Music Notes
for March 22, 2026
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Organ Voluntaries
In honor of Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday, March 21, 1685, the organ prelude is from the Orgelbüchlein. “O Man, thy Grievous Sin Bemoan” is a Lutheran Passion hymn with a text written by Sebald Heyden in 1530. The author reflects in the Passion of Jesus based on the Four Evangelists, originally in 23 stanzas. The organ chorale prelude has remained one of Bach’s most celebrated. Bach puts a simple chorale melody in comforting wrappings. He uses unexpected harmonic twists and turns as his intention was to say: It’s true we’re a worthless bunch, but we can’t really help it.”
The postlude “Fantasy in A Minor” by J. S. Bach (1685-1750) was written for the keyboard but scholars are not sure if it was written for the organ, clavichord, or harpsichord. The setting we hear today was transcribed by Max Reger (1873-1916) for the organ where Reger arranges it for the two keyboards and pedal. The final result works well as a Lenten postlude.
Choir Anthem
“When Jesus Wept” by William Billings (1746-1800) text was written from St. John’s Gospel 11:1-45 on the death of Lazarus. Jesus weeps and raises Lazarus from the dead. William Billings was born in Boston. Upon the death of his father he stopped formal schooling in order to help support his family. He received musical training from John Barry, a choir member of the New South Church. Most of his music was written for four-part chorus singing a cappella. His many hymns and anthems were published mostly in book-length collections. Billings’ wife died on March 26, 1795 leaving him with six children under the age of 18. He died in poverty in 1800 in Boston. The choral arrangement today is by Robert Shaw (1916-1999) and Alice Parker (1925-2023). The two collaborated over 223 choral arrangements and many were early American folk hymns.
Congregational Hymnody
​Opening #495 Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!
Sequence #511 Holy Spirit, Ever Living
Communion #335 I Am the Bread of Life
Closing #512 Come, Gracious Spirit