<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><base href="https://blog.cph.org/worship/three-hymn-recommendations-for-reformation-day"><!--[if !mso]><style id=print>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Very interesting. Thank you very much. Sounds like something that I could have written for my music appreciation class.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Wan<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Ohio-Communities-of-Faith [mailto:ohio-communities-of-faith-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Carolyn Peters via Ohio-Communities-of-Faith<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 13, 2021 4:33 PM<br><b>To:</b> ohio-communities-of-faith@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> Carolyn Peters <dr.carolyn.peters@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] Three Hymn Recommendations for Reformation Day<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br><a href="https://blog.cph.org/worship/three-hymn-recommendations-for-reformation-day">https://blog.cph.org/worship/three-hymn-recommendations-for-reformation-day</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div id=article><div><h1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-line-height-alt:14.55pt'><span style='font-size:28.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Three Hymn Recommendations for Reformation Day<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div style='margin-bottom:17.4pt;text-align:start;max-width: 100%'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><a href="https://blog.cph.org/worship/author/delania-byerley"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Delania Byerley</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>On Reformation Day, October 31, we celebrate Martin Luther and the nailing of the Ninety-Five Theses to the Castle Church doors in Wittenberg. This event also led to the eventual creation of the Lutheran Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><a href="https://www.cph.org/m-11-carl-f-schalk.aspx" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Carl Schalk</span></a> captured this event as described in the passage below:<o:p></o:p></span></p><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 2.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 12.0pt;margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:4.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;max-width: 100%;color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65);border-left-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)'><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>The men whom the currents of history were ultimately to join together in the formation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod were representative of two larger aspects of nineteenth-century German church life. These were the confessional awakening and the revival of hymnological and liturgical interest, which developed as separate but parallel and complementary movements. Both were stirring in the early decades of nineteenth-century German church life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>The confessional movement was to provide the setting and, in part, the reason for the emigration from Germany to America of those groups who were to establish The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The accompanying revival of hymnody and the parallel interest in the early Reformation worship orders were to shape the unique contribution that this transplanted church was to make, virtually from the very first, in the field of hymnody.<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>The LCMS Church truly did revive hymnody, creating in time many hymnals and hymn arrangements for us to celebrate with. In memory of this and Reformation Day, we have chosen three hymn arrangements for you to explore. Learn more about each tune and listen to each arrangement below. Blessings as you and your church prepare music for Reformation Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 style='mso-line-height-alt:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><strong><span style='font-size:20.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Thy Strong Word</span></strong><span style='font-size:20.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>“Thy Strong Word” was originally written by Martin Franzmann after hearing the tune EBENEZER and was first sung in 1954. <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-32634-thy-strong-word-behnke.aspx"><span style='color:#416ED2'>This setting</span></a> by <a href="https://www.cph.org/m-41-john-a-behnke.aspx"><span style='color:#416ED2'>John Behnke</span></a> was released in 2018. Written for SATB choir, organ, and congregation, this arrangement paints a beautiful picture of the original Franzmann text. There are options for handbell, brass, and timpani. The fourth stanza is written for SATB acapella, letting choir members’ voices truly be the focal point. This powerful hymn features deep male and light female voices fluidly moving between one another and among stanzas, creating a beautiful and powerful concertato.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 style='mso-line-height-alt:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><strong><span style='font-size:20.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word</span></strong><span style='font-size:20.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Originally written by Martin Luther around 1541, this tune is a classic Reformation song. Konrad Ameln in <em><span style='font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>The Roots of German Hymnody of the Reformation Era</span></em> states: “Among the worship materials of the offices (Matins, Lauds, Vespers, etc.) the <em><span style='font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Hymnus</span></em>, or office hymn, is one of the most important sources of the German hymn of the Reformation. No fewer than twenty-one <em><span style='font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Hymnus</span></em> tunes are included among the hymns of the Bohemian Brethren (1531). Of <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-30634-the-hymns-of-martin-luther.aspx" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Luther’s hymns</span></a> at least seven are sung to the tunes of old Latin hymns,” including <em><span style='font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort</span></em>, or “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word<em><span style='font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>.”</span></em><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>This <a href="https://www.cph.org/p-31785-lord-keep-us-steadfast-in-your-word-behnke.aspx"><span style='color:#416ED2'>composition by John A. Behnke</span></a> uses several Bible references to help reflect on the content of each stanza, creating an incredibly meaningful setting. Written for SATB, organ, and congregation (optional), who may join in any or all of the hymn stanzas, this concertato starts with individual voices before combining all voices into a deep, rich chorus. Female voices sing in higher ranges above the male voices in parts of the chorus, giving a hint of lightness to the somber tone of this piece.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 style='mso-line-height-alt:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><strong><span style='font-size:20.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>A Mighty Fortress Is Our God</span></strong><span style='font-size:20.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Another Reformation tune by Martin Luther, and perhaps the most well known, “<a href="https://www.cph.org/p-30532-a-mighty-fortress-is-our-god-blersch.aspx" target="_blank"><span style='color:#416ED2'>A Mighty Fortress Is Our God</span></a>,” was written sometime between 1527 and 1529, though most likely closer to 1529. Although commonly considered a battle hymn, it was better known as a hymn of comfort during Luther’s time. <a href="https://www.cph.org/m-43-jeffrey-blersch.aspx"><span style='color:#416ED2'>Jeffery Blersch</span></a>’s composition of this hymn was published in 2016 for SATB choir, congregation, organ, brass quartet, and timpani. This up-tempo, cut-time arrangement starts with a beautiful brass and organ fanfare that continues throughout the piece. The third stanza is sung by the choir alone in a dancelike triple meter with an organ accompaniment. Finally, the fourth stanza brings back the brass fanfare, asking all members of the choir and congregation to join in with their voices. It’s a magnificent arrangement to proclaim the victory won.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Introductory paragraphs adapted from <em><span style='font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>The Roots of Hymnody in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod</span></em> by Carl Schalk, page 9. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Quoted information on hymns adapted from <em><span style='font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>The Roots of German Hymnody of the Reformation Era</span></em> by Konrad Ameln, page 12. Copyright © 1964 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><hr size=1 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'>Looking for more CPH music? Browse our entire collection of music below. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:18.0pt;max-width: 100%'><span style='font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"-apple-system-font",serif'><a href="https://blog.cph.org/cs/c/?cta_guid=c8381ca8-6379-499d-b568-571c962b17ca&signature=AAH58kFH2nAW0svNqkLJgt2YL5qTy-Y0pQ&placement_guid=799897de-4436-456e-867d-0abb06fa8d43&click=7724fdbc-292f-46a2-9682-2150db1bf5d7&hsutk=c7a0000011d418f816c0017c7b51e52a&canon=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.cph.org%2Fworship%2Fthree-hymn-recommendations-for-reformation-day&portal_id=487463&redirect_url=APefjpEgTpFRzHN3pEWaTQQ5h3NdKixGgVlbnDPs5Oh9MVrimJPxLw7B8HcAXQvUoPf-5ApM5sFywqYhgz4FSIGKBjToTNuXIjqP0rYOO6uxtZp_E20j3Q_ZuvvaDwtb_-DX9YwrZ2nE" target="_blank" title="Browse All Music "><span style='color:#416ED2'>Browse All Music </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>