Paper Lace Advent 2017

We have been collaborating with Sanctifiedart.org for a couple of years. One of the principals in that collective grew up in our congregation. We used some of their material for our Advent observance this year: devotional booklet, liturgical resources and the like. We also were interested in using the paper lace banner design they provided. The original was designed as a pair of vertically hung 9x3 panels. I had the idea of enlarging them (greatly) and flying them down the length of the nave. I was hopeful (!) that our pulley system could support the whole work when installed.

We got to work converting the print design using computer display projected on the wall of our fellowship hall. Once the design was drawn in, a team of persons cut out the negative portions and seamed the ends. That was a two-night process.

Finally, the moment of truth: flying the two banners. It went remarkably smoothly, taking only about an hour, but many trips up and down a ladder to get things just so. The effect is quite dramatic, with a definite "swoop" from the nave toward the chancel and cross. During the day even with lights on, the effect is subtle at best.

It's best realized at night, with most of the nave lights off. But in that scenario, one can certainly discern a dapple effect of "light breaking through."

We placed an interpretive piece at the doors of the sanctuary for work-week visitors, and include the same information weekly in our worship guides.

We extend our hearty thanks to Hannah Garrity for the original art, and Lisle Gwynn Garrity for helping us bring the enlarged vision to life, along with our dedicated team of sketchers and cutters.

 

I regularly give thanks for the many artists in our congregation, both living and deceased. I am especially grateful for the visionaries among them who worked (very hard, I'm sure) to get approval to install the pulley system that we utilize. I never take it for granted, and marvel every time we use it at how adaptable it is.

Farewell to a music scholar

Justin Lance has been singing with the chancel choir the entire time he has been enrolled at Montreat College, 4.5 years. I heard him audition for scholarships at the school and mentioned to him that if he matriculated, he should consider taking a scholarship with us also. He did, and he did! We have enjoyed him immensely, and have been delighted to share his college tribulations and triumphs. He leaves this month to take a job in Charlotte. He managed to score the big three goals for anyone graduating: full-time, in his field, with benefits. We wish him well.

Music for 2017.12.10

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Comfort, comfort, ye my people

Opening Song
The king of glory comes (STF 2091)

Prayer of Praise Response/Confession
Gloria, gloria

Offertory
Walk in the light

Closing Song
There is a longing in our hearts
            
11AM
Hymns
88, O come, O come, Emmanuel (VENI EMMANUEL)
87, Comfort, comfort, now my people (GENEVA 42)
96, On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry (WINCHESTER NEW)

Confession Response CRADLE SONG

Doxology TAIZE GLORIA
583, Glory to God

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Jan Propitius, Trio on Geneva 42
Offertory: Craig Courtney, Who but the Lord
Using a text by Susan Bentall Boersma, paired with a stanza of text from the Latin hymn, Veni Emmanuel, Courtney has crafted a powerful affirmation of God doing many and powerful things, including the sending of light to the nations. The first part of the anthem is filled with questions, the second a bold affirmation. 
Postlude:  Benjamin Cornelius-Bates, Toccata on Geneva 42

Music for 2017.12.03

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
My Lord what a morning

Opening Song
O come, O come, Emmanuel

Prayer of Praise Response/Confession
Gloria, gloria

Offertory
Christ in me arise

Communion
Distribution: Wait for the Lord

Closing Song
Marvelous light
            
11AM
Hymns
82, Come thou long-expected Jesus (HYFRYDOL)
79, Light dawns on a weary world (TEMPLE OF PEACE)

Confession Response
Come Now, O God of light (image)

Doxology TAIZE GLORIA
583, Glory to God

Communion
Responses: Hopson in F minor
Distribution: 352, My Lord, what a morning
357, The days are surely coming

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Jacques Lemmens, Conditor alme siderum
A setting of the chant melody at #84 GTG
Offertory: Hal Hopson, Creator of the stars of night
A setting of the text of #84 GTG with a lovely new melody
Postlude:  Ralph Vaughan Williams, Voluntary on HYFRYDOL


Music at FirstLight this week is characterized by its eclecticism: a spiritual, a chant melody, a couple of Taize songs, a song with a strong Celtic feel, and a Christian pop song. Music at 11am revolves around the ancient "Conditor alme siderum" text and tune, spinning off into the music of Hal Hopson.

Music for 2017.11.19

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Let the river flow

Opening Song
Your grace is enough

Confession Response
Rain down (in E)

Offertory
Come to the water

Closing Song
The river of God   
   
11AM
Hymns
41, O worship the King (LYONS)
36, For the fruit of all creation (AR HYD Y NOS)
367, Come, ye thankful people, come (ST GEORGE’S WINDSOR)

Confession Response
48, Rain down (RAIN DOWN)

Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God all creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Arr. Wilbur Held (b.1917), Voluntary on Ar Hyd Y Nos
Offertory:  Cindy Berry, Restore my joy
A setting of text from Psalm 51
Postlude:  Richard Purvis, Thanksgiving, from Four Prayers in Tone

Music for 2017.11.12

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Give me oil in my lamp

Opening Song
Days of Elijah

Confession Response
Know that God is good

Offertory
Because of who you are (S Williams)

Closing Song
Christ be our light
   
11AM
Hymns
645, Sing praise to God who reigns above (MIT FREUDEN ZART)
362, Rejoice, rejoice believers (LLANGLOFFAN)
310, I love thy kingdom, Lord (ST THOMAS)

Confession Response
71.R Surely it is God who saves me (FIRST SONG)

Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Lee G. Barrow, Festive Bell Flourish
Adult Handbell Ensemble
Offertory:  Bill Smiley, Because of who you are (S Williams)
Postlude:  Robert Hobby, Wachet auf
A setting of the tune at GtG #349

Music for All Saints 2017

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Praise ye the Lord (Cleveland, Psalm 150)

Opening Song
Better is one day

Prayer of Praise Response/Confession
Jubilate, everybody

Offertory
Our God is here

Communion
Distribution: On Jordan’s stormy banks

Closing Song
Leaning on the everlasting arms
            
11AM
Hymns
687, O God our help in ages past (ST ANNE)
326, For all the saints (SINE NOMINE)

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

Doxology (FOREST GREEN)
In gratitude and humble trust, we bring our best today,
To serve your cause and share your love with all along life’s way.
O God who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ your Son,
Help us to give ourselves each day until life’s work is done.

Communion
Responses Eslinger
Distribution: Here from all nations (insert)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Sigried Karg-Elert, Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals
Offertory: John Rutter, Te Deum (sung in English)
We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting. To thee all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry: holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee. The noble army of martyrs praise thee. The holy church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee: the Father of an infinite majesty, thine honorable, true, and only Son, also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ; thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the virgin’s womb. When thou hast overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood: make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up forever. Day by day we magnify thee, and we worship thy name ever, world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us. O Lord, let your mercy lighten upon us as our trust in in thee. O Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.
Postlude:  Sigfried Karg-Elert, Nun Danket Alle Gott (Marche Triomphale)Choral-Improvisationen Opus 65, Number 59

Trumpets:
Brian Garland
Matt Gill
Chris Imhoff
Trombones:
Michael Hosford
Bobby Powell
Charlie Wylie
Tuba
Zach Taylor
Percussion:
Sam Webber
Jason Decristofaro
Organ
Carla Sperry

Narthex art

The narthex gallery changes regularly. We just took down a set of paintings done by one of our members. For the next few weeks, this single item will be the installation. Nada Barnett did the design and pieced together this quilt. Her husband, Charles, did the quilting. All this was in 1975. Nada shares that this early work is not up to her more mature standards of later years! We think the piece looks fabulous!

Music for 10/8/2017

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)

My life is in you, Lord

Opening Song

Uyaimose

Praise to the Lord the almighty

Prayer of Praise Response/Confession

Halle, halle

Offertory         

Somebody’s knockin’ at your door

Closing Song

Guide my feet

11AM

Hymns

463, How firm a foundation (FOUNATION)

730, I sing a song of the saints of God (GRAND ISLE)

846, Fight the good fight (DUKE STREET)

Confession Response

447, We are forgiven  (WE ARE FORGIVEN)

Prayers

Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Doxology (FOREST GREEN)

Instrumental/Organ Music

Prelude: Arr. Ken Medema, How firm a foundation

Offertory:  Emma Lou Diemer, O Come let us sing unto the Lord

Perhaps her most enduring choral work, today’s anthem demonstrates the composer’s utter mastery of the late-century, post-modern musical idiom: dissonance, rhythmic drive, exuberance and pathos are all present in abundance. Diemer’s anthem, written for a high school honors chorus, conveys hints of Hindemith, Stravinsky and American musical theater. It rewards singer, accompanist, and listener equally. 
O come , let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and show ourselves glad in him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his and he made it, and his hands prepared the dry land. O come, let us worship and fall down. And come, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker, for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him. For he cometh to judge the earth, and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peoples with his truth. For he is the Lord our God.

Postlude:  Arr. Alice Jordan, Voluntary on FOUNDATION

Music for 9/10/2017

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)

I could sing of your love forever

Opening Song  

Lord reign in me

Confession

You are my King (Amazing love)

Offertory

Hear our praises

Communion Distribution

O, how I love Jesus

Closing Song    

You are holy (Prince of peace)

           

11 AM

Hymns

366, Love divine, all loves excelling (BEECHER)

726, Will you come and follow me (KELVINGROVE)

Confession

441, Hear the Good News (NETTLETON)

Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

Communion

Responses: Oliver in D Minor 
Distribution:428, Before I take (LAYING DOWN)

Instrumental/Organ Music

Prelude:  Leslie Adams, Offering of love

Offertory: Philip Young, O the deep, deep love of Jesus

Postlude: Doug Wagner, Toccata on Psalm 150

Music for 9/3/2017

One of our missionaries, from Madagascar) will be preaching!

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)

            Forever

Opening Song  

            Alabaré

Confession

            We sing of your glory

Offertory

            Grace like rain

Closing Song    

            Here I am, Lord

           

11 AM

Hymns

            35, Praise ye the Lord the almighty (LOBE DEN HERREN)

            372, O for a world (AZMON)

            719, Come, labor on (ORA LABORA)

Confession

            469, Lord, listen to your children (LORD LISTEN)

Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH

Instrumental/Organ Music

Prelude:  Henry Purcell, Trio and Fanfare

Offertory: Henry Purcell, Rejoice in the Lord alway

          Purcell's classic anthem, a setting of text from Philippians 4.

Postlude: Henry Purcell, Voluntary in C