Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I've been on a bit of a hiatus for the season of Advent because I figured there wasn't a whole lot of mystery as to how I was selecting music. But there is something I like to share with my friends every year - the literal translation of Silent Night. 

As you may know, Silent Night is a German Christmas carol. The version we sing in English has been modified to rhyme but it is not quite the same. Here is a rough translation of the original German lyrics (the third and fifth verses are my favorite):

1. Silent night! Holy night! All are sleeping; only the Holy Pair watches the lovely boy with curly hair sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Angelic "Alleluias" sound it near and far: "Jesus, the Savior is here!"

3. Silent night! Holy night! God's Son, o how love laughs out of Your divine mouth! Then it hits us - now is the hour of our saving - Jesus, in your birth.

4. Silent night! Holy night! The healing of the world brought from heaven's golden height - we see the fullness of His grace: Jesus in human form!

5. Silent night! Holy night! Where today all the power of Fatherly love pours forth, and Jesus, like a brother, embraces all the people of the world!

6. Silent night! Holy night! Long we hoped to be freed from the Lord's wrath. In time, the Father promises to spare all mankind! 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Sunday, December 21st - First Sunday of Advent

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)


I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving - welcome to Advent!


Opening Hymn: Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers H-68

The scripture readings this week have a lot to do with waiting, watching, and waking. So we kick off our Advent season with "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers." 

"Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear.

The evening is advancing, and darker night is near.

The Bridegroom is arising, and soon He will draw nigh.

Up, watch in expectation: At midnight comes the cry.

See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil.
Look now for your salvation, the end of sin and toil
The marriage feast is waiting, the gates wide open stand
Rise up, ye heirs of glory, the Bridegroom is at hand

Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear!
Arise, thou Sun so longed for, above this darkened sphere
With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption and ever be with thee!"


Sequence Hymn: Wait for the Lord G-256

Continuing the theme of watching and waiting, the sequence hymn is the Taize song, "Wait for the Lord." 
It is short and simple, repeating the same phrase; "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord, be

strong, take heart." 

Communion Hymn: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence H-324

Every other hymnal I'm familiar with puts this hymn in the Advent section. The Hymnal 1982 is the first one I've seen that

lists it as Eucharist. To be honest, I've never much cared for this hymn - that is, until I heard this rendition. 

It needs an air of mystery. Now I love this hymn.

Recessional: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns H-73

We conclude with "The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns." The other hymns have been mostly about waiting

in the darkness, so this hymn serves as a reminder of what comes when the darkness is over.

I hope this adds to your worship experience and I hope to see you there!

Sunday, November 24th - Christ the King

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)

Welcome to the last Sunday of November and the last Sunday before Advent!


Opening Hymn: Jesus Shall Reign H-544

As soon as I heard this Sunday was called "Christ the King Sunday," this is the hymn that sprang to mind. The hymn tune ("Duke Street") has been one of my favorites ever since my college handbell choir played an arrangement of it my sophomore year (you can listen to a recording of it here, if you're interested!) It's such a joyful tune - full of praise!

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Doth its successive journeys run
His Kingdom stretch from shore to shore
Till moons shall wax and wane no more"


Sequence Hymn: Jesus, Remember Me G-293

The Gospel reading for this week comes from Luke 23. Jesus is being crucified and the thief hanging next to him says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." I had another hymn selected (I don't remember now what it was), but one of my choir members said, "There's a Taize song in Gather that's based on that scripture." This is why I love running my selections by the choir - it's not unusual that they have better suggestions! I'm still getting familiar with two new hymnals.

It's a very simple song (as Taize songs usually are), but it's taken directly from the scripture passage and it's beautiful.

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom
Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom"


Offertory Anthem: Thank the Lord - Rene Clausen

This week is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, so the choir is singing a song of gratitude. It's a charming little a capella folk song.

"Thank the Lord and sing his praise, tell everyone what he has done
Let everyone who loves the Lord rejoice and gladly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy
With shouts of Thanksgiving, Alleluia, Alleluia!"


Communion Hymn: Seed, Scattered and Sown G-6-1

This is one of my favorite communion hymns and one that I really like to do in the fall/harvest season. It's a straight-forward communion hymn but it talks about gathering wheat, which is why it makes me think of harvest. It's a beautiful song.

"Seed, scattered and sown
Wheat, gathered and grown
Bread, broken and shared as one
The living bread of God

Vine, fruit of the land
Wine, work of our hands
One cup that is shared by all
The living cup, the living bread of God"


Recessional: Lift High the Cross H-473

This was another suggestion from a choir member. I hadn't heard it before, but it works so well to close this week's service.

"Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
Till all the world adore his sacred name"



I hope this adds to your worship experience and I hope to see you there on Sunday!

Sunday, November 17th - Retreat Weekend

This will be short and to the point because I'm about to head out for the church retreat. Full blog posts return next week!

Opening Hymn: A Mighty Fortress is Our God

I chose this hymn because of the Canticle for Sunday. It's all about God's provision and protection.


Sequence Hymn: Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult

In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of difficult times to come. I chose Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult to serve as a reminder that even through difficult times, Christ is there.


Recessional: Almighty Father, Strong to Save

Continuing the theme of protection and provision.

Sunday, November 10th

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)


Opening Hymn: Immortal, Invisible H-423

Sometimes I pick hymns based on the Old Testament readings for the opening hymn. Or hymns that fit the theme, if it's a themed Sunday. When neither of those approaches work, I go with a general hymn of praise to God. "Immortal, Invisible" is essentially a laundry list of the qualities of God - a great way to start any Sunday. It's always important to remember Who we come to worship when we come to church. 


Sequence Hymn: Canticle of Zachary G-561

The Gospel reading this week is another one of those with absolutely no hymns based on it whatsoever. Maybe someday someone will write a rousing hymn called, "The Sadducees asked a stupid question and Christ did call them on their nonsense," but until that happens, I'll have to improvise. I chose "Canticle of Zachary," mainly for the last verse (although the other two go fairly nicely with the Epistle passage). In the Gospel passage, Jesus says, "Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive." I was looking for hymns about death, or life after death, and stumbled across this hymn:

Now bless the God of Israel, Who comes in love and power
Who raises from the royal house delivrrance in this hour
Through holy prophets God has sworn to free us from alarm
To save us from the heavy hand of all who wish us harm

Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear
That we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year
And you, my child, shall go before to preach, to prophesy
That all may know the tender love, the grace of God most high

In tender mercy, God will send the dayspring from on high
Our rising sun, the light of life, for those who sit and sigh
God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more
Sing praises to the Holy One! O worship and adore.



I think the last verse sings the sentiment of "Not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all of them are alive" quite nicely. The tune is "Forest Green" which you may know to other words. 


Communion Hymn: Table Song G-616

This beautiful song includes the phrase "We are the body of Christ, broken and poured out, promise of life from death." This continues along with the triumph over death theme from the Gospel passage.


Recessional: We Will Extol You H-404

I chose this hymn in connection with "Immortal, Invisible" - the hymns are similar both thematically and musically, and serve as "musical bookends" to the service. 

We will extol you, ever blessed Lord;
Your holy Name for ever be adored;
Each day we live our psalm to you we raise;
You, God and King, are worthy of all praise,
Great and unsearchable in all your ways.



I hope this adds to your worship experience - See you there!

Sunday, November 3rd - All Saints Sunday

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more info)

This week is All Saints' Sunday, which made my job of musical planning an easy one. "For All the Saints" is a given and aside from that, there are plenty others to choose from to fill out the service. I didn't grow up in a tradition that observed All Saints' so I wouldn't be the best person to explain it if you have questions about it, but here is a link to the Wikipedia article for your edification: All Saints.


Opening Hymn: For All the Saints H-287

I'm pretty sure a lot of churches around the world will be singing "For All the Saints" on Sunday. It's nice to feel connected not only to those who have gone before us but to other Christians around the world. That's the power of music - it can create a bridge between past, present, and future, across oceans, and even across cultures.


Sequence Hymn: Blest Are They G-469

The Gospel reading is the Beatitudes. Last week I had the choir sing the beautiful, "Blest are They" by David Haas so that it might be somewhat fresh in the congregations minds for this week. It is a musical setting of the Beatitudes and it's beautiful.


Offertory: Heaven's Choir

I've been wanting my choir to sing this for years now and decided to finally go for it this year. I think this song speaks for itself, so here is a recording and here are the lyrics:

When we lift our voices to heaven
When we sing alleluias to worship the Lord
We prepare for the day when we join all heaven's praise
With an audience of one we will sing to the Son

In heaven's choir, we'll join saints in glory
In heaven's choir, we'll worship the Lord

And when we bow before the throne

We'll sing "Holy, holy, holy, holy"
We'll praise the Lord on high in heaven's choir

In the church are many nations, different races, different songs
There are separate denominations who proclaim Christ as Lord

But there will be no more division when we reach our heavenly home

We will all sing as one in the presence of the Son

In heaven's choir, we'll join saints in glory
In heaven's choir, we'll worship the Lord

And when we bow before the throne

We'll sing "Holy, holy, holy, holy"
We'll praise the Lord on high in heaven's choir

We'll join saints in glory
In heaven's choir, we'll worship the Lord

And when we bow before the throne

We'll sing "Holy, holy, holy, holy"
We'll praise the Lord on high in heaven's choir

We'll join with the angels on high in heaven's choir

Communion Hymn: I am the Bread of Life H-335

When I first heard this hymn earlier in the year, I thought the words seemed a bit funeral-ish. Not in a depressing way (quite the opposite), but the refrain says, "And I will raise you up, and I will raise you up, and I will raise you up on the last day." So I logged it away in the back of my mind for All Saints' because it seemed so fitting. 

Recessional: I Sing a Song of the Saints of God H-293

Several people suggested "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God" for this Sunday and I had never previously heard it. I loved it immediately. It's fairly simple (but some of the best songs are) and has a great message. I think my favorite is the last verse:

They lived not only in ages past, there are hundreds of thousands still

The world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus' will

You can meet them in school or in lanes or at sea, in church or in trains or in shops or at tea

For the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.

I can't think of a better sentiment to sing as we leave church this Sunday. All the saints of God were just people, and I can be one too. Amen.

I hope this adds to your worship experience. If you are joining us on Sunday, please feel free to bring something to place on the altar to memorialize a loved one who has passed. See you there!

Sunday, October 27th

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more info)


Opening Hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past H-680

The Old Testament scriptures this week both mention God providing rain. I love this because we've gotten more rain this year than we have in a long time. It's nice to walk outside and see how green and alive everything is.

Speaking of bounty and restoration, the opening hymn is "O God, Our Help in Ages Past." This hymn always comes to my mind when I think of God's provision. 

"O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast and our eternal home!"

Sequence Hymn: Lord Jesus, Think on Me H-641

At first glance (first listen?) this hymn seems like kind of a downer. It also seems somewhat Lent-esque. But the Gospel reading this week is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector praying in the synagogue. The Pharisee turned his prayer into a show, giving thanks for not being a horrible sinner like the Tax Collector, but the Tax Collector's prayer was humble and contrite. Jesus ends his story by saying, "All who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted" (something he had said at least once before)

I wanted to go with a hymn that was either about prayer or prayer-like - something full of humility. Before looking for hymns for this Sunday, I had never heard "Lord Jesus, Think on Me" before but in preparation for this week, I've come to really love it. One of the things I like about it (apart from it being beautiful) is that it is a petition not for any kind of gain other than to be a servant of Christ.

"Lord Jesus, think on me, and purge away my sin
From harmful passions set me free and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me, with care and woe oppressed
Let me thy loving servant be and taste thy promised rest."

Offertory anthem: Blest Are They

This is where practicality comes in to play in what I do. This song will be the sequence hymn next week. By having the choir sing it this week, the congregation gets a chance to hear it and hopefully be ready to sing it in a week.

Recessional: O All Ye Works of God, Now Come H-428

I selected "O All Ye Works of God, Now Come" to bring the service full circle. The Old Testament passages this week talk of the Lord's provisions and things that the Lord has made, so what better way to end than to call all creation to praise the Lord? And the last verse says:

"O let his people bless the Lord like righteous souls of yore
Let those of holy, humble heart come praise him evermore."

This ties in to the Gospel passage about humility as well. 

I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday. See you there!

Sunday, October 20th

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more info)


This should be the last week that my post is late - and since I'm about to head out of town for the day, I'm going to make it a quick and to-the-point post.


Opening Hymn: There's a Wideness in God's Mercy H-470

This is one of those hymns that I like more and more all the time. The Gospel passage this week is about justice and petition, so I went with a theme blend of justice/mercy/prayer.

"There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea
There's a kindness in His justice, which is more than liberty"


Sequence Hymn: Hold Me in Life G-423

Hold Me in Life ties in both to the Psalm and the Gospel. The Psalm says "I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come?" and the hymn says, "Hold me in life, for You are my safety. Always my eyes are looking for You." Then to tie in to the Gospel, it says, "Because You are just who You are, don't pass me by but show me Your mercy."


Communion Hymn: For the Bread Which You Have Broken H-341

This is a straight-forward communion hymn. There isn't really a tie-in to any of the scripture readings, it just fits the observation of communion.


Recessional: Send Down the Fire G-327

Send Down the Fire is a fun, upbeat song.

"Send down the fire of your justice
Send down the rains of your love
Come, send down the Spirit, breathe life in your people
And we shall be people of God."

The verses speak of mercy and truth, compassion and the Kingdom of God. Altogether a great pairing with the Gospel reading and a fun way to close the service.


I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday! (And I will be more in-depth next week!)

Sunday, October 13th

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)


Opening Hymn: Praise to the Lord, The Almighty H-390

Two of the scriptures this week are about healing, and the Psalm is another grand ode of praise to God. So this week we open with Praise to the Lord, The Almighty. In addition to following along closely with the theme of the Psalm, it also contains the line, "O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation," which ties in to the other passages.


Sequence Hymn: Baptized in Water G-572

This week we have a couple of baptisms, so the sequence hymn is the lovely Baptized in Water. I love that we are having baptisms the same Sunday that the Old Testament passage is the story of the leper Naaman washing himself seven times in the river Jordan and being made clean. The Gospel passage is also about the healing of lepers - the story of Christ healing the ten and the one who returned to say thank you.

I couldn't find a good video of the hymn, but the tune is the same as Morning Has Broken. You can hear it here, Morning Has Broken, and find the words here, Baptized in Water.


Offertory: Wade in the Water

In keeping with the water/baptism theme, the choir is singing the old spiritual, Wade in the Water. This one is always fun!


Communion Hymn: Here, O My Lord H-318

For Communion, I chose Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face - partly because "I see Thee face to face" made me think of the lepers Christ healed, and partly because the hymn has an overall theme of relying on Christ for strength.


Recessional: O Bless the Lord, My Soul H-411

We close with a joyful hymn, O Bless the Lord, My Soul. I like to think that something like this might be what the lepers sang after they were healed. The last verse says, "Then bless His holy name, whose grace has made thee whole." Remember throughout the week to thank God for the good things in your life.


I hope this adds to your worship experience. See you Sunday!

Sunday, October 6th

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more info)

Welcome to October! My deepest apologies for the delay in blogging this week - in case anyone was waiting with baited breath. But better late than never, right?


Opening Hymn: O God of Every Nation H-607

The Old Testament passages this week are all about faith and hope in the midst of tribulation. I selected O God of Every Nation for the opening hymn because it echoes these themes. I especially like the lines, "Where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled, in love and mercy guide us and heal our strife-torn world." I think this is especially relevant to what's been going on this week (or this year, for that matter.) Whichever side of the political spectrum you may fall on, it's important to remember as followers of Christ that our speech reflect love, patience, and kindness. It's also good to remember the value of hope and faith in the face of shootings, bombings, natural disasters, and our own personal troubles whatever they may be. Whatever we're going through, we don't face it alone. That's hugely comforting to me and I pray that it is for you as well.


Sequence Hymn: Dwelling Place G-418

"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied, 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.'"

That's from this week's Gospel  reading. I feel like I can sympathize with the disciples in this passage - I want more faith and Jesus has to remind me that even a little faith is sufficient. I chose a beautiful song from the Gather hymnal to go along with this reading: Dwelling Place. The chorus says, "May Christ find a dwelling place of faith in our hearts. May our lives be rooted in love." So this song not only ties in to the Gospel reading, it also hearkens back to the opening hymn and the necessity to act in love. I think having faith and acting in love go together very well. One is hard to achieve without the other and vice versa.


Communion Hymn: Behold the Lamb G-592

I hope that during this week's communion hymn, Behold the Lamb, we remember the good things we have. "Those who were in the dark are thankful for the sunlight. We who live, we who die are grateful for this gift, thankful for God's love." When things are going badly, it's nice to take stock of all the blessings you do have, and even when it feels like nothing, you always have God's love. And communion is when we remember just how deep that love goes.

Recessional: How Firm a Foundation H-636

How Firm a Foundation is one of my favorite hymns. We had a cassette tape of A Capella when I was growing up and this was one of the hymns on it. Then when I was in my college choir, we sang an arrangement of it and that's when it settled in as one of my favorites, and it's a perfect finish to this week. "How firm a foundation... is laid for your faith in God's excellent word." If we want to know about faith, all we have to do is look to the scriptures. Then there's my favorite verse:

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply
The flame shall not hurt you, I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."

So now it's come back around full circle - during times of tribulation, we may go through the fire but we won't burn up. Faith - even faith the size of a mustard seed - will get us through.


I hope this adds to your worship experience and, as always, I hope to see you on Sunday!

Sunday, September 29

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more info.)
(Also, I changed my blog so that links are now bright blue instead of the green they were before. There are links to scripture passages as well as music and the links will open in a new tab, so you can click on them without losing your place on the blog.)


Welcome to the last Sunday in September! Can you believe it? I can't.

Opening Hymn: I Sing the Almighty Power of God H-398

This is one of my favorite hymns. I know two different (though similar) tunes for this hymn and I like them both equally. I chose the hymn for this Sunday because of the Psalm reading from the Lectionary - Psalm 146. It's a Psalm of praise to God so I wanted to open the service with a song of praise to God. Verses 4 and 5 of the Psalm text say, "Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God, Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them." The weather was just glorious here in central Texas for the past week, and any time the weather is nice, I find myself drawn to nature and the beauty of God's creation. So this hymn seemed like a perfect fit:

1. I sing the almighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command, and all the stars obey.

2. I sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with his Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
if I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

3. There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes thy glories known,
and clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne;
while all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care,
and everywhere that I could be, thou, God, art present there.



Sequence Hymn: All Who Hunger G-589

If I'm honest, the Gospel reading this week is not one of my favorites. It's Luke 16:19-31, when Jesus tells a story of a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus who lived at his gate. The two men both pass away, and the rich man is in Hades when he sees Abraham and Lazarus. I think the reason I'm not wild about this passage is because growing up Baptist, this story was often used as yet another "scare-'em-out-of-hell" tactic. I won't go into too much theology here (there are others who are more well-equipped than myself in that area), but now when I read this passage, I think less about the afterlife part of the story and more about the two men while they were alive. Why didn't the rich man offer any help to Lazarus? What pain and suffering do we ignore around us every day? How would the afterlife story be different if the rich man had shown compassion to Lazarus in life?

I don't have the answers to any of these questions, but it got me to thinking about the different kinds of hunger - literal and figurative. So I selected "All Who Hunger." You may recognize the words from a few weeks ago, but this week I went with a slower, more worshipful rendition. I think it's important for us to remember, as the Church, that we can often ease both literal and figurative hunger in our world. We just have to be open to seeing it before it's too late. This is echoed at the end of the Epistle reading from 1 Timothy 6:6-19.


Offertory Anthem: Deep Within by David Haas

This week the choir is singing a beautiful anthem, Deep Within. At the end of the Gospel passage, the rich man asks if Lazarus can go back and warn his family so they can avoid the same fate. Abraham says, "They have Moses and the prophets, they should listen to them."  The rich man insists that they would listen if someone came back from the dead to warn them. (Pause: this indicates to me that not only did the rich man know Lazarus, but his family was also aware of who he was. Why didn't anyone help him?) Abraham replies, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

I think one thing Jesus might be getting at with this story is that we should be a force for good, not just because he said so but because God's law has been planted "deep within" us.

Side note: "Neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." Is this foreshadowing? Jesus was a pretty amazing storyteller, so it wouldn't surprise me if it was. Food for thought.


Communion Hymn: Father, We Thank Thee Who Hast Planted H-302

This hymn continues along the same lines: "Father, we thank Thee who hast planted Thy holy name within our hearts." It also refers to creation and things God has literally planted: "Thou, Lord, didst make all for Thy pleasure, didst give man food for all his days." This, of course, harkens back to the themes we sang in the opening hymn.


Recessional: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above H-408

We started with praise, so I wanted to end with praise as well. I think that the opening hymn and this recessional serve as sort of musical bookends to the service. They're similar both in lyrics and music and both relate well to the Psalm passage. Sometimes when dealing with heavier themes (like that in this week's Gospel passage), it's important to remember that God is God. In the Creed we recite every Sunday, this comes first: "I believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen." This hymn ends with, "Cast each false idol from its throne, the Lord is God, and he alone: to God all praise and glory!"


Feel free to share your thoughts with me on how the music and scriptures connect. I sincerely hope this adds to your worship experience and, as always, I hope to see you on Sunday!

Sunday, September 22

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)

Well, we're done with themed Sundays until November. However, the scripture readings for this week kind of present a theme of their own.

Opening Hymn: Christ for the World We Sing H-537

The Old Testament passages this week (Amos 8:4-7 and Psalm 113) speak very strongly to me of social concern. In the verses from Amos, the Lord vows not to forget the deeds of those who "trample on the needy." In the Psalm, the Psalmist praises God for taking the weak out of the dust and lifting the poor from the ashes. With that in mind, the opening hymn this week practically selected itself: Christ for the World We Sing.

"Christ for the world we sing
The world to Christ we bring
With loving zeal
The poor and them that mourn
The faint and overborne
Sinsick and sorrow-worn
Whom Christ doth heal"


Sequence Hymn: O Jesus, I Have Promised H-655

In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells a story of a rich man and a shrewd manager. The manager is about to be fired so he lessens the debts of others so they will welcome him into their homes when he loses his job. Jesus ends the parable by saying, "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No one can serve two masters, for you will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

For the Sequence hymn, I chose "O Jesus, I Have Promised."

"O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my friend
I shall not fear the battle, if Thou art by my side
Nor wander from the pathway, if Thou wilt be my guide."

I hope that we can all think of this as our own promise to follow and serve Christ above all else. This is another tune that has been set to a variety of lyrics so I couldn't find a recording or video of this tune with these words. But here is a nice organ rendition of the tune.


Offertory anthem: I Will Joyfully Sing by Mary McDonald

This week the choir is singing, "I Will Joyfully Sing" which is a lovely little song of praise. The beginning of the Psalm reading this week says, "Hallelujah! Give praise, you servants of the Lord; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be blessed from this time forth for evermore. From the rising of the sun to its going down, let the name of the Lord be praised." Compare that to "I Will Joyfully Sing" which says:

"I will joyfully sing in the morning, I will joyfully sing all the day
I'll sing praises to Thee in the morning, for the Lord is the strength of my day.
I will lift up my eyes in the morning, for the Lord will not turn me away
I'll sing praises to Thee in the morning, for the Lord is the strength of my day."


Communion Hymn: Let Us Be Bread G-585

In Amos and in the Psalm, the scriptures tell of God's mercy towards the poor and down-trodden. Since we are God's representation on earth, we must extend this mercy toward others. "Let Us Be Bread" is a musical conversation between Christ and his people.

Refrain (this is us as The Church speaking)
"Let us be bread, blessed by the Lord
Broken and shared, life for the world.
Let us be wine, love freely poured.
Let us be one in the Lord."

Verses (Christ speaking to us)
1. I am the bread of life, broken for all. Eat now and hunger no more.
2. You are my friends if you keep my commands, no longer servants but friends.
3. See how my people have nothing to eat. Give them the bread that is you.
4. As God has loved me so I have loved you. Go and live on in my love.

I really love how this ties everything together. In the first verse, Christ offers Himself to us. In the second verse, He tells us that if we obey His commands, we become friends instead of servants. In light of the Gospel passage, I find this very beautiful. We can't serve two masters, but if our one master is Christ, then we aren't merely servants but companions. In the third verse, Jesus reminds us that there are others who are hungry and we should meet their needs. This can be both physical and spiritual. In the last verse, Jesus reminds us of the love of God, bringing the message of the song full circle.


Recessional: Rise Up, Ye Saints of God! H-551

Now that we've been reminded by the Gospel who our true Master is, and shown by the Old Testament that the needy require our compassion, let's "Rise Up!"

"Rise up, ye saints of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of kings."


Feel free to let me know your own thoughts on how the music and the scriptures connect. I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday. See you there!

Sunday, September 15th - Proper 19 - Welcome Sunday

(First time here? Read the Introduction)

This ended up being kind of a strange week as far as the music selection process goes. I picked several options for each hymn slot and ran them by the choir and it turned out that none of them were familiar. So with their help, we picked some more familiar hymns and here they are!


Opening Hymn: All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly

This Sunday is Welcome Sunday, or Invite-a-Friend Sunday. This hymn is set to the tune "Holy Manna" which has been the tune for many hymns. The second verse is what led me to select it for Welcome Sunday:

All who hunger, never strangers, seeker be a welcome guest
Come from restlessness and roaming, here in joy we keep the feast
We that once were lost and scattered, in communion love have stood
Taste and see the grace eternal, taste and see that God is good

Even if we have no guests on Sunday (though I hope we do), this still applies to any regular Sunday. We come together to observe communion and are no longer lost and scattered. In God's love we are all welcome.


Sequence Hymn: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

The Gospel passage this week is Luke 15:1-10. My favorite part says:

Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'"

The choir and I selected "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," which is a lovely hymn. The second verse says, "Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God. He to rescue me from danger interposed his precious blood."

This works both for the Gospel passage and the Welcome theme for Sunday.


Communion Hymn: Gather Us In

We gather together at church as a community, and we gather around the communion table as the worldwide Church. This hymn is a call for all kinds of people to come together as one in Christ. Listen to it here.


Recessional: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

We decided to go with something upbeat that would more than likely be familiar to everyone, regardless of religious background, so we settled on "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."


Sorry for such a short (and late) entry this week. Hopefully next week will be a return to normal. Thanks to the choir for helping me with hymn selections this week!

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Sunday, September 8th - Proper 18 - "Rally Day"

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)

Sunday's Theme: Commitment

This is going to be a good one; I love all the music and I'm very excited. As you'll know by the end of this post, commitment is a very personal theme for me.

Opening Hymn: Take My Life and Let it Be VF-133

I know I heard it before, but I remember learning this hymn when I was in children's choir in about the 5th grade or so. We learned about the writer (Frances Havergal) and ever since then, this hymn comes to mind when I think of commitment and dedication. However, I noticed something strange when I was searching for a video of this hymn to post here - I think of this as an upbeat song and usually sing it and play it as so, but all the recordings I found (save for one cheesy karaoke version) were more slow and meditative.

I like this hymn for a Sunday that focuses on commitment because it pretty much covers all the bases: take my life, take my moments, take my hands, take my feet, take my voice, take my lips, take my silver and my gold, take my intellect, take my will, take my heart, take my love, and take myself. If you can't commit all of those to God, surely you can at least commit one. I know how common it is for churches to play up the "silver and gold" part of commitment, but as the choir director, I'm more interested in the "take my voice" part. So if you're looking to get committed at church this fall, we can always use your voice in the choir!


Sequence Hymn: The Summons G-510

I first heard this hymn about two and a half months ago, the first time I was in attendance at St. George's. It's really beautiful and continues with the theme of commitment.

"Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same
In your company I'll go, where your love and footsteps show
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me"

I feel that this song speaks for itself this week, so I won't clutter it up with my own clumsy words. Here it is, if you want listen.


Offertory Anthem: Make Me a Servant

Fair warning, this is a long story. And it may seem irrelevant, but I promise, I'm going somewhere with it.

The summer before my senior year of high school, I attended a workshop for church musicians. I was mostly interested in the handbells workshop, but I also attended a session for pianists. The leader of the session introduced us to some college-level music theory concepts and I was hooked. Right then and there, I decided I would teach music theory at the college level. It felt like I was meant to do it - destined to do it. I auditioned and was accepted to the music program at Wayland Baptist University and began my journey towards my goal. I had it all planned: four years of undergrad, two years for a Master's, then the PhD.

When I aced all my theory classes in undergrad, it just seemed to seal the deal. I entered the Master's program at Texas State in 2006 and felt like I was climbing a few more rungs up the ladder. But that's when I hit a snag. I was doing well in my classes, but I wasn't enjoying it anymore. I went into music theory because I wanted to teach it. In undergrad, I loved tutoring because I got to watch other students try to solve a problem and rather than just giving them the answer, I could help them tweak their problem-solving process. It was wonderful. But in grad school, I was finding out that teaching was considered secondary and that my primary focus should be research. I wrote my thesis on using familiar music to teach college freshmen basic theory concepts, and came up against a good deal of criticism from the other professors. They said I shouldn't "stoop to their level". I guess what I called "teaching," they called "stooping." I was almost through with my Master's degree when I went for an interview at the University of Massachusetts for their Doctoral program. There was a man there who was considered one of the leading minds in teaching music theory and I had reviewed his textbooks for my thesis. If I wanted to focus on teaching, who better to study with than a man who literally wrote the book on it? But even he said that I couldn't focus on teaching.

I was crushed. I decided to put off the PhD while I sorted things out. It was heartbreaking. I thought I was meant to do something and then I couldn't do it. Not that I lacked the ability, but that the thing I thought I was pursuing didn't even really exist. I felt completely lost.

That's when the music director at my church quit and they asked me to step in. I said no. They asked again. I said I couldn't give them any guarantee of a timeline because I was applying for jobs outside of the area. They said that was fine, so I stepped in. The choir did a cantata for Christmas and it went pretty well. Then we did a cantata for Easter and it went really well. I found the feeling I had been looking for in grad school. I wrote a song called "You'll Go with Me" (you can hear it here, if you're interested) but the first verse sums it up pretty well:

"There's a bend in the road, I don't know where it leads
But I know wherever it goes, You'll go with me."

For 7 years, I knew (or thought I knew) exactly where I was going, so it was terrifying to suddenly find myself on a different route. But I realized that one thing about my journey hadn't changed, and that was Who was by my side the whole time.

During the first few months I worked for my church, the choir sang "Make Me a Servant" by Benjamin Harlan. One line stood out to me at the time: "Make me a servant, Lord. Give me a willing heart, ready to go, ready to stay." I was ready to go. I was ready to go at any time. But I was not ready to stay. I ended up making that my prayer and I had my choir sing this anthem once a year since. I asked the Lord to make me ready to stay, and it led me to where I am now. So even though the lyrics are already related to commitment, it has personal meaning to me. This anthem symbolizes my own commitment. I commit to aiding others in worship. I commit to presenting the best music that I can with what I have. I commit to being ready to go. I commit to being ready to stay.

(Listen to "Make Me a Servant")


Communion Hymn: Let Thy Blood in Mercy Poured H-313

A fairly straight-forward selection - the refrain says, "Thou didst give thyself for me, now I give myself to thee."


Recessional: Here I Am, Lord

This hymn title was thrown around when Kevin and I first discussed Rally Day. This is always a favorite and it just ties the whole theme of commitment together. God asks "Who will go?" What will your answer be?

I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday. I hope to see you there!



Bonus Video!
I love movies and I have a movie quote for nearly every situation. There's a delightful film called "The Trouble With Angels" which features Haley Mills as a trouble-making teen at a Catholic girls boarding school. In a pivotal scene in the movie, the Reverend Mother tells of her days before she became a nun when she was an apprentice to a designer in Paris. Mary (Mills) asks, "How could you give all that up?" The Reverend Mother smiles to herself and says, "I found something better."

I still love music theory and I geek out about it a lot. But if someone ever asks me how I could give that up, I think my response would be the same as the Reverend Mother's.

You can watch the scene here

Sunday, September 1st - Proper 17

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)

Another themed Sunday! This week's theme is Labor Day and we're celebrating work and vocations. Everyone is invited to bring a symbol of their work to place on the alter.

Opening Hymn: Moved By the Gospel, Let Us Move G-491

This is an example of why it's a good idea to have an open mind and listen to the input of others. I had a different song selected, but it wasn't familiar and it really wasn't that great. So one of my choir members suggested "Moved By the Gospel, Let Us Move" and it was perfect:

Moved by the Gospel, let us move with every gift and art
The image of creative love indwells each human heart
The Maker calls creation good, so let us now express
With sound and color, stone and wood, the shape of holiness

Let weavers form from broken strands a tapestry of prayer
Let artists paint with skillful hands their joy, lament, and care
Then mime the story, Christ has come, with reverence dance the word
With flute and organ, chime and drum, God's praise be ever heard

O Spirit, breathe among us here, inspire the work we do
May hands and voices, eye and ear attest to life made new
In worship and in daily strife create among us still
Great Artist, form our common life according to your will

I couldn't find a video or recording of this song online, but the tune has been used in other hymns. Here is a nice recording of someone playing this tune on the hammered dulcimer: Kingsfold


Sequence Hymn: Come to Me G-459

The Gospel reading this week comes from Luke 14. Jesus says that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. I was probably an adult before I realized that humbling yourself doesn't mean putting yourself down - we all know someone who insults themselves just to hear others compliment them - but rather being selfless and putting the needs of others before your own.

I found this hymn by looking in the topical index under "humility." I don't think I would have found it otherwise - it's in the Comfort section of the Gather hymnal, and "comfort" is not a keyword I would have assigned to this passage of scripture. But it's the verses that drew me to select it for this week.

1. All who labor and are burdened, let them come to me and I will give them rest
2. Take my yoke upon your shoulders, come and learn from me, for I am gentle of heart
3. For the heart I hold is humble, and my yoke is easy, my burden light, and you will find rest for your souls

So the first verse ties in to the theme for the whole Sunday (labor) and the third verse ties in to the Gospel passage (humility). You can listen to it here.


Offertory Anthem: Lord, When You Came (Pescador de Hombres)

This is a favorite of mine, although I know a slightly different translation than the one that seems to be most common. But it still makes the same point:

Lord, when you came to the seashore you weren't seeking the wise or the wealthy
But only asking that I might follow

Refrain:
O Lord, in my eyes you were gazing, kindly smiling, my name you were saying
All I treasured I have left on the sand there. Close to you, I will find other seas

Lord, have you need of my labor, hands for service, a heart made for loving
My arms for lifting the poor and broken?

Lord, send me where you would have me, to a village or heart of the city
I will remember that you are with me

I will expound on this more next week when we sing an anthem with some similar themes, but I confess that I didn't have some big "call" to ministry (well, I did grow up Baptist and so I thought I had a call to ministry a time or two but that's because you can't go to a Baptist youth event without either rededicating your life or expressing a call to ministry.) I was asked by my church to step in as the music director and the rest, as they say, is history. I like this particular song because it's not asking for us to be expert theologians or brilliant ministers, but simply to say, "Yes, God, I will follow you." I have hands - I can offer them for God's service. Unlike applying for jobs and tailoring your resume to make it seem like you and you alone were created for that job, all God asks is that you be available.

(Listen to it here)


Communion Hymn: We Plow the Fields and Scatter H-291

This is more of a thanksgiving hymn, but I really liked it for Labor Day, and I liked it for Communion. We humans grow the grain and the grapes that become the bread and the wine, but we are not the ones who turn them into a holy ceremony. Our work can only take us so far, and God does the rest. "We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand."


Recessional: Come, Labor On H-541

This one is probably the most obvious selection for this particular Sunday. It's right there in the title, "Come, Labor On." This hymn pretty much sums up what I've already said - you don't have to be amazing, you just have to be available.

A variation on 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether you teach or are a student, whether you work in an office or outside, whether you're in entertainment or finance or waste management, whether you work nights or days, whether you make lots of money or a little, do it all for the glory of God!"

Happy Labor Day - hope to see you on Sunday!

Sunday, August 25th - Proper 16

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more info)

Themed Sunday! I love Sundays that have one unified theme. It's so much fun seeing how many different facets of the theme can be explored in the music. This week is Back to School/Blessing of the Backpacks/Teacher Installation Sunday.

Prelude: Children's Medley (arranged by Marilyn Hamm)

As soon as I found out that this would be Blessing of the Backpacks, I knew I wanted to play this as a prelude; it's been one of my favorite piano arrangements since high school. The arrangement incorporates Mozart's Sonata in C Major, Praise Him Praise Him All Ye Little Children, The Music Box Dancer, and Jesus Loves Me. It's a great piano piece for a Sunday that focuses on children.

Opening Hymn: As a Fire is Meant for Burning G-471

About a month ago, I was planning out music and I jotted down a note that said "Gather 471 - Backpacks." I'm glad I did, because I wouldn't have remembered it otherwise.

This hymn is set to "Beach Spring," an old hymn tune from the Sacred Harp. I've often joked that I could probably do two or three services in a row using only this hymn tune for every hymn and never repeat lyrics. It's been revisited and given new lyrics many, many times. I've even arranged it for handbells at one point in time.

I chose it for this week because the words are perfect for Back to School:

As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame,
So the church is meant for mission, giving glory to God's name
Not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bridge of care
We join hands across the nations, finding neighbors everywhere

We are learners, we are teachers, we are pilgrims on the way
We are seekers, we are givers, we are vessels made of clay
By our gentle, loving actions we would show that Christ is light
In a humble, listening spirit, we would live to God's delight

As a green bud in the springtime is a sign of life renewed
So may we be signs of oneness 'mid earth's peoples, many hued
As a rainbow lights the heavens when a storm is past and gone
May our lives reflect the radiance of God's new and glorious dawn

Obviously, the second verse is what first grabbed my attention as a hymn for this particular Sunday, but on a closer look all the lyrics fit. I'm thinking of this as my prayer for students this year; I pray that they may be a sign of Christ's light - not through condemnation but through gentleness, love, and peace.

You can listen to this hymn here.


Sequence Hymn: Healer of Our Every Ill - G-642

Even on a themed Sunday, I still try to connect the sequence hymn to the gospel reading as much as possible. This week it's Luke 13:10-17, the story of Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath, to the shock and dismay of the leader of synagogue. I looked for hymns about healing and settled on "Healer of Our Every Ill."

This ended up being a sort of two-for-one special, because Kevin told me his sermon (which is for the children) is going to be about how God loves us, has a plan for us, and we never have to worry. This hymn, in addition to being about healing, is about freedom from fear and sadness and the desire for God to grant us vision. It's a win-win. And it's pretty, so it's a win-win-win.


Offertory Anthem: I Will Walk in the Presence of God

This anthem continues the "God has a plan for you and you don't have to worry" theme. Also, the phrase (which is repeated many times) "I will walk in the presence of God," could be a mantra for anyone's school year. It's been 5 years since I was in school of any kind and it's still a good mantra for my year.


Communion Hymn: I am the Bread of Life - H-335

The whole purpose of this blog is to show my thought process behind the selection of the hymns - how they tie into the scripture, etc. But sometimes, it's just plain old logistics. We're expecting a lot of guests this Sunday and we needed a long communion hymn and "I am the Bread of Life" fits the bill.


Recessional: We are Marching (Siyahamba) - G-357

I took this African spiritual and added school-themed lyrics. In addition to "we are marching in the light of God," we will also sing we are learning, we are teaching, and we are playing. I truly wish all teachers and students a blessed school year. Teachers, thank you for all you do. Students, listen and learn, even when it's hard.

Feel free to let me know your own thoughts on how the music and the scripture/theme connects. I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday. See you there!

Sunday, August 18th - Proper 15

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information.)

I'll be honest - this week was a real doozy. There are some scripture passages that have been turned into hymns and songs many times over and there are some that have probably never been "hymnified."

Opening Hymn: From All That Dwell Below the Skies H-380

The Old Testament passage comes from Jeremiah 23:23-29. "'Am I a God near by,' says the Lord, 'and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?' says the Lord. 'Do I not fill heaven and earth?' says the Lord." (verses 23-24)

God is immeasurable. God is far and near, simultaneously. I tried to find a song that praises this aspect of God and I settled on "From All That Dwell Below the Skies."

"From all that dwell below the skies
Let the Creator's praise arise
Let the Redeemer's Name be sung
Through every land, by every tongue.

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord
And truth eternal is thy word
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore
Till suns shall rise and set no more

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost"

The last verse is the Doxology, of course. I think it fits very well with the scripture passage - we praise God from here below and the heavenly host praise God from far away. We only occupy this space below the skies, but God is everywhere.

I found a video of someone singing this and playing the guitar - you can watch it here. (It was hard finding a recording of the hymn to this particular tune. Apparently these words are more commonly sung to another tune.)


Sequence Hymn: Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth H-299

This is where it gets tricky. I try to match the sequence hymn to the Gospel reading as best I can but this is one of those uncomfortable Gospel passages. (Luke 12:49-56)

The middle of the passage speaks of division - Jesus says he does not come to bring peace but division. Households will be turned against each other. I'm going to let Kevin tackle that part on Sunday. As far as I know, there are no hymns called, "For Thou Hast Come to Bring Division," so for music purposes, I focused in on the first two sentences:

"Jesus said, 'I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!'" (verses 49-50)

I really thought about fire and what it often represents in scripture: cleansing, refinement, the Spirit of God. I stumbled across a baptism hymn, "Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth." I was unfamiliar with it (and so was my choir at rehearsal this week, so I'm guessing it's unfamiliar to most, if not all of you) but it's strangely perfect for these verses. Jesus mentions both fire and baptism; this hymn mentions both fire and baptism.

"Spirit of God, unleashed on earth
With rush of wind and roar of flame
With tongues of fire saints spread good news
Earth, kindling, blazed her loud acclaim.

You came in power, the church was born
O Holy Spirit, come again
From living waters raise new saints
Let new tongues hail the risen Lord

With burning words of victory won
Inspire our hearts grown cold with fear
Revive in us baptismal grace
And fan our smoldering lives to flame."

(You can listen to it here, but you have to have Quicktime player and even then, it's not a very good recording. But better than nothing!)


Offertory Choir Anthem: Sing Out, Earth and Skies!

This anthem is so much fun and it gets stuck in my head (in a good way). I chose it for this Sunday because it relates to the Old Testament reading a bit ("Sing out, earth and skies!") but also has a tie in or two with the Gospel passage ("Come, O God, of wind and flame, fill the earth with righteousness.")

There's a great rendition of it here, for those of you who won't get to hear it on Sunday (Hi, Mom and Dad)


Communion: I Myself am the Bread of Life G-593

This song is a pretty straight-forward communion song. So many communion songs are about unity and, well, communion with one another, that I couldn't find a suitable one to tie in with the Gospel reading. But it's a nice song and a familiar one to the congregation. (Listen to a snippet here)


Recessional: Canticle of the Turning G-376

Last week at choir practice, I asked for the choir to name some of their favorite anthems and other songs and "Canticle of the Turning" came up at least twice. The tune is an old folk tune, The Star of the County Down. I love folk music, so I mentally filed it away for later.

When I was trying to find a recessional for this week, I looked at a verse from the reading from Hebrews 11:29-12:2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." (12:1)

I looked up "perseverance" in the topical index of the Gather hymnal and "Canticle of the Turning" was listed. In addition to the theme of perseverance tying in the Hebrews passage, the chorus says, "My heart shall sing of the day you bring, let the fires of your justice burn," which is applicable to the desire for a righteous fire spoken of in the Gospel passage.

Listen to it here.

Feel free to let me know your own thoughts on how the music and the scriptures connect. I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, August 11 - Proper 14

Welcome to the first look behind the scenes (or behind the hymns) of what goes on in my head during my hymn-selection process. Read the introduction post (You can either scroll down or go directly there by clicking the "Introduction" link to the right) for more information on the purpose of this blog.



Sometimes in preparing for Sunday worship, the Lectionary scriptures all have a very clear connection. Perhaps one week they are all on the subject of mercy, another week gratitude. Other times it's very difficult to find the commonality. This week was a mix of the two.

Opening Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise H-401

Two of the scripture passages fit together very well and very obviously: Genesis 15:1-6 and Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (Note: Those links will take you to the passages on BibleGateway.com). The verses from Genesis tell of God's promise to give Abraham descendants and the verses from Hebrews are about Abraham's faithfulness. In perusing the hymnal, I came across hymn #401, The God of Abraham Praise. I was not familiar with it, so I read through the words, sang through the melody, and fell in love with it. At first glance, it appears to be a straight-forward hymn proclaiming attributes of God and our worship thereof.


I've always believed that a song doesn't have to have words to have meaning, and part of the meaning of this hymn is in the music. It's an interesting blend of major and minor (if you want to impress your friends, this is called "mode mixture"), and where that crossover happens is important. In several of the verses, the first line (which is in minor) talks about God's reign or exultation. But the second line (in major) uses words like Love, Peace, Father. A human ruler might use power to oppress or to subjugate. But our heavenly ruler uses power for love - for peace - and to create a relationship with us. God showed that to Abraham and God still reveals that to us.

Sequence Hymn: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light G-352

The sequence hymn ties in with the Gospel reading from Luke 12:32-40. "Be ready for service and keep your lamps burning," Jesus says. I feel like I need to write that on my hand and look at it every day. I chose a hymn from the Gather hymnal called "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" Follow the link to listen to it. It's simple but perfect: "I want to walk as a child of the Light, I want to follow Jesus." It's a plea both to see the Light of God, and also to BE the Light of God.

Offertory Choir Anthem: People of Hunger (Tony Alonso)

Confession: This has less to do with scriptural themes than with picking something we can put together in one rehearsal. This is my first week of choir practice. Although, People of Hunger does tell of our need for Christ to fill us, which I think can tie back into the Gospel reading; "Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If we hunger and thirst for Christ, then we are pursuing heavenly fulfillment.

Communion: Shepherd of Souls H-343

The gospel reading begins with Jesus saying, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." As I was flipping through the Eucharist section of the hymnal, I came across the words "Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless Thy chosen pilgrim flock." That line seemed to fit so perfectly with the first verse of the passage from Luke, so I selected it for Sunday.

Recessional: This Little Light of Mine G-358   

 "I'm gonna let it shine." Jesus instructed us in Luke to keep our lamps burning so "I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."


I hope this adds to your worship experience on Sunday. See you there!