First Lutheran Church NonNon----ProfitProfit Org 92 W. Walnut Street U.S. Postage ------Washington, PA 15301 PAID ------Permit #30 Washington, PA

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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DECEMBER 2016 First Lutheran Church and

Washington, PA JANUARY 2017

Pastoral Perspectives Grace and peace to you from God the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. Amen. On Sunday, November 20th, we celebrated the last service in the church year; it is commonly known as Christ the King Sunday and is the Thank Offering Sunday here at First Lutheran. On November 27th the church begins the new church year with our first Sunday in Advent. What is Advent? Advent is the four weeks leading up to the Holy Day of Christmas; it is the time for us to prepare for the coming of the Christ child. The word Advent comes to us from the Latin word “Adventus” which translates to “coming”. There are many beautiful hymns that are part of our Lutheran heritage which are sung during this time of preparation and awaiting the coming of our Lord. One of my favourite hymns begs the question as to how will you celebrate Advent? Paul (Paulus) Gerhardt (1607-1676), who was born near Wittenberg, asked that very question in his hymn O Lord How Shall I Meet You (#241 in cranberry hymnal). This hymn writer/pastor faithfully defended the Lutheran church against the Reformists and despite personally suffering greatly under the Thirty Years War between the Protestants and the Roman Catholics his faith and trust in God never wavered. The pastor was a sad witness to the deaths of his wife and children. Gerhardt suffered through wars, plagues and homelessness that devastated much of Germany and yet he still wrote hymns that spoke of the power and mercy of God. Pastor Gerhardt captured not only the wonder and beauty of Advent in this hymn and how we are to greet the coming of Christ but this man, considered by many to be the greatest Lutheran hymn writer, also speaks of hope, love, salvation and liberty. If that isn’t enough to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ then we should look to his fourth verse where those who seem to have little to celebrate can also lift up their hearts. “Rejoice, then, you sad hearted, who sit in deepest gloom, who mourn your joys departed and tremble at your doom. All hail the Lord’s appearing! O glorious Sun, now come, send forth Your beams so cheering and guide us safely home”. How you and I choose to prepare our hearts during Advent is up to us. Will it be in the community of God’s people in God’s Holy House? Only you can answer the question about how you shall meet the Lord this year at His coming. I pray it be, as Pastor Gerhardt penned, with hope and love in Jesus’ name. Amen Rev. Robert Grewe

From Council

Fall Congregational Meeting Constitutional Amendments

The NALC recommendations regarding additions to our constitution designed principally to protect our position on gay marriage were unanimously approved by our congregation.

Nominations

Also unanimously approved to four year terms on Council were Jill Sabol, Dennis Schmidt, Jeff Ulanich and Bob Fritz. Likewise unanimously approved to the Audit Committee were Tom Wright, Neil Bassi and Eric Quedenfeld.

2017 Budget

The Council-approved 2017 budget (previously circulated and posted) was approved as presented with one dissenting vote.

Christmas Card Funds

It was decided to use the Christmas Card funds to support our Ethiopian kids and in memorium for Scott Bashioum, the slain Canonsburg police officer.

Commentary

Our Newsletters in late 2014, early 2015 and particularly May 2015 documented the insufficiency of current income to cover expenses since 2008 (maybe even longer): total $379,881.38. Since then, Council has labored to cut costs. Concurrently, we have put in a number of fund raisers (thank you Kim Chadwick and her Stewardship Committee). And the Ladies of the Church for food whenever needed and Holiday Happening, netting $1,500. Wonderful. Total fund raising income should approximate $10,000 for 2016. This is truly significant. But it is not enough. Our 2017 budget is unbalanced (see my Addendum) with expenses exceeding income. As Chris Gosnell pointed out, increasing giving from $28 to $32 per head will do it. Actually, a little more would be better because we need to be able to increase compensation to our staff and begin to address the problems of an aging building.

Also, do not forget to support our Ethiopian kids. This is important.

Our problems are not unique. Many churches face similar circumstances. In fact, our performance has been good. Expenses have been cut where possible, fund raisers have worked, reserves haven’t been touched for months. Those of us who care about First Lutheran Church have reason to be optimistic. We can do it. After all, its…

FAITH IN FIGHT FOR FIRST LUTHERAN

Robert R. Tracht

November 24, 2016

Financial Summary for October 2016

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Envelope Distribution for 2017 In order to cut down on the costs of mailing the envelope boxes, we will distribute them each Sunday Service, beginning in December, in the narthex of the church. Thank you for your continuing support.

All Contributions that you want placed on your 2016 financial statement should be remitted to the church by December 31, 2016. Thank you.

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Church Newsletter goes from snail mail to email!

With the high costs of mailing the newsletters via the USPS we are asking you all to please send your email address to the church, ([email protected] or call the church office at 724-225-4040), so that we can save costs in this area. The benefit of receiving the email rather than the paper issue is that we cut down on costs in the office, we save a tree or two, and the newsletter arrives more quickly to your computer/phone.

If you do not have a computer/email address the newsletter will be available at the church; also, if you do not live in the area but still wish to receive a newsletter, please let us know and we will mail one to you.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Evangelism December 2016

As I sit here, I reflect that we just celebrated All Saints Sunday with a beautiful service, and lit candles in memory of loved ones past, and shared the altar during receiving of the Lord’s Supper with the Saints who have passed before us. (Pr. Rob explained the ‘open ended altar rail).

In 5 days, we celebrate Veteran’s Day, in honor of those men and women who gave their lives in the fight to keep us and our nation free to be able to worship our God and live our lives in freedom.

The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. -- Psalm 146.7b.

Have you ever thought of the river of blood that has preserved our freedoms? As it relates to America, more than 4,000 soldiers died during the American Revolution. More than 2,000 perished in the War of 1812. Approximately 116,000 gave their lives during World War I. The Second World War claimed more than 405,000 U.S. military deaths. More than 54,000 American servicemen died in Korea, and 90,000 died in Vietnam. Another 8,000-plus have given their lives in the Persian Gulf Wars and the War on Terror. Add to that the 498,332 known military deaths during the Civil War, and it’s believed the total number of Americans killed in all U.S. wars exceeds 1.1 million.

How precious is our freedom!

And how precious is the spiritual and eternal freedom gained for us by the death of the one Man, Christ Jesus. If our political freedom means so much to us, how much greater is the freedom of heart bestowed by Christ that leads to eternity!

We must cultivate a heart of deepest gratitude for our freedoms and for those who died on our behalf. We must always remember the Savior who died on Calvary’s cross who made us “free indeed” -- (John 8:36).

We are headed into Christmas season, with a new President of the United States moving into office. Will America revive again? Will we reverse our descent and regain our respect, strength, and stability? Will we become “One Nation Under God”, again? Maybe, maybe not. We need to continue to pray, look beyond the gathering storm to the one solid and certain source of hope ----- to God Himself. Hope in the future of America and the stability of the world is little more than wishful thinking. The hope God offers is the only realistic, absolute hope that carries the promise of a certain outcome.

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We do not know when the Lord will return. But we do know that whatever our circumstances God’s desire for us is to live without anxiety and with hope. He offers us “thoughts of peace and not of evil,” and He wants “to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Let’s look toward the coming of our Lord Jesus in this Christmas season as we spend it with our family and loved ones, in Christ.

God Bless and Merry Christmas. George Salvucci ------January 2017

As we enter January, we enter the New Year with our New Year resolutions and with hope.

As a sunrise brings great expectations and new possibilities. Saying God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) is a reminder that God’s forgiveness is never-ending.

We also love sunsets. Every evening as we look back at the finished day, we can find soft shades of happiness, joy, laughter, and love. Even on hard days, we can find little blessings for which to thank God. We should rejoice in the abundance of small things that make for a beautiful day and a beautiful life.

It’s a shame we don’t thank God for more of the specific little things that make life so wonderful---fingers and thumbs and big toes, washcloths and washing machines, a kitten’s purr, a call from a friend, the absence of a thousand illnesses we could have, a can of pumpkin in the pantry. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts……We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?”

Psalm 92 says “ It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.” Today, thank God for soft colors, for pastels, for gentle hues, and for His soft blessings that accentuate a blessed life.

Thank Him, too, for the brilliant shades. Just as a beautiful sunset contains brilliant flashes of color, so our days contain shades of achievement, imagination, and strength. We need to rejoice when God answers a big prayer request, when He blesses us in a large way, or when He uses us to lead someone into His kingdom or encourage someone in His work. Thank Him for the special days you enjoy----those red-letter days in life.

God Bless and Happy New Year. George Salvucci

WNALC December

The Women of the NALC thank everyone who participated in any way to make our Holiday Happening a success.

Thursday, December 1st will be our Christmas Luncheon. All women of the church are invited to bring a covered dish and join us for a festive luncheon at noon.

Cheer baskets well be packed and delivered to our shut-ins.

We wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

January 2017

The Board meeting will be held Tuesday, January 3rd at 12:00 noon in the lounge.

The Circle meeting will be held Thursday, January 26th at noon. Leader will be Joyce Streator and hostess Sonie Rea.

God continues to Bless us, Sonie Rea ------

Social Ministry

A Pallet Painting Fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, December 4th, 2:00 pm at Stone House Vintage Market, 899 East Maiden Street in Washington. Each person receives a customized pallet. Cost is $49 per person; the whole group gets a 10% discount in the store at the time of the party! Please register online no later than 4 days prior to the event at www.stonehousevintagemarket.com/workshops, so they have time to prepare everyone’s pallet. Please contact Judy Sarver with any questions.

Save the date: Christmas Caroling is scheduled for Sunday, December 11th at 3:00 pm. Come and join us as we sing for our shut-ins. Sign-up sheets are posted; we will meet at the church and carpool to the different locations, and enjoy refreshments at the Church following the caroling. Please contact Judy Sarver if you need additional details or if you would like to donate cookies.

Wishing everyone a joyous and wonderful Christmas season!! In Christ, Judy Sarver (856-889-0776) ------

Coffee Hour for 2017: Sign-up sheets to host a coffee hour are posted in the narthex and outside the lounge. Please write you name/s under the month you would like to host. The coffee hours have been a wonderful time of fellowship and the hosts have been awesome! Thank you!!

Sunday School

Hello Family and Friends of First Lutheran Church!

On Sunday, December 18, 2016 we will be having our “Breakfast at the Manger.” We will start serving breakfast at 9:30 am in the social room of the church; around 10:00 am our Sunday School children will perform a little Christmas program for everyone to enjoy.

There will be a sign-up sheet posted to let us know how many of you will be attending and what breakfast items you would like to donate.

This will be our last Sunday School meeting for the 2016 Year. We will start back on Sunday, January 8, 2017. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

God Bless, Amie Buel ------

FYI

Angel Tree: The Christmas Tree with ‘angels’ from our community was put up in the narthex of the church on Sunday, November 13, 2016. Each ‘angel’ has a request for a gift, or two; please place the gift, unwrapped, in a gift bag with the ‘angel’ affixed to the gift bag. All gifts must be turned in to the church no later than Sunday, December 4, 2016. Thank you!

Christmas Decorations: We would like to have the trees up and decorated for the First Sunday of Advent. On Saturday, November 26th at 10:00 am everyone is invited to help decorate the church. Also, on Saturday, January 7, 2017 everyone is invited to help un-decorate the church; many hands make light work.

Christmas Card Tree: Instead of sending Christmas Cards to your friends in the Church we ask you to send one Card to the Church with a contribution you realize from the savings you receive by not purchasing cards, envelopes and stamps. Your Gift will be recorded on your 2016 Financial Statement and your name(s) printed on the Congregational Christmas Card in the February Ichthus. The Gifts this year will be sent to Embracing Hope in support of our 2 Ethiopian girls, and the Scott Bashioum Children’s Memorial Fund. We thank you for your benevolence.

Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24, 2016 we worship, as is our tradition, with a candle-light service at 11:00pm. Prelude music begins at 10:30 pm.

The Flower Chart for 2017 is posted in the narthex. If you wish to place flowers on the altar, sign your name opposite the date of your choice. You will be reminded of your date and asked for the wording you want in the bulletin two

weeks before the due date. Thank you.

December Altar Flowers December Lay Readers 4th Pastor Rob & Kimberly Grewe 4th Rick Williams 11 th Jeff Ulanich 11th Karen Adams 18 th Don Hazlett 18 th Dennis Schmidt 25th Sonie Rea 24 th Jack Buel 25th Kimberly Grewe

December Acolytes 4th Alexander Chadwick; Kodey Oravetz December Altar Team 11th Ashley McCartney; Andrew Serbak Mel Behrens 18 th Isabella Mazzotti; Matthew Mazzotti Kristine Briggs 25th Nathaniel Black; Joshua Hoffer

December Ushers 4th Craig Burda; Alexander Chadwick; Matthew Mazzotti; George Salvucci; Joe Sarver 11th Klaus Behrens; Tim Fritz; David Looman; Ernest Oliver; Herb Snyder 18 th Joshua Hoffer; Chester Krcil; Jackson Quedenfeld; Rick Williams; Logan Williams 25th Chris Gosnell; Jonathan Luketich; Shane Ringer; Dennis Schmidt

January Altar Flowers January Lay Readers 1st Don Hazlett 1st Sonie Rea 8th Available 8th Nikolai Williams 15th Available 15th George Salvucci 22 nd Available 22nd Emogene Salvucci 29 th Available 29 th Chris Gosnell

January Acolytes 1st Alexander Chadwick; Nathaniel Black; Wesley Black January Altar Team 8th Isabella Mazzotti; Kodey Oravetz Lisa Hager 15th Brice Berry; Nathaniel Black Joanne Marker 22nd Caroline Quedenfeld; Rexanna Quedenfeld 29 th Alexander Chadwick; Matthew Mazzotti

January Ushers 1st Tim Bernhart; Ed Goga; Rick Johnson; Kodey Oravetz; Jeff Ulanich 8th Neil Bassi; Wilford Buel; Robert Phillips; John Sakerka; David Wheeler 15th Ken Carl; Robert Fritz; Carl Group; C. R. Group; Tom Wright 22nd Craig Burda; Alexander Chadwick; Matthew Mazzotti; George Salvucci; Joe Sarver 29 th Klaus Behrens; Tim Fritz; David Looman; Ernest Oliver; Herb Snyder

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USHERS’ SCHEDULE

JAN – JUL 2017

JANUARY 1 T. Bernhart E. Goga R. Johnson K. Oravetz J. Ulanich 2017 8 N. Bassi W. Buel R. Phillips J. Sakerka D. Wheeler 15 K. Carl R. Fritz C. Group C. R. Group T. Wright 22 C. Burda A. Chadwick M. Mazzotti G. Salvucci J. Sarver 29 K. Behrens T. Fritz D. Looman E. Oliver H. Snyder FEBRUARY 5 J. Hoffer C. Krcil J. Quedenfeld R. Williams N. & L. Williams 12 C. Gosnell J. Luketich S. Ringer D. Schmidt 19 T. Bernhart E. Goga R. Johnson K. Oravetz J. Ulanich 26 N. Bassi W. Buel R. Phillips J. Sakerka D. Wheeler MARCH 5 K. Carl R. Fritz C. Group C. R. Group T. Wright 12 C. Burda A. Chadwick M. Mazzotti G. Salvucci J. Sarver 19 K. Behrens T. Fritz D. Looman E. Oliver H. Snyder 26 J. Hoffer C. Krcil J. Quedenfeld R. Williams N. & L. Williams APRIL 2 C. Gosnell J. Luketich S. Ringer D. Schmidt 9 T. Bernhart E. Goga R. Johnson K. Oravetz J. Ulanich 16 N. Bassi W. Buel R. Phillips J. Sakerka D. Wheeler 23 K. Carl R. Fritz C. Group C. R. Group T. Wright 30 C. Burda A. Chadwick M. Mazzotti G. Salvucci J. Sarver MAY 7 K. Behrens T. Fritz D. Looman E. Oliver H. Snyder 14 J. Hoffer C. Krcil J. Quedenfeld R. Williams N. & L. Williams 21 C. Gosnell J. Luketich S. Ringer D. Schmidt 28 T. Bernhart E. Goga R. Johnson K. Oravetz J. Ulanich JUNE 4 N. Bassi W. Buel R. Phillips J. Sakerka D. Wheeler 11 K. Carl R. Fritz C. Group C. R. Group T. Wright 18 C. Burda A. Chadwick M. Mazzotti G. Salvucci J. Sarver 25 K. Behrens T. Fritz D. Looman E. Oliver H. Snyder JULY 2 J. Hoffer C. Krcil J. Quedenfeld R. Williams N. & L. Williams 9 C. Gosnell J. Luketich S. Ringer D. Schmidt 16 T. Bernhart E. Goga R. Johnson K. Oravetz J. Ulanich 23 N. Bassi W. Buel R. Phillips J. Sakerka D. Wheeler 30 K. Carl R. Fritz C. Group C. R. Group T. Wright

If you are unable to serve, please call Head Usher, Don Hazlett (724-222-7154). Ushers should be at the Church by 10:30 am (Sept. – May), 9:30 am (June – Aug.) dressed in coat and tie. Bulletins are passed out in the Narthex to the people as they enter. Ushers should make a security check during the service to make sure doors are locked and no strangers are wandering through the building. The Head Usher is responsible for the lights in the church, locking doors in educational wing during the service, an accurate count in the church and nursery, seating of visitors, and collection in the balcony.

**Also, if you are interested in being an USHER please contact Don Hazlett or the church office**

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Blessings to you my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box was an overwhelming success! We delivered 30 boxes on November 15th to our area's official drop-off location at the Community Building at South Franklin Park. I was met by the Mid-Atlantic Region, Area Coordinator, Christine Hainer. To say the least, she was thrilled with our 2nd year of participation. She has delivered these gifts to children in past years, and had pictures and stories to tell. The main point is that while the families are told that Americans will be visiting, they are not told that there will be presents. The families are truly surprised and overjoyed as, for most, it is the first present they've ever received. And, the present is from someone they don't know, but wants them to know that they are loved. And, wants them to learn of God's Love.

The children are then invited to come to Bible classes, and when they complete the course, they are given their own Bible in their own language!

We were asked to pick a country or two to pray for. There were many, but I chose Trinidad and Tobago ‘ŧ’ as well as the Republic of Georgia ‘ŚŘ’. I will leave information in the Narthex and in the lounge for you to look at.

I want to thank everyone who purchased items, donated money or time towards this wonderful mission project. We had many happy helpers packing the shoe boxes too!

Believe me, even though it was "only" 30 boxes, it all adds up! Christine Hainer gave me a hug big enough for all of us! SO......

Let's keep up the good works! I'm already thinking about next year! I'd like to collect items during the year, with each month focusing on certain items. For example, July might be the best time to collect flip-flops and summer items. August is probably when school supplies have the best prices, and so on. I will have more details to come regarding this idea. And, I'll work with Kris Briggs to set up a collection box that will be available, but not in the way.

So, again! Thank you with all my heart. We are truly blessed at First Lutheran with a loving and giving church family!

Have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sister M ❤ Michelle Williams

Events at First Lutheran Church

If you would like to see more of what’s happening at First Lutheran Church please visit our website at www.flcwash.church.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Volunteers packing the shoeboxes.

Children receiving their boxes.

------Acolytes in training

Youth Group Gathering

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------Memorials for November

In Memory Of: Given By:

Jane Fischer Myrtle Fischer

Scott Bashioum Olivia Lyons and Larry Sten Canonsburg Police Officer

Dalia Elhefny Sabae and Baby Olivia Lyons and Larry Sten Domestic Violence

Thoughts & Tidbits

Know that this is your newsletter, and you may contribute your thoughts and prayers and well wishes anytime.

Sister Joanne Reck wished to share some thoughts and sayings that touched her heart when she read them:

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Life is easier to take than you think; all that is necessary is to accept the impossible, do without the indispensable and bear the intolerable. --Kathleen Norris, American Author (1880 – 1960)

A MOTHER

When you’re a child, she walks before you to set an example.

When you’re a teenager, she walks behind you to be there should you need her.

When you’re an adult, she walks beside you, so that as two friends you can enjoy life together.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Proverb 3:5

Wishing God’s Blessings through the Christmas Season and into the New Year!

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Gift-giving Solutions

Trying to find gifts for certain people — or letting others know what you want — can be quite challenging. After all, most of us don’t need anything.

Realizing that the best gifts aren’t material items offers a new perspective on giving and receiving. Consider these insights from author Charles Swindoll:

“Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value: Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone ‘I love you.’ Give something away — anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away wrath with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you were wrong. Be especially kind to someone with whom you work. Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.”

BUS INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON

THE BULLETIN BOARDS AT CHURCH.

Music History

Jean Sibelius Biography

Jean Sibelius born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius (8 December 1865 – 20 September 1957), was a Finnish composer and violinist of the late Romantic and early-modern periods. He is widely recognized as his country's greatest composer and, through his music, is often credited with having helped to develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia.

He was born in the garrison town of Hämeenlinna, where his father was a military doctor. The family was a musical one, and Sibelius learned the rudiments very early. Destined for the law, he found the attractions of music so strong that he overcame family opposition and began formal conservatory training by 1886. His goal was to become a virtuoso—a dream which later found possible sublimation in the only concerto he composed, that for violin (1903), plus some shorter solo pieces.

As the star pupil of the conservatory's founder, Sibelius found his path directed increasingly toward composition. He studied in Berlin, Leipzig, and Vienna (1889-1891). He won his first public triumph in 1892 with his symphonic poem , for voices and , based on parts of the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic which inspired so many of his works. That year he married Aino Järnefelt.

Sibelius became an active member of a circle of artists and writers in fired by nationalistic spirit. This spirit was reflected in some evocative scores he composed to accompany a series of patriotic and historical stage tableaux in 1899, among them the famous . Other important works of this period were his first great symphonic poem, (1893); the Four Legends of Lemminkäïnen (finished 1895), one of which is ; and his only , The Maiden in the Tower (1896).

In 1897 Sibelius won a state pension, which made it possible for him to devote the balance of his career to unhindered composition. He composed the flamboyantly romantic First Symphony (1898-1899) and the richly scored Second Symphony (1901-1902). In 1904 he built a villa in the forest near the town of Järvenpää which he named after his wife and where he lived for the rest of his life.

Sibelius's mature years became a regular alternation of steady composition and international travel. He composed another Kalevala -inspired symphonic poem, Pohjola's Daughter (1906), his only published string quartet, entitled Voces intimae (1909); and three more Symphonies—the transitional Third (1904- 1907), the austere and enigmatic Fourth (1910-1911), and the confidently triumphant Fifth (1914-1915). His tours brought him particular attention and success in Germany, England, and the United States. In 1922- 1924 he wrote the serene and pastoral Sixth Symphony and the Seventh Symphony, a terse, economically developed one-movement fantasia. (1926) is his spare evocation of the Finnish forests.

This proved to be Sibelius's last major work, and only a few trifles followed in what came to be called "the silence from Järvenpää." He was internationally famous, especially in the English-speaking countries, where many regarded him as the savior of the symphonic form and the champion of the faction which rejected the radical doctrines of atonalism. Why he withdrew from active composition has been much debated. One explanation is that he became increasingly fearful that he might not be able to go on living up to his own reputation. A living legend and a national monument in his own land, he persevered in his strict retirement for the remaining 32 years of his life. He died on Sept. 20, 1957.

Finlandia , probably the best known of all Sibelius's works, is a highly patriotic piece which was first performed in November 1899 as one of the tableaux for the Finnish Press Celebrations. It had its public premiere in revised form in July 1900. The current title only emerged later, first for the piano version, then in 1901 when Kajanus conducted the orchestral version under the name Finlandia . Although Sibelius insisted it was primarily an orchestral piece, it became a world favourite for choirs too, especially for the hymn episode. Finally the composer consented and in 1937 and 1940 agreed to words for the hymn, first for the Free Masons and later for more general use.

December 2016