Notes from the Music Director (No. 9)

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rochester, Pennsylvania
Henry Doktorski, III

September 13, 2015—16^th Sunday after Pentecost

In today’s Gospel (Mark 8:34-36) Jesus preaches in the villages near Caesarea Philippi—an ancient Roman city located at the southwestern base of Mount Hermon near the source of the Jordan river about 30 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, near the northern tip of today’s Israel. When Christ visited the area, Caesarea Philippi was the administrative capital of King Herod Philip II, the son of Herod the Great.

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus admonishes the crowds of villagers, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” The text for today’s Offertory choir anthem, “Take Up Your Cross” by David Haas, is based on Mark’s account of Jesus’ lecture to the crowds.

David Haas (born in 1957 in Michigan) is a popular author and composer of contemporary Catholic liturgical music. The Monitor (the newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey) reported, “Born into a family of music teachers and church musicians, Haas said that his career as a liturgical musician evolved ‘naturally.’ His father, who died in 2010, was a lifelong church organist and his mother was involved in church music at a young age. Even when he thought of veering in another musical direction – becoming a band director or a concert pianist – Haas said that liturgical music was ‘always a part of my life. It was something that I sort of just did,’ he said. ‘It was always around me.’”

Mr. Haas’ music has been published in many Catholic and Protestant hymnals and song books. Grace Lutheran’s own “Worship and Praise Songbook” contains seven works by David Haas, including popular favorites such as “Now We Remain,” “We Are Called,” and “You Are Mine.” Our Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal also includes his “Blest Are They.”

Mr. Haas received a degree in theology and music from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He served as composer-in-residence at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity in St. Paul, Minnesota; and was also campus minister and artist-in-residence at Benilde-St. Margaret in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where he taught in the music and theology departments.

Haas currently lives in Eagan, Minnesota, where he is the director of the Emmaus Center for Music, Prayer and Ministry. He also serves as a cantor at St. Cecilia Parish in St. Paul. He is active today as a workshop and keynote speaker, author, retreat leader, liturgical musician, concert performer, and recording artist. His music is published by GIA Publications and Oregon Catholic Press.

David Haas’ “Take Up Your Cross”

Scripture

Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 116:1-9
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38

Music & Hymns

Prelude
Gathering	LBW 504 Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said
Hymn of the Day	LBW 365 Built on a Rock
Offertory	Take Up Your Cross (David Haas)
Communion
Sending	LBW 455 “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake
Postlude