»  The Worship War of 1901
July 4, 2008 (#198)
»  Worship -- with Brunch and Jazz -- in North Georgia
Sacred Tapestry is the name of a new church start in Marietta, Georiga, in the North Georgia Annual Conference. It was featured on CNN, Sunday, June 29, 2008.
»  What Is the United Methodist Church Hymn Tradition?
June 27, 2008 (#197)
»  "In Times of Great Decision" (Election Hymn)
The composer writes: "This election inspires plenty of prayer, sung and otherwise."
»  "Push Out Into the Deep"
(Hymn based on Luke 5:1-11)
Words by F. Richard Garland, 2008
Music: ST. THOMAS, Aaron Williams, 1770
»  "Go Now Into the World"
Words by F. Richard Garland, 2008
Music: FESTAL SONG by William H. Walter, 1894
»  Prayers for Zimbabwe
»  Celebration of 100 Years of the United Methodist Social Creed (Including the New Social Creed Litany) [pdf document]
»  Choosing Between Gas and Choir
June 20, 2008 (#196)
American drivers are reeling from gasoline price increases. The church is also affected by the gasoline prices its members must pay. As church musicians, are there things we can do to help our choir members and faithful musicians not have to choose between gas or church?
»  Review and Recommendation: Graphic Design and Religion
»  New Composer Biography: Stephen P. West
»  An Order of Service for the Consecration of a Burial Ground, Memorial Garden or Columbarium
»  Recent Non-Choral Music Releases from Hope Publishing Company (June 2008)
»  Drew Theological School Summer Music Institute 2008
The Welcome Table: Sharing Stories and Raising Praise
July 24-26, 2008
Madison, New Jersey
»  Worship and Music Resources for U.S.A. Independence Day
»  Church of the Resurrection Leadership Institute 2008
Leawood, Kansas
September 30-October 2, 2008
$99 per participant ($155 after 9/5)
»  Inflation, Worship, and Community
»  Prayers for People Facing Floods
»  Sacred Music Summer Conference, Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia
July 28-August 2, 2008
»  Worship, Music, and Preaching from the Center (WMPC)
January 15-19, 2009
Nashville, TN
Presented by The General Board of Discipleship's Discipleship University.
»  Book Review and Recommendation: The Singing Thing and The Singing Thing Too
»  Book Review and Recommendation: Choose to Love
»  Review: For Everyone Born: Global Songs for an Emerging Church (book and CD)
»  "Once to Every Soul and Nation"
Tune: EBENEZER
This hymn text, written by James Russell Lowell (1819-1891), was first published in 1896. Lowell wrote the original 18-stanza poem as a protest against the Mexican War, which, through the annexation of the new Southwest Territory, would have enlarged the area of the slaveholding states. The poem first appeared in print in the Boston Courier on December 11, 1845. The hymn appeared in the 1905, 1935, and 1966 Methodist Hymnals ("Once to Every Man and Nation"), but was dropped from the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal.
»  "When the Seeds of Love Are Sown"
By F. Richard Garland
Tune: RATISBON
This new hymn text is rooted in "The Parable of the Sower." It is a prayer that the love of God will take root and grow in our lives.
»  "Sanctuary or Asylum?" ("There Are No Strangers to God's Love")
Illegal immigrants . . . guest workers . . . political refugees? The Rev. Andrew Pratt has composed this new hymn under the provocative title, “Sanctuary or Asylum?"
»  The Great Thanksgiving: A Musical Setting
by Steve West
Using HYMN TO JOY
»  Reading of the Names: A Memorial Presentation
»  "Arky, Arky" ("Rise and Shine")
Traditional Camp and Kids Song
This traditional favorite song from many campfires and Vacation Bible Schools has been selected for use this year by Children's Sabbath. It is provided here with all the verses and a simple piano accompaniment and guitar chords.
»  "To God We Come"
The Rev. Gareth Hill, British Methodist pastor and hymn writer, wrote this hymn for the opening service of his own church.
»  Psalm 139: You Know My Soul
This large choral setting of Psalm 139 is available in pdf version for downloading. Also included is an mp3 sound file.
»  "God Holds the Whole World in Loving Hands"
This is a new setting for congregational singing of the traditional spiritual, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," with updated words.
»  Worship Resources for Times of Crisis -- Natural Disasters
»  Planning Helps and Resources for the Sundays After Pentecost (Ordinary Time II)
»  "If God Created All We See"
Andrew Pratt wrote this text in response to the devastation from the 2007 Peruvian earthquake. It is equally appropriate as a response to the 2008 earthquake in China.
»  "When Every Source of Hope Is Torn"

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Cyclone Nargis and its 200 km/h winds and 12-foot high wall of water brought death and disaster to the southeast Asian nation of Burma. As of Tuesday, May 6, the death toll had risen to 30,000, with up to 250,000 deaths expected. Some 41,000 are missing. Such devastation naturally brings questions to the minds of Christians. British Methodist pastor and hymn writer Andrew Pratt has given voice to some of these in this hymn written following the storm.

 

 
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