Music Notes for Jan. 24 - Conversion of St. Paul celebrated
Our offertory and communion music aptly portrays Sundays's theme, ‘The Conversion of St. Paul.’ The choral anthem is from Mendelssohn’s oratorio, St. Paul. After scenes of the martyrdom of Stephen, persecution of the Christians, the conversion of Paul, his baptism and ordination as a minister by Ananias, this chorus, ‘How lovely are the messengers’, is a thematic gem both musically and in message. Mendelssohn releases the pain of Paul’s previous sins and ordains his ministry in a musically flowing message of peace. The communion solo from Handel’s Messiah, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace,” contains, in a simple aria’s scale, the greatness of the Gospel’s message. What is the message of the Gospel? Ευαγγέλιο, Greek for the word “Gospel,” literally means that this news is 'almost too good to be true'. Great composers like Mendelssohn and Handel convey this exciting message in the greatness of their music.
Please join us next week for our next Friends of Music concert -- Sunday, January 31 at 4:00 pm. The West Liberty University Choirs led by Dr. Scott Glysson will present a concert of choral singing in our beautiful sanctuary. The program will include Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living as well pieces by American Composers. The concert will be around an hour. Please join us for an evening of exquisite choral music from our West Virginia neighbors! Suggested Donation at the door: $10
Tags: Music at St. Paul's / Worship and Music / Worship at St. Paul's / Concert Series