"Holy God, we praise thy Name" / GROSSER GOTT
Psalm 99, recited
"Christ upon the mountain peak" / MOWSLEY
"O wondrous type, O vision fair" / WAREHAM
"Humbly I adore thee" / ADORO DEVOTE
"Fairest Lord Jesus" / ST. ELIZABETH
"God of grace and God of glory" / CWM RHONDDA
Interesting choice of tune. I'd have used another Welsh tune, Rhuddlan (also often used for "Judge ternal, throned in splendour") as Cwm Rhondda seems indissolubly linked to "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah".
Interesting choice of tune. I'd have used another Welsh tune, Rhuddlan (also often used for "Judge ternal, throned in splendour") as Cwm Rhondda seems indissolubly linked to "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah".
Both “God of Grace and God of Glory” and “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” are indissolubly linked to CWM RHONDDA here, at least in my tribe of Presbyterians.
Southern US. Later today I may have a chance to do quick look at other American hymnals, but at least throughout my 60+ years, CWM RHONDDA has been used for both texts in hymnals for what is now the PC(USA). Remember that American hymnals typically include text and music, so the choice of tune with text is made for you, though occasionally a minister or music director/keyboard player may go with an alternate tune.
@Puzzler - I'm sorry you've lost your DoM, and for the reason for it. I'm inclined to agree with him (you all know I'm a bit of a traditionalist!), especially if your building is historic; I suppose screens aren't quite so bad in a modern building, but I'd much rather they weren't there.
Also, I'm fairly short-sighted, and from a purely practical point of view would infinitely prefer a proper book.
A bit of a tangent on modern worship songs, but an interesting quote from Matt Redman who is launching a series of songwriting seminars in the USA for worship leaders.
"Worship music has taken some ground when it comes to relevance, production levels, and creativity. But when we look at the lyrical content of our songs, and in particular the weightiness of what we’re saying, I’m not sure we measure up quite as well."
Redman has more observations about worship music in the above link.
I've used the Lutheran Book Of Worship when visiting the English-speaking congregation in London (now at St Mary-at-Hill), and the hymns have their own proper tune printed in the book.
I have my own copy of the LBW (no, I didn't pinch it! It came from St Peter's, Norwalk, Ohio, via eBay). My copy was printed in 2003, being originally published in 1978, and appears to be used by various Lutheran churches in the US and Canada.
AFAIK, the Church of Sweden's hymnbook also includes the music as a matter of course, and the same may apply to other Nordic churches.
I've used the Lutheran Book Of Worship when visiting the English-speaking congregation in London (now at St Mary-at-Hill), and the hymns have their own proper tune printed in the book.
I have my own copy of the LBW (no, I didn't pinch it! It came from St Peter's, Norwalk, Ohio, via eBay). My copy was printed in 2003, being originally published in 1978, and appears to be used by various Lutheran churches in the US and Canada.
The LBW was prepared by the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship and was approved for use by the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), the American Lutheran Church (ALC), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). The LCA and the ALC joined in 1987 with the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches to create the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) was the denomination that started the process the led to the LBW, but withdrew from the commission just prior to the LBW’s publication, and instead published its own Lutheran Worship in 1982.
But the LBW is no longer used by the ELCA or the ELCIC, except for a few congregations here and there. The ELCA and the ELCIC published a new service book and hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, in 2006. It is the current service book and hymnal of those two denominations. Likewise, the LCMS published its new service book and hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, in 2006.
One of our long- standing choir members has arranged a meeting for us with the Vicar tomorrow, to discuss the future of the choir / music in church, now that our DoM has written a letter of resignation.
The DoM has often said that he thinks the Vicar wants to get rid of the choir, but his resignation is far more likely to lead to that outcome, if he is not replaced, or nobody can be found, apart from a very incompetent pianist. I think the singers are all keen to continue.
We had an excellent meeting with our incumbent this evening. She was extremely positive about maintaining the musical heritage of our church, with choir and organ, whilst at the same time continuing with the current pattern of services which includes some variety, trying to be accessible to a wider age range through a variety of worship styles. She has no plans to abandon the choral eucharist or our monthly choral Evensong. If the right person can be found, she would like them to try to expand the choir, both with adults and children.
So although the future is currently uncertain, the meeting was very positive.
Random, and possibly unrelated, question: I’ve gotten the impression from various posts on the Ship that Friday night choir practice is a common, or at least not an uncommon, thing in England. Is that impression correct, or have I let myself get the wrong impression?
It was the practice in my last church, though no more as the choir has dwindled. A "choral tradition" Anglican church in the same town has after-school training for girls on Mondays, for boys on Tuesdays and for both on Fridays when I presume they are joined by the adults.
Some churches ask choristers to come in early on Sunday to rehearse - say 10 am for an 11am service.
Random, and possibly unrelated, question: I’ve gotten the impression from various posts on the Ship that Friday night choir practice is a common, or at least not an uncommon, thing in England. Is that impression correct, or have I let myself get the wrong impression?
That was what I grew up with, but I don't know whether it is particularly common.
We had an excellent meeting with our incumbent this evening. She was extremely positive about maintaining the musical heritage of our church, with choir and organ, whilst at the same time continuing with the current pattern of services which includes some variety, trying to be accessible to a wider age range through a variety of worship styles. She has no plans to abandon the choral eucharist or our monthly choral Evensong. If the right person can be found, she would like them to try to expand the choir, both with adults and children.
So although the future is currently uncertain, the meeting was very positive.
Indeed.
One hears of churches which are experiencing positive growth through encouraging singers, especially children.
So, continuing our summer pf more traditional hymns (or the back catalogue as I like to think of it.)
Be still for the presence of the Lord. (Not old, I know, but trad in structure.)
Dear Lord and father of mankind (Repton, of course.)
Hail redeemer King Divine (written for the opening of the crypt of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, where I was for many years a choir man. Its a banger of a tune.)
Plus the obligatory bits.
At the name of Jesus - Evelyns* At the dawning of creation - Cross of Jesus O Jesus, I have promised - Day of Rest* Gather around, for the table is spread- Skye Boat Song All over the world - All Over the World
* neither of which is imho the Right Tune™ (my preferences would have been King's Weston and Thornbury, respectively).
All Through History - Nick & Becky Drake
King of Kings, Majesty - Jarrod Cooper
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God - Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
O Jesus, I Have Promised - HATHEROP CASTLE
Eternal Father, strong to save (Melita) Dear Lord and Father of mankind (Repton) Do not be afraid (words and music by Gerald Markland) The King is among us (words and music by Graham Kendrick)
I'm going by the list given on FatherInCharge's weekly bulletin, and that final song doesn't seem to fit in with the Gospel theme at all. They may have sung something different...
Eternal Father, strong to save (Melita) Dear Lord and Father of mankind (Repton) Do not be afraid (words and music by Gerald Markland) The King is among us (words and music by Graham Kendrick)
I'm going by the list given on FatherInCharge's weekly bulletin, and that final song doesn't seem to fit in with the Gospel theme at all. They may have sung something different...
I don't know the Markland hymn, but we used the Bible text it comes from as our Call to Worship.
"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" / LOBE DEN HERREN
Parts of Psalm 105, recited.
"O love that casts out fear" / MOSELY
"Eternal Father strong to save" / MELITA
"This is the hour of banquet and of song" / MORESTEAD
"Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face" / NYACK
"Jesus, Lover of my soul" / ABERYSTWYTH
Thanks, @Baptist Trainfan and @Arethosemyfeet for the comments on Friday night choir practice. References to it always catch my attention simply because I can’t imagine such a thing here (the American South).
Today we had:
“From All the Dwell Below the Skies” (Ps. 117)/LASST UNS ERFREUEN
“Come to the Table of Grace”/TABLE OF GRACE
“God Is Calling through the Whisper”/W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY
We also had one verse of “All Creatures of Our God and King,” again to LASST UNS ERFREUEN, as a response.
This morning we sang
At the name of Jesus- Evelyns
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds- St. Peter
Dear Lord and Father of mankind- Repton
Be still for the presence of the Lord
Eternal Father strong to save- Melita.
Normally on the second Sunday the choir is not required as it is the informal family service- but not in August. Six out of nine of us turned up to sing, and the usual regular HC congregation. I am told that very few families with children attend the informal family service, so maybe it is time to review the situation. It is really difficult for families as there are so many activities that take place on Sunday morning. So probably not much chance of recruiting children to the choir, even though our Vicar goes into the church school frequently and there is a good relationship.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Lobe den Herren)
God, my King, thy might confessing (Stuttgart)
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew (Elm Street New)
Jesus, Lover of my soul (Aberystwyth)
Choral:
Cito Grassi: Ave Regina coelorum
Giuseppe Tartini: Tantum ergo sacramentum
Thanks, @Baptist Trainfan and @Arethosemyfeet for the comments on Friday night choir practice. References to it always catch my attention simply because I can’t imagine such a thing here (the American South).
So now you've piqued my interest...when would church choirs typically rehearse in the American South? And what's so unthinkable about Friday evening?
Thanks, @Baptist Trainfan and @Arethosemyfeet for the comments on Friday night choir practice. References to it always catch my attention simply because I can’t imagine such a thing here (the American South).
So now you've piqued my interest...when would church choirs typically rehearse in the American South? And what's so unthinkable about Friday evening?
In my experience, choir practice is always on Wednesday night or Thursday night—during the work week, but not too far out from Sunday. (Wednesday night was traditionally “church night” for Baptists in these parts, with supper, a service and choir practice or other meetings afterward. It still may be that some places, particularly smaller towns.). Some may just meet on Sunday morning, as noted above.
Friday night here is the weekend, and is a night where people would expect to engage in family or social activities—do things with friends, go to a movie, go out on a date, etc.—or relax at home after the work week. Choir and other church meetings happen on school nights.
It may well be just because “we’ve never done it that way,” but at least at the kinds of churches I’m familiar with, I think a suggestion to have choir practice on Friday night would be met with incomprehension and heavy resistance, and ultimately very low attendance.
When I was growing up choir practice ran 6-6:45, allowing (if there were such) those planning a night out plenty of time, while for those of us in the younger age group (say 8-11) it was followed by youth activities run by the church.
When I was growing up choir practice ran 6-6:45, allowing (if there were such) those planning a night out plenty of time, while for those of us in the younger age group (say 8-11) it was followed by youth activities run by the church.
Ah, that would make a difference. I’m used to choir practices that run 7:30–9:00. Church youth activities are generally on Sunday evenings.
Trinity 10 -
King of Glory, King of Peace [GWALCHMAI]
We love the place, O God [QUAM DELECTA]
O Jesus, I have promised [WOLVERCOTE]
during communion: Come, Holy Ghost [VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS] & Calm me, Lord
and finally: Love divine, all loves excelling {BLAENWERN]
Thanks, @Baptist Trainfan and @Arethosemyfeet for the comments on Friday night choir practice. References to it always catch my attention simply because I can’t imagine such a thing here (the American South).
So now you've piqued my interest...when would church choirs typically rehearse in the American South? And what's so unthinkable about Friday evening?
I agree that an early evening choir practice still leaves time for going our afterwards or socialising at home.another reason in the UK is that there is a strong choral society tradition, so it would be hard to find an evening Monday to Thursday when choir members were not attending a rehearsal of their choral society. In my church choir we are all rehearsing elsewhere on Mondays and Wednesdays, or both.
...."We sing the almighty power of God” - London New.
With the long notes, I trust!
Three of the four Cathedral choirs in which I've sung rehearsed on Wednesdays, and the other - Fredericton - on Thursdays. I can tell you that after nearly 40 years of Wednesday rehearsals, it took some getting used to!
I’m currently prepping for a service on Friday where we will have a sole nominee lead worship (perils of being the junior partner in a linkage) so I’ve been recording new versions of several hymns, including tonight four-part harmony versions of Be still for the presence of the Lord and To God be the glory.
Ye servants of God - Paderborn My God, I love thee - Solomon Great Shepherd of thy people, hear - Abridge God, as with silent hearts we bring to mind - The Supreme Sacrifice Guide me, O thou great Redeemer - Cwm Rhondda
I was supposed to be away this weekend, but the thing I was going to was cancelled. It was made up for by having Cwm Rhondda, and giving it suitable quantities of welly.
"Come, let us praise the Lord” - Darwall's 148th.
“We cannot measure how you heal” - Ye Banks and Braes.
“Come, ye sinners, poor and needy” - Bryn Calfaria.
“Amazing grace” -Amazing Grace (unaccompanied and lustily as I mucked up the backing track).
Comments
"Holy God, we praise thy Name" / GROSSER GOTT
Psalm 99, recited
"Christ upon the mountain peak" / MOWSLEY
"O wondrous type, O vision fair" / WAREHAM
"Humbly I adore thee" / ADORO DEVOTE
"Fairest Lord Jesus" / ST. ELIZABETH
"God of grace and God of glory" / CWM RHONDDA
Interesting choice of tune. I'd have used another Welsh tune, Rhuddlan (also often used for "Judge ternal, throned in splendour") as Cwm Rhondda seems indissolubly linked to "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah".
BTW I'm in Wales, if you didn't know.
Also, I'm fairly short-sighted, and from a purely practical point of view would infinitely prefer a proper book.
"Worship music has taken some ground when it comes to relevance, production levels, and creativity. But when we look at the lyrical content of our songs, and in particular the weightiness of what we’re saying, I’m not sure we measure up quite as well."
Redman has more observations about worship music in the above link.
I have my own copy of the LBW (no, I didn't pinch it! It came from St Peter's, Norwalk, Ohio, via eBay). My copy was printed in 2003, being originally published in 1978, and appears to be used by various Lutheran churches in the US and Canada.
AFAIK, the Church of Sweden's hymnbook also includes the music as a matter of course, and the same may apply to other Nordic churches.
But the LBW is no longer used by the ELCA or the ELCIC, except for a few congregations here and there. The ELCA and the ELCIC published a new service book and hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, in 2006. It is the current service book and hymnal of those two denominations. Likewise, the LCMS published its new service book and hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, in 2006.
They are all good hymnals, IMO.
The DoM has often said that he thinks the Vicar wants to get rid of the choir, but his resignation is far more likely to lead to that outcome, if he is not replaced, or nobody can be found, apart from a very incompetent pianist. I think the singers are all keen to continue.
And so say all of us!
So although the future is currently uncertain, the meeting was very positive.
Random, and possibly unrelated, question: I’ve gotten the impression from various posts on the Ship that Friday night choir practice is a common, or at least not an uncommon, thing in England. Is that impression correct, or have I let myself get the wrong impression?
Some churches ask choristers to come in early on Sunday to rehearse - say 10 am for an 11am service.
That was what I grew up with, but I don't know whether it is particularly common.
Indeed.
One hears of churches which are experiencing positive growth through encouraging singers, especially children.
Be still for the presence of the Lord. (Not old, I know, but trad in structure.)
Dear Lord and father of mankind (Repton, of course.)
Hail redeemer King Divine (written for the opening of the crypt of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, where I was for many years a choir man. Its a banger of a tune.)
Plus the obligatory bits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1drtim65OA0
A fine tune, indeed.
At the name of Jesus - Evelyns*
At the dawning of creation - Cross of Jesus
O Jesus, I have promised - Day of Rest*
Gather around, for the table is spread- Skye Boat Song
All over the world - All Over the World
* neither of which is imho the Right Tune™ (my preferences would have been King's Weston and Thornbury, respectively).
King of Kings, Majesty - Jarrod Cooper
Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God - Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
O Jesus, I Have Promised - HATHEROP CASTLE
"We sing the almighty power of God” - London New. (Was going to have St. Matthew [Croft] but decided to change it. A wise decision].
“Nada te turbe” - Taize chant and prayer.
"Eternal Father, strong to save” - Melita.
“Jesu, lover of my soul” - Aberystwyth (sung lustily!)
Eternal Father, strong to save (Melita)
Dear Lord and Father of mankind (Repton)
Do not be afraid (words and music by Gerald Markland)
The King is among us (words and music by Graham Kendrick)
I'm going by the list given on FatherInCharge's weekly bulletin, and that final song doesn't seem to fit in with the Gospel theme at all. They may have sung something different...
We Rest On Thee
We are a Chosen People
Be Thou my Vision
An eclectic mix.
I don't know the Markland hymn, but we used the Bible text it comes from as our Call to Worship.
"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" / LOBE DEN HERREN
Parts of Psalm 105, recited.
"O love that casts out fear" / MOSELY
"Eternal Father strong to save" / MELITA
"This is the hour of banquet and of song" / MORESTEAD
"Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face" / NYACK
"Jesus, Lover of my soul" / ABERYSTWYTH
Today we had:
“From All the Dwell Below the Skies” (Ps. 117)/LASST UNS ERFREUEN
“Come to the Table of Grace”/TABLE OF GRACE
“God Is Calling through the Whisper”/W ŻŁOBIE LEŻY
We also had one verse of “All Creatures of Our God and King,” again to LASST UNS ERFREUEN, as a response.
At the name of Jesus- Evelyns
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds- St. Peter
Dear Lord and Father of mankind- Repton
Be still for the presence of the Lord
Eternal Father strong to save- Melita.
Normally on the second Sunday the choir is not required as it is the informal family service- but not in August. Six out of nine of us turned up to sing, and the usual regular HC congregation. I am told that very few families with children attend the informal family service, so maybe it is time to review the situation. It is really difficult for families as there are so many activities that take place on Sunday morning. So probably not much chance of recruiting children to the choir, even though our Vicar goes into the church school frequently and there is a good relationship.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Lobe den Herren)
God, my King, thy might confessing (Stuttgart)
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew (Elm Street New)
Jesus, Lover of my soul (Aberystwyth)
Choral:
Cito Grassi: Ave Regina coelorum
Giuseppe Tartini: Tantum ergo sacramentum
So now you've piqued my interest...when would church choirs typically rehearse in the American South? And what's so unthinkable about Friday evening?
Friday night here is the weekend, and is a night where people would expect to engage in family or social activities—do things with friends, go to a movie, go out on a date, etc.—or relax at home after the work week. Choir and other church meetings happen on school nights.
It may well be just because “we’ve never done it that way,” but at least at the kinds of churches I’m familiar with, I think a suggestion to have choir practice on Friday night would be met with incomprehension and heavy resistance, and ultimately very low attendance.
King of Glory, King of Peace [GWALCHMAI]
We love the place, O God [QUAM DELECTA]
O Jesus, I have promised [WOLVERCOTE]
during communion: Come, Holy Ghost [VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS] & Calm me, Lord
and finally: Love divine, all loves excelling {BLAENWERN]
I agree that an early evening choir practice still leaves time for going our afterwards or socialising at home.another reason in the UK is that there is a strong choral society tradition, so it would be hard to find an evening Monday to Thursday when choir members were not attending a rehearsal of their choral society. In my church choir we are all rehearsing elsewhere on Mondays and Wednesdays, or both.
With the long notes, I trust!
Three of the four Cathedral choirs in which I've sung rehearsed on Wednesdays, and the other - Fredericton - on Thursdays. I can tell you that after nearly 40 years of Wednesday rehearsals, it took some getting used to!
However .. we don't always sing the long notes in "Dundee", they work for some hymns but not others.
Ye servants of God - Paderborn
My God, I love thee - Solomon
Great Shepherd of thy people, hear - Abridge
God, as with silent hearts we bring to mind - The Supreme Sacrifice
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer - Cwm Rhondda
I was supposed to be away this weekend, but the thing I was going to was cancelled. It was made up for by having Cwm Rhondda, and giving it suitable quantities of welly.
“We cannot measure how you heal” - Ye Banks and Braes.
“Come, ye sinners, poor and needy” - Bryn Calfaria.
“Amazing grace” -Amazing Grace (unaccompanied and lustily as I mucked up the backing track).