Trinity Milwaukee

10/13/2026

10/09/2026

Hymn Notes 🎶

October 8, 2026

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

The following hymn, "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee," TLH 350 "is from the famous medieval hymn 'Iesu dulcis memoria,' usually attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, whom Martin Luther called the most pious monk who ever lived. The hymn has been found in an eleventh-century manuscript, ascribed to a Benedictine abbess. The original is found in various forms, the fullest of which contains fifty stanzas.

The translation is by Edward Caswall, altered. It was published in his Lyra Catholica, 1849." The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal

1. Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest.

2. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest name, O Savior of mankind!

3. O Hope of every contrite heart, O Joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art, How good to those who seek!

4. But what to those who find! Ah! this Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His loved ones know.

5. Jesus, our only Joy be Thou As Thou our Prize wilt be!
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now And through eternity.

God's peace,
Trudy J. Schmalz
Director of Music

10/02/2026

Hymn Notes 🎶

October 1, 2026

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

As we approach midterm elections in our country, I am sharing the hymn, "Christ, by Heavenly Hosts Adored." TLH 566

"Although generally not included in hymnals published in the last two decades, this hymn's popularity and use for Thanksgiving and/or the Nation, having appeared in the Synod's previous two official English hymnals -The Evangelical Lutheran Hymn Book (1912) and The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) - prompted the Commission on Worship to include it in Lutheran Worship (1982).

This altered and updated cento, from an originally eight-stanza hymn by Henry Harbaugh, pastor of the Reformed persuasion, first appeared in his Poems (1860), where it was entitled 'A National Litany.' As such it fervently and beautifully prays for such things that make for a blessed nation." Lutheran Worship Hymnal Companion

1. Christ, by heavenly hosts adored, Gracious, mighty, sovereign Lord,
God of nations, King of Kings, Head of all created things,
By the church with joy confest, God o'er all forever blest, -
Pleading at Thy throne we stand, Save Thy people, bless our land.

2. On our fields of grass and grain Send, O Lord, the kindly rain;
O'er our wide and goodly land Crown the labors of each hand.
Let Thy kind protection be O'er our commerce on the sea.
Open, Lord, Thy bounteous hand; Bless Thy people, bless our land.

3. Let our rulers ever be Men that love and honor Thee;
Let the powers by Thee ordained Be in righteousness maintained.
In the people's hearts increase Love of piety and peace.
Thus united, we shall stand One wide, free, and happy land.

God's peace,
Trudy J. Schmalz
Director of Music

Circle of Rembrandt - Old Man in Prayer

09/25/2026

Hymn Notes 🎶

September 24, 2026

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Today I am sharing a bit of advice from St. Benedict along with the hymn, "My God, My Father, Make Me Strong." TLH 424

1. My God, my Father, make me strong, When tasks of life seem hard and long,
To greet them with this triumph song: Thy will be done.

2. Draw from my timid eyes the veil To show where earthly forces fail,
Thy power and love must still prevail - Thy will be done.

3. With confident and humble mind Freedom in service I would find,
Praying through every toil assigned: Thy will be done.

4. Things deemed impossible I dare, Thine is the call and Thine the care;
Thy wisdom shall the way prepare - Thy will be done.

5. All power is here and round me now; Faithful I stand in rule and vow,
While 'tis not I, but ever Thou: Thy will be done.

6. Heaven's music chimes the glad days in; Hope soars beyond death, pain, and sin;
Faith shouts in triumph, Love must win - Thy will be done!

God's peace,
Trudy J. Schmalz
Director of Music

A WRITING FOR SEPTEMBER 23RD

Benedict of Nursia’s advice about singing.

We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf. Prov. 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in [the Divine Service]. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the prophet says, “Serve the Lord with fear” (Ps. 2:11). And again, “Sing wisely” (Ps. 46:8). And, “I will sing praise to You in the sight of the angels” (Ps. 137:1). Therefore, let us consider how it benefits us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us then stand to sing, that our minds may be in harmony with our voices.

Benedict’s advice about prayer.

If we do not dare to approach men who are in power except with humility and reverence when we wish to ask a favor, how much must we make requests of the Lord God of all things with all humility and purity of devotion? And let us be assured that it is not in many words, but it is by hearts [declared] pure and with repentant tears, that we are heard. For this reason prayer ought to be short and pure, unless, perhaps, it is lengthened by the inspiration of divine grace. When we pray together [in the Divine Service], however, let the prayer always be short.

- Benedict of Nursia, Holy Rule of St. Benedict XIX-XX

Portrait of Saint Benedict in Benedetto Portinari Triptych by Hans Memling (1487)

09/18/2026

Hymn Notes 🎶

September 17, 2026

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

We remember Cyprian of Carthage on September 16 with the hymn, "Awake, Thou Spirit, Who Didst Fire." TLH 494

"This cento is from Carl H. v. Bogatzky's famous missionary hymn of fourteen stanzas, published in 1750 in his Die Ubung der Gottseligkeit in allerley Geistlichen Liedern, Halle. It was entitled 'For faithful laborers in the Harvest of the Lord, for the blessed spread of the Word to all the world.' The cento is formed of Stanzas 1,3, 5, and 7 of the original. The translation is a slightly altered form of Catherine Winkworth's Lyra Germanica, first series, 1855. In Stanza 4, lines 5 and 6, bogatzky's words, in translation, are:
Wake Israel from his sleep, O Lord, And spread the conquest of Thy Word!" The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal

1. Awake, Thou Spirit, who didst fire The watchmen of the Church's youth,
Who faced the Foe's envenomed ire, Who witnessed day and night Thy truth,
Whose voices loud are ringing still And bringing hosts to know Thy will.

2. Lord, let our earnest prayer be heard, The prayer Thy Son hath bid us pray;
For, lo, Thy children's hearts are stirred In every land in this our day
To cry with fervent soul to Thee, Oh, help us, Lord! So let it be!

3. Oh, haste to help ere we are lost! Send preachers forth, in spirit strong,
Armed with Thy Word, a dauntless host, Bold to attack the rule of wrong;
Let them the earth for Thee reclaim, Thy heritage, to know Thy name.

4. And let Thy Word have speedy course, Through every land be glorified,
Till all the heathen know its force And fill Thy churches far and wide.
Oh, spread the conquest of Thy Word And let Thy kingdom come, dear Lord!

God's peace,
Trudy J. Schmalz
Director of Music

+ Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr +

16 September

Cyprian (ca. AD 200–258), was acclaimed bishop of the north African city of Carthage around AD 248. During the persecution of the roman Emperor Decius, Cyprian fled Carthage but returned two years later. He was then forced to deal with the problem of Christians who had lapsed from their faith under persecution and now wanted to return to the Church. It was decided that these lapsed Christians could be restored but that their restoration could take place only after a period of penance that demonstrated their faithfulness. During the persecution under Emperor Valerian, Cyprian at first went into hiding but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded for the faith in Carthage in the year 258. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

09/10/2026

Hymn Notes 🎶

September 10, 2026

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

As we celebrate a wedding in our sanctuary this weekend, I have chosen the hymn, "O Happy Home Where Thou art Loved Most Dearly." TLH 626

"Karl Johann Philipp Spitta (1801-1859), was the greatest German hymn-writer of the 19th century. He was born August 1, 1801 in Hanover of parents in humble life, his father being a bookkeeper and a teacher of French. The Spitta family was a Huguenot family that fled during the Roman Catholic persecutions in France. They changed their name from 'de l'Hopital' to the German equivalent Spital or Spittell, which was later modified into Spitta. His father died when Karl was but four. The mother was a Christian Jewess, and to her fostering care Karl wrote the finest hymn ever written on the Christian home, 'O happy home where Thou art loved most dearly.' Spitta started to write verse when he was eight. Because of his frail health, Karl's younger brother was sent to school to study for the ministry instead of Karl. His father having died, his mother apprenticed him to a watchmaker. He did not like watchmaking; yet he was faithful and efficient in his work. At this time he began the study of languages. The younger brother died by drowning in 1818, and so Karl was sent to school when he inadvertently made his true desire known to a close friend. He completed his studies at the University of Gottingen, where the professors were rationalistic, in 1824, then tutored in a private family for four years at Lune, near Luneburg, till he was ordained to the Lutheran ministry, as assistant pastor of Sudwalde, Hanover. Two years later Spitta received the appointment of chaplain to the prisoners and garrison of Hameln, Hanover, and would have succeeded as permanent chaplain there, had not the military authorities, alarmed by reports which described him as a Pietist and a mystic, refused to sanction the arrangement. On October 4, 1837, Spitta married Joanna Mary Magdalene Hotzen and in the same year took charge of the Lutheran Church of Wechold, near Hoya, Hanover, where he labored happily and successfully for ten years. Spitta's home was one of peace and song. There were seven children. One son, Friedrich Spitta, born January 10, 1852, became a theologian and was appointed professor of New Testament Exegesis and Practical Theology at the University of Strassburg and is known through his works on liturgics. Another son, Johann August Philipp, was the author of the great biography of J. S. Bach. In 1847 Spitta received the appointment of Ecclesiastical Superintendent of Wittingen and in 1853 that of chief pastor of Pein. Spitta had just been preferred to the Church at Burgdorf when he was stricken with a gastric fever followed by cramp of the heart. He died at the age of 58, September 28, 1859. At the university Spitta also became fast friends with Heinrich Heine. That friendship came to an abrupt end, however, when Heine visited Spitta at Lune and openly ridiculed holy things in front of Spitta's pupils. Spitta himself passed through a deep spiritual experience during which he composed some of his finest hymns. In 1826 Spitta wrote to a friend, 'In the manner in which I formerly sang, I sing no more. To the Lord I dedicate my life, my love, and likewise my song. He gave to me song and melody. I give it back to Him.' Spitta's hymns aroused unparalleled enthusiasm. His Psalter und Harfe appeared in a second and larger edition after its first in 1833. By 1889 no less than 55 editions had been published. Another collection of hymns, which was first published in 1843, passed through 42 editions by 1887. A translation of Spitta's hymns into English verse was published by Richard Massie in 1859, entitled Lyra Domestica." The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal

1. O happy home where Thou art loved most dearly, Thou faithful Friend and Savior full of grace,
And where among the guests there never cometh One who can hold such high and honored place!
O happy home where all, in heart united, In holy faith and blessed hope are one,
Whom bitter death a little while divideth, Yet cannot end the union here begun!

2. O happy home where two, in heart united, In holy faith, are clinging unto Thee;
Where both, to Thee a joyful service bringing, Hear and obey Thy voice most willingly;
Where both to Thee in truth forever cleaving In joy, in grief, make Thee their only Stay
And fondly hope in Thee to be believing Both in the good and in the evil day.

3. O happy home whose little ones are given Early to Thee in humble faith and prayer,
To Thee, their Friend, who from the heights of heaven Guides them and guards with more than mother's care!
O happy home where each one serves Thee, lowly, Whatever his appointed work may be,
Till every common task seems great and holy When it is done, O Lord, as unto Thee!

4. O happy home where Thou art not forgotten When joy is overflowing, full, and free!
O happy home where every wounded spirit Is brought, O great Physician, unto Thee,
Until at last, when earthly toil is ended, All meet Thee in the blessed home above,
From whence Thou camest, where Thou hast ascended, Thine everlasting home of peace and love!

God's peace,
Trudy J. Schmalz
Director of Music

09/03/2026

Hymn Notes 🎶

September 3, 3026

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Today we remember Gregory the Great, Pastor, with the hymn, "Send Thou, O Lord, to Every Place." TLH 506

"This hymn by Mary C. Gates, written in 1888, was introduced at a convention of the Christian Endeavor Society in 1890 and thereafter published in Sursum Corda (1898). Its inclusion in the Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book (1912), the first official English hymnal of the Synod, and in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), and its resultant popularity, prompted its inclusion in Lutheran Worship (1982)." Lutheran Worship Hymnal Companion

1. Send Thou, O Lord, to every place Swift messengers before Thy face,
The heralds of Thy wondrous grace, Where Thou Thyself wilt come.

2. Send men whose eyes have seen the King, Men in whose ears His sweet words ring;
Send such Thy lost ones home to bring; Send them where Thou wilt come, -

3. To bring good news to souls in sin, The bruised and broken hearts to win;
In every place to bring them in Where Thou Thyself wilt come.

4. Thou who hast died, Thy victory claim; Assert, O Christ, Thy glory's name
And far to lands of pagan shame Send men where Thou wilt come.

5. Gird each one with the Spirit's Sword, The sword of Thine own deathless Word,
And make them conquerors, conquering Lord, Where Thou Thyself wilt come.

6. Raise up, O Lord the Holy Ghost, From this broad land a mighty host;
Their war-cry, "We will seek the lost Where Thou, O Christ, wilt come!"

God's peace,
Trudy J. Schmalz
Director of Music

+ Gregory the Great, Pastor +

3 September

One of the great leaders in Europe at the close of the sixth century, Gregory served in both the secular and sacred arenas of his era. As mayor of Rome, he restored economic vitality to his native city, which had been weakened by enemy invasions, pillage, and plague. After he sold his extensive properties and donated the proceeds to help the poor, he entered into full-time service in the Church. On September 3, 590 A.D., Gregory was elected to lead the church in Rome. As Bishop of Rome he oversaw changes and growth in the areas of church music and liturgical development, missionary outreach to northern Europe, and the establishment of a church-year calendar still used by many churches in the western World today. His book on pastoral care became a standard until the 20th centu
ry. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

Saint Gregory the Great by José de Ribera (1614)

08/27/2026

Hymn Notes 🎶

August 27, 2026

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

We remember Monica, Mother of Augustine, on August 27, with the hymn, "Now Let Us Come Before Him." TLH 122

"This is one of the few 'we' hymns of Paul Gerhardt (in contrast to his more personal 'I' hymns) that first appeared in the so-called Runge Gesangbuch (Berlin, 1653) produced for the Reformed churches in Berlin under the music editorship of Johann Cruger. Originally in 15 stanzas, it is the thirty Years' War (1618-48) with its suffering and woe (more noticeable in the stanzas here omitted) that looms as the backdrop for this fine hymn. Recognizing its appropriateness for other than times of war, it soon began to be sung in worship on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day." Lutheran Worship Hymnal Companion

1. Now let us come before Him, With song and prayer adore Him,
Who to our life hath given All needed strength from heaven.

2. The stream of years is flowing, And we are onward going,
From old to new surviving And by His mercy thriving.

3. In woe we often languish And pass through times of anguish,
Of wars and trepidation Alarming every nation.

4. As mothers watch are keeping O'er children who are sleeping,
Their fear and grief assuaging When angry storms are raging.

5. So God His own is shielding And help to them is yielding.
When need and woe distress them, His loving arms caress them.

6. O Thou who dost not slumber, Remove what would encumber
Our work, which prospers never Unless Thou bless it ever.

7. O God of Mercy, hear us; Our Father, be Thou near us;
Mid crosses and in sadness Be Thou our Fount of gladness.

8. To all who bow before Thee And for Thy grace implore Thee,
Oh, grant Thy benediction And patience in affliction.

9. Be Thou a Helper speedy To all the poor and needy,
To all forlorn a Father; Thy erring children gather.

10. Be with the sick and ailing Their Comforter unfailing;
Dispelling grief and sadness, Oh, give them joy and gladness!

11. Above all else, Lord, send us Thy Spirit to attend us,
Within our hearts abiding, To heaven our footsteps guiding.

12. All this Thy hand bestoweth, Thou Life, whence our life floweth.
To all Thy name confessing Grant, Lord, Thy New Year's blessing.

God's peace,
Trudy J. Schmalz
Director of Music

+ Monica, Mother of Augustine +

27 August

A native of North Africa, Monica (A.D. 333–387) was the devoted mother of Saint Augustine. Throughout her life she sought the spiritual welfare of her children, especially that of her brilliant son, Augustine. Widowed at a young age, she devoted herself to her family, praying many years for Augustine's conversion. When Augustine left North Africa to go to Italy, she followed him to Rome and then to Milan. There she had the joy of witnessing her son's conversion to the Christian faith. Weakened by her travels, Monica died at Ostia, Italy on the journey she had hoped would take her back to her native Africa. On some church year calendars, Monica is remembered on May 4. - Treasury of Daily Prayer

Monica of Hippo - Gozzoli