Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God;

everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God’s love was revealed among us in this way:

God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we loved God

but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

—1 John 4:7-11, NRSV

Reminiscent of Taizé melodies, this short song is for meditative singing. Sing with one breath or each sentence. Sing and play quietly, with a gentle build-up to “God” each time, then recede again. Keep the tempo steady. 

Sam Batt Owens (b. Ashland, Alabama, 1928; d. Louisville, Kentucky, April, 1998) enjoyed a long career as a well-known organist, composer, and church musician. He died in April, 1998 in Lousiville, Kent., following his retirement as Minister of Music at St. Andrew's on-the-Sound in Wilmington, N.C. Dr. Owens taught at Birmingham Conservatory of Music, Birmingham Southern College, Vanderbilt University, Fisk University, Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School, and Christ School for Boys in Arden, N.C. He held his first position as an organist at age 12, and began solo organ performances at age 16. He wrote more than 200 choral, organ, instrumental and solo vocal compositions. In his later years he was teaching congregations in smaller parishes how to be full participants in corporate worship, presenting "music in liturgy and how music upholds and supports corporate worship."

 

He received a Bachlor’s degree in organ performance, from the Birmingham Conservatory of Music, a Masters of Music in organ performance and composition from Birmingham- Southern College, and a D.M.A. in organ performance and musicology from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He was President of the Association of Anglican Musicians from 1989-1991 and established the AAM Placement Office. He was the receipient of numerous awards.