Music at MLUMC

"O Morning Star, how fair and bright" is an English translation of a Lutheran hymn that has been called the "Queen of Chorales". Text and music were both penned--originally as "Wie Schön leuchtet der Morgenstern"--by the German pastor, poet, and composer Philipp Nicolai in 1597. It is a mainstay of Epiphany observations for many, and served as the office hymn at the service of compline on January 6, as recorded and shared below.

Those with a keen ear will recognize this theme in our worship music throughout this season of Epiphany--perhaps you will notice its appearances in the organ and choral music that will be heard over the coming weeks!

O Morning Star, how fair and bright (UMH247) The office hymn at the service of Compline for the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, Tuesday, January 6, 2026Sung by the Choir of Mt. Lebanon United Methodi...

"The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him." (Ps. 72:10-11)

The Feast of the Epiphany was celebrated yesterday in a service of Compline led by the choir. Please enjoy this excerpt from that service, "Reges Tharsis et Insulae", a polyphonic setting of the Latin translation of the above Psalm text by Renaissance composer William Byrd.

Reges Tharsis et Insulae (William Byrd) The Anthem at the service of Compline for the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, Tuesday, January 6, 2026Sung by the Choir of Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Ch...

Join us in worship as we commemorate the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord in this contemplative, candlelit service of prayer and a ca****la music. The service will last approximately one-half hour and is open to all.

"Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises;
Angels and archangels, sing!
Wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful,
Let your joyous anthems ring,
Every tongue his name confessing,
Countless voices answering,
Evermore and evermore"

https://youtu.be/XkQycRgz9oA

Merry Christmas to all from the Music Ministry of Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church

Of the Father's Heart Begotten (arr. D. Willcocks) Recorded at Mt. Lebanon UMC (Pittsburgh, PA), on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2025.

Join us for our Third Sunday organ recital this weekend to put the finishing touches on your Christmas spirit. You'll hear organ music exploring the full breadth of these seasons of the year. There is no cost to attend; all are welcome.

"I look from afar, and lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth.
Go ye out to meet him, and say: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign..."

Happy 500th Birthday to Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, one of the most celebrated composers in the western canon, and whose music came to represent the high-water-mark of the Renaissance period.

Here, the choir sings an adaptation of one of Palestrina's settings of the Nunc Dimittis, which has been incorporated to the English-language tradition as a responsory for the season of Advent. Enjoy these powerful words as we draw nearer and nearer to the coming of the one who is to reign over his people.

Matin Responsory ("I Look from Afar"), after G.P. da Palestrina Recorded at Mt. Lebanon UMC (Pittsburgh, PA), on the Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 7, 2025.

UPDATE: Regrettably, due to scheduling conflicts amongst our musicians, the Service of Compline for this month has been cancelled.

Please join us on January 6, 2026, for a service of compline in observation of the Feast of the Epiphany.

COMPLINE POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 9

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"God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth’..." Job 37:5-6a

The snow has indeed fallen on our part of the earth! Following the lead of the local school districts, activities at MLUMC have been cancelled for this evening. The regularly scheduled service of compline for this month will be rescheduled to next week, Tuesday, December 9.

"A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots....On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious."

A musical illustration of this week's old testament prophesy from Isaiah, in the form of Gregory Pysh's fresh and modern arrangement of this evergreen tune that is more than 400 years old.

Winter's Rose (Gregory Pysh) Recorded at Mt. Lebanon UMC (Pittsburgh, PA), on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024.Sung by the Choir of Mt. Lebanon UMC; Sarah Boice Stecker, alto recorder.

Christmas Eve is only 20 days away! At the 3:00 Family Service, the choir and guest instrumentalists will offer a performance of John Rutter's musical fable "Brother Heinrich's Christmas." In addition to the musicians and narrator, there will also be a series of accompanying illustrations projected so that all can follow along. All are welcome to this special service, but it will be especially enjoyable for the young ones among us.

Hope that we will see you there as we usher in the holiday in this special way!

Q: How liturgical is our church?

A:

COMPLINE POSTPONED TO DECEMBER 9

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"God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth’..." Job 37:5-6a

The snow has indeed fallen on our part of the earth! Following the lead of the local school districts, activities at MLUMC have been cancelled for this evening. The regularly scheduled service of compline for this month will be rescheduled to next week, Tuesday, December 9.

"Wake, awake, for night is flying" ( #720 in the United Methodist Hymnal) is a beloved Advent hymn for many. First published in 1599 by Philipp Nicolai, the hymn was originally composed in German, bearing the title "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme." It has been a fixture of hymnals for centuries, appearing under titles including "Sleepers, wake! A voice astounds us", "Wake, O wake! with tidings thrilling" and "Up! Awake! From Highest Steeple", among many others. It has also been used by Bach as the basis of a well-known cantata, BWV140--a famous countermelody from this cantata is briefly quoted in the introduction to the hymn.

Enjoy this thrilling ideation of God's coming kingdom as we embark together upon the journey of preparation offered by this season of Advent.

"Wake, awake! for night is flying" (UMH 720) Recorded at Mt. Lebanon UMC (Pittsburgh, PA), on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, 2025.