How Firm a Foundation – Commissioned Choral Anthem
Apr 25, 2022 | by Patricia Neighbors
In preparation for celebrating our 150th anniversary, I wanted to commission a piece for our choir that would commemorate this occasion. We have since sung it in worship on two occasions, but I have never properly introduced this piece to our congregation, and I would like you to know the story behind this great new choral anthem.
I contacted composer, Molly Ijames and in July of 2019, she agreed to write a piece for the Chancel Choir. We received the finished piece in May of 2020. I wanted to share with the church what she wrote about the piece.
Dear Patricia,
As with all my church commissions I want the piece to reflect the heart of its commissioner and the significant milestone that I’m called to help you celebrate. Not many churches withstand a century and a half in these days! And since it’s probably safe to say that no one from the first days of the church’s birth is still around today, I gathered a bit of information from that time in history, added it to some of your earlier comments, and with all of the facts put together, here is where I finally landed.
If FUMC Hurst began in 1870, the time in history was on the brink of exciting days. At that time the US was recovering from the Civil War and Americans were on the verge of new inventions such as the telephone, the light bulb, and the phonograph, which would come in just a few short years. The main growing trends in Protestantism included the Methodist and Baptist denominations, and several itinerant preachers and song-leaders were revolutionizing outdoor church meetings, particularly D.L. Moody and his song leader, Ira Sankey, who held evangelistic meetings worldwide. Congregational singing was radically changed because of their influence. They taught hymns intentionally written with repetitious tunes because they were easy to teach to large gatherings. One hymn favorite that was sung in both the North and the South was How Firm a Foundation. It was included in John Rippon’s hymn collection, Selection of Hymn, printed in 1832, and although the composer is unknown, it had become a favorite by several famous political leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt and Andrew Jackson. Robert E. Lee requested it to be sung at his funeral, on October 12, 1870.
I’ve written some parts for a violinist and flutist, which I hope will help to capture an early-American style in a folky, colonial flavor in the accompaniment. The stanzas build with anticipation, and I’ve added a snare drum to the final stanza to bring it to a climax.
In the middle of our world’s current hardship, I hope this piece is a bright light for all of you, and that it will bring joy to your musicians and church body in the middle of the unknowns. The text of this hymn reflects the faith that we’ve all no doubt endured, and I pray that God’s promises will continue to be revealed to you as you walk through the next season as a church. God is good, even in the troubles we experience, and His goodness never fails us.
“I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand”
I hope this piece is a rich blessing to you. I send my deepest congratulations and warmest wishes to your church body as you reflect on His goodness in the coming days. I look forward, with you, to the day when we can all join in singing together again!
With humble appreciation for this opportunity,
Molly Ijames
Many thanks to Molly for a job well done. The foundation of FUMC Hurst is built on the faith, the service and the commitment of those who have gone before. Thanks be to God.