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.