Pender Spring Concert Series concert in the Sanctuary with a reception to follow in the Gathering Place.
Tag Archives: Patrick King
Hymn History: “El Shaddai”
Sunday, February 4, 2024 the Pender Sanctuary Choir sang El Shaddai as arranged by Amy Grant and further arranged by Pender’s Director of Music Ministry, Patrick King.
During the Traditional Service on February 4, 2024, Pender’s sanctuary was imbued with the spiritual tapestry of song as the Sanctuary Choir, under the masterful direction of Patrick King, lifted their voices in a moving rendition of “El Shaddai.” This particular arrangement, a harmonious blend of Amy Grant’s touch and King’s unique vision, filled the sacred space with an aura of reverence and awe.
“El Shaddai,” a melody that draws its powerful lyrics from the scriptural portrayal of God, was first brought to life by Michael Card and John Thompson in the early ’80s. Michael Card, a profound scholar and artist, has woven his faith into over three decades of music, crafting hit after hit, with “El Shaddai” being one of his most renowned works. This song, in its essence, is a quest to capture the enigmatic nature of the divine through the ancient Hebrew names of God, each name a key to the unfathomable relationship between the Creator and His creation.
The Pender Sanctuary Choir’s performance was not just an offertory but a profound homage to the timeless quest of hymn writers throughout the ages—a quest to give voice to the voiceless wonder of the divine. As the choir sang, the congregation was transported through the annals of biblical history, from the covenant with Abraham and Isaac to the deliverance at the Red Sea, and finally to the Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Christ.
Michael Card, whose journey from the halls of Western Kentucky University to the honor of a doctorate from Philadelphia Biblical University, has always emphasized the importance of community and relationships in Christian growth. His storied career, marked by accolades such as the Dove Awards and millions of albums sold, is a testament to his commitment to exploring and expressing faith through music and writing.
As the last notes of “El Shaddai” resonated within the church walls, the profound and enduring impact of this piece, awarded the Dove Song of the Year in 1983, was felt by all present. It was a moment that transcended time, linking the congregation with the faithful of the past and the powerful biblical narratives that continue to inspire and guide. The day was a reminder that through music, the spirit of worship and the stories of sacred texts are ever alive, ever stirring the souls of those who seek to encounter the Almighty, the “El Shaddai.”
Biblical scholar J. Hampton Keathley III has described the context of the song:
“El Shaddai: God Almighty. The derivation is uncertain. Some think it stresses God’s loving supply and comfort; others His power as the Almighty one standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Exodus 6:31; Psalm 91:1, 2).
“El Elyon: The Most High God. Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty and supremacy (Genesis 14:19; Psalm. 9:2; Daniel 7:18, 22, 25).
“El Olam: The Everlasting God. Emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Genesis 16:13).
“Yahweh (YHWH): Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Genesis 4:3; Exodus 6:3 (cf. 3:14); 3:12).
The UM Hymnal contains only the refrain for the sake of space. The stanzas discuss God’s faithful acts as told in the biblical witness, including Abraham and Isaac, the parting of the waters during the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt (stanza one) and the prophecies of the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of Christ’s mission (stanza two).
Hymn History: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
“Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart”
Edward H. Plumptre
The UM Hymnal, Nos. 160 and 161
Rejoice, ye pure in heart;
rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
your glorious banner wave on high,
the cross of Christ your King.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks, and sing.
“Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart” was the middle hymn at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on October 15, 2023 It was sung by Pender’s Sanctuary choir, congregation, directed by Patrick King and accompanied on piano by Heidi Jacobs.
The Pender UMC Traditional Service Closing Hymn “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” on May 29, 2022 was directed by Brian Stevenson and accompanied by Liz Sellers on piano and sung by the Pender Sanctuary Choir and Congregation.
Anglican priest and professor Edward Hayes Plumptre (1821-1891) composed “Rejoice, ye pure in heart” as a processional hymn for a choir festival in one of England’s majestic places of worship, Peterborough Cathedral.
Writing in the mid-20th century with perhaps a hint of condescension, hymnologist Albert Bailey describes the context for this hymn by saying that the “untravelled American can hardly realize the emotional effect of a processional made up of choirs from a dozen different communities, marching with full panoply through ‘long-drawn aisle’ and under ‘fretted vault’ while we hear:
The storm their high-built organs make,
And thunder-music, rolling, shake
The prophets blazoned on the panes.
“The massiveness of the old Norman Peterborough makes a marvelous background and amplifier for such a processional.”
Plumptre was a distinguished scholar of his day. Educated at University College, Oxford, he then became a fellow at Brasenose College, Oxford, receiving his ordination in the Anglican Church in 1846. After serving as a clergyman, he became chaplain and professor of New Testament exegesis at King’s College, London, and dean of Queen’s College, Oxford. His most prominent position as a clergyman was that of dean of Wells Cathedral.
Of the original 11 stanzas, five or six stanzas appear in most hymnals. Stanza one refers (in the original text) to the “festal banner” and “Cross of Christ your King,” symbols of the faith that would be carried at the head of such a procession in the Anglican context.
Omitted stanzas refer to this processional in martial terms as warriors who “march in firm array.” This kind of imagery is not only consonant with the times, but also reflects the theology of the Anglican Communion that views its role on earth as the “Church Militant” while the church in heaven is the “Church Triumphant.”
Of course, the music used for this text must reflect the spirit of a stately processional. American hymnologist Leonard Ellinwood said that the tune MARION was written for this text by Arthur Messiter (1834-1916). Messiter added the refrain drawn from the first two lines of stanza one: “Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice give thanks and sing” echoes Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
Hymnologist William Reynolds noted that it “was not unusual for a cathedral processional to take from ten to thirty minutes, and the hymn that was sung by both the choir and the congregation needed to have enough stanzas for this.”
Mr. Bailey’s earlier comments notwithstanding, not all participants in festival worship were enamored by such lengthy processionals. Mr. Reynolds goes on to say that “A review of a hymnal… [commented] that some of the processional hymns were so long that some of the congregation would need to walk about in order to stay awake.”
The United Methodist Hymnal includes a second tune, VINEYARD HAVEN, with this text. Richard W. Dirksen composed this tune in 1974 for the installation of John M. Allin as the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in Washington Cathedral.
Carlton Young, editor of The UM Hymnal, found this text less than worthy, and notes: “Dirksen’s setting… [saves] a maudlin hymn from its deserved place in hymnic obscurity.”
Regardless of how one evaluates the quality of this text, we can all be grateful to be spared from 30-minute processionals in worship.
Dr. Hawn is professor of sacred music at Perkins School of Theology.
From https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-rejoice-ye-pure-in-heart
Pender Music: Celtic Communion
“Celtic Communion” was the offertory anthem at Pender’s 9:00 am Traditional Service on October 10, 2023 It was sung by Pender’s Sanctuary choir, directed by Patrick King and accompanied on piano by Heidi Jacobs.
Celtic Communion, arr. Mark Hayes. A brilliant inspiration! This beautiful anthem pairs the beloved Gaelic melody Bunessan with traditional texts that are a perfect match! The remarkable keyboard accompaniment supports the Irish folk flavor, which is further enhanced by the optional orchestration for flute or penny whistle, bass, guitar and percussion. Stunning message and music!
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