An extra bit of lectionary humor courtesy of Reverend Fun.

Worship Music Sunday 1 June

In FirstLight we are beginning a summer series on favorite Old Testament characters and stories. Following the OT lectionary readings for the summer months we’ll be encountering Noah, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Easu, and Joseph, Rebekah, Laban, Rachel and Leah. We’ll begin FirstLight this week by recreating a storm using musical instruments. We’ll enjoy the folk song “One more river” to help load our imaginary ark with animals. We’ll also be singing “I will call upon the Lord,” and “My hope is built” (SOLID ROCK). Mike Barker will play “Precious Lord, take my hand” at the offering. Susan B. will sing this classic spiritual at the 11 AM service. Tommy Dorsey (a trombone player, associated with his brother Jimmy in the swing music genre) is tee-totally different from Thomas A. Dorsey (a jazz and gospel pianist) who wrote “Precious Lord.” We’ll sing the hymns “Rejoice ye pure in heart” (MARION); “My hope is built” (SOLID ROCK); and “Christ is made the sure foundation” (REGENT SQUARE). Organ music will include JSB’s setting of In dich heb ich gehoffet herr (From the Orgelbuchlein), a fugue by Mr. Handel, and a fanfare setting of REGENT SQUARE by David Lasky.

Worship Music May 25

The music at FirstLight this week begins with a set focusing on the holiness of God. We’ll sing Chris Tomlin’s “Holy is the Lord,” and follow that with a medley of “We fall down” and the hymn “Holy, holy, holy” (NICEA). We’ll also be singing the familiar Argentine worship song “Santo, santo, santo” at the confession; we’ll try singing it in both English and Spanish this week.

The focus of worship this week is the gospel lection in which Jesus urges his followers to trust in God completely, for every aspect of life, just as the birds and flowers rely utterly upon God. With that sentiment in mind, a couple of music elements will be common to both services this week. Connie S. will sing “His eye is on the sparrow” at 830 and Libby B. will play an arrangement of that gospel song on flute at 11. We’ll be singing the beautiful American hymn “How can I keep from singing” by Robert Lowry at both services.

Other music at 830 will include Karen Lafferty’s “Seek ye first.” Other hymns at 11 will include “O day of radiant gladness” (LANCASHIRE) and “In Christ there is no east or west” (ST. PETER). The organ prelude by Jean Langlais (1907-1991) will highlight the flute sounds on the organ. The postlude will be a festive setting of MCKEE, a second tune often associated with the text “In Christ there is no east or west.”

Carillon Song List

This is a list of the songs currently installed on the carillon. The Worship and Music Ministry has already opted to "block" some of these from playing on our system because of their secular nature. We will be adding to the list in the near future; we'll keep you posted. It's 300 songs, so it's quite a list! The list has titles plus tune name (for traditional hymns) or composer (for classical music, songs and popular and contemporary songs).

Barcarolle (Tales of Hoffman) Offenbach
Traumeri Schumann
Prelude, C Minor Chopin
Theme, Piano Concerto No. 1 Rachmaninoff
Theme, Symphony No. 1 Brahms
Melody In F Rubenstein
Air For The G String J.S. Bach
Poeme Fibich
Adagio, Moonlight Sonata Beethoven
Etude No. 3 Chopin
Libiano (La Traviata) Verdi

Prelude, A Major Chopin
Hungarian Dance No. 5 Brahms
Serenade Schubert
Last Rose Of Summer (Martha) Flotow
Reverie DeBussy
Evening Star (Tannhauser) Wagner
Spring Song Mendelssohn
Theme, Second Movement, Fifth Symphony Beethoven
Theme, Second Movement, Seventh Symphony Beethoven
Who Is Sylvia Schubert

Sanctuary John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs
Shout To The Lord Darlene Zschech
He Is Exalted Twila Paris
I Love You Lord Laurie Klein
As The Deer Martin Nystrom
Jesus Draw Me Close Rick Founds
We Bow Down Twila Paris
Open The Eyes Of My Heart Paul Baloche
He Has Made Me Glad Leona Von Brethorst
Come Let Us Worship And Bow Down Dave Doherty
Give Thanks Henry Smith

Psalm 91: Be With Me Marty Haugen
Psalm 23: Shepherd Me, O God Marty Haugen
Psalm 25: To You O Lord Marty Haugen
Blest Are They David Haas
Eye Has Not Seen Marty Haugen
Lift Up Your Hearts Tune, Roc OConnor;
Lord, When You Came Tune, Cesre Gabarin;
You Are Mine David Haas
I Sing A Maid Harmony, Michael Joncas
Now We Remain David Haas
Song Of The Body Of Christ Arr., David Haas
Without Seeing You David Haas

Shine, Jesus, Shine Graham Kendrick
Lamb Of God Twila Paris
Lord I Lift Your Name On High Rick Founds
We Will Glorify The King Of Kings Twila Paris
Jesus, Name Above All Names Naida Hearn
How Majestic Is Your Name Michael W. Smith
In His Time Diane Ball
Glorify Thy Name Donna Adkins
His Name Is Wonderful Audrey Mieir
Lord Be Glorified Bob Kilpatrick
Great Is The Lord Michael W. Smith
Change My Heart Oh God Eddie Espinosa

It Is Well With My Soul Bliss
The Way Of The Cross Leads Home Gabriel
Standing On The Promises Carter
Trust And Obey Towner
Open My Eyes Scott
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart Gabriel
Have Thine Own Way Lord Stebbins
Blessed Assurance Knapp
Does Jesus Care L. Hall
I Need Thee Every Hour Lowry
Saviour, Thy Dying Love Lowry
All The Way My Saviour Leads Me Lowry

Amazing Grace Early American Melody
It Is No Secret Hamblen
My Hope Is Built The Solid Rock
Great Is Thy Faithfulness Runyan
Sweet Hour Of Prayer Sweet Hour
Let Us Break Bread Together American Melody
Kum Ba Yah African Melody
Simple Gifts Shaker Song
Just A Closer Walk With Thee Anonymous
Beautiful Garden Of Prayer Schroll
Wondrous Love American Melody
Morning has Broken Bunessan-Gaelic

Come Ye Thankful People Come St. George’s Windsor
The Spacious Firmament On High Creation
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Alleluia
We Gather Together To Ask The Lord’s Blessing Netherlands Folk Song
My God I Thank Thee Wentworth
We Plow The Fields Wir Pflugen-Claudius
Rejoice, The Lord Is King Jubilate
O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand Duke Street
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow Old One Hundreth
The God Of Abraham Praise Leoni-Yigdal
Praise To The Lord The Almighty Lobe Den Herren
Now Thank We All Our God Nun Danket

Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night Aberystwyth
The King Shall Come St. Stephen
O Come, O Come Emmanuel Veni Emmanuel
Hail To The Lord’s Annointed Ellacombe
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Truro
Wake, Awake For Night Is Flying Wachet
Auf-Sleepers, Wake
Lo! He Comes, With Clouds Descending St. Thomas
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers Greenland
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding Merton
On Jordan’s Bank The Baptist’s Cry Winchester New
Hosanna To The Living Lord Hosanna
Christ Whose Glory fills the skies Ratisbon

Brightest and Best Of The Sons Of The Morning Morning Star
Earth Has Many A Noble City Stuttgart
How Brightly Beams The Morning Star Wie Schon Leuchtet, Irreg.
What Star Is This Puer Nobis
Thy Kingdom Come, O God St. Cecelia
Go, Tell It On The Mountain American Folk Hymn
Hail To The Lord’s Annointed Woodbird
From The Eastern Mountains Valour
Songs Of Thankfulness And Praise Salzburg
Alleluia, Songs Of Gladness Dulce Carmen
We Three Kings Of Orient Are Kings Of Orient
As With Gladness Men Of Old Dix

Beneath The Cross Of Jesus St. Christopher
The Old Rugged Cross Bennard
Into The Woods My Master Went Lanier
There Is A Green Hill Far Away Horsley
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Hamburg
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood Evan
Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed Martyrdom
In The Hour Of Trial Penitence
Were You There Spiritual
In The Cross Of Christ I Glory Rathbun
Art Thou Weary Stephanos
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Passion Chorale

Forty Days And Forty Nights Heinlein
Ah, Holy Jesus Herzliebster Jesu
Man Of Sorrows, What A Name Man Of Sorrows
Weary Of Earth, And Laden With My Sin Langran
Go To Dark Gethsemane Petra-Redhead
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Passion Chorale
Saviour, When In Dust To Thee Spanish Hymn
O Come And Mourn With Me Awhile St. Cross
Glory Be To Jesus Caswall
`Tis Midnight, And On Olive’s Brow Olive’s Brow
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross Rockingham Old
There Is A Green Hill Far Away Meditation

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today Worgan-Easter Hymn
The Strife Is O’er Victory
Come, Ye Faithful, Raise The Strain St. Kevin
The Day Of Resurrection Lancashire
Welcome, Happy Morning Hermas
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today Llanfair
At The Lamb’s High Feast We Sing Salzburg
He Is Risen Neander
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today St. George’s Windsor
Alleluia, Alleluia Hearts and Voices Lux Eoi
Christ Lay In Death’s Strong Bonds Christ Lay
O Sons And Daughters O Filii Et Filiae

Silent Night, Holy Night Stille Nacht
O Come All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles
Angels We Have Heard On High Gloria
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear Carol
O Little Town Of Bethlehem St. Louis
Joy To The World Antioch
What Child Is This Greensleeves
Good Christian Men Rejoice In Dulci Jubilo
Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming Traditional
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen English Carol
The First Noel English Carol
Hark The Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear Willis

Joy To The World Antioch
Good Christian Men Rejoice In Dulci Jubilo
Hark The Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn
We Three Kings Of Orient Are Kings Of Orient
Good King Wenceslas English Carol
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day Calkin-Waltham
Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabella Traditional French
Star Of The East Kennedy
The Holly And The Ivy English Carol

I Wonder As I Wander Appalachian Carol
Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming Traditional – Preatorius

Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light J.S. Bach
O Holy Night Adam
Sleep Holy Babe Traditional German
Gesu Bambino Yon
As Lately We Watched Austrian Carol
Once In Royal David’s City Irby
Go Tell It On The Mountain American
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Bethlehem
Unto Us A Boy Is Born Puer Nobis Nascitur
The Sleep Of The Child Jesus French,13th Century
Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine German,14th Century
In Bethlehem `Neath Starlit Skies Waits Carol

Unto Us A Boy Is Born Puer Nobis Nascitur
Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light J.S. Bach
As Lately We Watched Austrian Carol
The Snow Lay On The Ground Venite Adoremus
Once In Royal David’s City Irby-Gauntlett
Christians Awake, Salute The Happy Morn Wainright
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Polish Carol
Go Tell It On The Mountain American Spiritual
The Angels And The Shepherds Bohemian Carol
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Bethlehem
I Wonder As I Wander Appalachian Carol
Coventry Carol English Carol

Star Wars Themes Williams
The Entertainer Joplin
Romeo & Juliet Love Theme Rota
Through The Eyes Of Love Hamlisch
Aquarius MacDermot
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life Wonder
Chariots Of Fire, Theme Vangelis
Feelings Albert
New York, New York Kander
Close To You Bacharach
Cabaret Kander
Send In The Clowns Sondheim

Battle Hymn Of The Republic Battle Hymn
God Bless America Berlin
God Of Our Fathers National Hymn
My Country `Tis Of Thee Thesaurus Musicus,1744
Eternal Father, Strong To Save Melita - Navy Hymn
America The Beautiful Materna

The Marines Hymn Phillips
The Caissons’ Song Gruber
Anchors Aweigh Zimmerman
Air Force Song Crawford
Semper Paratus Bosberck
The Stars And Stripes Forever Sousa
God Bless America Berlin
National Emblem March Bagley
America The Beautiful Ward
You’re A Grand Old Flag Cohan
I Am An American Cunningham

Battle Hymn Of The Republic Battle Hymn
Faith Of Our Fathers Hemy
American Hymn Keller
O God Of Love, O King Of Peace Baker
Eternal Father, Strong To Save Dykes
O God, Our Help In Ages Past Croft
God Bless Our Native Land Mason
O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand Hatton
America The Beautiful Ward
God Of Our Fathers Warren

O Master Let Me Walk With Thee Maryton
Abide With Me Eventide
Holy, Holy, Holy Nicaea
Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation Regent Square
Praise To The Lord The Almighty Lobe Den Herren
More Love To Thee, O Christ More Love To Thee
All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name Coronation
Ye Servants Of God Hanover
O Jesus, Thou Art Standing St. Hilda
He Leadeth Me He Leadeth Me
Blest Be The Tie That Binds Dennis
Fairest Lord Jesus Crusaders Hymn

All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name Coronation
The Church’s One Foundation Aurelia
O God, Our Help In Ages Past St. Anne
Holy, Holy, Holy Nicaea
Now Thank We All Our God Nun Danket Alle Gott
Praise To The Lord The Almighty Lobe Den Herren
Come Thou Almighty King Trinity
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Hyfrydol
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Ein’ Feste Burg
O God Of Love, O King Of Peace Hesperus-Quebec
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is Dominus Regit Me
Jesus Shall Reign Duke Street

Jesus Shall Reign Duke Street
Onward Christian Soldiers St. Gertrude
Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart Marion
Rock Of Ages Toplady
Lead On, O King Eternal Lancashire
Alleluia! Sing To Jesus Alleluia
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind Rest
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Hyfrydol
My Faith Looks Up To Thee Olivet
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah Cwm Rhondda
Christ For The World We Sing Italian Hymn
Once To Every Man And Nation Ebenezer-Ton-Y-Botel

Let There Be Peace On Earth Miller-Jackson
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love Scholtes
Lord, I Want To Be A Christian American Spiritual
Let Us Break Bread Together American Folk Tune
Amazing Grace Early American
Kum Ba Yah Traditional
Simple Gifts Shaker Song
Morning Has Broken Gaelic
Wondrous Love Traditional American
He's Got The Whole World In His Hands Am. Spiritual
Shalom Israeli Folk Melody
Come And Praise The Lord Today Trad. Melody

Sculmerich Carillon details

On Centennial Sunday we joyfully inaugurated our new electronic carillon system. We are deeply grateful to the anonymous donor who made this installation possible. Below are some facts about the system and its planned use.

The system was designed and installed by Schulmerich Carillons of Pennsylvania. Our local sales representative was Mickey Johnson from Chester, SC. Schulmerich is the firm that has also made our handbell and handchime equipment. Among his other roles, Mickey is musician for a Presbyterian congregation in Chester.

The carillon system uses all digital technology. There are no moving parts. All the information and sound is stored in a small computer that is the heart of the system. The carillon uses an amplifier and three speakers to convey the sound to the community. The three speakers are installed near the top of the church tower. One each faces and projects sound to the north, east and south. The west face of the tower has no tonal egress, so there is not a fourth speaker for that direction. Kent Patton did some high-wire carpentry to prepare the tower for the speaker installation. A factory representative for Schulmerich did the final installation.

The carillon system came with about 300 pre-programmed songs. The Worship and Music Ministry will collaboratively select and additional 100 as part of our initial purchase plan. There are more than 1100 other songs that can be purchased as we deem necessary and see fit in the future. The donor and the Worship and Music Committee together selected the distinctive sound of the carillon from 6 options. It is intended to imitate classic English tower bells. The carillon is an outdoor musical instrument; it is not connected in any way to the sound systems in use in the sanctuary nor fellowship hall. While one may overhear the carillon from inside the church, it will be best heard outside.

Part of the installation process was pre-programming the play and performance times and parameters for the system. We consulted with the Black Mountain United Methodist Church so as not to conflict with their established carillon schedule.

Monday through Saturday the carillon will chime the quarter hour, using the very familiar Westminster Chime. At the top of each hour the system will toll the hour. The system will play a randomly selected single song at 10 AM, 1 PM and 5 PM. There will be no sounds between 6:01 PM and 8:59 AM on any day.

On Sundays the system will play 10 minutes of music (hymns) prior to worship services. Beginning in June persons coming to early church will hear familiar contemporary songs and choruses from 9 until 9:10 AM. Persons arriving for 11 AM worship will hear traditional hymns played from 10:45 until 10:55 AM. The system will then, on Sundays chimes the quarter hour between 1 and 5 PM. At 5 PM on Sundays there will be a short (10 minute) concert of randomly selected songs.

The sophisticated computer system allows us to alter the song selection at particular times of the year: near July 4 we will hear appropriate patriotic hymns; at Thanksgiving we’ll hear traditional harvest and thanksgiving hymns; and we’ll have familiar sacred Advent and Christmas songs during the weeks preceding and following Christmas.

The system is currently operating at 65% of it volume capacity. Our desire was to ease the surrounding community gently into an awareness of the carillon’s presence and sound. Over the next several weeks we will adjust the sound and will likely settle at about 90% volume capacity.

There are other options (use at funerals and weddings) available to us in using the carillon system. The Worship and Music Ministry will be settling those decisions in the near future. For now we are delighted to offer this musical gift to the congregation and the community.

Centennial Sunday

BMPCNC was organized on May17, 1908. Our centennial celebration climaxes, but doesn't end, this weekend with a big worship service. Kevin Frederick, former associate pastor, will be the preacher. We'll have one service instead of our usual two. While it will have a very formal and traditional feel there is plenty to excite and stir the soul. Hilda H. and Charlotte S. as chairs of the centennial committee have worked tirelessly to bring together a lot of elements to make this service special. Special music too...

The worship and music ministry asked me to write a choral anthem to celebrate the centennial. They opted for a setting of Psalm 121, special to mountain folks for some reason. I scored my new piece for SATB choir with organ, plus violin and cello. We have two really, really good players in our congregation, and I felt it important to include them in this piece. The piece is unique for me in that is uses dual meters throughout: the singers and violin are performing in 4/4 time; the organ and cello in 12/8. There are a couple of nifty tunes scattered throughout. The choir has done a nice job learning it. We're all thankful that Noah A. is playing the organ part, so I can conduct. The choir is also singing Rutter's Te Deum (again), with organ and brass. That promises to be a really exciting worship piece. Neil Mc. has written new text for us to use as an introit and benediction response, using the tune EASTER HYMN. Margaret C. has written new text and tune for a prayer response. All of these we commissioned especially for this service. Our handbells will ring Time Waugh's "Festal Dance." The brass players and organist are going to play Marcel Dupre's "Poeme Heroique" at the prelude; this is one a handful of pieces that stirred me into pursuing organ study.

Hymns for worship include "Come sing, O Church in joy" (DARWELL'S 148TH); Christ of the upward way (SURSUM CORDA); and "God, you spin the whirling planets" (AUSTRIAN HYMN). It promises to be a great day musically and liturgically. We have an historical skit in the works, and greetings to be shared from the national church. All bets are off on how long the service will last! But then, one turns 100 only once!

Worship Music 4 May 2008

Youth Sunday! Our kids have spent several weeks designing the liturgy, writing the prayers, and learning the music. And three seniors have sweated over their share of the sermon. The big day is here this week at both services. Interestingly, the kids opted to have both services in the sanctuary. They also settled on some very traditional worship elements. But they also asked the Prophets to lead the music. Just goes to show you can’t predict kids!

Worship will begin with “Blessed be your name,” “You are holy (Prince of peace),” and Rick Founds’ “Lord I lift your name on high.” The kids then asked if we could sing the Schalk/Vajda hymn “God of the sparrow, God of the whale” to open. Not a tune generally associated with the “youth of today,” but then again…We actually spent some quality time with this hymn for a few weeks back in the Fall when Gateways was launched. I’m thinking they are remembering that encounter with the song fondly, and want to renew the congregation’s familiarity with it. The kids also asked to sing “Wherever I may wander” (NEW ENGLAND) in the liturgy. This song they learned, I feel certain, under the tutelage of Mrs. McMillan in children’s choir years ago. Way to go, Mrs. Mac!!

The kids are exploring the notion of lost- and found-ness in the service. Gateways kids are doing a dance piece between the readings, choreographed by themselves. They “had” to have “Amazing grace” (AMAZING GRACE) after the sermon. Aaron’s Bells (our youth handbell ensemble) are ringing at the offering Neil Harmon’s Rondo Maestoso. This was a festival piece for last fall’s youth event in Richmond; we wanted to go but couldn’t pull it off. We are going on record now that we want to go to the festival in ’08 (November 21-22 in Richmond again; the music’s on order guys)! Scott K. did a really neat bit of artwork based on Psalm 23, which will be our cover art for the guide to worship.

The worship service will conclude with Dennis Jernigan’s “You are my all in all.” GiveVoice (our youth choir) will help the Prophets lead the music for worship. The organ will be silent on Sunday (that doesn’t happen often!). The service will be heart-felt for sure, so congrats to our kids for taking the lead in putting it together and bringing it off. To God be the glory!