Alicia’s Accents
October 19 - The postlude will be an arrangement by Mark Thallander of the hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” (Chalice Hymnal No. 2). The hymn tune is from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and is so appealing that it has been said that the melody is “one of the greatest in the world.” The words were written by Henry van Dyke in 1907 and are powerful statements and expressions of Christian feelings and desires. What better prayer than “Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away,”; “Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.”; “wellspring of the joy of living”; and, “Lift us to the joy divine.” Mark Thallander is a Southern California organist with a strong faith that has been his strength as he overcame the loss of his left arm. Recently, I heard him speak about his terrible automobile accident, adjustments as an organists, and his faith. He said that prior to the accident he was the driver and God was the passenger, but now, God is the driver and he is the passenger.
May our worship together bring us to a stronger faith and realization of the promises of God’s love.
Alicia Adams