Red June in commercial

From Will Straughan:

My friend Marc Ryan's film company, Third Story Films, used "Biscuits and Honey" for a cool video blog project they did for Chrysler's facebook page. They traveled from one NFL play off city to another promoting the new Chrysler 200 (they did a commercial for it last night during the game). And no, Red June is not going corporate-just hoping to get a little more exposure. Be sure to check them out

Music for 020611

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
The heart of worship

Opening Song
The wonderful cross

Confession
You are my hiding place

Offertory
Video meditation

Closing Song
Bring for the kingdom of God

11AM
Hymns
263, Immortal, invisible, God only wise (ST. DENIO)
408, Where cross the crowded ways of life (GERMANY)
432, Song of hope (ARGENTINA)

Introit
Strathdee, What does the Lord require of you

Confession
Alleluia, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven

Anthem
Handel, Blessed be thy name evermore

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

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Vivaldi, Gavotte, Sonata in C
Libby Barker, flute
Offertory: Vivaldi, Gigue, Sonata in C
Postlude: Handel, Voluntary and Fugue in C

The pump organ, part 1

I began work today cleaning the pump organ that used to be the primary musical instrument at our church. The organ had reverted to the family of its donors at some point, moved around some, and most recently was in a home on Dougherty Street here in town. Last year, the family sold that home and gave the organ back to the church. I also have done a little research on the building. We are in possession of #12295 built by the Shipman Organ Company of High Point, NC. Apparently they were active from about 1905 through the mid 1920's. The organ was returned to us with a bench; it doesn't seem to be original to the instrument, but may serve its purpose with a little cleaning and replacing the cushion covering.

I am beginning a "restorative cleaning" of the instrument. I am going to clean the exterior and poke around the interior just a bit to make sure everything inside is fairly secure. I can tell already that the thin piece of wood that covers the base of the instrument is in sad shape. I'm going to see how best to deal with it: leave it alone (and let is possibly disintegrate) or replace it. Otherwise I'm just going to clean the exterior and probably re-glue the sharps (they are in two pieces, glued together and most of them have snapped apart.) Not too big a deal to repair. Several of the decorative elements of the case have been removed; I plan to clean and reattach them. The straps that connect the foot treadles to the bellows are broken. I think I'll leave them alone. The bellows are probably leaky, and I intend to leave them alone also. John Dower's firm (who curate the Reuter pipe organ) have some experience re-leathering pump organ bellows, so I may investigate having them do that on this instrument if I can find the funds.

Today I mostly just vacuumed the exterior and interior and sorted pieces. The decorative elements all seem to be present. The lid for the keyboard has come apart. I think I can re-glue it with not too much hassle. Then it will be a job for Murphy's Oil Soap and elbow grease.

Stay tuned...

Music for 013011

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
How great is our God

Opening Song
Holy is the Lord

Confession
2043, Celtic alleluia

Scripture/Proclamation
Speak, O Lord

Offertory
Mighty to save

Prayers
Lord’s Prayer (Strathdee)

Closing Song
Go forth in his name

11AM
Hymns
473, For the beauty of the earth (DIX)
369, I’m gonna live so God can use me (I’M GONNA LIVE)
Go forth and preach the gospel (ELLACOMBE)

Confession
2043, Celtic Alleluia (CELTIC ALLELUIA)

Anthem
Arr. Gordon Young, Built on the rock
Text by Nicolai Grundtvig

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

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Vivaldi, Gavotte, Sonata in C
Libby Barker, flute
Offertory: Vivaldi, Gigue, Sonata in C
Postlude: Bach-Vivaldi, Concerto in A minor

From a friend of mine, Allen Bean, a church musician in Richmond, VA...

A week ago I asked a boy chorister to remove his watch, which he kept checking during rehearsal. This week he showed me his bare arm at the beginning of rehearsal. I commended him. He said, "But I think you cursed me. There's rash where I wear my watch." I replied, "No. I don't have the power to do that." Another boy says, "O yes you do. You have the power of music, which is the most powerful force on earth."

Music for 012311

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Holy, holy, holy
We sing of your glory
Step by step

Opening Song
Alabare

Confession
I give you my heart

Offertory
Salvation belongs to our God

Doxology
Give thanks

Closing Song
The Summons

11AM
Hymns
466, O for a thousand tongues to sing (AZMON)
2130, The Summons (KELVINGROVE)
343, Called as partners in Christ’s service (BEECHER)

Confession
579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Anthem
Craig Curry, I heard the voice of Jesus
Words by Hoartius Bonar, 1864
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.

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

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Michael Sullivan, Adagio espressivo
Offertory: Henri Mulet, Petit Offertoire
Postlude: Henry Purcell, Voluntary in C

Hymn Festival

The American Guild of Organists and the Hymn Society are co-sponsoring a hymn festival Sunday afternoon 2/20/11 at 430PM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. The festival will be called "Lead Me; Guide Me: Hymns that inspired our nation's leaders." Drawing on research exploring the favorite hymns of our country's presidents, we have developed a service that explores these and other important hymns in our national life. Planners of the events are Mike Barker and Mel Bringle who is also chair of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (the new hymnal and other resources for our denomination). The event will be free and open to all.