As part of my job as music director at Lakewood UCC, I write a lot of original music (original hymns, anthems, solo keyboard pieces, hymn-tune settings). Because of the corona virus lockdown, I’ve been doing all those same things, but for online posts by Lakewood. If those interest you, you can hear those posts at https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/.
I’ve decided to post some of those here: the ones that feature original content by me. This post was originally posted on March 23, 2020 at http://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/23/my-faith-it-is-an-oaken-staff/.
Here’s a tune for your morning meditation that will lift your spirits. Rev. Wells introduced me to this hymn and it’s become a favorite of mine. Every time we do it in church I only wish there were more verses so it lasts longer. Feel free to sing along this morning. You can see the words in the New Century Hymnal #418 or at https://hymnary.org/hymn/NCH1995/418.
There’s a very short organ introduction. When the brass come in, you start singing. Between verse 2 and verse 3 there’s a little organ interlude. But, on verse 3, BE WARNED (!), there’s a trumpet descant. What might confuse you is that the trumpet plays an echo, like a kid’s round (you know, like in “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”), of what you’re singing. So don’t get lost…hang on to your own part (follow the trombone…a trombonist will never lead you astray).
The choir often sings this arrangement of mine of New Century Hymnal #111 at Easter. Here is that same arrangement performed on organ. You’re welcome to follow along. The exact words as found in our hymnal aren’t found online, but a common text found in other hymnals is at 
