Music at WPC-
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Proper 28
​Voluntary: "Holy Manna," Nicholas Hanson; Handbell Choir
Offertory: "Jubilate Deo," Peter Anglea (b. 1988)
Voluntary: "Improvisation on 'Houston,'" Nik Stackpole
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Hymns
Opening Hymn: INSERT- All My Hope on God is Founded MICHAEL
Sequence Hymn: 327- O Word of God Incarnate MUNICH
Closing Hymn: INSERT- I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light HOUSTON
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Next Week's Music at WPC:
Sunday, November 23- Nik Stackpole, Organ; WPC Choir
Prelude- About the Music
The hymn tune HOLY MANNA is one of the most beloved examples of early American shape-note singing. Written by William Moore in the early 19th century and first published in The Columbian Harmony (1829), it is typically associated with the text “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship.” The tune is written in a lively, pentatonic style—simple yet powerful—reflecting the vibrant energy of frontier camp meetings and the communal spirit of early American worship. Its open harmonies and rhythmic drive invite full-bodied singing and congregational participation, hallmarks of the shape-note tradition. Over time, HOLY MANNA has found a home in many denominational hymnals, symbolizing both the rustic roots and enduring vitality of American sacred song.
Offertory- About the Music
Peter Anglea’s Jubilate Deo is a vibrant and uplifting choral work that captures the joy and energy of the Latin text, “O be joyful in the Lord.” Written by contemporary American composer Peter Anglea, the piece blends rhythmic vitality with rich harmonies and expressive lyricism, making it a favorite among church and concert choirs alike. Anglea’s setting is both accessible and musically engaging, featuring spirited syncopations and a sense of forward motion that mirrors the exuberant message of praise in the psalm. The work showcases Anglea’s signature style—modern yet grounded in traditional choral craftsmanship—and effectively communicates a sense of communal celebration and divine joy through music.
Postlude- About the Music
The hymn tune HOUSTON, composed by Kathleen Thomerson in 1966, is best known as the setting for her own text “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light.” Written during a period when Thomerson was living temporarily in Houston, Texas, the tune’s name honors the city that inspired the hymn’s creation. HOUSTON is a gentle, flowing melody that beautifully reflects the text’s themes of guidance, light, and discipleship. Its lyrical contour and simple, steady rhythm make it both memorable and deeply singable, inviting congregations to join in a prayerful expression of faith and hope. The combination of text and tune has made “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” one of the most cherished modern hymns in many denominations, embodying a serene yet confident trust in Christ, the Light of the World.