5.10.2020 "This is My Father's World" Anyplace Praise Collaboration Orchestra

"This is My Father's World" Our newest creation at Anyplace Praise:

Thank you to all of our orchestra friends who made this video possible:

Flute: Angelia Hurley & Julie Burleson
Clarinet: Carol Jenson, Robin Hale, Laura Dugan
C Clarinet: Carol Jenson
Alto Saxophone: Rachel Cox
Tenor Saxophone: Gary Robertz
Trumpet: Lee Ruffin, Mike Smith, Sam Mears, Steve Wood, Adam Seneker, Ben Seneker
French Horn & Native American Flute: Kim Ellison
Baritone and Trombone: Aaron Hurley
Piano and Social Media Coordinator: Erin Carder
Guitar and Web Site Designer: William Carder
Violin: Evan Spiczinsky, Olevia Simmons
Cello and Video Engineering: Jared Hale

This is a traditional hymn arranged and orchestrated by Dan Goeller. We have a special feature in the middle of the piece. Kim Ellison plays a Native American flute which ties in nicely with this beautiful hymn about our Father God and His creation.

During this time of quarantine and slowed pace, I've found that with extra time on my hands, I've been able to take nightly walks through our neighborhood. First, it started as a way to relax and get some exercise, but then it turned into so much more, a search for the newest plant or tree in bloom. So, each night has been a venture into my Father's world.

This hymn began as a 16-verse poem written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock in the early 1900s and was published posthumously by Franklin L. Sheppard after he chose three of Davenport's sixteen verses and set them to music for the final hymn in 1915.

Babcock was a minister from Lockport, New York, who would often take walks overlooking a cliff, where he would enjoy the view of beautiful Lake Ontario and the upstate New York scenery. As he prepared to leave for his walks he would often tell his wife that he was, "Going out to see my Father's world."

In this time of uncertainty, when feelings of hopelessness and depravity seep into our hearts, I pray that we can escape to the outside and enjoy a walk to see our Father's world. I have enjoyed reconnecting with my Father's world and I hope you will give it a try.

Lyrics:

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world. O let me never forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

This is my Father's world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, "The Lord is in this place."
This is my Father's world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came-a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father's world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King--let the heavens ring. God reigns--let the earth be glad.
This is my Father's world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father's world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze,
God makes His glory known.
This is my Father's world, a wanderer I may roam
Whatever my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

Words: Public Domain, Music: 1955,1983,1990 Westminster John Knox Press