J.S. Bach: The Music Lives On
Each year on July 28, the church commemorates Kantor J.S. Bach. It was on this date in 1750 that Bach — musician, composer, and servant of the church — entered into eternal rest. When I think of Bach and his death, the first thing that comes to mind is the closing chorale to his St. [...]
Soundtrack of Life
Imagine watching Star Wars or some other favorite movie with one big change: no music. The plot and characters would still be there, but we would miss that familiar music that moves the story forward. Movie soundtracks are not random bits of music to cover dialogue or video sequences, but are often composed specifically to [...]
On New Music
Of making many books there is no end . . . Ecclesiastes 12:12 And so goes the publishing industry. Now don’t get me wrong: I love books. I’m eagerly anticipating the FedEx delivery truck dropping off a box from CPH on Friday with the new edition of Walther’s Law and Gospel, a volume of Sasse, [...]
Fellowship & Church Musicians
Put a group of church musicians in a room and you’ll probably see this: camaraderie. Whether it be old friends or new faces, a fellowship develops from a common musical bond and shared experiences. Over the last few summers I’ve had the opportunity to attend the Organist Workshops at Concordia Theological Seminary. It’s frankly [...]
The Struggle of Daily Prayer
I have a confession to make: it is a struggle to daily be in the Word and prayer. It is not for lack of resources — my bookshelves have a number of good devotionals and prayerbooks. The issue is my sinful self can always find leeches that suck the time out of the day. Rather [...]
Johann Walter – Composer and Poet
On April 24 the church commemorates Johann Walter, the first Lutheran kantor (brief bio). This year I’m sharing a selection of his poem “In Praise of the Noble Art of Music” that Carl Schalk included in Music in Early Lutheranism. Schalk notes that Walter’s musical “work was clearly related to the theology of the church [...]
Manz Harmonizations for Lent & Easter
As I was filing away some of the Lenten and Easter music, I realized Paul Manz’s Varied Hymn Accompaniments for Lent and Easter got a lot of use this year. I particularly appreciate that these collections are accessible for organist and congregation alike. The tunes are clearly brought out with interesting harmonies and rhythms that [...]
Seeing Christ in Word and Sacraments
Seeing is believing. Those were the words Thomas essentially said when the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” Thomas had not seen, so the skeptic in him did not believe. As I reread the Gospel lesson for this past Sunday (John 20:19-31) I am reminded that we do see Chris in Word [...]
Easter Joy!
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! A blessed Easter to you all. “Joy to the Heart” by K. Lee Scott is one of my all time favorite Easter anthems. (The piece starts 39 seconds into the video). After that, you’ll find an Issues Etc show with Pastor Will Weedon discussing the piece and [...]
March Resources
Today’s post is a mixed bag of several resource items that have caught my eye over the last few weeks. HIS VOICE The Good Shepherd Institute has recently published the bi-annual edition of their newsletter “His Voice” that focus on resources for pastoral theology and sacred music. In it you’ll find information on the next [...]
Kantor’s Reading List- Circ de Soleil -- From Church to Circus Pastor Peters
- Can We Still Call Ourselves the Church of J. S. Bach? Pastor Peters
- Pastoral Care Done by the Laity; Lay Work Done by the Pastor Pastor Peters
- Your Church May Not Be a Church If . . . Paul T. McCain
- What Makes Lutheran Worship Lutheran? Stephen R. Johnson
Share your thoughts . . .