Music

"Come Now, O Prince of Peace"


"Come Now, O Prince of Peace" was written in 1988 by Korean composer Geonyong Lee. The hymn is haunting in its minor tone and sings of soulful hope and expectation for the coming of the Prince of Peace for all nations. Lee has written several orchestral pieces, operas, and hymns. He was born in North Korea, but his family fled to Seoul, South Korea where he attended school and college. He also studied Composition in Germany and has worked long and hard for the peaceful reunification of his country.


"Take My Life and Let It Be"

"Take My Life and Let It Be" is a song written by Frances Ridley Havergal in 1874. It speaks of stewardship and using your life and resources to serve God's will.

"Be Ye Still"

"Be Ye Still" is a song by Wendy Carter. It was written in the seventies, but it sounds very ancient and soulful. Its lyrics remind us to be still, be patient, and be comforted in the knowledge that God is there and always will be.


"Be ye still and know that I am God

Be ye still and filled up with my peace

Be ye still and know that I am the Lord

And be comforted within Me."


Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Worship & the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL.

"Lord Whose Love in Humble Service"

GREAT HYMNS OF OUR FAITH

"Lord Whose Love in Humble Service" was written by British minister Albert F. Bayly and published in 1961. He wrote the hymn in response to a Hymn Society of America search for new hymns on social welfare. The tune name is Beach Spring, from The Sacred Harp 1844.


Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Music & the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL.

"Amazing Grace"

GREAT HYMNS OF OUR FAITH

The hymn "Amazing Grace" is by far one of the most popular hymns worldwide. It speaks to all of us about the restoration that come from God's love and forgiveness. God's answer is always Grace. The text was written by John Newton; a sailor, former slave trader turned abolitionist, and clergyman. It was written for a sermon on New Year’s Day in 1773. The text wasn’t married to a tune until the Baptist song leader William Walker used it with the tune he wrote called "New Britain." This is the beautiful melody we use today.


Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Music & the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL.

"Beauty for Brokenness"


"Beauty For Brokenness" is composed by Graham Kendrick, a modern-day British hymn writer, who shares his vision of a God who is among us, sharing our brokenness and despair. The song's message is that the only way to heal our brokenness is through love.


"Lighten our darkness

Breathe on this flame

Until your justice

Burns brightly again."


Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Worship & the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL.

"Blest Be the Tie that Binds"


For this week's "Great Hymns of Our Faith" selection, the 18th-century hymn "Blest Be the Tie that Binds"  speaks volumes about the closeness of church community. The composer, John Fawcett, was a Baptist minister who had been assigned to Wainsgate Baptist Church, a very small church in rural England. In 1782, after seven years of ministry, he was called to serve a much larger church in London. He had preached his final sermon, and the carts were loaded to make the move. But the congregation folks came and begged, cried, and pleaded with him to stay. The hearts of Fawcett and his wife were so moved, they decided not to leave, and he served that church for the rest of his ministry. To commemorate this event, he wrote "Blest be the Tie That Binds."  


Performed by Kristin Young , Director of Worship and the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora IL.

"Shelter Me"

by Father Michael Joncas


From the St. Mark's "Great Hymns of Our Faith" series.

This week's hymn, "Shelter Me," is actually a new hymn, but is surely destined to become a classic, It was written by Father Michael Joncas (composer of "On Eagle's Wings") especially for this time of sheltering in place. He had been praying about the global epidemic and was inspired to write this hymn, based on the 23rd Psalm, to reassure us that our Great Shepherd has promised to stay with us and bring us peace.

"I Want Jesus to Walk with Me"



From the St. Mark's "Great Hymns of Our Faith" series.

A hymn of assurance that, in the midst of our fears and in every possible moment of our lives, Jesus walks alongside us.

African American Spiritual of unknown origin

Tune: Sojourner

Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Worship and the Arts, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Aurora IL

"You Are Mine"

by David Haas

sung by Walkers to Heaven

"O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee"


From the St. Mark's "Great Hymns of Our Faith" series.

A prayer for help as we follow in Christ's way of sacrifice in serving others.

Music by Henry Percy Smith (1825-1898)

Words by Washington Gladden (1836-1918)

Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Worship and the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL.

"In Christ Alone"

by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

performed by Celtic Worship

"Be Still My Soul"

From the St. Mark's "Great Hymns of Our Faith" series.

A reflection on God's faithfulness and love through every trial.

Words by Kathrina von Schlegel (1697- ); Jane Borthwick, translator (1813-1897))

Music by Jean Sibelius (1865-1967), "Finlandia"

David Evans (1874-1948) matched the translation with the tune in 1927. This pairing was brought to the United States when it was used by the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in its 1933 hymnal.

Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Worship & the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL.

"Because He Lives"

Matt Maher

"Abide with Me"

From the St. Mark's "Great Hymns of Our Faith" series.

A prayer for God to remain present with us throughout life, through trials and through death.

Words by Henry Frances Lyte (1793-1847)

Music by William Henry Monk, "Eventide" (1823-1889)

Performed by Kristin Young, Director of Worship & the Arts, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, IL