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Kathleen Thomerson

b. 1934 Person Name: Kathleen Thomerson, 1934- Scripture: John 8:12 Author of "I Want to Walk As a Child of the Light" in The Covenant Hymnal Kathleen Thomerson is Organist and Music Director at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. She was born in Tennessee and grew up in Mississippi, California, and Texas. College music study was at the Universities of Colorado and Texas, the Flemish Royal Conservatory in Antwerp, and privately in Paris. Before retirement in Austin, she lived in Collinsville, Illinois, when her husband was a biology professor at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Her best-known hymn text is "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light," set to her hymn tune HOUSTON. --www.morningstarmusic.com

William Farley Smith

1941 - 1997 Person Name: William Farley Smith, 1941- Scripture: John 8:32 Arranger of "MARTIN" in Worship and Rejoice

J. Jefferson Cleveland

1937 - 1986 Scripture: John 8:31-32 Harmonizer of "WE SHALL OVERCOME" in The New Century Hymnal Judge Jefferson Cleveland (1937-1986) was one of the most important scholars and editors of African-American congregational song of the 20th century. Along with Verogla Nix, he edited what is arguably the most groundbreaking collection of African-American song in the last half of the 20th century, Songs of Zion (1981/1982). Lutheran hymnologist Marilyn Stulken provides a biographical sketch of Cleveland’s life and accomplishments. Born in Georgia, Cleveland graduated from Clark College (Atlanta), Illinois Wesleyan University and received his doctorate in education from Boston University. He served on the faculty of three historically black Christian colleges: Claflin College (South Carolina), Langston University (Oklahoma), and Jarvis Christian College (Texas), before teaching at the University of Massachusetts and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Cleveland’s musical arrangements, historical research and scholarship on the performance practice of African-American song have proven invaluable for the advancement of black gospel song, not only among African Americans, but also in Anglo hymnals to the present day. For example, Cleveland’s essay, “A Historical Account of the Hymn in the Black Worship Experience,” in Songs of Zion is a helpful introduction for laypersons and scholars alike. In addition to serving as a hymnody consultant for the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, he toured the United States and Africa in 1981 and Europe in 1984 as a teacher, lecturer and performer. --www.umportal.org/

Ralph Carmichael

1927 - 2021 Scripture: John 8:12 Author of "The Savior Is Waiting" in The Worshiping Church Ralph Carmichael was born May 27, 1927, in Quincy, Ill. to Rev. Richard and Adelle Carmichael. A graduate of Southern California Bible College (now Vanguard University), he became head of the school’s music department in his early 20s. His “Campus Christian Hour” that aired on KHJ-TV in Los Angeles, featuring his college band and singers with big band treatments of hymns and gospel songs, won an Emmy in 1951. Other early work involved serving as minister of music for Temple Baptist and Calvary Assembly churches, arranging and conducting musical scores for religious radio shows as well as for numerous sacred artists. Ralph’s musical talents have given us over 300 gospel songs, including such favorites as “The Savior Is Waiting,” “There Is a Quiet Place,” “Reach Out to Jesus,” and “He’s Everything to Me” to name a few. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, The Carpenters, George Beverly Shea, Bill Gaither, and hundreds of other artists. Ralph is recognized as the Father of Contemporary Christian Music because of his focus on creating religious music for the new generation of the 1960’s and beyond. In 1968 he founded Light Records and Lexicon Music Publishing to promote new Christian artists and composers in addition to his own music, including projects that were considered too risky for mainstream labels. He also served for several years as president of the Gospel Music Association. Ralph told his life story in his autobiography, “He’s Everything to Me,” that was published in 1986. His creative arranging skills were quickly noticed by the pop world, and he recorded with numerous big-name artists including Frankie Laine, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Clint Walker and Jack Jones. Ralph is well known for his many collaborations with Nat King Cole, including the Christmas album and Nat’s final sessions in 1964. Ralph also became a primary arranger & conductor for pianist Roger Williams, including 1965’s hit “Born Free.” Ralph wrote numerous movie scores for such diverse classics as “The Blob,” “4D Man” and “The Cross and the Switchblade.” For many years he wrote film music for the Billy Graham organization including “Mr. Texas,” “Oiltown, U.S.A.,” “The Restless Ones,” “For Pete’s Sake” and “His Land” and many others. For about 25 years, Ralph toured with his own big band. He received the Dove Award in 1994 for his CD “Strike Up the Band.” His last major studio project was to record his symphonic arrangements of 43 great hymns with the London Symphony and Choir. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1985 and the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2001. Ralph enjoyed his life to the fullest. He was passionate about the music that flowed from his soul and created it as the consummate professional. He cared deeply for his family and friends, and he lived out his cowboy dreams with the many horses that he owned along the way. He laughed easily, loved deeply, enjoyed a good joke or a prank, and charmed anyone who came across his path. Undergirding it all was his abiding faith in his Lord Jesus Christ.

Henry J. Gauntlett

1805 - 1876 Person Name: Henry John Gauntlett (1805-1876) Scripture: John 8:56-58 Composer of "TRIUMPH" in Church Hymnary (4th ed.) Henry J. Gauntlett (b. Wellington, Shropshire, July 9, 1805; d. London, England, February 21, 1876) When he was nine years old, Henry John Gauntlett (b. Wellington, Shropshire, England, 1805; d. Kensington, London, England, 1876) became organist at his father's church in Olney, Buckinghamshire. At his father's insistence he studied law, practicing it until 1844, after which he chose to devote the rest of his life to music. He was an organist in various churches in the London area and became an important figure in the history of British pipe organs. A designer of organs for William Hill's company, Gauntlett extended the organ pedal range and in 1851 took out a patent on electric action for organs. Felix Mendelssohn chose him to play the organ part at the first performance of Elijah in Birmingham, England, in 1846. Gauntlett is said to have composed some ten thousand hymn tunes, most of which have been forgotten. Also a supporter of the use of plainchant in the church, Gauntlett published the Gregorian Hymnal of Matins and Evensong (1844). Bert Polman