Blessing Wall, Lent

When I began planning for music and art during Lent, the word "blessing" seemed to crop up several times in the appointed lections. I discussed with my worship planning colleagues if "blessing" in the sense of being blessed by God and being a blessing to others might serve as a thematic focus for the upcoming season. After some good conversation in relation to the Bible readings and in relation to how we have observed the season in the past, we agreed that this could be a nice theme for us to explore.

My mind coupled this thematic focus with an image I had seen from a youth event some of our kids attended last year or the year before of a prayer wall. Kids wrote prayers and intentions on small pieces of paper and adhered them to a make-shift wall. I spent some time wondering how to put the two, "blessing" and the wall, into one undertaking for our congregation.

Ultimately I thought a series of fabric-covered panels, each with a letter from the word "bless" could be used as a temporary wall in our narthex. Folks will be invited throughout the season of Lent to write how they have been blessed and/or how they have been (or how they can be or intend to be) a blessing for others. We'll use special pens to write on scraps of fabric and then glue those small swatches to the wall.  My hope is that the finished project will look somewhat like a mosaic of fabric-on-fabric, nicely filled in. Herewith how the project has developed:

These are a set of wood frames that we use for a variety of undertakings, most often to create backdrops for dramatic productions:

I decided to put a base layer of black fabric (flat sheet) on the panels first. I simply stapled them in place:

I purchased an array of five hues of purple (cotton twill), appropriate for the season to serve as the top layer on each panel: 

I used white felt to cut the letters of the word "bless." Each letter uses a different font; we used the photocopier to enlarge each letter to a suitable size. I purchased a new rotary cutting tool for this project, which worked really well, and used a permanent fabric glue to adhere the letters:

Here is the set of five panels, mostly complete, after I finished adhering the letters to each. The height and centering of each letter varies purposefully:

Coming soon: the panels in place in the narthex and how they evolve as folks add their "blessings" to the project. To date I have done most of the work, but we have artists on board to select the fabrics we'll use for the attachments and to actually help folks on Sunday mornings to create their individual swatches Our print publicity for the upcoming season uses this same five-panel concept to make a nifty tie-in.

Alabare' song lyrics

We use the song Alabare' at FirstLight worship with some regularity. I very often explain, before or after we sing it, that the Spanish lyrics we sing in the refrain mean, "I will praise my Lord." In Spanish, Alabare' a mi Sen~or. More than once folks in the know about Spanish language has asked about the word alabare' stating they don't recognize it. I found this morning a page that describes the word and its various forms. The root verb is alabar. I also found on this page a helpful tidbit for my own edification. Alabado is a form of the same verb. I am learning a new piece for piano with guitar and cello called alabado. Now I know the meaning behind the title. I also found this video for those who want to hear a fairly authentic performance. We generally use Spanish for the refrain and English for the verses. I have taught the refrain to the kids in one of our children's choirs. We'll be introducing it to the 11AM congregation next week. As I mention frequently, this is another one of the most popular worship songs in Central and South America. Because we are part of a global church, and in light of our mission commitments in the region, it is good that we should learn this song.

Review: Valentin Silvestrov, Sacred works

Under a cloudy sky with sleet and freezing rain in the forecast, I am listening to a CD of Russian choral music. Almost cliche in its symbolism! I had not heard of Silvestrov before reading about this CD in Choir and Organ magazine. He has, before this CD, been known mostly for instrumental/secular works. But the present album takes us into his spiritual side with a collection of 23 works for unaccompanied choir. I wish the CD came with texts and translations. The wonderful article (in German and English) on Silvestrov's musical style doesn't make up for not having the songs' lyrics at hand. Aside from that oversight, this is an incredible undertaking. The Kiev Chamber Choir under the direction of Mykola Hobdych sings with remarkable clarity, subtlety and precision. The recording (ECM 2117) was made 2006/7 in the Cathedral of the Dormition, Perchersk Lavra, Kiev, Ukraine.

It's obvious one is listening to Russian choral music: the is plenty of stereotypical basso profundo present. But it's also readily apparent that this is distinctly modern music. The music is at once tuneful, dissonant and atmospheric, sung with pathos and conviction by the choir with Orthodox priests serving as soloists in some instances. It is equally at home in church and on stage. A couple of the musical riffs became a little too familiar upon listening to the whole CD without interruption. But aside from that, this is a recording well-worth securing. Study it for the vocal technique; use it to accompany meditation or reading. But anyone interested in choral music, especially as it is finding expression in modern Russia (is that an oxymoron?) will enjoy this. + + + +

Music for 012013

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Hiding place (STF 2055)
As the deer (STF 2025)

Opening Song
He has made me glad (STF 2270)

Confession
Halle, halle, hallelujah (STF 2026)

Offertory
David Hekking, TBA title

Communion
Distribution: Sing alleluia to the Lord (STF 2258)

Closing Song    
Jesus Messiah
 
11 AM
Hymns
276, Great is thy faithfulness (FAITHFULNESS)
Songs of thankfulness and praise (ST GEORGE’S WINDSOR)

Introit
2011, We sing of your glory (TUYA ES LA GLORIA)

Confession
2026, Halle, halle, hallelujah (CARIBBEAN HALLELUJA)

Doxology
OLD HUNDREDTH

Communion
Responses: Eslinger in C

Distribution:
Jesus, come for we invite you (Insert)
510, Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts (QUEBEC)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Arr. Don Widman, Take Time to be holy
Carolyn Konnert, cello

Offertory: Jane Marshall, None other lamb
None other Lamb, none other Name,
None other hope in Heav’n or earth or sea,
None other hiding place from guilt and shame,
None beside Thee!

My faith burns low, my hope burns low;
Only my heart’s desire cries out in me
By the deep thunder of its want and woe,
Cries out to Thee.

Lord, Thou art Life, though I be dead;
Love’s fire Thou art, however cold I be:
Nor Heav’n have I, nor place to lay my head,
Nor home, but Thee.
Chancel Choir, Carolyn Konnert, cello

Postlude: Healy Willan, St. George’s Windsor

Review: JG Hymns, Lots

This weekend I have been listening to Lots, from Jonathan Green. Green is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He describes himself as working "with old hymns, writ(ing) new songs, and play(ing) loads of acoustic and electronic instruments." This album includes several familiar hymn texts paired new tunes along with new texts and tunes. The album is available only by digital download from the artist's website, but it's well-worth tracking down. These are not arrangements of hymns that will find congregational use. They are presented as music for reflection on "9 different ways in which people from past and present times have responded to significant events in their lives." While Green sings on several of the tracks, there is plenty of instrumental music. Green's reedy voice reminded me a bit of the current pop artist, Alex Clare. I would heartily recommend this album for folks who like singer-songwriters, and would like music to assist in reflection and prayer. The songs aren't universally soft and contemplative, but they will provoke thinking and curiosity. The album booklet which comes with the digital download, includes a neat picture for each song, kind of like an icon for the songs.
+ + +

Music for 011313

FirstLight

Gathering Song(s)

Holy, holy, holy

We sing of your glory (Tuya es la Gloria)
God is here today 

Opening Song

Alabare

Confession

Glory to God

Offertory

God’s love made visible

Closing Song    

Wade in the water

11 AM

Hymns

472, O Sing to the Lord (CANTAD AL SENOR)

Help us accept each other (ACCEPTANCE)

2107, Wade in the water (WADE)

Confession

2033, Glory to God (MACHU-PICHU)

Anthem

Dave Brubeck, God’s love made visible

Doxology

OLD HUNDREDTH

Instrumental/Organ Music

Prelude: Alberto Ginestera, Villancio

Offertory: Dave Brubeck, Take Five 
Postlude: TBA Title

This week the story of Jesus' baptism in Luke brought to mind Dave Brubeck's song, "God's love made visible," from the cantata "Le Fiesta de la posada." The sense of God's glory being manifest in Jesus at the baptism event, to me, is well-captured in Brubeck's text. Once I had that bit of music selected, the other bits kind of flowed. We've got the whole Hispanic music thing going on, plus the bonus Brubeck piece at 11AM. Alberto Ginstera (1916-1983) was an Argentinian composer, mostly of orchestral music; he's got just a couple of pieces for organ. We'll hear one movement from one of them at 11AM. I have lined up Nick Murphy and Cammy Holy to play trumpets on "God's love..." at both services. And Allen Bell learned "Take Five" on saxophone to play with me at 11AM. I am very proud of these kids and their talent, and their willingness to share it.

Music for 010613

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)

Lord, be glorified

Glorify thy name

Opening Song
We three kings of orient are

Confession
Gloria, gloria (TAIZE)

Offertory
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Closing Song
Go tell it on the mountain

11 AM
Hymns 411, Arise, your light has come (FESTAL SONG)
66, We three kings of orient are (KINGS OF ORIENT)
29, Go tell it on the mountain (GO TELL IT)

Confession
576, Gloria, Gloria (TAIZE)

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

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: George Oldroyd, Liturgical Improvisation Number 3
Pour light upon us from above,
And fire our hearts with thy strong love…

Offertory: Arr. Robert Hobby, Christ is the world’s light
A setting of PH 459
Christ is the world's light, Christ and none other;
born in our darkness, he became our brother.
If we have seen him we have seen the Father:
Glory to God on high!

Postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude, Chorale Fantasia on How brightly shines the morning star
A setting of PH #69