A Case for Hymnody
Pastor Peters at Pastoral Meanderings makes a compelling case for the use of the church’s vast wealth of hymnody: This treasury helps teach the faith to each generation. In many cases hymns (or what we sing) are remembered far longer by the people in the pews than the pastor’s sermon (and I don’t mean any disrespect to pastors – I highly value the sermon).
The Concordia Organist
I received an e-mail today from CPH that startled me even though I “knew” their new product would be coming eventually.
Wanted: One Outstanding Church Organist.
Music adds much to our worship, but musicians can be hard to find. Well, look no further.
The reality is that many churches have a difficult time finding an organist or even someone who can play the piano for worship services. Enter CPH. They have created Concordia Organist, a 31-CD set of all the hymns in LSB which can be used to accompany hymn singing.
Diving into Hymnody
If you like hymnody, and Lutheran hymnody in particular, there are several blogs you should visit.
CPH Goes MP3
Just a quick note — it looks like CPH has finally got into the 21st century with selling some of their CD’s as MP3′s. According to a CPH press release (no longer available), you can now buy selected CPH audio products from Amazon and iTunes. Both “Heirs of the Reformation” and “Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, and Chants” are available for download. The interesting thing is that the price on Amazon is $17.98 and $15.98 respectively, but the iTunes prices are $24.99 and $34.99. Hmm . . .
Both are excellent CD compilations of some of the finest Lutheran hymnody and a worthy addition to your audio library.
Joy to the Heart
On today’s Issues, Etc program Todd Wilken had Pastor Will Weedon on the show to discuss a great Easter hymn – Joy to the Heart (link to the MP3 of the show). It is well worth the listen.
The LCMS 100 “Song” Study: Part 1
Back in June 2008 I commented on the LCMS Reporter article that 100 “worship and praise songs” had successfully made their way through the Synod’s doctrinal review process (13 of them appear in LSB or earlier publications). I’ve wondered about the delay to release the list, but it has recently been posted on the Commission on Worship’s website — go here to read their article and get the list.
This study has been motivated by a trend in parts of the LCMS to embrace the “praise and worship” genre of music. The Commission was directed by convention resolution to provide “guidance and direction in the use of diverse/contemporary worship resources.” Given the plethora of “diverse/contemporary worship resources” [there are over 200,000 songs available for use via the CCLI church copyright license], some guidance seems appropriate to steer professional church workers and laity toward resources that are in harmony with the Lutheran faith and confessions.
O Sing of Christ
Some of you may be familiar with O Sing of Christ (LSB 362) by Stephen Starke – a wonderful Christmas hymn text that will be new to many, but coupled to the tune Forest Green (sometimes sung to O Little Town of Bethlehem).
While listening to my Christmas iPod playlist, I came across a recording of a delightful hymn setting of O Sing of Christ that I discovered a few years back. After a little bit of Internet research I found the source of it — Outer Rim Territories. The setting is by Kevin Hildebrand and is a rehearsal recording of one of the seminary choral groups. You can even sing along if you like.
Ambrose, the Children, and Advent
A few days back I was flipping through “First Person Singular: Reflections on Worship, Liturgy, and Children” by Carl Schalk. It is is a smallish volume of less than a hundred pages with brief reflections on various topics related to children in the life of the church.
Schalk had a reflection that was particularly relevant to the Advent season based on Ambrose, the author of the Hymn of the Day for this First Sunday in Advent – “Savior of the Nations, Come” (LSB 332)
Heirs of the Reformation CD Set
Today the good folks at FedEx delivered one of two long awaited items I’ve had on preorder from CPH. Hot off the press is a “sequel” (for lack of a better word) to the 4 CD set Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, Chants, Truth. This next 4 CD set – Heirs of the Reformation – focuses on Lutheran hymnody after Luther during the 16th and 17th centuries. Audio samples are available on the CPH product page.
This evening I copied the CDs over to my iPod and have been listening to them as I walked the dog and did other evening tasks. The music is glorious – a melding of instrumental and vocal settings – some old and some new – some on period instruments and some on the organ. This set is truly a feast for the ears; a proclamation of the Word through some great texts and music.
Higher Hymnody: The Gifts Christ Freely Gives
Here’s a good article by Jonathon Kohlmeier over at Higher Things on hymnody. In particular, he takes a look at Kantor Richard Resch’s hymn “The Gifts Christ Freely Gives” (LSB 602) and comments on the gifts we receive in the Divine Service. Thanks Jonathon!
Share your thoughts . . .