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Organist Jason Klein-Mendoza offers a weekly hymn reflection on last Sunday’s sermon. Hymn: I Bind Unto Myself Today | ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE/DEIRDRE

The poetry of this hymn has its original form in a 9th century Celtic prayer. In the later part of the 19th century, Cecil Frances Alexander adapted it into the form we see today at the request of the Dean of the Chapel Royal at Dublin Castle in 1889. Comprising two Irish Melodies, this hymn was adapted and harmonized by two of the greatest composers of English Music: Charles Villiers Stanford and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Much has been written about the poetry used in this hymn. A favorite at St. James, the text invites us to bind ourselves to Christ through times of deep confusion and chaos. Search on this channel for the Rev. Canon Anne Tumilty’s sermon from this past Sunday to delve deeper into the texts that accompanied this great hymn.

Organist Jason Klein-Mendoza offers a weekly hymn reflection on last Sunday’s sermon. Hymn: For the Fruits of all Creation | EAST ACKLAM

In the midst of all that is going on in the world, out stewardship theme this year encourages us to be Faithful Together. From the abundance of our living, we are invited to share what we have, being faithful together as a parish, in thanksgiving to the one who has provided so much to us. Fred Pratt Green’s text of this hymn is often thought of as a fall/harvest hymn. While the literal ideas of plowing, sowing and reaping may seem foreign to us in Los Angeles, they are a metaphor for what it means to be Faithful Together. If this hymn tune is new to you and you don’t have a hymnal at home, please listen and follow along with the text as you continue your week in prayer.

Organist Jason Klein-Mendoza offers a weekly hymn reflection on last Sunday’s sermon. Hymn: All Creatures of our God and King | LASST UNS ERFREUEN

On Sunday, October 11, we celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a blessing of the animals. 2020 has been atypical for most people and this year’s blessing of the animals was held virtually. We extolled and remembered St. Francis and his love of all animals and nature. This hymn gives thanks for all of creation and praises God for the earth in its abundance of all living things.

The St. James' Choir leads the hymn All Creatures of Our God and King (Hymn 400) for our virtual Blessing of Animals service.

Organist Jason Klein-Mendoza offers a weekly hymn reflection on last Sunday’s sermon. Hymn: God is Love | ABBOT’S LEIGH.

The hymn meditation for this week works off of ideas from The Rev. Dr. Michell Wright-Baker’s sermon from last Sunday. Through every bit of daily earthly strife, draw strength from the eternal love and unfailing grasp of God. Cyril V. Taylor wrote this tune in May of 1941 so that the BBC could use the text “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” to a tune other than AUSTRIA (The Austrian National Anthem which was further used by the Nazis). The tune takes its name from a small village near Bristol, England and was first printed in a hymnal in the 1950 edition of “Hymns Ancient and Modern Revised.” It has since made its way into most denominational hymnals.

Organist Jason Klein-Mendoza offers a weekly hymn reflection on last Sunday’s sermon. Hymn: Just a Closer Walk With Thee | CLOSER WALK.

The hymn meditation for this week draws from Rev. Gethin’s sermon from last Sunday. In the midst of all of life’s struggles, Rev. Gethin encouraged us to turn to and deepen our relationship with God. So is the case with this hymn, which is not found in our hymnal, but is sung widely throughout the church. To many, this hymn may be known as the Dixieland funeral procession hymn. The text of this spiritual is a prayer that draws us closer to God through all of life’s journey.

Organist Jason Klein-Mendoza offers a weekly hymn reflection on last Sunday’s sermon. Hymn: Here, O My Lord | NYACK.

The hymn meditation for this week comes both from the Rev. Dr. Michelle Wright-Baker’s sermon from this past Sunday as well as the Collect of the day found below. “Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” – The Book of Common Prayer p. 234

Organist Jason Klein-Mendoza offers a weekly hymn reflection on last Sunday’s sermon. Hymn: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light | HOUSTON.

Susanne Wright-Nava’s Sermon for Holy Cross called on each one of us to live in the light of the cross rather than the shadow of darkness that surrounds us. Our parish uses this hymn often throughout the Church year, notably at Baptisms and during the Easter Vigil. Both of these occasions invite us to live in the light of Christ. The text and tune for this hymn were written by Kathleen Thomerson (b. 1934). She is a Lutheran organist, choirmaster, and composer based in Austin, TX. “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” is perhaps her best known hymn and it appears in many denominational hymnals.