Music at WPC-
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Christmas II
​Voluntary: "Polish Lullaby Carol," Edwin Arthur Kraft (1883-1962)
Offertory: "Prelude on 'Puer Nobis,'" Nik Stackpole
Voluntary: "He Is Born," James Pethel (1933-2021)
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Hymns
Opening Hymn: 66- We Three Kings of Orient Are THREE KINGS OF ORIENT
Sequence Hymn: 28- Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO
Closing Hymn: 68- What Star is This that Beams So Bright PUER NOBIS NASCATUR
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Next Week's Music at WPC:
Sunday, January 11- Nik Stackpole, Organ; WPC Choir
Prelude- About the Music
Edwin Arthur Kraft’s Polish Lullaby Carol is a gentle, evocative organ miniature that captures the hushed warmth and rocking motion of a cradle song while drawing on the simple, folk-like character of a traditional Polish carol. Written with a keen sense of color and line, the piece favors a singing melody supported by soft, flowing accompaniment, inviting the organist to explore warm foundation stops and subtle solo colors rather than sheer volume. Kraft—long associated with the American organ tradition and church music—had a particular gift for writing music that is both approachable and deeply expressive, and this lullaby exemplifies that balance. Ideal for Advent or Christmas, or as a moment of quiet reflection within a service, the Polish Lullaby Carol offers a tender contrast to more exuberant seasonal repertoire, allowing the organ to speak with intimacy, simplicity, and grace.
Offertory- About the Music
The hymn tune Puer Nobis Nascitur (“Unto us a child is born”) is a joyful medieval melody closely associated with Christmas texts celebrating the Nativity. Originating in the late Middle Ages and preserved in early chant and hymn collections, the tune is characterized by its lively, dance-like rhythm and clear modal contours, which give it an immediate sense of forward motion and festive energy. Unlike the gentle intimacy of many cradle songs, Puer Nobis Nasciturproclaims the Christmas message with confidence and communal exuberance, making it especially effective for congregational singing. Its sturdy melodic shape supports strong unison singing, while its rhythmic vitality lends itself well to organ accompaniments that emphasize clarity, articulation, and bright principal choruses. Over centuries of use, the tune has remained a powerful musical vehicle for expressing the joy and proclamation at the heart of the Christmas feast.
Postlude- About the Composer
James Pethel is an American composer, organist, and church musician widely known for his vibrant and accessible organ music, much of it written with the practical needs of worship in mind. His compositions often draw on hymn tunes, spirituals, and liturgical melodies, transforming familiar material into rhythmically engaging and harmonically colorful works that are immediately effective in church and concert settings. Pethel’s style is marked by strong rhythmic drive, clear formal structures, and an instinctive understanding of the organ’s expressive and coloristic possibilities, making his music appealing to both performers and congregations. Particularly popular are his festive postludes and character pieces, which balance technical excitement with musical clarity. Through his organ works and his long career in church music, Pethel has contributed a substantial body of repertoire that continues the American tradition of organ music rooted in worship, celebration, and accessibility.