Music for worship September 30

There are a couple of songs that for me really mark the onset of the contemporary worship music phenomenon. One was Amy Grant’s “Thy word” (1984). Another was Lanny Wolfe’s “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place” (1977). Third, but in a slightly difference vein was Jack Noble White’s “First Song of Isaiah” (1976). All three still get performed often in mass media and for commercial recordings and are utilized in corporate worship. I remember vividly the angst I experienced when wrestling with how and when to introduce these “new” songs to my choirs and congregations, because they were new, had a strong rhythmic pulse and used harmonic language that while in the popular mainstream was alien to church-goers as worship music. All three songs are now in mainline denominational hymnals! White’s “First Song” with its simple chordal structure, utilization of a rhythm section for the accompaniment and “youth-y pathos” really encapsulates a great deal of what the earliest waves of contemporary worship music were all about. The Prophets will be singing the song at the offering on Sunday (the chancel choir with instrumentalists from the Prophets ensemble will sing the anthem later this autumn). Congregational song at FirstLight will include the Argentine worship song “Santo, santo, santo, mi corazon te adora,” Michael W. Smith’s “How majestic is your name,” the camp-y “I will call upon the Lord” and Miriam Webster’s “Made me glad.” Webster has long been associated with the Hillsong Church (Australia) and its leadership in contemporary worship and music.

The chancel Choir will be singing Allen Pote’s “God is our refuge and strength” as the anthem this week. An energetic setting of text from Psalm 46, this setting has proven incredibly popular with singers of all ages and all varieties of congregations. The hymns this Sunday will include “Immortal, invisible, God only wise” (St. Denio), “Fairest Lord Jesus” (Crusader’s hymn) and “Great is thy faithfulness” (Faithfulness). Organ music will include Mouret’s Rondeau (of PBS’ Masterpiece Theater fame), a sparkly trumpet voluntary by 18th century Brit John Travers, and Celebration Fanfare by NY organist and church musician Steve Best.