Music Notes from Denise, June 29, 2025

A few weeks ago, Becky Brewer approached me with a new song that I was unfamiliar with. It was a lovely arrangement of St. Patrick’s prayer and I encouraged her to share it with the congregation this summer. This Sunday, Becky will sing The Breastplate of St Patrick written by Sarah Hart and Bob Halligan, Jr. The OCP publisher page describes the song as a “modern incarnation of a prayer attributed to St. Patrick that speaks of binding ourselves to Christ in all things...Its meditative feel and text that prays for protection make it fitting for prayer services and personal devotion.” (ocp.org) Sarah Hart, who wrote the song and also has recorded it, is a Grammy-nominated songwriter/composer and recording artist. “I always hope to simply be a person of faith who is in touch with my humanity; being able to write, speak, sing and give to others from that place of fearless honesty is, for me, the key,” she said. (ocp.org)

I think that this statement could also perfectly describe Becky Brewer. She started playing in the St. Martin’s Hand Bell Choir many years ago, and also served as the St. Martin’s Choir percussionist. She smoothly grew more confident in her singing and joined the choir as an alto about a year and a half ago. Now she has decided to try singing as a soloist and I’m SO proud of her willingness to jump out of her comfort zone, from that place of fearless honesty and humanity and expand her ministry to St. Martin’s! 

       I bind myself to the power of heaven.

       I bind myself to the light of the sun, the brightness of the moon, the deepness of the sea;

       I bind myself to the power of Christ.

       I bind myself to the guidance of angels.

       I bind myself to the love of the Lamb, for he alone is peace and he alone is light.

       I bind myself to the guidance of Christ.

       Christ with me and before me; Christ behind me and within me;

       Christ to the right of me and to the left of me; Christ above me and beneath me:

       I bind myself to the virtue of Christ.

       In the eyes of all who see me, in the ears of all who hear me, in the hearts of those who know me:

       O God, uphold me.

       I bind myself to the virtue of Christ.

(1999, 2002 Universal Music Grp-Brentwood Benson Music Pub Inc, Sarah Hart and Bob Halligan Jr. All rights reserved. Used with permission of Spirit & Song, a div of OCP, Portland, OR & One License)