We used to sing Pleasant are thy courts above in the Tin Tabernacle Of My Youth, and Maidstone was indeed the prescribed tune. It must be over 60 years since I last heard or sang it...
Yes, some of the words are rather saccharine, but it's a generally cheerful ditty IMHO.
If we call to him he will answer us There must be more than this I stand amazed in the presence (How marvellous, how wonderful) Thank you for saving me, what can I say? This is my desire, to honour you I have decided to follow Jesus Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him
“Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above”/MIT FREUDEN ZART
“Come, Bring Your Burdens to God”/WOZO NAMTHWALO WAHKO
”To You, O Lord” (responsorial setting of Psalm 25 by Marty Haugen)
“For Everyone Born (a Place at the Table)”/FOR EVERYONE BORN
As one of our hymns today we had 'Be Thou my Vision' but the guest organist seemed to be playing the version of 'Slane' that is supposed to go with 'Lord of All Hopefulness' (with the additional notes at the start of lines 2 and 3) - He didn't seem to notice that in each verse he threw all the congregation into confusion!
Evensong
Introit:
O for a closer walk with God. ( Stanford)
Hymns
Of the Father’s love begotten - Corde Natus
Lord of all hopefulness - Slane
I the Lord of sea and sky - Here I am Lord
Anthem: Jesu joy of man’s desiring - J S Bach
Our offerings yesterday (I was serving, so not joining in much):
Christ is made the sure foundation - Westminster Abbey The King is among us - K*ndr*ck Father, hear the prayer we offer - Sussex The King of love my shepherd is - Dominus regit me Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go - Song 34*
* Sadly, the Orange Abomination Book has messed about with the rhythm, making it feel very lumpen. How bloody dare they?
Ecumenical Service for the Opening of Parliament, July 22nd
Choir
O come ye servants of the Lord
I give you a new commandment
Hymns
National Anthem (of Australia)
Great God your Spirit, like the wind, / Jerusalem
Community of Christ, / Leoni
Father of mercy, God of consolation, / Christe Sanctorum
We had an augmented choir for this special occasion.
Take my life, and let it be (Innocents or Nottingham) Fill your hearts with joy and gladness (Ode To Joy) Lord's Prayer (Kumbayah) Father, hear the prayer we offer (Sussex) To God be the glory! (To God Be The Glory)
Starting a new series on the "I Am" statements of Jesus from John's Gospel with "I am the Bread of Life."
The song selection is ploddingly literal in places but we had a pianist today rather than just a piano player.
Hallelujah! Sing To Jesus (Hyfrydol)
Beneath The Cross of Jesus (St Christopher)
Break Thou The Bread Of Life (Sherwin)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda)
The Gloria and psalm aren't sung during the Summer break and one hymn is replaced by a bit of organ music. Its all a little less jolly. We used to have no music during the school holiday, but people have prevailed on me to keep it ticking over. The one who is actually in charge of the music would prefer a complete break, but I enjoy playing without geetars etc.
Be still for the presence
Be still and know I am with you
Lord of all hopefulness.
"How pleased and blest was I” - Ascalon.
“Step by step” (Children's song).
"We are called to be God's people” - Festival.
“The Church of Christ in every age” - Herongate.
“Lord of the Church” - Londonderry Air.
Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King (his love endures for ever) I am a city on a hill I raise a hallelujah (in the presence of my enemies) It's falling from the clouds (you are holy, great and mighty) For God so loved the world (I shall hold to the cross)
Alleluia, sing to Jesus - Hyfrydol Who can sound the depths of sorrow - K*ndr*ck* God is working his purpose out - Benson Make me a channel of your peace - Make me a Channel Go forth and tell - Woodlands
* I do wish someone would tell Rev'd Rosie that it's not written in the rubrics that you have to have one of his ditties every bloody week.
I have no gripe with the blessed St Graham. However I find this hymn problematic as, to my mind anyway, it seems to be speaking very specifically about abortion (and, I believe, was written to mark 20 years since the passing of the 1967 Act) and isn't really relevant in a more general church service. What do others think?
I do wish someone would tell Rev'd Rosie that it's not written in the rubrics that you have to have one of his ditties every bloody week.
During today's service I handed out bits of paper and asked people to write (anonymously) what they thought we were doing well and what we could do better. Inevitably there were some comments about music; and one person asked for "more traditional hymns" and "more modern songs" - which is intriguing!
I have no gripe with the blessed St Graham. However I find this hymn problematic as, to my mind anyway, it seems to be speaking very specifically about abortion (and, I believe, was written to mark 20 years since the passing of the 1967 Act) and isn't really relevant in a more general church service. What do others think?
I've never sung it, but I think I see what you mean.
OTOH, the words could equally well apply to the gross evil being perpetrated against children in Gaza...and in other places, too, of course.
I wonder if perhaps current events were in the mind of whoever chose that hymn for today's service?
I do wish someone would tell Rev'd Rosie that it's not written in the rubrics that you have to have one of his ditties every bloody week.
During today's service I handed out bits of paper and asked people to write (anonymously) what they thought we were doing well and what we could do better. Inevitably there were some comments about music; and one person asked for "more traditional hymns" and "more modern songs" - which is intriguing!
We sing "traditional hymns" and some "modern songs" in our early morning service. Trouble is, the "modern" means they are all from 40 years ago when we were young.
@Piglet well you could always tell her yourself? I have no fear of telling clerics my opinion about hymn choices, albeit with mixed results 🤣
Anyway today I was landed with Mattins plus a Eucharist of St James tonight to mark a village patronal feast.
Mattins
When all thy mercies O my God (Contemplation)
usual canticles etc
Thine for ever God of love (Newington)
O love that wilt not let me go (St Margaret)
Onward Christian soldiers (St Gertrude)
Plenty of noise in the last one if not in much else 😳
Eucharist for St James
For all thy Saints a noble throng (St Fulbert)
Captains of the saintly band (University College)
Our day of praise is done (Carlisle)
Spoken other than the hymns but the small village congo made a good effort with the chosen hymns.
Parish Communion
Mass of St Thomas plus hymns
Only three choir, so we sat in the congregation, who seemed to join in more than usual.
No details as I have no list, nor books to check.
Methodist farewell service for outgoing minister. Lots of singing, old and newer.
Not sure of the exact order now.
Come and sing…
We are building a house
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
Lord teach us how to pray aright
Various well known short pieces were sung as the Gloria, Sanctus etc
‘All good gifts around us’ was sung between the prayers.
Love divine.
@Piglet well you could always tell her yourself? I have no fear of telling clerics my opinion about hymn choices, albeit with mixed results 🤣.
There's allegedly going to be some sort of gathering (not just with me, but with anyone who's interested) in the not-too-distant future with the aim of doing just that, but I'm not hugely optimistic about the result.
@Piglet well you could always tell her yourself? I have no fear of telling clerics my opinion about hymn choices, albeit with mixed results 🤣.
There's allegedly going to be some sort of gathering (not just with me, but with anyone who's interested) in the not-too-distant future with the aim of doing just that, but I'm not hugely optimistic about the result.
This conjures up an image in my mind of angry parishioners descending on the vicarage carrying flaming torches
@Piglet well you could always tell her yourself? I have no fear of telling clerics my opinion about hymn choices, albeit with mixed results 🤣.
There's allegedly going to be some sort of gathering (not just with me, but with anyone who's interested) in the not-too-distant future with the aim of doing just that, but I'm not hugely optimistic about the result.
This conjures up an image in my mind of angry parishioners descending on the vicarage carrying flaming torches
Nah, aggressively proffered biscuits is more the style. If it were Presbyterians it would be messages with letters cut out of newspapers (ask me how I know...)
Today I'm playing for a funeral at the local Methodists. Interestingly for me, the body of the deceased will not be there as the committal will have just taken place at the crematorium. So it will be a memorial service rather than a funeral. That means I will not be playing the coffin and associated procession of mourners in and out.
Is this common?
Anyway, three hymns
Eternal Father strong to save - this is a maritime area.
In heavenly love abiding - never heard of it.
The day thou gavest Lord is ended.
Given that they are Methodists I am hoping for the roof to be raised.
Interestingly for me, the body of the deceased will not be there as the committal will have just taken place at the crematorium. So it will be a memorial service rather than a funeral. That means I will not be playing the coffin and associated procession of mourners in and out. Is this common?
Today I'm playing for a funeral at the local Methodists. Interestingly for me, the body of the deceased will not be there as the committal will have just taken place at the crematorium. <snip>
Is this common?
Not uncommon in my experience either to fit in with available times at the crematorium, or, when the crematorium is a distance away, to enable mourners to gather for the ‘wake’ immediately after the service.
Memorial services (no body or ashes present) are very common in my experience in my part of the US, at least among some religious and demographic groups. Burial at the cemetery, typically attended only by family and close friends, followed immediately by the service at the church has long been a common way, but certainly not the only way, of doing things, at least among Southern American Presbyterians. It was the pattern we followed for my grandparents and my parents.
Memorial services have become more common in the last few decades, as delaying the service for weeks or even months to a time when the entire, scattered family can gather has become more and more common. (We attended a service in June for a married couple who had died in January and February.)
Here, at least in my experience, if the deceased is cremated, that happens within a day or so of the body arriving at the funeral home/crematorium. There’s no service in connection with the cremation, nor is anyone present but staff. After that, the ashes may be present at the church service, and many churches now have an appropriately-sized pall to cover the urn or box.
Here, at least in my experience, if the deceased is cremated, that happens within a day or so of the body arriving at the funeral home/crematorium. There’s no service in connection with the cremation, nor is anyone present but staff. After that, the ashes may be present at the church service, and many churches now have an appropriately-sized pall to cover the urn or box.
Here, at least in my experience, if the deceased is cremated, that happens within a day or so of the body arriving at the funeral home/crematorium. There’s no service in connection with the cremation, nor is anyone present but staff. After that, the ashes may be present at the church service, and many churches now have an appropriately-sized pall to cover the urn or box.
I've never come across that in the UK.
Never come across which? No service at the crematorium? A service at the church with ashes present? A pall for ashes? All of the above?
My family (mostly non-Christian but with a non-conformist background) has traditionally had services at the crematorium. But among non-Christians in the UK these days it is becoming common to have a direct cremation (so no service at all or family present) and arrange a separate celebration of life. This is what my sister in law had 2 years ago.
Memorial services (no body or ashes present) are very common in my experience in my part of the US, at least among some religious and demographic groups. Burial at the cemetery, typically attended only by family and close friends, followed immediately by the service at the church has long been a common way, but certainly not the only way, of doing things, at least among Southern American Presbyterians. It was the pattern we followed for my grandparents and my parents.
Memorial services have become more common in the last few decades, as delaying the service for weeks or even months to a time when the entire, scattered family can gather has become more and more common. (We attended a service in June for a married couple who had died in January and February.)
Here, at least in my experience, if the deceased is cremated, that happens within a day or so of the body arriving at the funeral home/crematorium. There’s no service in connection with the cremation, nor is anyone present but staff. After that, the ashes may be present at the church service, and many churches now have an appropriately-sized pall to cover the urn or box.
I would agree with all of that in my part of the US as well (except usually, in my experience, the service is before the burial—a variously sized group will proceed from the service to the cemetery).
In my experience in recent years the established pattern of funeral service in church followed by burial has largely been superseded by cremation, then ( optional ) service in church, either the same day, most commonly, or at a later date.
We had a ( family only) woodland burial for Mr Puzzler, led by the priest of my church. A month later we had a service of celebration of his life in the local Methodist church, attended by many locally and from all over the country, especially former pupils and colleagues. It was also live-streamed and recorded, which is quite usual now. My decision, as he left no instructions, other than that he wanted to be buried. I think it worked well, as he was both a very private and a very public figure. It certainly helped me, as the one who organised everything, to do it this way.
Never come across which? No service at the crematorium? A service at the church with ashes present? A pall for ashes? All of the above?
All of them.
Thanks
I should clarify—most funeral homes here will have a chapel, and services at a chapel aren’t uncommon. But if the body is cremated, that will have have happened before the service; the ashes may or may not be present.
I increasingly see ashes present in funerals in Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. They’ll either be placed on a relatively small table where a casket would otherwise be placed, or (at least in some Presbyterian churches) near the baptismal font, if it is in the front and easily seen. A smallish white cloth, similar in design to a pall for a casket, may be placed on the urn or box with the ashes. Sometimes a family member will bring the urn/box in at the start (and take it out at the end, much as was traditionally done with a casket), and the pall may be placed on it at the start of the service with words along these lines:
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
In her/his baptism N. was clothed with Christ;
in the day of Christ’s coming, she/he shall be clothed with glory.
Other times, I see the urn with no pall, but maybe with a small arrangement of flowers.
@Piglet well you could always tell her yourself? I have no fear of telling clerics my opinion about hymn choices, albeit with mixed results 🤣.
There's allegedly going to be some sort of gathering (not just with me, but with anyone who's interested) in the not-too-distant future with the aim of doing just that, but I'm not hugely optimistic about the result.
This conjures up an image in my mind of angry parishioners descending on the vicarage carrying flaming torches
😳
I don't think we're quite at that stage ... yet ...
Both my parents’ funerals had the coffin present, and then after the coffin left the church there was a buffet. The cremation was the next day with just immediate family (including my dad’s carer, who we regarded as family by then, bless her).
This meant we could spend time with the many people present, some of whom had travelled a long way and many of whom we hadn’t seen in person for years.
This worked much better than the usual version where people are left hanging around while the family go to the crem.
Both my parents’ funerals had the coffin present, and then after the coffin left the church there was a buffet. The cremation was the next day with just immediate family (including my dad’s carer, who we regarded as family by then, bless her).
This meant we could spend time with the many people present, some of whom had travelled a long way and many of whom we hadn’t seen in person for years.
This worked much better than the usual version where people are left hanging around while the family go to the crem.
That's another (and very pragmatic) way of doing it, though the cremation (family/close friends), followed by a service in church (everyone), followed by the wake, is not unknown in these parts.
Many non-churchpeople's funerals these days, of course, take place at the crematorium or cemetery, with no service in church.
Firmly I believe and truly (probably Shipston) I cannot tell how he whom angels worship (Londonderry Air ) Thanks for the fellowship (Skye Boat Song) For the beauty of the earth (hopefully England's Lane, but probably Dix )
Comments
Yes, some of the words are rather saccharine, but it's a generally cheerful ditty IMHO.
There must be more than this
I stand amazed in the presence (How marvellous, how wonderful)
Thank you for saving me, what can I say?
This is my desire, to honour you
I have decided to follow Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven.
Angel voices, ever singing.
O praise ye the Lord (Parry tune).
Canticles:
Gloria - Jonathan Dove - rather jolly!
Sanctus & Agnus Dei - Byrd (the choir struggled a bit).
Anthem:
Ave Verum Corpus - Mozart.
“Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above”/MIT FREUDEN ZART
“Come, Bring Your Burdens to God”/WOZO NAMTHWALO WAHKO
”To You, O Lord” (responsorial setting of Psalm 25 by Marty Haugen)
“For Everyone Born (a Place at the Table)”/FOR EVERYONE BORN
Choir:
Nunc Dimittis: Brewer in D
A Hymn for St Cecilia: Howells
I will sing in the spirit: Rutter
De Deum in B flat: Stanford
Hymns:
O praise ye the Lord (Laudate Dominum)
When in our music (Engelberg)
Angel Voices (Angel Voices)
The Brewer, Rutter and Stanford are well known to us in the choir, but the Howells was a lovely new addition.
Cheers
Heron
Introit:
O for a closer walk with God. ( Stanford)
Hymns
Of the Father’s love begotten - Corde Natus
Lord of all hopefulness - Slane
I the Lord of sea and sky - Here I am Lord
Anthem: Jesu joy of man’s desiring - J S Bach
Choir
My soul, wait thou only upon God, / Thalben-Ball
Not for tongues of heaven’s angels, / Timothy Dudley-Smith, Peter Cutts, arr. David Iliff
Hymns
Sing a new song, / Cosmic Praise, Connolly/McAuley
God has spoken to His people, / Song of Good News
God gives us a future, / Camberwell
Christ is made the sure foundation - Westminster Abbey
The King is among us - K*ndr*ck
Father, hear the prayer we offer - Sussex
The King of love my shepherd is - Dominus regit me
Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go - Song 34*
* Sadly, the Orange Abomination Book has messed about with the rhythm, making it feel very lumpen. How bloody dare they?
Choir
O come ye servants of the Lord
I give you a new commandment
Hymns
National Anthem (of Australia)
Great God your Spirit, like the wind, / Jerusalem
Community of Christ, / Leoni
Father of mercy, God of consolation, / Christe Sanctorum
We had an augmented choir for this special occasion.
Eucharist for St James' Day
O the deep, deep love of Jesus (Ebenezer)
Dear Father, Lord of humankind (Repton)
Who would true valour see (Monk's Gate)
Take my life, and let it be (Innocents or Nottingham)
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness (Ode To Joy)
Lord's Prayer (Kumbayah)
Father, hear the prayer we offer (Sussex)
To God be the glory! (To God Be The Glory)
Choir
A prayer canticle, / Eric Routley
The Lords’ prayer, / Simon Shaw
Hymns
Love divine, all love’s excelling, / Hyfrydol
O breath of life, / Spiritus Vitae
Community of Christ, / Leoni
The song selection is ploddingly literal in places but we had a pianist today rather than just a piano player.
Hallelujah! Sing To Jesus (Hyfrydol)
Beneath The Cross of Jesus (St Christopher)
Break Thou The Bread Of Life (Sherwin)
Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda)
Be still for the presence
Be still and know I am with you
Lord of all hopefulness.
“Step by step” (Children's song).
"We are called to be God's people” - Festival.
“The Church of Christ in every age” - Herongate.
“Lord of the Church” - Londonderry Air.
Great is Thy Faithfulness FAITHFULNESS
From Heaven You Came SERVANT KING
Facing a Task Unfinished AURELIA
I am a city on a hill
I raise a hallelujah (in the presence of my enemies)
It's falling from the clouds (you are holy, great and mighty)
For God so loved the world (I shall hold to the cross)
Alleluia, sing to Jesus - Hyfrydol
Who can sound the depths of sorrow - K*ndr*ck*
God is working his purpose out - Benson
Make me a channel of your peace - Make me a Channel
Go forth and tell - Woodlands
* I do wish someone would tell Rev'd Rosie that it's not written in the rubrics that you have to have one of his ditties every bloody week.
During today's service I handed out bits of paper and asked people to write (anonymously) what they thought we were doing well and what we could do better. Inevitably there were some comments about music; and one person asked for "more traditional hymns" and "more modern songs" - which is intriguing!
Fixed coding - Nenya, Ecclesiantics Host
I've never sung it, but I think I see what you mean.
OTOH, the words could equally well apply to the gross evil being perpetrated against children in Gaza...and in other places, too, of course.
I wonder if perhaps current events were in the mind of whoever chose that hymn for today's service?
Hymn of the Week: We Shall Overcome,
Recessional: Soon and Very Soon.
We sing "traditional hymns" and some "modern songs" in our early morning service. Trouble is, the "modern" means they are all from 40 years ago when we were young.
Fixed coding - Nenya, Ecclesiantics Host
Anyway today I was landed with Mattins plus a Eucharist of St James tonight to mark a village patronal feast.
Mattins
When all thy mercies O my God (Contemplation)
usual canticles etc
Thine for ever God of love (Newington)
O love that wilt not let me go (St Margaret)
Onward Christian soldiers (St Gertrude)
Plenty of noise in the last one if not in much else 😳
Eucharist for St James
For all thy Saints a noble throng (St Fulbert)
Captains of the saintly band (University College)
Our day of praise is done (Carlisle)
Spoken other than the hymns but the small village congo made a good effort with the chosen hymns.
Mass of St Thomas plus hymns
Only three choir, so we sat in the congregation, who seemed to join in more than usual.
No details as I have no list, nor books to check.
Methodist farewell service for outgoing minister. Lots of singing, old and newer.
Not sure of the exact order now.
Come and sing…
We are building a house
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
Lord teach us how to pray aright
Various well known short pieces were sung as the Gloria, Sanctus etc
‘All good gifts around us’ was sung between the prayers.
Love divine.
There's allegedly going to be some sort of gathering (not just with me, but with anyone who's interested) in the not-too-distant future with the aim of doing just that, but I'm not hugely optimistic about the result.
This conjures up an image in my mind of angry parishioners descending on the vicarage carrying flaming torches
Nah, aggressively proffered biscuits is more the style. If it were Presbyterians it would be messages with letters cut out of newspapers (ask me how I know...)
Is this common?
Anyway, three hymns
Eternal Father strong to save - this is a maritime area.
In heavenly love abiding - never heard of it.
The day thou gavest Lord is ended.
Given that they are Methodists I am hoping for the roof to be raised.
Memorial services have become more common in the last few decades, as delaying the service for weeks or even months to a time when the entire, scattered family can gather has become more and more common. (We attended a service in June for a married couple who had died in January and February.)
Here, at least in my experience, if the deceased is cremated, that happens within a day or so of the body arriving at the funeral home/crematorium. There’s no service in connection with the cremation, nor is anyone present but staff. After that, the ashes may be present at the church service, and many churches now have an appropriately-sized pall to cover the urn or box.
I would agree with all of that in my part of the US as well (except usually, in my experience, the service is before the burial—a variously sized group will proceed from the service to the cemetery).
We had a ( family only) woodland burial for Mr Puzzler, led by the priest of my church. A month later we had a service of celebration of his life in the local Methodist church, attended by many locally and from all over the country, especially former pupils and colleagues. It was also live-streamed and recorded, which is quite usual now. My decision, as he left no instructions, other than that he wanted to be buried. I think it worked well, as he was both a very private and a very public figure. It certainly helped me, as the one who organised everything, to do it this way.
I should clarify—most funeral homes here will have a chapel, and services at a chapel aren’t uncommon. But if the body is cremated, that will have have happened before the service; the ashes may or may not be present.
I increasingly see ashes present in funerals in Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. They’ll either be placed on a relatively small table where a casket would otherwise be placed, or (at least in some Presbyterian churches) near the baptismal font, if it is in the front and easily seen. A smallish white cloth, similar in design to a pall for a casket, may be placed on the urn or box with the ashes. Sometimes a family member will bring the urn/box in at the start (and take it out at the end, much as was traditionally done with a casket), and the pall may be placed on it at the start of the service with words along these lines:
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ.
In her/his baptism
N. was clothed with Christ;
in the day of Christ’s coming,
she/he shall be clothed with glory.
Other times, I see the urn with no pall, but maybe with a small arrangement of flowers.
😳
I don't think we're quite at that stage ... yet ...
This meant we could spend time with the many people present, some of whom had travelled a long way and many of whom we hadn’t seen in person for years.
This worked much better than the usual version where people are left hanging around while the family go to the crem.
That's another (and very pragmatic) way of doing it, though the cremation (family/close friends), followed by a service in church (everyone), followed by the wake, is not unknown in these parts.
Many non-churchpeople's funerals these days, of course, take place at the crematorium or cemetery, with no service in church.
Firmly I believe and truly (probably Shipston)
I cannot tell how he whom angels worship (Londonderry Air
Thanks for the fellowship (Skye Boat Song)
For the beauty of the earth (hopefully England's Lane, but probably Dix