Lead Me, Lord

October 13, 2024

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Green Card Fundraiser Status

 

Firstly, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the very generous parishioners who have contributed to my fundraiser. From here on, I’ll include a weekly update on the funds that have been raised thus far, in addition to my regular post in the Music Director’s Corner. As of the time of this writing, the funds raised amount to $13,324, with a goal of $27,000. I am moved by the overwhelming support I’ve seen from the community. Working at this church has been one of the most life-changing experiences for me, and I hope to stay on for much longer!

 

Lead Me, Lord

 

If you were to ask a musician, “Do you know Ave Maria?”, they’d most probably answer, “Which one?” If you’ve been around the music world enough, you’ve probably heard A LOT of Ave Maria’s. My favorite is one that may not be familiar to most – a Spanish setting of the Ave Maria by William Gomez. There’s a beautiful rendition of it by Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča. Search for it on YouTube if you have a free moment!

 

Likewise, there’s another Christian song title that may refer to many different songs: Lead Me, Lord. Those of us at St. Joe’s are likely most familiar with the version by John Becker, listed as #739 in the current edition of our hymnal. “Lead me, Lord. Lead me, Lord, by the light of truth, to seek and to find the narrow way…” – yup, that one! But of course, that isn’t the only Lead Me, Lord out there. As my very faithful friends might say, the Holy Spirit juuuust couldn’t keep Its inspiration to Itself, and It just haaaaad to go all over the world inspiring composers across different countries and continents to write more Lead Me, Lord’s!

 

This Sunday’s Gospel speaks about the challenge of following Christ especially when it may not align with what we want, so we’ve prepared songs that speak about following Jesus’ lead. Depending on which Mass you attend this Sunday, you may hear an entirely different Lead Me, Lord. Specifically, these are:

 

9:30 AM – Lead Me, Lord by Gary Valenciano

c/o Ainsley Moran

A poignant, ballad-like setting that asks the Lord to lead “even though at times I’d rather go along my way.” Gary Valenciano is Filipino singer-songwriter (more fondly known as “Gary V” where I come from) who has written some very moving popular Christian songs, with this one being among my favorites. At the Family Mass, it will be sung by Ainsley Moran, an exceptionally talented new addition to our Youth Choir this year. Ainsley is currently in 5th grade at the St. Joe’s school.

 

11:00 AM – Lead Me, Lord by S.S. Wesley

c/o St. Joseph Parish Adult Choir

A reverent, meditative anthem by 19th-century English composer and organist Samuel Sebastian Wesley. The text is beautifully short and sweet: “Lead me, Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness, make Thy way plain before my face. For it is Thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.” Yes, you get to hear the word “makest!”

 

5:00 PM – Lead Me, Lord by Gary Valenciano and Lead Me, Lord by John Becker

c/o St. Joseph Parish Worship Band

If you miss the Ainsley version of Gary V’s Lead Me, Lord at the 9:30, you can still catch the Jacob & Carlo version at the 5! And we’ll be ending Mass with the John Becker version in our hymnal, which I think pretty much everyone knows.

 

Oh, here’s a thought… If you wanna hear ALL the Lead Me, Lord’s, you could technically come to all three of these Masses and get a triple fill of the Eucharist!

 

With my peace,

Carlo Serrano, Music Director