A Bach Gem From YouTube
As many of you know, you can find virtually anything on YouTube — some of excellent quality and some that is mediocre. One particular organist that I enjoy listening to (and watching) is Rob Stefanussen. His most recent video is of Bach’s Wachet Auf — an obligatory favorite of organists and non-organists alike. Take a few minutes and enjoy this great piece. The videography is detailed and covers the finger and pedal work.
Pipe Organs: Q&A with Grime and Hildebrand
So how does the pipe organ work? Paul Grime, Kevin Hildebrand, and the multimedia crew at Concordia Theological Seminary have put together an introductory YouTube video on the pipe organ and answer 5 or so common questions. The content is geared for both organists and non-organists. Listen closely and you can hear the nice reverberation in Kramer Chapel.
J.S. Bach: Kantor for Today
Today the church commemorates Kantor Johann Sebastian Bach, a gifted musician and servant of the church. Because of his combined musical creativity and fidelity to Christ, he has become known as the Fifth Evangelist.
Kantor Resch, in an essay in the first journal of the Good Shepherd Institute (which by the way is available as a complimentary download), mentions that Bach’s “unbelievable source of faithful confession, of teaching and admonishing, of prayer, of praise and thanksgiving, and of healing and comfort–has become a hidden treasure.”
A Liturgical and Outreach Oriented Church? Yes!
Floating across the Lutheran blogosphere the last few weeks have been several professional YouTube videos focusing on Grace Lutheran Church in Tulsa, OK – what appears to be a vibrant confessional Lutheran church. I’d encourage you to spend a few minutes watching and learning.
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.
Fourth Sunday in Advent
The Fourth Sunday in Advent, especially if we are in Series B of the lectionary, is a Sunday that has special memories for me. Nine years ago my dad was planning to preach a sermon on the Gospel text Luke 1:26-38. But God had different plans for him on that Fourth Sunday in Advent. God was calling him home to be with Him.
The sermon was never preached, although it had been written. Over the years I’ve read and reread that sermon. This sermon wasn’t intended to be a “farewell”. Yet, it has provided me comfort then, as it still does today.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Minnesota Public Radio will present a live broadcast — on the air and streamed online — of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, “My Spirit Sings of Wondrous Things,” Sunday, Dec. 7, beginning at 3:30 p.m (Central Time). MPR will present an encore broadcast Dec. 25 from 8 to 10 p.m.
Listening to the St. Olaf Christmas Festival has become an annual tradition for me.
Reflections on a Christmas Chorale
Some of us are fortunate to live close to a college or university that provides opportunities to hear some good sacred music. This Saturday evening I attended Concordia University’s (in Portland, OR) Christmas Chorale – A Service of Lessons and Carols.
One thing I appreciated about this service was that it was a worship service – not solely a concert. The choral, handbell, and wind ensemble pieces fit into and reflected on the lessons that were read. I think that’s a lesson the music folk in congregations need to remember – how does this relate to the service? We shouldn’t be choosing music just because it’s “fun” or sounds good.
Handbell Inspiration – The St Olaf Ringers
If your church has a handbell choir and you are interested in ringing, ask the director how you can participate. Most choirs welcome new people with open arms and will help you learn the joy of bell ringing. It all begins with counting 1, 2, 3, and 4.
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