May God's Peace be with you in the New Year!

On this the 7th day of Christmas, I wanted to share with you a beautiful arrangement of "I heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by folk musician John Gorka.  I heard this arrangement many years ago on a Windham Hill compilation Christmas album, and have looked forward to hearing it every Christmas since. I think the melody, harmonies and delivery really speak the words of the song Enjoy!

Happy Mom's Day!

One of the things I look forward to every year, is our special tradition of having our children's choir join with their moms and grandmas to sing a special song on Mother's Day. What a wonderful memory this can be for the families, and what a joy it is for the congregation to see and hear the kids and their moms and grandmas lift their voices together.

I usually arrange the song so that the kids sing a verse by themselves, the moms sing a verse by themselves, and then they join together.

Precious!

Not by might, nor by Power!

Greetings!

Today at Sanctuary Pastor James preached his STRONG sermon. Wanna know what I mean? Check out the sermon recording at www.ilcdg.org

I really appreciated Pastor James' message that strength in our belief and faith in the resurrected Jesus, comes not from what we can do, but from how the Holy Spirit works within us.

I really enjoyed putting the music together for today, and was looking forward to singing with Pastor James, who has an unusually amazing voice for a Pastor (not to mention a pastor who can lift a lot of weight during a service! see STRONG sermon above)

Rather than our 'typical' opening worship set, we saved the music to be used as a response after the message. We sang Hillsong's Stronger after the message. I thought it fit well with the message, and I was feeling pretty good about everything when, bam! My 10 year old, always reliable, Roland keyboard stopped working. This was particularly eventful because it was a piano only Sunday, so there was no other instruments, and not a harmonica or accordion in sight! My old faithful then proceeded to cut in and out throughout the song, losing power and then gaining power and back and forth. Despite our valiant efforts (Don literally sitting in front of the keyboard holding the power cord in place, the keyboard (and its electrical power) failed us.

We proceeded through the service singing the rest of the songs A Cappella
I know My Redeemer Lives (the beloved Easter hymn)
In Christ Alone by the Getty's
I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

I'm not sure Pastor James and I sounded all that great without the comfort of the piano behind us but it was a beautiful, beautiful thing hearing the congregation sing despite lack of accompaniment. A beautiful, Spirit led thing!


Check out what other churches sang this past week right here

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Beautiful weather on this Beautiful Easter Day!

I had the pleasure of worshiping this morning at the 10:30 service, with a convergence of familiar hymns led by organ, handbells and brass, and upbeat worship songs led by our praise band, choir and children's choir- ps the children's choir absolutely shined! The church was packed with the family of God as we all sang our hearts out this Easter morning.

The songs we sang:

My Redeemer Lives- I know he rescued my soul!
A New Hallelujah- Every son, and every daughter, sing it out sing a New Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ is Risen Today (great arrangement by Cynthia Dobrinski)- Alleluia!
All the Earth Will sing Your Praises- You took, You take our sins away O God!
Jesus Lives the Victory's Won- This shall be my confidence!
The Wonder of Your Cross- He is Not Dead Behold He Lives Forever More!
Now all the Vault of Heaven Resounds- Christ is Triumphed! He is Living! Alleluia!
Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone- I've been set Free!
I Know that my Redeemer Lives(classic arrangement by Paul Bunjes)
He Lives Eternally to Save!

Amen!

My Song is Love Unknown

My song is Love unknown- my Savior’s Love for me. Love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be. Oh who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
Lyrics by Samuel Crossman c. 1624-83


I grew up with the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal we called “the Red Hymnal” (it also came in blue). As someone who loved to sing, I never grew tired of the hymns on those pages. My friends and I would sit together in church and sing loudly , and harmonize, and worship. It wasn’t long before I knew exactly what pages all of my favorite hymns were on! Open now Thy Gates of beauty- hymn #1- On What Has now been Sown hymn # 46 were just some of them.

During those same years of childhood I was introduced to a ‘new’ kind of music as well. We sang it accompanied by acoustic guitars during Sunday school, and vacation Bible School, and Church Camp. I loved it, not more or less then the hymns in our worn out hymnals, just loved it. The intimacy of just voices and guitar, and the more personal and vertical (directed from us to God) lyrics allowed a feeling of being, close to God, in a more personal relationship. Songs like; Sing Hallelujah to the Lord, For Those Tears I Died, Father I Adore You.

Today I have the blessing of being able to worship on an every week basis, at a service using solely hymns and traditional styles of liturgy, a service that is more ‘laid-back’ with a blended contemporary style with songs and more modern styles of liturgy, and a service that embraces the use of the old and new, freely moving from ancient liturgy and hymns to Taize, and modern songs of worship.

Each style of worship moves me in the same way. I leave church knowing that God loves me. My favorite part of worship? hearing about that love, proclaiming what I know about that love, and responding to that love in song. I love hearing the voices sing together as one, knowing our many different backgrounds and stories, but still singing… still singing together. A hymn, a Psalm, a spiritual song- it doesn’t matter as long as it proclaims the truth, and is sung and played in an authentic, honest, and passionate way.

Thank you to the volunteer musicians at Immanuel and Sanctuary for helping to proclaim God’s truth in song every week!

PS- share your favorite church songs and/or hymns from when your were growing up! I would love to hear about them!

On the 4th Day of Christmas...

What a great Christmas it was! A little (well actually a pretty long) recap!

It began with The Christmas Cantata. Immanuel's first attempt at a cantata with a back up cd accompaniment! Wow! Lot's of work, but wonderful results! Thank you chancel choir, Praise Choir and Joyful Noise! Your hard work really showed and was so appreciated! Will we do one again? Why not join us and see...


Children's Sunday School program came next. Great as usual, and a big thank you to Jennie for writing the program and to Janice for handling the music end of things. Janice really impresses me with her ability to get so many of the kids involved, and to get them sounding so good, with so little time! Great job everyone!



Christmas Eve was of course a whirlwind of awesome worship services! Thank you to the Praise Choir for leading us in singing at the 4:30 service, What a great way to start the afternoon. Special thanks to Kevin and Scott for accompanying Silent Night on guitars ( I think there is no better way to play that song!) A very special thanks to 7th grader, Elyse for sharing her "O Holy Night". So beautiful, and especially beautiful when the Joyful Noise children's choir joined in- I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the house! Thank you Joyful Noise!


After 4:30 service I headed over to Sanctuary, for their 7:30 service. Even now as I recall this time of worship I am getting weepy (in a good way!). The atmosphere created by the sacred space team, and all the volunteers and the musicians,and the worshipers... such a peaceful place to greet our newborn Savior. Thank you to the band who pulled practically 3-adays to preprare. I loved working with you, and look forward to doing it again. Thank you to my choir of two-Charlotte and Anne-you were great! Thank you to the sound guys who put up with us musicians, (well, who put up with me anyway). And a very special thank you to the transportation people. Without you...well. we wouldn't know what to do, you are the best!



I wrapped up my Christmas Eve back at Immanuel at the tail end of the 10:00pm service. Thank you to Dean and the chancel choir members for helping with one of the best traditions of the night... the singing of the carols at the end. For those of you not familiar- come next year- okay, let me give you a little hint... At the very end of the service the chancel choir files down the isles and sings along on carol after carol until the last person is ushered out of the church. Many people just stay in the narthex singing along until the very last song. My favorite!

Since Sunday was only 2 days after Christmas, we continued the Christmas celebration by singing carols during worship this past Sunday the 27th- very nice. Especially nice was the musical additions at the 10:00 service by some of our junior high students. Amanda and Alyssa sang the first verse of The First Noel- Great job girls! Ben and Elyse reprised their "Who Could Imagine a King" from the children's Christmas program. Very lovely once again! Thank you all!

Whew!! A whirlwind! But so worth it, as together we worshiped and together we shared the wonderful message of Christmas!

May the joy of Jesus' birth be with you throughout the year!

worship this weekend

What a whirlwind of worship this weekend!

My dear friend Mia was in town for a special event, and was able to join me in leading music at Immanuel's women's retreat on Friday, and then at Sanctuary on Sunday morning.

Authentic and passionate as always, Mia touched people's hearts with her heartfelt worship of our Heavenly Father. I thank her for being such an important part of this weekend!

One thing I noticed that I haven't really noticed before, is that Mia leads worship, nearly without music in front of her. I am so inspired to do the same, and would like to encourage my fellow worship leaders and musicians to try to memorize their music. Start by memorizing one a month, trust yourself, trust the Holy Spirit to guide you, and Worship!


Music at the Women's Retreat-
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow ( hymn sung a cappella in F)
Mighty to Save (in F- c vs c c)
ad lib on C - Bb/C - F/C - C (brought in bridge of You are My King during the ad lib)
You are my King- in C
Holy Holy Holy (the hymn -in C- last verse a cappella)
Righteous Desire- ( original song by Mia) http://www.aboutmidnight.org/

closing songs-
An original by Mia called...........I'm not sure of the title of this song, but is absolutely on of my favorites
Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone

Can i just say- 80 women singing together sounds AWESOME!!! The whole church was filled with the sounds and echoed with Praise!!


music at Sanctuary
Check out the service plan here at planning center online http://www.planningcenteronline.com/plans/827669

Such Talent!

Check out this video of a talented group of young singers from Texas! Wow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284

Inspiration

I love the videos from the grade school choir at PS 22 in New York City. These kids are an inspiration. As you can see they sing from their hearts, authentically, unashamedly, passionately. Kudos to the director of this group as well, who gives the kids the freedom and direction to learn how to sing like this!


Click here to check out the video

Music for Sunday September 6

A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

I enjoyed choosing the music for this Sunday's Sanctuary service, mixing and matching styles and decades. I don't like to call it blended, I'd say more of a convergence. And even though I think Pastor J may "disapprove" of my use of a dictionary definition... here we go anyway.

From Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:


Main Entry: con·ver·gence
Pronunciation: \kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s\
Function: noun
Date: 1713
1 : the act of converging and especially moving toward union or uniformity; especially : coordinated movement of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is formed on corresponding retinal areas2 : the state or property of being convergent 3 : independent development of similar characters (as of bodily structure of unrelated organisms or cultural traits) often associated with similarity of habits or environment4 : the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole


So the songs for Sunday at Sanctuary

Nothing Can Trouble : Taize piece- sang through 2x, read a Psalm verse, sang, Psalm and so on. By the end of the Psalm, the congregation was singing accapella with me off mic. Beautiful!

You are My all in all: (key of F into G) The first time I have used this at Sanctuary in our 6 years! Of course everyone sang their hearts out, on this old favorite.

Blessed Be Your Name: We use this song quite a bit (too much) so I went from the final chorus of You are My all in All right into the prechorus of Blessed Be Your Name....'every blessing you pour out'. We didn't even sing the verses this week. I also took a chance, and during the bridge... 'you give and take away' I asked the ladies to sing the first time by themselves, and then the second time asked the guys, and then the 3rd time asked them to sing it together. I'm not sure if it sounded corny, me asking them to that, but the musical and community singing effect really worked!

It is Well (the hymn) simple piano arrangement, simple vocals.
How he Loves (John Mark McMillan) this was the second week we have used this great song, we use David Crowder's arrangement. Once you catch on to the creatively written verses, you can't really get this one out of your head.

Be the Center (or is it Centre?) Okay this song is written in 4/4, but I accidentally slipped into 3/4 when I introduced in, and just stuck with it. It works, pretty much. Has anyone else who has used that song done that? accidentally, uh on purpose?

Additional notes about the service: The theme was, keeping Jesus at the Center, and the Creating Sacred Space team ( I just made up a name for the ever faithful art team) put the communion table in the very center of the worship space., behind, infront and along side of all those gathered. Nice!

Overall Great Sunday of awesome singing by the congregation! Old songs new songs, hard songs repetitive songs, it didn't matter. Beautiful!


Check out more beautiful Sunday morning worship sets from all around the world at Fred McKinnon's worship set blog right HERE

Greater things are still to be done

So, this years American Idol finale didn't have the finalists singing "Shout to the Lord" or any other of the current top ccli songs, but the winner, Kris Allen, most recently used his musical skill as worship leader at New Life Church in Conway Arkansas, a mega church in the suburbs of Little Rock. This church even has a link, on its website to some kind of voting party held for Kris on finale night, sponsored by someone giving out prizes including HD Tvs, to those who stayed and voted for Kris. Wow, sounds like a good deal!

I hope Kris does well in the music industry, he seems like "the guy next door", which is probably part of the reason he won the whole thing, people were able to connect to him, and relate to him in some way. He is in good company with many other American Idols and finalists, coming from Christian music backgrounds:

Just a few examples:

Chris Daughtry was in a Christian band called Absent Element
Mandisa ('member her?) has recorded 2 gospel albums
Chris Sligh was a worship leader and now has done very well recording and writing music in the Christian music industry
Jordin Sparks was a member of her church's worship team
and here's one I was surprised at- Phil Stacey was a music minister in the US Navy.

Take a look at this video of Kris Allen singing "God of this City" originally sung/written by Blue Tree, a band out of Ireland, and then covered by Chris Tomlin. I've really liked this song, and love the fact that THE American Idol is singing it!

Singing from the heart

Have you heard of Charice Pempengco, 17 years old, raised by a single mom in the Philippines, never had a voice lesson, vocal prodigy, sang on the Oprah show yesterday, and actually 2 other times before that? Feel what you want about Oprah, or the lyrics to the song, "Note to God" by Diane Warren, but this girl can sing, and not only sing, sing with passion. You can hear it in her voice, and see it in her eyes where tears threatened to pour out at any minute during her performance.

Part of me thinks she was probably a bit caught up in the moment, the swell of the music as the choir joined in with the full orchestra backing, the audience, and Oprah Winfrey herself, standing to their feet, tears falling, hands raising... I know I was, but either way, this girl can sing, sing with passion.

Check the YouTube video of the performance out here

(oops, sorry, it looks like the video was taken down for violating Harpo copyrights... too bad!)

Concert a week- #10 ( I think its 10)

I've been looking forward to this concert since we picked a date for it, and put it the calendar. This past Friday May 15th at 7:30, in the beautiful setting of Immanuel's original sanctuary, Mia Koehne and Nathan Fisher led us in their original songs, honest testimonies, worship and singing.

I love, and am moved by the songs that pour from the hearts of these two musicians, many of which run through my head throughout the day-

"Jesus you save me from the grave..."

"there is nothing, I can do, to earn your love..."

"...lift your head up child...the Savior cries for you"

"You uphold the weak, help them stand, help them stand..."

Both Mia and Nathan have amazing musical skills, and voices that are pure and simple, yet full of passion. Although their musical styles are different, these musicians are more similar than not. Both have a vast knowledge of scripture, as well as a willingness to be authentic and open about their walks of faith, all of which is reflected wonderfully into their songwriting and performing.

I had the privilege of singing and playing piano with them for many of the songs, and it was such a joy! I really feel comfortable in a supporting role in a group, adding color and harmony as needed. I can't wait to play with them again!

We planned the concert, and advertised it as a "Worship Concert"... not sure if anyone reading the advertisements actually knew what that meant, but that's exactly what it was. The setting was that of an intimate worship space, quiet and reverent, comfortable and peaceful. What an awesome space for a concert, can't believe we've waited so long to have one in there!

Some of the songs were meant for reflection, while during others the audience was encouraged to sing along. I think we were all in awe as we listened to the audience joining together and singing out in that acoustically beautiful space. Praise to the Lord, Nothing but the Blood, I'll Fly Away, Amazing Grace, as well as on songs familiar and not so familiar written by Mia and Nathan.

The concert was certainly a blessing for the 3 of us, I pray that it was for those in attendance as well!

Music for Sunday May 3rd

Music at 10:00

Theme- Walking in the Light of Love


Opening worship

Blessed be Your Name- in A

into

Shout to the Lord- in A

after confession and absolution we reprised

Shout to the Lord (chorus only)

Songs during communion:

There is a Redeemer- in D by Keith and Melody Green (one of my very first favorite praise and worship songs, still a favorite)

into

You are my King/Amazing Love - in D

Closer-
Make us one- (a nice ballad type/easy to sing/closer by Twila Paris- especially nice with a kids choir singing along. )

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Music at Sanctuary

I was at Sanctuary this week and had the opportunity to sing with Pastor James AND Mia. Too awesome singers/worship leaders, so easy to work with, it makes it so easy to worship as we lead the congregation. Adding to the worship, were the college kids again singing from their hearts!

As the theme was Walking in the Light of God's Love, we started out with an extended worship set, giving the people the opportunity to experience God's love through the music.

Later on during Face to Face Mia shared a brand new song she wrote based on John 11, and Jesus weeping over Lazarus. umm this song is incredible, and as soon as she can record it, I would like to post it here for your enjoyment... so check back soon!

We then closed with another original by Mia, which I changed at the last minute from Hosanna (brooke fraser) The lyrics to Mia's song " O Lord your Love is all that I desire" really spoke to the congregation after the message of this service.

Please check out the service plan for Sanctuary, our 2nd site campus, from planning center online by clicking here

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I am enjoying posting these set lists, and reading others from around the world at Fred Mckinnon's Blog- check it out here

A TV show for you

I've caught a few episodes recently of the 2nd season of "Sunday Best" and the singers and music on this show truly inspire me. "Sunday Best" features aspiring Gospel singers, and is sort of like the gospel version of American Idol, with a lot less drama, and much better singers. The season is also only about 8 weeks long, and its nearly over... but never fear... all the episodes are available online for you to watch (or even just listen to) and enjoy. Check it out here- Sunday Best episodes

Singing at St Paul

Yesterday I had the opportunity to practice with Mia for a recording session next week. What a great afternoon of low key, low pressure, practice and worship. I am excited, but nervous about this opportunity. I get nervous about the quality of my voice, and my abilities to find (and key here- remember- harmony parts). But Mia makes the whole process simple, and comfortable.

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The church we were practicing at, St Paul, looks like it was built in the late 60's and is a cavernous space, surrounded in glass and light. Every time I'm there I wish there were 400 people in there with me, singing there hearts out, with the voices echoing throughout the room.

The banner below was created by a member of the congregation, who happens to be my son's tennis coach! Its beautiful!

In Harmony

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a harmony workshop put on as part of the Acoustic Roots Workshop series with Mark Dvorak www.markdvorak.com, and instructors from the Old Town School of Folk Music www.oldtownschool.org

If I lived close to The Old Town, and had the money and time I would indulge in many of their class offerings, including, but not limited to- the accordion. I don't have an accordion, but if you do, and want to lend me yours, let me know- I'll take good care of it!

The workshop was 2 hours of inspiring conversation and heartfelt singing from those gathered. I came away enjoying the event for the social aspect, but also with plenty of ideas to help teach harmony singing. In fact tonight at practice I used a little "drill" we used at the workshop last night. I asked the group to sing Amazing Grace vs1 only, from memory of course, and repeated it a number of times. The first time through I asked them to just listen, and then as the song went on, to sing out any harmony they heard (even if they didn't think it was right). It worked well.

Last night at the workshop we sang a song I had never heard before called "The Waters of Babylon" based on Psalm 137:1. it is written in a minor key, and sung as a round.

(part 1)By the waters, the waters of Babylon
(part 2)We lay down and wept, and wept for thee Zion
(part 3)We remember, we remember, we remember thee Zion

I am trying to figure out who wrote the song we sang last night, as I found a different version which is a fairly well known reggae song sung first by The Melodians, and covered by many since, including, Sinead O Connor and Sublime.

I finally ran across a version by Don McLean, apparently when he sings it in concert, the whole audience participates in the round... but I still can't figure out if he actually wrote the haunting melody. Then I found this video of the song being sung by a group of singers from Canada. Just in case you really like their sound, they also cover Beatles tunes :) :)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMhIgrjQjPQ

I think I'll try this out at Sanctuary some time