Music for Worship October 21

This week in worship we will bid farewell to our associate pastor, Kevin Frederick. After 7 years of ministry in Black Mountain, Kevin has accepted the call to ministry at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church just a few miles east of here in Valdese. We wish him well. Truth be told, I had already been planning on the Tune Weavers and Adult Handbells leading worship music this week. When Kevin’s announcement was made I decided that rather than give the other music groups a Sunday off, we would join forces and have a tremendous musical offering to help us celebrate Kevin’s ministry.

The Adult Handbell choir will perform Hart Morris’ “Deep River” as the prelude. Known for his incredibly rhythmic arrangements, this is a decidedly tranquil setting of the familiar spiritual. Hart included parts for cello and oboe in this setting; our performance will omit the oboe (Sylvia B., our resident oboist but also a bell ringer, swears she can’t do both at the same time!). But we welcome our own Carolyn K. on cello. The bells will also ring Arnold Sherman’s precious “Grazioso” at the offering.

The Tune Weavers, our resident men’s quartet/quintet/sextet will start things off vocally with a dramatic setting of Isaiah 6, written by the prolific Jack Schrader. The Prophets of Praise will lead us at the confession with Wes Sutton’s “Your Mercy Flows,” and at the benediction with Graham Kendrick’s grand “Go Forth in His Name.” The Prophets will also welcome back soloist Donna Marie Todd for a soulful rendition of Brenton Brown’s “Lord, Reign In Me.”

The choir will sing Handel’s “Hallelujah, Amen” from Judas Maccabaeus as the anthem at the readings. The lyric includes lines such as “O Judah, rejoice,” and “join in harmonious songs.” One might wonder what relevance there is between such a text and the reading for the day (Jeremiah 31) and the occasion of a pastor’s departure. We as a community of faith are brimming with emotions: sadness, joy, hopefulness and trust. At such times there is nothing else to do but offer songs of thanksgiving and lift hearts and hands in praise and prayer for all that God has done, is doing and is yet to do. Handel’s stirring music surely will help us proclaim our joy in God’s presence in our midst in times past, present and future!

Hymns for worship will include “”All creatures of our God and King” (Lasst uns erfreuen), “Arise, your light has come” (Festal Song), and “We gather here to bid farewell” (Winchester New). The organ postlude will be Andre Campra’s “Rigaudon” which apparently was played at Kevin’s marriage to his wife Jane. Many happy returns, dear friends, and blessings in Valdese! ¡Via con dios!