May 2012
31 posts
A Sonnet for the Feast of the Visitation
Assuming that the Annunciation and the Incarnation took place around the time of the vernal equinox, Mary left Nazareth at the end of March and went over the mountains to Hebron, south of Jerusalem, to wait upon her cousin Elizabeth. . (Lk1:39-57) http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=255
In response to Elizabeth’s remark about the baby leaping for joy in the womb, Mary proclaims...
Arts Relief & Development: BuildaBridge online...
One of my favorite NGOs is BuildaBridge, founded by Dr. Nathan Corbitt.
Every summer they host an Institute for people who want to learn about connecting music/arts and community development. This summer, they have arranged for anyone to view the introductory lectures online.
The classes are:
* Foundation for Arts in Transformation
* Arts in Social Services: Towards a Systematic...
Song for The Shorter Catechism: Sacraments and...
Bruce Benedict of Cardiphonia has just released Volume 2 of his songs to help people memorize biblical teachings found in the catechism.
This volume uses the text of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, covering questions 86-107 (Sacraments and Prayer).
Here’s a sample song.
<a href=”http://shortercatechism.bandcamp.com/track/question-93”...
O Sacred Head - shoegaze style, by Page CXVI
I’ve highlighted the band Page CXVI before. They are a trio who like to take common hymns and choruses and redo them in a “shoegazing” musical style.
If you don’t know about “shoegazing” music, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazing
Of course, this band emphasizes the lyrics more than a secular shoegaze band.
Here’s their recent...
Welcoming and Inclusive Worship, by Katelin Hansen
My acquaintance Katelin Hansen lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she is part of the Ubuntu Choir for All People.
She blogs on topics related to Christianity and race, at ‘By Their Strange Fruit.’ It’s the place to go for weekly provocative reading on ethnic identities and Christianity in America! http://bytheirstrangefruit.blogspot.com/
Her blog post on May 28 is Welcoming and...
A Sonnet for Pentecost (Malcolm Guite)
Reposted from Malcolm’s website at http://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2012/05/26/a-sonnet-for-pentecost/
A new sonnet by my favorite British liturgical poet!
Continuing in my cycle of sonnets for the Church Year this is a sonnet reflecting on and celebrating the themes and readings of Pentecost. Throughout the cycle, and more widely I have been reflecting on the traditional ‘four...
12 Hours of 'Deep Spiritual Jazz' Music
From http://www.thejazzmeet.com/friends-and-features/black-classical-history-of-spiritual-jazz-1955-2012/
“There’s been a slow but steady resurgence in the interest of the deep spiritual jazz sound of the 1960s and 1970s, as more and more record labels strive to find and reissue obscure private press and long out of print works to meet the insatiable tastes of record collectors and...
Questions to Renew All Christian Worship, by...
Dr. Lester Ruth is one of my teaching colleagues at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies.
www.iws.edu
Here’s an article he wrote titled
Beyond Style Debates (Questions to Renew All Christian Worship)
“These questions seek to get at things so essential that they should apply to all Christian worship. Hopefully, they cultivate goals that go beyond personal...
Retreat for Korean Diaspora Worship Leaders (July...
My colleague Jaewoo Kim and friends are hosting this event, to be held in Dallas, Texas July 8-10 2012.
All information is from https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=368131416577778&set=a.271651029559151.67464.271599899564264&type=1&theater
한인교회 예배인도자들을 위한 Worship Leaders Retreat이 7월8일-10일 Dallas(TX)에서 열립니다. 1차 등록은 5월31일까지 $150.00이며 5월31일 이후에는 가격이 $175.00로 인상됩니다. 이번...
Come Holy Spirit, Come (Hiram Ring)
Here’s a great song for Pentecost from Cardiphonia’s compilation of Pentecost Songs.
<a href=”http://pageantmusic.bandcamp.com/track/come-holy-spirit-come-hiram-ring” data-mce-href=”http://pageantmusic.bandcamp.com/track/come-holy-spirit-come-hiram-ring”>Come Holy Spirit, Come (Hiram Ring) by Pageant Music</a>
I’m highlighting this song in...
"Oh Lord We Praise You" - Hezekiah Walker & The...
Bishop Hezekiah Xzavier Walker, Jr. (born December 24, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York is a Grammy Award-winning gospel music artist, founder and leader of the Love Fellowship Choir (LFC), and Pastor and Bishop of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle, with locations in Brooklyn, New York, and Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in the United States.
He’s released nineteen albums, two of which won Grammy...
Pentecost Songs: An Entire Album! from Cardiphonia
Bruce Benedict, an acquaintance and worship leader who blogs at Cardiphonia, organized over 25 songwriters to create enough songs about the Holy Spirit to fill an entire album! Pentecost Songs was released in June 2011.
Read all about the project here: http://cardiphonia.org/2011/06/07/pentecost-songs/
Download the album here: http://cardiphonia.bandcamp.com/album/pentecost-songs
Download the...
Easy Bilingual Songs for Pentecost Sunday
Pentecost Sunday is a great opportunity to use bilingual worship songs in your congregation.
Read an intriguing article about “The Power of Pentecost” at
www.faithandleadership.com/content/rhonda-mawhood-lee-the-power-pentecost?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=headline&utm_campaign=FL_feature
Here’s a list of very easy bilingual worship songs. The first one is from...
Heyr Himna Smiður (hymn from Iceland)
Kolbeinn Tumason (1173–1208) was a member of the Ásbirningar family clan, and was one of the most powerful chieftains (goði) in Iceland around the turn of the 12th century.
He is best known for composing the hymn Heyr himna smiður (English: “Hear, Heavenly Creator”) on his deathbed. It is now a classic and often-sung Icelandic hymn. The song, which accompanies the text was composed by...
Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! (New...
Here’s a great rousing song, recently recorded ‘live’ by Keith and Kristyn Getty of Ireland. We’re just now at the end of the Easter season in the liturgical year, but we’ll squeeze this one in because this video was just released today…. and it’s a great song.
Brennan Manning on God's love, through...
Brennan Manning is an author, friar, priest, contemplative and speaker. His writings have inspired a number of composers and artists such as Rich Mullins.
In this short video, he talks about the furious and unrelenting love of God. The audio is accompanied by a terrific typographical representation of what he says - a work of art in itself.
The audio and video paint a compelling picture that...
Worship Resources for Pentecost (Ron Man, CICW)
From my colleague Ron Man:
Here is a link to an issue of Worship Notes, this one on “The Holy Spirit and worship.” There’s an essay on the suject, a listing of relevant Scripture texts, a collection of songs relating to the Spirit’s ministry, a selection of quotes, and a short book list on the Holy spirit. http://worr.org/images/File/1-9HS.pdf
===
Calvin Institute of...
Lenten Revival with Dangi Folk Music, Church of...
All information and photos from original post at http://www.cnisynod.org/1204/newlefta3.htm
India has the richest culture of folk songs and music. Most of them have their own popularity and they are never too old to be redundant. And thus it was more than just pertinent for our churches in Dang, South Gujarat to use them for their spiritual revival in the Lenten season. Seven of the eight...
Stevie Wonder: Falling in Love with Jesus
Approaching half a million views on YouTube …
Worship for Ascension Sunday
“The ascension of Jesus is his going back to the Father to prepare a place for us. It is his being enthroned as King of kings at the Father’s right hand. The ascension is Jesus’ exaltation above every name that is named. The ascension is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry as our eternal High Priest and mediator. The ascension is Jesus’ mandatory leaving so he can send a comforter. The...
'The Garden' by Bobby McFerrin with dancers
Bobby McFerrin, long one of my favorites, composed this partial telling of the Garden of Eden story.
I’ve listened to it for 20+ years, but just today came upon this 1990 video with well-done choreography. It has some fascinating images.
Here are the lyrics:
And there was day and there was night There was dark and there was light There was the earth, there was the sky And there in the...
RIP Donna Summer, singer with gospel music roots
Disco Queen Donna Summer died yesterday.
She was one of seven children raised by devout Christian parents. Influenced by Mahalia Jackson, Summer began singing in the church at a young age. In her teens, she formed several musical groups including one with her sister and a cousin, imitating Motown girl groups such as The Supremes and Martha and the Vandellas in Boston. She later sang backup for...
Singing the Psalter: Worship that Transcends...
In January 2012, the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) released a wonderful new psalter, Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship (Brazos Press 2012).
It has multiple versions of each of the 150 psalms (sometimes as many as ten versions of a single psalm), with musical styles ranging from chant and classical hymnody to African American spirituals and contemporary urban...
"I Surrender All" - Ascend The Hill
Ascend the Hill is an up-and-coming Christian rock band.
Their latest album is revamped Hymns. You can download it for free, or for a donation, here: http://www.comeandlive.com/CLD/AscendTheHillhymns/index.html
Check out ‘I Surrender All’ in this 11-minute live version.
Certainly this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. I grew up with the traditional version, which is...
Thailand: School of Frontier Media
Interested in using arts and media to help develop culturally-conscious church-planting and worship ministries? Check out this great course led by friends in Thailand!
We train individuals to communicate the gospel in culturally relevant ways and to acquire skills in audio and visual communication which can be directly applied to frontier missions work. We equip you to use media to bring the...
Arts For a Better Future: June 17-22, Dallas!
Info on this page was posted by my colleagues at https://sites.google.com/site/artsforabetterfuture/home
Join us for a week of learning, creating, and discovery!
OUTCOMES - Participants will: * enjoy inspiration, encouragement, and networking for future ministry, * broaden their palette of tools for cross-cultural arts engagement, helping them learn more about being catalysts and co-creators...
Moving Forward - Israel Houghton/Hezekiah Walker
Here’s a live version …
Here are the lyrics:
What a moment You have brought me to Such a freedom I have found in You You’re the healer who makes all things new, Yeah, yeah, yeah I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead Here to declare to You— my past is over, in You, All things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ I’m moving, moving forward You...
Salida 7 - Rey Del Universo (Spanish CCM)
Salida 7 is a Spanish-language Chrsitian band from New Jersey.
http://salida7.com/home.html
Here’s a great anthemic rocker from 2010 - in English, King of the Universe.
From the album of the same name.
Gloria Aleluya de Juan Luis Guerra (Tabernáculo de...
Here’s a great multicultural, multilingual collaboration!
The choir is the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, a multicultural choir singing in English and Spanish with an African-American gospel choir sound.
The soloist is not identified in the video, so I’ll assume he’s part of the choir.
The song was composed by Juan Luis Guerra.
The following information about him is...
Helen Baylor- If You Abide In Me
Helen Baylor (born January 8, 1953) is an American gospel singer.
All info in this post taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_baylor
Baylor was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Los Angeles, where she first performed as a nightclub act. She opened for Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and B.B. King while still in her teens, and performed in the musical Hair. In the 1970s she continued...
God Hearts Arts, by Brian Schrag (3 Approaches to...
Dr. Brian Schrag is a long-term colleague in the realms of ethnomusicology & arts, and ethnodoxology. www.worldofworship.org
He’s the international Coordinator for Ethnomusicology & Arts in SIL, with years of experience in Cameroon and Democratic Republic of the Congo. http://www.sil.org/arts/ethnomusicology.htm
He’s published dozens of articles; here’s excerpts from...
