John A. Dalles

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John A. Dalles is a hymnwriter who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 13, 1954. A graduate of Penn State, Lancaster Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry), he has been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 1982. Having served Presbyterian congregations in South Bend, Indiana and Fox Chapel (a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since 1997 he has served as Senior Pastor of Wekiva Presbyterian church (http://www.wekivapresbyterian.org) in Longwood, Florida (a suburb of Orlando).

Dalles is known as a prolific writer of texts for hymns. His hymns have been published in hymnbooks used by denominations in the United States, Canada and Australia. He has published two collections of hymns, COME, O SPIRIT and SWIFT CURRENTS AND STILL WATERS (GIA Publications, 2000). His hymn texts have also been set as choral anthems by sacred composers John Ferguson (organist), Glenn Rudolph and others, published by Oxford University Press, MorningStar, Hinshaw, GIA Publications and Selah.

His commissioned hymns include those for Presbyterian Heritage Sunday, Augsburg, Goshen, Maryville, Tusculum, Wilson and Knox (Toronto) Colleges, American University, Pittsburgh and Lancaster Seminaries, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, and the Lutheran World Federation.

Among his best known hymns are: Come, O Spirit, God Bless Your Church with Strength, Bless the Ones who Nurture Children, O God, Behold Your Family Here and Make Music for Your Lord to Hear. John is also a Life Member of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.