Seven Continents

This week is World Communion and my plan is to offer music at both services from around the world. The only place that will be un-represented is Antarctica; funny, I just couldn't fine music from that region!

At FirstLight:
North America: the spiritual Glory, glory hallelujah
Europe: the hymn Praise to the Lord the Almighty, paired with
Africa: Come all you people (Uyaimose)
Asia: Mark Sedio's setting of the Lord's Prayer to a Cambodian tune
South America: Tuya es la gloria (We sing of your glory)
Oceania: a Hillsong tune to be determined

At 11AM:
North America: Doug Wagner's anthem Santus
South America: Tuya es la gloria (We sing of your glory)
Asia: Mark Sedio's setting of the Lord's Prayer to a Cambodian tune
Afica: Jikelele, from the songbook, To everyone born
Oceania: A Tongan prayer song
Europe: the hymn Praise to the Lord the Almighty

I think it's a testimony to our global awareness that most of the songs that we're not already planning to sing at both services, easy could be sung by both gatherings. The musicians have worked long and hard to learn a huge array of music in many, many styles, and our congregation really seems to appreciate and join in with all of it.

Space Opera

Classical music at its best? Probably not. But what a way to crossover!

Getting ready for Shannon

The Choir at Woodhaven Pres in Irving, TX gave this pair of "preaching shoes" to Shannon Kershner as a going away present. (FYI: turquoise blue, patent leather, D&G, yeah baby!) She wore them on her last Sunday there. Shannon and her family will arrive this week in Black Mountain and Shannon will begin as pastor and head of staff at BMPCNC on 10/5. Are we ready for this? I think we are. Travel safely, Kershners!

Music for 092009

This week we bid farewell to our Interim Pastor of 21 months, The Rev. Karen Haak. Some of the music selections are among her favorites.

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
As the deer
Glorify thy name
Lord, I Lift your name on high

Opening Song
Come now is the time to worship

Peace
Shalom chaverim

Offertory
More precious than silver

Doxology
We are an offering

Prayers
Cares Chorus

Closing Song
They’ll know we are Christians by our love

11AM
Hymns
464, Joyful, joyful, we adore thee (HYMN TO JOY)
430, Come sing O church in joy (DARWELL’S 148TH)
537, Shalom chaverim (SHALOM)

Introit
Arr. Cartford, O Sing to the Lord (472.1)

Confession
579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Anthem
Courtney, Be not afraid
A setting Isaiah 43.1-4

Doxology
591 Old Hundredth

Benediction
Bringle, Light dawns on a weary world

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Buxtehude, Our Father in Heaven
Offertory: Wesley, Pastorale
Postlude: John Bull, Rondo in G

New Art Project

The Arts team is at work on a new banner installation for the fall season. They plan to have it up for the arrival of our new pastor on 11 October. Drawing from the anthem and a hymn text for that day, the theme is "new beginnings." They were hard at work on it yesterday in the church hall. I saw chiffon fabric in pastel colors and what appeared to be butterflies and a scrim-like piece of material. I think they said it would be done by the end of the day. I know where it's stored, but I'm not telling!

Music for 091309

The Music list for this week's worship:

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)
Pass it on (new)
Jubilate everybody

Opening Song
Love grows in a weary land

Confession
Dayenu

Scripture/Proclamation
Thy Word

Offertory
Did you feel the mountains tremble

Doxology
We are an offering

Prayers
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Closing Song
The trees of the field


11AM

Hymns
229, From all that dwell below the skies (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)
Pass it on (PASS IT ON)
357, O Master, let me walk with thee (MARYTON)

Introit
Latin American Worship Song, Tuya es la Gloria

Confession
Caribbean, Halle, halle, halleluja

Anthem
Glenn Burleigh, Order my steps
Libby Barker, soloist
An interpretation of Psalm 119.133
“I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill. Please order my steps, Lord, and I’ll
do your blessed will. The world is ever-changing, but you are still the same. If
you order my steps, I’ll praise your name.”

Doxology
591 Old Hundredth

Prayers
Cambodian Lord's Prayer

Benediction
Dufner, Now let us go the serve in peace

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Arr. Behnke, I want to walk as a child of the light
Offertory: Handel, Trio, from Sonata in B-Flat
Postlude: Lemmens, Fanfare

Oh snap!

This 40' tall oak (located beside the upper lot, near the church house) broke earlier this morning. It snapped at about 4' off the ground and fell into some neighboring trees. No damage to people, cars nor property. The neighboring trees were a little upset, but none the worse for wear. The pre-school took a short field trip to check the scene. A crew is here now to finish the job and take down the stump. Our little bit of excitement for the day.

Change-Ringing Event

The American Guild of Change-Ringers had it's annual meeting this past weekend in NYC. Here is a neat article from the NY Times. The nearest (as I can tell) peal is in Hendersonville, which is not really to far, considering we're talking about a very arcane musical form here. Fascinating stuff. Keep in mind that "ringing bells" doesn't mean the same thing to all folks, especially Brits. The little devices we ring in church we originally created to assist change-ringers in their practice sessions (they didn't have to go up in the tower and didn't have to disturb the whole town!). I've got a friend in Fayetteville, NC who has just begun change-ringing and has been keeping us up-to-date on his progress via Facebook.

Music for 090609

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Holy, holy, holy
Tuya es la gloria

Opening Song
Prince of peace (You are holy)

Confession
You are my king

Offertory
Mighty to save

Doxology
Doxology (Avery and Marsh)

Prayers
Cambodian Lord's Prayer

Closing Song
Bring forth the kingdom (STF 2190)


11AM
Hymns
477, Ye servants of God (HANOVER)
2190, Bring forth the kingdom (BRING FORTH THE KINGDOM)
Congregation sings portions indicated "All" and the refrain
429, Lord you give the great commission (ABBOT'S LEIGH)
stanzas 1, 2, 4, 5

Introit
Strathdee, What does the Lord require of you?

Confession
Purcell, Glory be to God the Father

Anthem
David Hass, Blest are they
Keithie Knowles, Lamar Williamson, Wilma Leary
please join in singing the refrain as you become familiar with it, STF #2155

Doxology
591 Old Hundredth

Prayers
Cambodian Lord's Prayer

Benediction
Dauermann, The trees of the field
Please join in singing STF 2279

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Henry Purcell, Voluntary in C (TOC)
Offertory: John Stanley, Voluntary in A Minor
Postlude: JS Bach, Prelude and Fugue in E Minor (BWV 533)