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