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!