This Sunday, Nov. 1, I've paired up a couple more old songs with new songs. In fact, the old songs are really old songs.
The words to "All Creatures of Our God and King" were written in 1225 by Fancis of Assisi. the tune was written in the 1600s. It has a wonderful text and I really like the tune.
"All creatures of our God and King. Lift up your voice and with us sing Hallelujah!"
One of the things I like about singing these really old hymns is that in a way it connects us with centuries of Christians. Our voices join theirs through the ages. I picked these old hymns for this Sunday - well, partly becasue I really like them, and partly because Sunday is All Saints Day. Traditionally this is a day to remember all the Saints who have gone before us. What better way than to sing songs that have been used to praise our Lord Jesus Christ for centuries and have been sung by countless saints?
We join them in worshiping Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
David Crowder Band
I've paired this ancient hymn (All Creatures) with a fairly new song "God of Wonders."
"God of wonders beyond our galaxy - You are holy.
The universe declares Your majesty - You are holy."
The other old song with new combination is "Fairest Lord Jesus" and a new setting of "For the Beauty of the Earth." I don't remember right now who wrote it. I'll look it up and add it later.
"Fairst Lord Jesus" words were written in 1677. Music - 1842.
That's all the internet I can get out of this today. I'll add to this Monday. I'll be looking for all the Hilldale people Sunday morning as we sing these great old and new songs together.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Close to 40,000
Wow! We're closing in on 40,000 hits on our worship blog. How fun is that?
How do I know such things? Look way at the bottom of the page. See the counter? If you see 40,000 when you scroll down there post a comment that you were number 40,000.
I'll have to come up with a nice prize for our 40,000th hit.
No... it won't be this Corvette. hahaha.
I painted a little ACEO for number 30,000. Maybe I'll paint something again.
Well... back to work. Christmas will be here before we know it! Much to do!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A Perfect Pair
Last Sunday we sang a couple of songs that make a perfect pair. One was written in 1997. The other was first published in 1826.
But notice how the text of one leads right into the other.
Holy, holy, holy. Though the darkness hide Thee.
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.
Only Thou art holy. There is none beside Thee.
Perfect in power, in love in purity.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord. Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You.
To see You high and lifted up, Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love as we sing "Holy, holy, holy."
I pray that as we sing these together our congregation connects those thoughts of our sinfulness clouding our eyes where we cannot see God in His glory but that as we get a glimpse of Him we want to see Him more.
Open the eyes of our hearts Lord!
Now for you music people out there who wonder how we put these two together, here's how we did it last Sunday. We sang the first verse of "Holy, Holy, Holy" (and I told the musicians to perk it up, not to play it like an old hymn) Then we sang the third verse - which is the one I quoted above - unaccompanied, slower - hopefully thinking about what we are singing. As we sang the last word of that verse, "purity," the pianist played the first measure of "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord." Then after singing that through a couple of times we sang the fourth verse of "Holy, Holy, Holy" with the same tempo and drum rhythm then went back to "Open the Eyes of My Heart." We sing them both in "D" but I suppose you could do them both in "E" if you want to sing a little higher.
I love how it works together.
Totally unrelated...
Give me a knife and I'll pare the pair of pears. And we wonder why it's difficult for people to learn English.
Since I like to include pictures in my blog posts, here is another perfect pear.
This is a painting by a friend of mine, Jean Hood, who lives in Texas. You can check out her other paintings on her blog. http://jeanleverthood.blogspot.com/2009/10/oil-painting-study-pears-and-cherries.html
But notice how the text of one leads right into the other.
Holy, holy, holy. Though the darkness hide Thee.
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.
Only Thou art holy. There is none beside Thee.
Perfect in power, in love in purity.
Open the eyes of my heart Lord. Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You.
To see You high and lifted up, Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love as we sing "Holy, holy, holy."
I pray that as we sing these together our congregation connects those thoughts of our sinfulness clouding our eyes where we cannot see God in His glory but that as we get a glimpse of Him we want to see Him more.
Open the eyes of our hearts Lord!
Now for you music people out there who wonder how we put these two together, here's how we did it last Sunday. We sang the first verse of "Holy, Holy, Holy" (and I told the musicians to perk it up, not to play it like an old hymn) Then we sang the third verse - which is the one I quoted above - unaccompanied, slower - hopefully thinking about what we are singing. As we sang the last word of that verse, "purity," the pianist played the first measure of "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord." Then after singing that through a couple of times we sang the fourth verse of "Holy, Holy, Holy" with the same tempo and drum rhythm then went back to "Open the Eyes of My Heart." We sing them both in "D" but I suppose you could do them both in "E" if you want to sing a little higher.
I love how it works together.
Totally unrelated...
Give me a knife and I'll pare the pair of pears. And we wonder why it's difficult for people to learn English.
Since I like to include pictures in my blog posts, here is another perfect pear.
This is a painting by a friend of mine, Jean Hood, who lives in Texas. You can check out her other paintings on her blog. http://jeanleverthood.blogspot.com/2009/10/oil-painting-study-pears-and-cherries.html
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Looking Ahead
The pastoral staff of Hilldale just completed our annual planning retreat. We get together for a few days each October to plan and dream about the upcoming year. We had a lot of fun together, talked about some serious issues, streamlined a few things, developed an evangelism strategy, prayed together, laughed together... it was a great time together.
Some things are the same - well, they are the same kind of event - such as the Passion Play and "the Tree." VBS, the Fall Festival and those kinds of things will continue too. They are great outreach opportunities to our community and great projects for us all to work on together.
Other things may be new or changed a little.
But through all of it, our prayer is that the Kingdom will advance, the lost will be saved, the saints will be encouraged and will grow in their faith and their walk and that at the end of 2010 we will be able to look back and see the great things God was able to do because the people of Hilldale were willing to follow His call.
Here is your challenge. Will you wait until someone comes after you with a cattle prod or a guilt trip to do something for the Kingdom or will you get excited about what God is doing and join Him now? Don't wait for one of your pastors to say, "will you?" Jump in there and say, "Let me join you. How can I help? I've invited my neighbor..."
See you tomorrow night. Choir is at 6:30.
Some things are the same - well, they are the same kind of event - such as the Passion Play and "the Tree." VBS, the Fall Festival and those kinds of things will continue too. They are great outreach opportunities to our community and great projects for us all to work on together.
Other things may be new or changed a little.
But through all of it, our prayer is that the Kingdom will advance, the lost will be saved, the saints will be encouraged and will grow in their faith and their walk and that at the end of 2010 we will be able to look back and see the great things God was able to do because the people of Hilldale were willing to follow His call.
Here is your challenge. Will you wait until someone comes after you with a cattle prod or a guilt trip to do something for the Kingdom or will you get excited about what God is doing and join Him now? Don't wait for one of your pastors to say, "will you?" Jump in there and say, "Let me join you. How can I help? I've invited my neighbor..."
See you tomorrow night. Choir is at 6:30.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Music for October 18th
October 18, 2009 AM
Dan Dickerson leading worship
How Great Is Our God
How Great Thou Art
How Great is Our God (chorus reprise)
Fellowship Song – Forever
At Calvary
The Wonderful Cross
Special Music – Angie Thomas
Message – Dr. Larry D. Robertson
Invitation – I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Offertory – Gena Tate
Baptisms - Pending
Closing – Bro. Tony Lewis
Dan Dickerson leading worship
How Great Is Our God
How Great Thou Art
How Great is Our God (chorus reprise)
Fellowship Song – Forever
At Calvary
The Wonderful Cross
Special Music – Angie Thomas
Message – Dr. Larry D. Robertson
Invitation – I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Offertory – Gena Tate
Baptisms - Pending
Closing – Bro. Tony Lewis
Monday, October 12, 2009
Being in the Right Place at the Right Time
but without my camera. sigh
Last night I was definitely in the right place at the right time.
Wow! What a wonderful evening! The Nashville Praise Symphony was fantastic! Our Hilldale Baptist Church choir was in full force and sang WONDERFULLY!
Chasing a rabbit -
we need a fancier name for our choir. Perhaps I'll put a poll up over there on the left. Yes... that's what I'll do.
So, back to the point.
I had a blast last night. Playing in the orchestra was so much fun! I haven't had the opportunity to play in an orchestra in a very long time. Even though I was sight-reading most of the notes (I did look at the music one day, but did not get to spend much time with it) I didn't play any unwritten solos and only had to skip over a few really fast notes.
Then, having the privilege of directing that fine orchestra and our unnamed adult choir, that was just THE BEST!
We often use the phrase "in the right place at the right time" to talk about some one's lucky happenstance and fortune coming their way unexpectedly. But I've found through the years that being in the right place at the right time usually isn't a chance thing. People who are in "the right place at the right time" have usually studied, practiced, worked hard and have ended up at the right place at the right time because they planned on getting there. Keeping with our rabbit theme - you don't get there with chance or with a lucky rabbit's foot.
(Who made that rabbit foot thing up anyway??)
Last night's event wasn't by chance. The orchestra rehearsed on more than one occasion before last night and individually the players have spent many, many hours learning to be the best at their instrument. I didn't learn how to direct a choir and an orchestra one afternoon when I didn't have anything else to do. I went to school and studied and learned the instruments and have been doing that for many years. The choir rehearsed our songs (good thing we knew them since the words messed up) and sang well because we have spent time together singing.
And most importantly - God honored our efforts and our rehearsing and practice and planning and prayers and blessed us with His Spirit singing and playing and moving through us and we shared a wonderful evening of beautiful music and a great time of worship.
All of that to say.
Don't wait around life hoping that some day you're going to end up "at the right place at the right time." By the way - I'm not just talking about music here. This applies to EVERYTHING in life.
Dream
Plan
Practice
Study
Work hard
Pray
Don't be a victim of circumstances. DO something grand!
Last night I was definitely in the right place at the right time.
Wow! What a wonderful evening! The Nashville Praise Symphony was fantastic! Our Hilldale Baptist Church choir was in full force and sang WONDERFULLY!
Chasing a rabbit -
we need a fancier name for our choir. Perhaps I'll put a poll up over there on the left. Yes... that's what I'll do.So, back to the point.
I had a blast last night. Playing in the orchestra was so much fun! I haven't had the opportunity to play in an orchestra in a very long time. Even though I was sight-reading most of the notes (I did look at the music one day, but did not get to spend much time with it) I didn't play any unwritten solos and only had to skip over a few really fast notes.
Then, having the privilege of directing that fine orchestra and our unnamed adult choir, that was just THE BEST!
We often use the phrase "in the right place at the right time" to talk about some one's lucky happenstance and fortune coming their way unexpectedly. But I've found through the years that being in the right place at the right time usually isn't a chance thing. People who are in "the right place at the right time" have usually studied, practiced, worked hard and have ended up at the right place at the right time because they planned on getting there. Keeping with our rabbit theme - you don't get there with chance or with a lucky rabbit's foot.
(Who made that rabbit foot thing up anyway??)Last night's event wasn't by chance. The orchestra rehearsed on more than one occasion before last night and individually the players have spent many, many hours learning to be the best at their instrument. I didn't learn how to direct a choir and an orchestra one afternoon when I didn't have anything else to do. I went to school and studied and learned the instruments and have been doing that for many years. The choir rehearsed our songs (good thing we knew them since the words messed up) and sang well because we have spent time together singing.
And most importantly - God honored our efforts and our rehearsing and practice and planning and prayers and blessed us with His Spirit singing and playing and moving through us and we shared a wonderful evening of beautiful music and a great time of worship.
All of that to say.
Don't wait around life hoping that some day you're going to end up "at the right place at the right time." By the way - I'm not just talking about music here. This applies to EVERYTHING in life.
Dream
Plan
Practice
Study
Work hard
Pray
Don't be a victim of circumstances. DO something grand!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Great Opportunity - Copy of E-mail 10-9-09
Sometimes my e-mails don't go through. If you read this blog regularly you have seen some posts about that.
So... just to make sure the message is getting out... here is a copy of an e-mail I just sent to the choir. If you aren't in choir you may find it somewhat informative or you can just click on to something else. If you are in choir you should read it just in case the e-mail doesn't make it to your inbox.
Just a quick reminder about Sunday night.
This is a GREAT opportunity for us. Churches all across Middle Tennessee have tried to get the Nashville Praise Symphony to come to their church for a concert and for the chance for their choir to sing with them. But we are one of the few churches who will actually get to hear them and sing with them.
The NPS has members from churches all across the state (mostly middle TN) and some that even come in from other states. I'm excited that they will get to see our church and hear you all sing.
If you work in AWANA I'm sure the other workers will be happy to cover for you since they will want us to be at our very best. We have been advertising on the radio and the Fisher House has been telling people about the concert, so we should have several guests. Let's let them see a big, wonderful choir. I'm sure you'll want to have your children in there too since this is a once-in-many-years event. How often do your children get to see a live orchestra?
So we will look nice without wearing robes, we're going to wear black and white. We will sit in the congregation (so you can sit with your spouse and your children) and then we will move to the choir loft toward the end of the program.
We will go over our songs ("Let the Worshippers Arise" and "Our God Saves") at 4:30. Come a little early so we can begin singing at 4:30.
Don't forget that we will be sharing a snack supper with the orchestra immediately after the concert. Lil Smith had sign up sheets Wednesday night for sandwiches and desserts. She can tell you what we need if you didn't get to sign up.
See you Sunday!
So... just to make sure the message is getting out... here is a copy of an e-mail I just sent to the choir. If you aren't in choir you may find it somewhat informative or you can just click on to something else. If you are in choir you should read it just in case the e-mail doesn't make it to your inbox.
Just a quick reminder about Sunday night.
This is a GREAT opportunity for us. Churches all across Middle Tennessee have tried to get the Nashville Praise Symphony to come to their church for a concert and for the chance for their choir to sing with them. But we are one of the few churches who will actually get to hear them and sing with them.
The NPS has members from churches all across the state (mostly middle TN) and some that even come in from other states. I'm excited that they will get to see our church and hear you all sing.
If you work in AWANA I'm sure the other workers will be happy to cover for you since they will want us to be at our very best. We have been advertising on the radio and the Fisher House has been telling people about the concert, so we should have several guests. Let's let them see a big, wonderful choir. I'm sure you'll want to have your children in there too since this is a once-in-many-years event. How often do your children get to see a live orchestra?
So we will look nice without wearing robes, we're going to wear black and white. We will sit in the congregation (so you can sit with your spouse and your children) and then we will move to the choir loft toward the end of the program.
We will go over our songs ("Let the Worshippers Arise" and "Our God Saves") at 4:30. Come a little early so we can begin singing at 4:30.
Don't forget that we will be sharing a snack supper with the orchestra immediately after the concert. Lil Smith had sign up sheets Wednesday night for sandwiches and desserts. She can tell you what we need if you didn't get to sign up.
See you Sunday!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
VBS and CMS
Look at this! Our very own Angie Thomas is famous!
She's on a commercial for CMS!
"What's CMS?" you may ask. It's the Children's Music Series from LifeWay. Great music, great curriculum, fun activities and they learn about music and worship and scripture and biblical truths and more.
Our Children's Choirs are on Sunday nights at 4:30. Are your children in choir?
She's on a commercial for CMS!
"What's CMS?" you may ask. It's the Children's Music Series from LifeWay. Great music, great curriculum, fun activities and they learn about music and worship and scripture and biblical truths and more.
Our Children's Choirs are on Sunday nights at 4:30. Are your children in choir?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Pics from our Choir Retreat
Our retreat was a few weeks ago, but my church computer didn't like talking to my camera so I couldn't get the pictures. I know all of our curious readers were waiting with great anticipation for some details of the retreat and some fun pictures.
Lining up the words game.
Yummy snack food!
Haha. The only difference between a room for two and a room for four was how many of the bunk beds had sheets on them. You might give me a call before you book a group here.
My favorite game of the weekend - Follow the Light. It was really cool.
Notice the red lights in the mirrors.Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Choir Joins the Symphony
Not joins as in we are all learning to play the violin, but joins as in we're going to sing some songs together!
I just got word today that a couple of the songs that we know as a choir will be on the program Sunday night when the Nashville Praise Symphony plays here! So we'll be singing "Let the Worshippers Arise" and "Our God Saves" as they play.
How cool is that? I love both of these songs!! And with it being a Sunday night we can have the whole choir singing together instead of two halves like on Sunday mornings! Woohoo! I'm all excited about it.
Here's a link to an article on the Leaf Chronicles web news page that tells about the concert. Add a comment and drum up some excitement. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200910061200/NEIGHBORHOODS01/910060354
Bring someone with you to a great evening - Sunday, 5:00, Hilldale Baptist Church - be there!
Here's another great choir and orchestra combination.
I just got word today that a couple of the songs that we know as a choir will be on the program Sunday night when the Nashville Praise Symphony plays here! So we'll be singing "Let the Worshippers Arise" and "Our God Saves" as they play.
How cool is that? I love both of these songs!! And with it being a Sunday night we can have the whole choir singing together instead of two halves like on Sunday mornings! Woohoo! I'm all excited about it.
Here's a link to an article on the Leaf Chronicles web news page that tells about the concert. Add a comment and drum up some excitement. http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200910061200/NEIGHBORHOODS01/910060354
Bring someone with you to a great evening - Sunday, 5:00, Hilldale Baptist Church - be there!
Here's another great choir and orchestra combination.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Nashville Praise Symphony
A Press Release
THE NASHVILLE PRAISE SYMPHONY will play a concert on Sunday, October 11 at 5:00 PM at Hilldale Baptist Church,
2001 Madison St., in Clarksville TN 37040. The concert is free, but an offering will be received to benefit the Ft. Campbell Fisher House, a special place which assists wounded veterans and their families ( www.fortcampbellfisherhouse.org/ ).
2001 Madison St., in Clarksville TN 37040. The concert is free, but an offering will be received to benefit the Ft. Campbell Fisher House, a special place which assists wounded veterans and their families ( www.fortcampbellfisherhouse.org/ ).
The NPS is a 50-piece orchestra made up of some of the finest church musicians in middle Tennessee, and directed by well-known conductor and arranger, Mr. Camp Kirkland. The orchestra plays a variety of classical and popular music, plus arrangements of hymns and praise songs. The concerts are designed to be worshipful as well as entertaining.
Well... I guess you can tell I didn't write that. Boring!
Here's the deal. This is a great event for Clarksville! The Nashville Praise Symphony puts on a great concert that is fun, has some great music and also some wonderful times of worship as the music helps you worship and praise the Lord.
Their director is the famous Camp Kirkland http://www.campkirkland.com/ - known all over the world as a great choral and instrumental arranger. Our choir sings songs he has written all of the time.
I told David Winkler, http://davidwinkler.com/ their pianist and arranger that I'd love to play with them some time but that it was difficult to add another rehearsal every month to my schedule - and get this! - he sent me the music and I'm going to play with them this Sunday night! How fun is that? Well, at least it's fun for me! I know you will really enjoy the concert and at the right moment you can holler out. "Hooray for Bro. Lyndel! Look at him play that fiddle!"
I'm really excited about how this concert will benefit the Ft. Campbell Fisher House.
Invite all of your army friends to come support the Fisher House this Sunday night.
See you then.
Crazy Week
Last week was crazy busy! I took off Monday since my mom was in town and then was behind the rest of the week.
Last Friday and Saturday was the Kids Choral Connection. I'll post some pictures later today (if my camera and computer decide to talk to each other.)
I'll be adding another post as soon as I finish this one which will advertise the Nashville Praise Symphony concert next Sunday night. Use that link to invite people to come enjoy a great evening of music.
Last Friday and Saturday was the Kids Choral Connection. I'll post some pictures later today (if my camera and computer decide to talk to each other.)
I'll be adding another post as soon as I finish this one which will advertise the Nashville Praise Symphony concert next Sunday night. Use that link to invite people to come enjoy a great evening of music.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)