and a question/answer session. The program usually runs
about 2 hours in total, depending on the visiting group and their questions."
'In Remembrance,' from the 1972 musical, Celebrate Life!, about the life of Jesus. Music by Buryl Red, book and lyrics by Ragan Courtney, featuring Cynthia Clawson. Seldom do melody, harmony, and lyric come together so beautifully as with this selection.
In Remembrance
(Ragan Courtney and Buryl Red)
In remembrance of Me eat this
bread
In remembrance of Me drink this wine
In remembrance of Me pray for the time
When God's own will is done
In remembrance of me heal the sick
In remembrance of me feed the poor
In remembrance of me open the door
And let your brother in, let him in
Take eat and be comforted
Drink and remember too
That this is my body and precious blood
Shed for you, shed for you
In remembrance of me search for truth
In remembrance of me always love
In remembrance of me don't look above
But in your heart, in your heart
Look in your heart for God
Do this in remembrance of Me
Do this in remembrance of Me
In remembrance of Me
"Ely Cathedral is one of those places where music lifts the soul towards heaven in surroundings that are sublime. In the setting of an empty Cathedral filled with over 6000 candles for Candlemas, Ely Cathedral Choir sings ‘Senex puerum portabat’ by the composer William Byrd."
