Choral music enriches worship at St. Martin’s.
Jeffrey Jubenville leads the program as Music Director and organist. He works with Choir Director Suzanne Jubenville.
Our sanctuary also includes a Baldwin grand piano and an organ built by the the Bond Organ Company.
♫ CLEF NOTES ♫
Sunday’s opening hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” is based on an original German hymn by Joachim Neander, published in 1680. Neander was an influential Reformation hymnist and theologian. For this hymn, Neander chose to adapt what was probably a pre-existing folk tune. Over the ages, the hymn and the tune (Lobe den Herren) have both undergone subtle changes, but remain what is arguably Neander’s best and most popular hymn. Our Offertory anthem is an arrangement by Keith McCutchen of the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace.” Keith McCutchen is a composer and distinguished educator, formerly of St. Olaf College and now of Kentucky State University, where he teaches Music History, Jazz Performance, composition, and arranging. The hymn tune, New Britain, first appeared in the collection Virginia Harmony in 1831. The hymn itself was written by John Newton, captain for a slaving ship company. In 1748, his ship miraculously survived a terrible storm at sea, and Newton had a profound spiritual conversion which would lead him at last to give up his involvement in slave trafficking. “Amazing Grace” sums up and expresses the journey of a soul from remorse and repentance, to acceptance and gratitude for God’s grace and unconditional love.