Choral Music Festival Concert
May 24, 2009, 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.    Baha'i House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois  

Part 1: We Praise God, We Feel His Spirit!

Ya Baha'u'l-Abha     Composed by Hooper Dunbar and Saffa Kinney, Arranged by Tom Price
A prayer or invocation in Arabic, meaning "O Glory of the All Glorious"; the symbol at the top of the dome is a calligraphic design of this prayer.

I Beseech Thee O My God     Composed by Linda Head
"By the all transcendent glory of Thy name"

Qul 'Allah'u Yakfi     Composed by Tom Price and N. Fani
"God Is Sufficient unto me; In Him let the trusting trust"

Every Time I Feel the Spirit     Composed by William Dawson
"...moving in my heart, I will pray"

O Thou by Whose Name     Composed by Charles Wolcott
"...the sea of joy moveth, and the fragrance of happiness is wafted"

Listen to the Lambs     Composed by Nathaniel Dett
"He shall feed His flock like a shepherd"

Ezekiel Saw De Wheel     Set for Chorus by William Dawson
"De big wheel runs by faith, an de lil' wheel runs by the grace of God"

Sacred Writings for Meditation

One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance  and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.
The Bhagavad-Gita 4:9

...and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and his name shall be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness, from this time forth and for ever more.
Judaism and Christianity, Isaiah 9:6-7

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Judaism and Christianity, Isaiah 51:11

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear it now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
The Bible, 1 John 16:12-14

And of the signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely!  And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy...And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors...And of His signs is your slumber by night and by day, and your seeking of the bounty.
The Qur'an 30:20-23

Great indeed is this Day! The allusions made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as the Day of God attest its greatness. The soul of every Prophet of God, of every Divine Messenger, hath thirsted for this wondrous Day. All the divers kindreds of the earth have, likewise, yearned to attain it.
Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, pp 10-11

Part 2: God Never Leaves Us Alone, Rejoice!

I'm Going Back to the Father     Negro Spiritual--Composer unknown, Arranged by Shelton Becton
"When I die"

Battle Hymn of the Republic     Composed by William Steffe, Arranged by Peter Wilhousky
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord" 

Lift Up Your Heads     Composed by G. F. Handel
"Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty!" 

If I Go Not Away     Composed by Van Gilmer
"The Comforter will not come unto you" 

O Baha'u'llah     Composed by Tom Price
" May my life be sacrificed for Thee"

He Has Come Back     Composed by Van Gilmer
"He has come like a thief in the night"

Rejoice Ye with Great Joy     Composed by Van Gilmer
"Rejoice with exceeding joy"