Music for 111013

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Open our eyes, Lord (STF 2086)

Opening Song
Shout to the Lord

Prayer of Confession Response
Glory, glory, hallelujah

Psalmody
O My God and King and Savior (HOLY MANNA)

Offertory
TBA Title, Caroline Patton

Closing Song
How firm a foundation

11AM
Hymns
263, Immortal, invisible, God only wise (ST DENIO)
386, O for a world (AZMON)
438, Blest be the tie that binds (DENNIS)

Confession Response
579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Psalmody
O my God and King and Savior (HOLY MANNA)

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude:  Elegy on Thaxted - Ennis Fruhauf
Offertory: Dialogue  - Clerambault
Postlude: Praise To The Lord The Almighty - Hans Friedrich Micheelsen

Music for 110313

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Adoration
Josie Davis, violin

Opening Song
Forever

Prayer of Confession Response
Surely it is God who saves me (STF 2030)

Creed
Jesus loves me (stewardship)

Offertory
Beneath the cross

Communion
Distribution: Our God

Closing Song
More precious than silver (STF 2065)

11AM
Hymns
526, For all the saints (SINE NOMINE)
304, Jesus loves me (JESUS LVOES ME)
428, We give thee but thing own (SCHUMANN)

Response to Forgiveness
Surely it is God who saves me (STF 2030)

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)

Music during Communion
Distribution: 2283, For all the saints; 
Soon and very soon

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Forrest L. Butchel, Adoration
Josie Davis, violin
Offertory: Dan Goeller, Hear my prayer
Postlude:  Arr.  William Farley Smith, Soon and very soon

Music for 10/27/13

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Your grace is enough

Opening Song
Hallelujah (You’re love is amazing)

Prayer of Confession Response
There’s a wideness

Peace
Leaning on the everlasting arms

Offertory
Jesus, firm foundation

Closing Song
Grace alone (STF 2162)

11AM
Hymns
260, A mighty fortress (EIN FESTE BURG)
276, Great is thy faithfulness (FAITHFULNESS)

Confession Response
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy (CIVILITY)

Psalmody
65, Thou, O God art praised in Zion, Percy Whitlock (Anglican Chant)

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude:  Arr. Don Marsh, Fairest Lord Jesus
Allen Bell, saxophone
Offertory: Deitrich Buxtehude, Ein Feste Burg 
Postlude: Max Reger, Ein Feste Burg

Music for 102013

Our children's sabbath service, in which children help lead the service liturgically, and lead much of the music. It's also Stewardship Sunday, with a special meal after service, and our Handbells are ringing. Big day!

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)

We sing of your glory/Tuya es la Gloria

God is here today

Opening Song

All hail the power of Jesus’ name

Prayer of Confession Response

Alabare

Psalmody

145, I will exalt my God, my King

Scripture/Proclamation

Open your ears, O faithful people

Offertory

Keith Hampton, Praise his holy name

Closing Song

You are holy, you are whole

11AM

 Hymns

417, Christ is made the sure foundation (REGENT SQUARE)

Fairest Lord Jesus (CRUSADER HYMN)

142, All hail the power of Jesus’ name (CORONATION)

Introit

Avery & Marsh, We are the church

Carol Choir

Confession Response

Glory be to God the Father (WESTMINSTER ABBEY)

 
Anthem at the Readings 
John Clarke, Praise to the Lord 
 Aerie Singers

Doxology

592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music

Prelude:  Timothy Waugh, Reperqussio (“Reflection”) 
Adult Handbells 
Offertory:  Arr. Kevin McChesney, Praise to the Lord the Almighty 
Adult Handbells 
Postlude: Arr. David Lasky, Fanfare on REGENT SQUARE

Music for 100613

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
I could sing of your love forever
Your grace is enough

Opening Song
Did you feel the mountains tremble

Peace
Salaam/Peace

Offertory
Christ’s glory

Communion
Responses: Kreiwald

Closing Song
Made me glad

11AM
Hymns
465, Here, O Lord, your servants gather (TOKYO)
440, In Christ there is no east or west (MCKEE)

Confession Response
2025, Halle, halle, hallelujah (CARIBBEAN)

Scripture
Open your ears O faithful people

Psalmody
Psalm 1, Setting by Gelineau

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Music during Communion
Responses: Eslinger

Instrumental/Organ Music
Offertory:  Jane Marshall, Blessed is the man
Postlude: Gilbert Martin, Fanfare on MCKEE

Singing the psalms

This fall our congregation has begun to reclaim the ancient practice of singing the psalms. I got fired up about this a year or so ago, and my urge was confirmed at conferences this summer. As we transitioned from summer to fall I wrote a series of articles on the practice, and included discussion of the broad types of psalm-singing "out there" and which we might encounter as we began our practice.

Presbyterians have a long history of psalm-singing, including use of the paradigmatic Genevan Psalter. Though that is the case, I have been attuned to media that comment on the use of psalms in worship, particularly singing the psalms, to be able to articulate my rationale for re-kindling this worship practice in our congregation.

Thus I was delighted to happen upon an interview with NT Wright in Christianity Today, in which he argues for the singing of psalms in worship, including in contemporary services. His basic thrust is that any worship can become lukewarm, and psalm-singing prods the worshiper to ever-new depths of understanding the Trinity and our faith. He particularly notes that some contemporary worship music can leave one spiritually hungry, and a steady diet of singing the psalms can provide needful nourishment.

I was a bit nervous about leading the worshipers at our contemporary/alternative service into a re-discovery of psalm-singing. This article confirmed my sense that it was a good decision to bring psalmody to both congregations, in musical styles appropriate to each. The word is still out on how this practice is being perceived within our worshiping community, but I feel even more committed now to the route we are taking in reclaiming this collection of ancient songs of faith.

Music for 091513

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Bless the Lord, my soul (Taize, STF 2013)
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord, O my soul)

Opening Song
Shout to the north

Prayer of Confession Response
Halle, halle, hallelujah (STF 2026)

Psalmody
One thing I ask

Offertory
Blessed assurance

Prayers
Wait for the Lord (Taize) (new)

Closing Song
Everlasting God

11AM
Hymns
371, Lift high the cross (CRUCIFER)
423, Jesus shall reign where’er the sun (DUKE STREET)

Confession Response
Glory be to God the Father (WESTMINSTER ABBEY)

Psalmody
179, God is my strong salvation (CHRISTUS DER IST MEIN LEBEN)

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Theodore Dubois, Prière
Offertory: Mark Patterson, The Lord is my strength
Postlude: Cesar Franck, Sortie

Music for 090813

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
He knows my name
Better is one day

Opening Song
Blessed be your name (in B)

Prayer of Confession Response
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy (DeMey)

Psalmody
O Lord, my God, you know all my ways (PAS 139E)

Offertory
Christ in me arise

Closing Song
I have decided to follow Jesus (STF 2129)

11AM
Hymns
476, O worship the King, all glorious above (LYONS)
388, O Jesus, I have promised (ANGEL’S STORY)
2129, I Have decided to follow Jesus (ASSAM)

Confession Response
DeMey, There’s a wideness in God’s mercy

Psalmody
139, Hal Hopson, Alice Keith Knowles, cantor

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Prayers
Take, O take me as I am

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Alec Rowley, Benedictus
Offertory: Allen Pote, Psalm 139
Postlude: Nicholas Jacques Lemmens, Fanfare

Music for 090113

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
No higher calling
Turn my heart

Opening Song
Not to us

Prayer of Confession Response
Your mercy flows

Offertory
Arise, my soul, arise

Prayers
Amazing grace (Alleluia)

Closing Song
Christ be our light

11AM
Hymns
483, Sing praise to God, who reigns above (MIT FREUDEN ZART)
280, Amazing grace, how sweet the sound (NEW BRITAIN)
421, The Church of Christ in every age (WAREHAM)

Confession Response
579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Anthem
Glenn Burleigh, Order my steps
A setting of Psalm 119.133:
Keep my steps steady according to your promise,
and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
Jane Hartsfield, Libby Barker, soloists

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Charles Murrill, Voluntary on WAREHAM
Offertory: Hermann Schroeder, Pastorale
Postlude:  Emma Lou Diemer, Mit Freuden Zart

Hymn Society Conference

I heard this little nugget at breakfast today. I have been pondering all morning, and probably will continue to do so for some time.  I hope you find it as thought-provoking as did I. Gracia Grindal, a prolific hymn text writer, shared this. I am not sure if it's her own adage or not. If she mentioned a source in the conversation, I missed it.

Harmony is chronological.

Rhythm is geographic.

Melody is universal.

Music for 070713

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Cantad al Senor The King of glory comes (STF 2091)

Opening Song
Holy is the Lord

Prayer of Confession Response
Your mercy flows

Offertory
Jesus Messiah

Communion
Here is bread

Closing Song
Go forth in his name

11AM
Hymns
429, Lord you give the great commission (ABBOT’S LEIGH)
525, Here I am, Lord (HERE I AM)

Confession Response
2033, Glory to God (MACHU PICHU)

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Music during Communion
Responses: Eslinger in C
Distribution: F.M Veracini, Largo from Sonata in E Minor
Alice Keith Knowles, violin

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Fritz Kreisler, Praeludium
Alice Keith Knowles, violin
Offertory:  Charles Callahan, Voluntary on Abbot’s Leigh
Postlude:  John Stanley, Trumpet Voluntary in D

Music for 062313

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Praise to the living God
All hail the power of Jesus’ name

Opening Song
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Prayer of Confession Response
Dayenu

Offertory
Lead me to the cross

Prayers
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Closing Song
Come thou fount of every blessing


11AM
Hymns
487, When morning gilds the skies (LAUDES ANIMA)
335, Though I may speak (O WALY WALY)
369, I’m gonna live so God can use me (I’M GONNA LIVE)

Confession Response
Glory to God whose goodness shines on me

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Prayers
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: John Ferguson, When morning gilds the skies
Offertory:  JS Bach, Andante, from Pastorale in F
Postlude:  Dan Locklair, Phoenix Procession

Music for 060913

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)

            Shout to the Lord

            Made me glad

Opening Song

            I will call upon the Lord 

Prayer of Confession Response

            You are my King (Amazing love)

Offertory

            TBA Title, Clayton Delp, guitar

Closing Song

            Spirit Song (Wimber, O let the Son of God enfold you)

11AM

Hymns

            469, Morning has broken (BUNESSAN)

            289, O God of every nation (LLANGLOFFAN)

            400, When we are living (SOMOS DEL SEÑOR)

Confession Response

            579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Doxology

            592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music

Prelude: Manz, Morning Has Broken

Offertory:  Handel, Largo

Postlude:  Purcell, Rondo

Music for 052613

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Holy, holy holy

Opening Song
Holy is the Lord
Holy, holy, holy (NICEA)

Prayer of Praise Response
Glory to God whose goodness

Offertory
Father, I adore you

Closing Song
How great is our God

            
11AM
Hymns
138, Holy, holy, holy (NICEA)
Creating God, your fingers trace (KEDRON)
139, Come, thou almighty king (ITALIAN HYMN)

Confession Response
Glory be to God the Father (WESTMINSTER ABBEY)

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow (with Alleluias)
LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude:  William Farlee, Voluntary on KEDRON
Offertory:   Calvin Hampton, Holy, Holy, Holy
Postlude:  JS Bach, Toccata in C

Music for 051213

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
I love you, Lord (STF 2150)
Glorify thy name (STF 2016)

Opening Song
Love the Lord

Response of Praise
Halle, halle, halleluja (STF 2026)

Offertory
Blessed assurance

Closing Song
Jude Doxology (in A)

11AM

Hymns
144, Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (HYFRYDOL)
148, At the name of Jesus (KING’S WESTON)
151, Crown him with many crowns (DIADEMATA)

Response of Praise
2026, Halle, halle, hallelujah (HALLE, HALLE)

Anthem
Arr. Hal Hopson, All hail the power of Jesus’ name

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Arr. Charles Callahan, Voluntary on St. Magnus
Offertory:  Arr. Don Marsh, Blessed Assurance
Postlude:   Percy Whitlock, Paean

Music for 050513

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Praise the one who breaks the darkness (NETTLETON)
Come, now is the time to worship

Opening Song
Wade in the water (STF 2107)

Prayer of Praise
Halle, halle, halleluja (STF 2026)

Offertory
Hungry

Communion
God bless to us our bread
We come to the hungry feast

Closing Song
Christ be our light

11AM

Hymns
Easter people, raise your voices (REGENT SQUARE)
Praise the one who breaks the darkness (NETTLETON)

Response of Praise
2026, Halle, halle, hallelujah (HALLE, HALLE)

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)

Music during Communion
God bless to us our bread
We come to the hungry feast
Christ be our light

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Louis J.A. Lefebure-Wely, Communion
Offertory:  White, O bread of life from heaven
Postlude:   Louis J.A. Lefebure-Wely, Sortie in E-Flat

BMPCNC observes the first Sunday in May as it's "Bread for the World Sunday" (many churches use the first Sunday in October). In years past we have celebrated communion on Pentecost, which makes for a very full service that day because it is also confirmation for us. This year we are celebrating communion in conjunction with Bread for the World. We will have a letter-writing campaign going-on during the morning too. What this has meant musically, is that there is a remarkable congruence in the music for both services. We regularly have some cross-over. But, quite unintentionally, there is quite a bit of crossover this week. The interesting fact is that neither congregation is being asked to make all that big a leap to embrace the songs they will be singing: they are all of a piece with what we regularly encounter.

Music for 042113

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Here I am to worship
Mighty to save

Opening Song
Your grace is enough

Prayer of Praise
Halle, halle, halleluja (STF 2026)

Prayers
Goodness is stronger (STF 2219)

Offertory
Christ is arisen, hallelujah

Closing Song
Precious Lord, take my hand (PH 404)

11AM
Hymns
108, Christ is alive (TRURO)
Awake, O Sleeper (MARSH CHAPEL)
404, Precious Lord, take my hand (PRECIOUS LORD)

Response of Praise
2026, Halle, halle, hallelujah (HALLE, HALLE)

Anthem
Tanzanian Worship Song, Christ is arisen, hallelujah

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)

Prayers
2219, Goodness is stronger (GOODNESS)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Karg-Elert, O God, thou faithful God
Offertory:  Willan, Praise be to Christ our risen Lord
Postlude:   Karg-Elert, Festive Procession

Music for 032413 Palm-Passion Sunday

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
The King of glory comes

Opening Song
All glory, laud and honor

Confession
Jesus Messiah

Scripture/Proclamation
Forever

Offertory
Mantos y palmas

Closing Song    
In Christ alone
 
11 AM
Hymns
88, All glory, laud and honor (VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN)
89, Hosanna, loud hosanns (ELLACOMBE)
76, My song is love unknown (LOVE UNKNOWN)
91, Ride one! Ride on in Majesty! (ST DROSTANE)

Confession
579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Anthem
Christian Gergor (1785), Hosanna

Doxology
Were the whole realm (HAMBURG)

Music for 031013

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Invocation (Murai)

Opening Song
Bless the Lord, my soul

Confession
Surely it is God who saves me

Scripture/Proclamation
Thy Word

Prayers
Lord’s Prayer

Offertory
Overcome

Closing Song    
Refiner’s fire (Purify my heart)
 
11 AM
Hymns
276, Great is thy faithfulness (FAITHFULNESS)
347, Forgive our sins as we forgive (DETROIT)
434, Today we all are called to be (KINGSFOLD)

Introit
2013, Bless the Lord my soul (BLESS THE LORD)

Confession
2030, Surely it is God who saves me (FIRST SONG)

Anthem
Handel (Arr. Stanton), Forever blest is he

Prayers
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Doxology
Were the whole realm (HAMBURG)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Sung
Offertory: Arr. Brent Olstad, He leadeth me
Libby Barker, flute
Postlude:  John Stanley, Voluntary and fugue in G minor

Music for 030313

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Invocation (Murai)

Opening Song
Bless the Lord, my soul (STF 2013)

Confession
Surely it is God who saves me (STF 2030)

Offertory
Undo

Closing Song    
You are holy (Prince of peace)
 
11 AM
Hymns
356, Come, thou fount of every blessing (NETTLETON)
272, God of the sparrow, God of the whale (ROEDER)
Come, we that love the Lord (ST. THOMAS)

Introit
2013, Bless the Lord my soul (BLESS THE LORD)

Confession
2030, Surely it is God who saves me (FIRST SONG)

Anthem
Arr Dennis Allen, Come, thou fount

Doxology
Were the whole realm (HAMBURG)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Sung
Offertory:  John Alcock, Three Short Pieces
Nick Murphy, organ
Postlude:  TBA Organ

Music for 021713

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Invocation (Murai)

Opening Song
Bless the Lord, my soul (STF 2013)

Confession
Surely it is God who saves me (STF 2030)

Offertory
Lead me to the cross

Closing Song    
The wonderful cross

 
11 AM
Hymns
81, Lord, who throughout these forty days (ST. FLAVIAN)
392, Take thou our minds, dear Lord

Introit
2013, Bless the Lord my soul (BLESS THE LORD)

Confession
2030, Surely it is God who saves me (FIRST SONG)

Doxology
Were the whole realm (HAMBURG)

Communion
Responses: Oliver
Distribution: 2267, Taste and see

Instrumental/Organ Music
Offertory:  Guido Haazen, Sanctus, from Missa Luba, Mass in Congolese style

Music for 021013

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)

Made me glad

Shout to the Lord

Opening Song

Shine, Jesus, shine

Confession

Halle, halle, halleluja

Scripture/Proclamation

Open our eyes, Lord

Offertory

Hallelujah, saved by your mercy

Closing Song    

Go forth in his name 

11 AM

Hymns

144, Alleluia, sing to Jesus (HYFRODOL)

306, Fairest Lord Jesus (CRUSADER’S HYMN)

You, Lord, are both lamb and shepherd (PICARDY)

Confession

2026, Halle, halle, halleluja, (CARIBBEAN HALLELUJA)

Anthem

J. Jefferson Cleveland, Praise ye the Lord

(a setting of Psalm 150)

Doxology

LASST UNS ERFREUEN

Instrumental/Organ Music

Prelude: Traditional, Alabaré

Aerie Singers

Offertory:  Darke, Voluntary on Picardy

Postlude:  Simon Preston, Alleluyas

“…at his feet the six-winged Seraph; Cherubim with sleepless eye,

Veil their faces to the Presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry:

Alleluya, alleluia, alleluia, Lord most high.”