Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).
Another year is passing by, and a new year is coming to us. A new year brings many opportunities, new resolutions, new plans. But our goal should be that this coming year must be dedicated to the Lord.

“Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee;
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.”

This poem was written by Frances R. Havergal, a daughter of William Henry Havergal, clergyman of the Anglican church, hymnwriter, composer, and her brother, Henry East Havergal, was a priest of the Anglican church and an organist, so Frances was under the influence of spiritual disciplines and music from a very early age.

She wrote several hymns, and the most well know hymn by her is “Take My Life and Let It Be.” Her religious view and theology were Calvinist, and you can read this influence in her hymns.

“Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.”

In this particular hymn, Frances put her trust in the Lord alone, and this became so real for her, because she wrote this poem for the beginning of 1874, and few months after, a publishing house in America, with a promise for her to be part of the authors of this company, sent her a letter saying that this publishing company had gone bankrupt in the Stock Marker crash of 1873. Frances, nevertheless, still trusted in the Lord.

This remind me of the words of Paul in the book of Romans, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

“Another year of service,
Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning:
Dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven,
Another year for Thee.”

Sing this hymn during this season of New Year, and if you don’t know the melody, just use the melody of the very well know hymn “The Church’s One Foundation.”

May the Lord bless you in 2026.
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In His service,
Israel