III. Duet: “Voglio dire,” from L’elisir d’amore

Gaetano Donizetti (1797–1848) Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) Erich Korngold (1897–1957)

Aria: “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta,” from La Rondine Duet: “Gluck, das mir verblieb,” from Die tote Stadt Luke Fang, piano

IV.

“In His Hands are All the Corners of the Earth,” from Psalm 95, opus 46

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) arr. Ovid Young

There is a Balm in Gilead

Traditional Spiritual

I’d Rather Have Jesus

George Beverly Shea

Goin’ Over Home

Traditional, arr. Evelyn Larter

I Am His and His Mine

arr. Paul S. Jones

Lenora Jeffcoat, piano

Upcoming Music Ministry Events Good Friday Musical Tenebrae March 30, 2018, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary Spring Choral Concert April 27, 2018, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary

Please join us for a reception in the Small Dining Room following the concert. Cover Design: Jay Wingard

Welcome

The LORD said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship…” Exodus 31:1–3 “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run, I feel his pleasure.” -Eric Liddell

Joy, that Near to Me Remains An Evening of Vocal Music Kristine Biller and Holly Cole, sopranos; Gary Seydell, tenor; Daniel Cole, bass Thomas Russell, Luke Fang, and Lenora Jeffcoat, pianists Julie Anne Russell, violin; Jenni Arthur, cello; Jason Ortiz, trumpet

I. Aria: “Benedictus,” Johann Sebastian Bach from Mass in B Minor, BWV 23 (1685–1750) Gary Seydell, tenor; Julie Anne Russell, violin

We’d like to welcome you this evening to a concert of vocal music, featuring works of Bach, Brahms, some operatic favorites, and settings of well-loved hymns and spirituals.

Duet: “Wir eilen mit schwachen,” from Cantata “Jesu der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 Kristine Biller and Holly Cole, sopranos

It is, of course, no accident that this concert falls the evening after Valentine’s Day. Valentius (as history, or perhaps more accurately, as legend has it) was a 3rd century Christian martyr. Over time, the celebration of the martyr became a celebration of courtly love, becoming the commercialized holiday that we are familiar with today.

Aria: “Ich will von Jesu wunden singen,” from Cantata “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben,” BWV 147 Daniel Cole, bass; Jason Ortiz, trumpet

While we don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day here at this church, we thought it might be a good opportunity for us to celebrate the love that we have for the Lord Jesus Christ and the love we have as brothers and sisters in Christ. It is also a chance to use the gifts that the Lord has given us to enjoy the company of the saints and to encourage one another. The two quotes above embody the meaning of this concert―using the talents that God has given us to feel his pleasure and to delight in him. Our texts for tonight’s concert have been chosen in light of the holiday centered around love―the love of God (works by Bach), the romantic and sometimes humorous aspects of love (Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzer and operatic excerpts), and the love, joy, and comfort that we find in none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (settings of well-loved hymns, spritiuals, and spiritual songs). I look forward to introducing and re-introducing you to some guest performers who are friends of our music ministry at First Presbyterian Church. Thank you again for the many ways you support our ministry, and we pray that you will be blessed by tonight’s musical gathering. ―Daniel B. Cole

All proceeds from CD sales and donations given in the offering are collected in behalf of the Africa Reformation Theological Seminary in Uganda. The mission of the seminary is to train pastors, preachers, and church planters who have a passion for the gospel of grace and a zeal for building and multiplying healthy, strong, biblical, God-centered and Christ-exalting churches in Africa.

Chorale: “Jesu bleibet meine Freude,” from Cantata “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben,” BWV 147 Jenni Arthur, cello; Thomas Russell, harpsichord

II. Liebeslieder Waltzer, Opus 52, No. 1 i. Rede, Mädchen, allzu liebes ii. Am Gesteine rauscht die Flut iii. O die Frauen iv. Wie des Abends schöne Röte v. Die grüne Hopfenranke vi. Ein kleiner, hübscher Vogel vii. Wohl schön bewandt war es viii. Wenn so lind dein Auge mir ix. Am Donaustrande x. O wie sanft die Quelle xi. Nein, es ist nicht auszukommen xii. Schlosser auf, und mache Schlösser xiii. Vögelein durchrauscht die Luft xiv. Sieh, wie ist die Welle klar xv. Nachtigall, sie singt so schön xvi. Ein dunkeler Schacht ist Liebe xvii. Nicht wandle, mein Licht xviii. Es bebet das Gestraüche Luke Fang and Thomas Russell, piano

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)