Sacred Harp Singing in Portland 10-02-2007 10:48

Forum: MIND

OK, I saw this article in the Oregonian newspaper and immediately thought of David Johnson on the WF here. Maybe others from the Portland, OR area will find this interesting too!

Click below:
Oregonian article: "For Once, Mary Mac ...ice - To Sing"

08-19-2007 08:33

Forum: MIND

Yeah, I still try to check in here most every day, but there sure hasn't been much going on. Everyone on vacation or something?

06-02-2007 10:01

Forum: PRAYER

Welcome to the WF, Michael. I know what it's like to be seeking out whether or not to be a worship leader (as a job), and the soul-searching that happens when possible jobs don't work out. You are in my prayers for God's continued work in your life and direction for where best to serve Him.

05-08-2007 07:48

Forum: PRAYER

Just a simple thanks today. . . thank you, Father, for this string of beautiful sunny days here in Portland (where we often have strings of rainy days). It makes my heart sing.

05-02-2007 04:30

Forum: TEMPLE

Or one of my favorites by Franz Biebl (available as SAATTBB, SATB, & TTBB, with soloists)?

You can go to J.W. Pepper and put "Ave Maria" in the search window. They have the Biebl and everything else too. You might like "The Complete Ave Maria" which has three different versions all in high, medium, & low keys.

Dan

04-27-2007 12:10

Forum: MIND

You're doing a great thing, Jacob. I'm fine with it being here, it probably should be a regular "nuts & bolts" thing, but has to be born from a mind/heart position.

04-27-2007 12:07

Forum: TEMPLE

Gary, I think you're right on with the attitude it takes to handle this situation. And really, we don't want to discourage sharing of songs or songwriting by others, so even though most of what we get is not usable, we still want to receive it gracefully.

04-24-2007 12:59

Forum: TEMPLE

I've used Finale for quite awhile and several times have begun an arrangement by scanning and then importing the scan into Finale using the SmartScore® Lite feature. This can save a lot of time in setting up your score, although it's never really perfect and you do have to take time to clean up the score before doing your own arranging.

My school district just ordered Sybelius for all of us and so maybe in a couple of months I can comment on how that's working for me.

04-23-2007 12:23

Forum: TEMPLE

Well, first I outline what the parameters of the service are. These are things I may or may not be able to change. Announcements, prayers, communion, sermon, etc. Are there any special videos or presentations, pre-planned baptisms, etc.? How much time am I filling with songs & scripture readings, comments, prayers?

Next, I like to just brainstorm a list of possible songs (& often scripture readings). I always list several more than I can possibly use. If there is a theme for that Sunday, then I try to see how I'm going to set up the sermon and tie everything together. I like to have a meaningful flow of songs, so I start putting together possible medley combinations. At this point, I'm considering keys of songs, transitions, and emotional impact of songs too (where do things need to be more upbeat and where does it slow down, etc.). Now I usually fill in a draft of how things might flow, plugging in songs that work well as calls to worship, songs that set up the sermon or communion, songs of response, etc. Typically, I have too many songs still and now have to look at the amount of time I'm filling and decide which songs to cut, verses to cut out, how many times to repeat a chorus, etc.

I will go into a mid-week rehearsal with a pretty set order of what I'm planning to do, but then after rehearsal it's important to revisit things to see if the songs worked in the order you thought, the team did well with things (or do you need to switch or cut something). If you're in a multiple service setting, sometimes these changes even happen after you run the first service!

What I'm describing is what I might do by myself; if you've got a team-planning situation, then it goes differently since you've got multiple people suggesting the content and shaping the time and flow.

04-22-2007 11:10

Forum: PRAYER

Thank you, loving God, for healing Curtni and for demonstrating Your power & healing touch in a way that others might see. Continue to comfort and heal young Curtni by Your Spirit. All the praise and glory is Yours!

04-22-2007 11:01

Forum: MIND

I think I hear what you're saying (or not saying) . . .

04-17-2007 06:36

Forum: PRAYER

Just reading this on Tuesday night . . . and praying.

Any news on Gregory's condition?

04-17-2007 06:20

Forum: MIND

I've been in churches where we (the local congregation) weren't going to really change to be more relevant in our community or weren't willing to shed some of our old traditions and so (fairly regularly) I saw people sort of grow beyond where we were. I think they really had to go on somewhere else in order to continue growing in their own faith, to do ministry, etc. It is hard when it's people you've invested time and relationship with, but usually it's a good thing (and especially if you keep a broader view of the Kingdom).

I sometimes wished, however, that those leading the congregation would see that certain changes might be needed and healthy for Kingdom work in the local church.

04-17-2007 05:56

Forum: TEMPLE

I'd seen the original version several months back, but didn't know there was an updated one. It's funny, but then I realize that there are some people out there who wouldn't appreciate it at all because it's pretty much making fun of them.

04-13-2007 07:47

Forum: MIND

Well, I'm now a public school elementary music teacher and on today's schedule I'll see ten classes of kids (that's about 250), plus greet several hundred on morning bus duty, and watch over about 180 fourth and fifth graders during lunch recess, and interact with 45 or so staff members. I don't always get to speak as openly or directly about my faith, but I do get to be light and salt every day there. And I know that kingdom stuff and kids go hand in hand.

04-11-2007 05:51

Forum: MIND

I'm still in love with my wife too!

For the first several years of our married life, we went out on a date once a week. Ah. . . life before four kids. Somewhere along the way, as more kids came, the frequency of dates dropped off a bit. Still, we get a date in about once a month now. I imagine that as our kids start exiting our home in the next few years that the frequency of dates will pick up again. Still, we're in love and will celebrate our 20th anniversary this coming August!

04-11-2007 04:30

Forum: TEMPLE

"How can I keep from singing?" is a quote that comes to my mind.

Easter is a celebration of the most significant act of God on our behalf. I get tingles as I think about the victory of the Resurrection (even as I'm typing this)! For me, it can't just be like every other day of the year (Sunday or not). This is special! WAY special!!!

Granted, we (should) live every single day in the light and hope of the Resurrection. Yet, it is part of our very nature, I believe, to have special days, to set apart "holy" days/holidays. Some days are set apart for special thanksgiving, yet we (hopefully) live a life full of thanksgiving. Some days (or seasons) are set apart for penitance & confession, yet we should be daily confessors. I could go on. . . but I'm sure you see my point.

Without such special days, I'm afraid we get too placid and mundane about things and our emotions and spirit are not stirred anew.

I sometimes wonder (though I'm not accusing anyone here) if someone is burned out in their religious practice, or jaded by some negative religious experience when they want to pull back, celebrate less, be introspective more.

Anyway, I just thought I'd offer my feelings and perspective.

Incidentally, I enjoyed a pumped up worship celebration at the church where I attend (although they did no "special music"). It was the first time in at least 13 or 14 years that I wasn't really busy leading Easter worship (and my wife commented later that day that she enjoyed me being not so busy).

I did get up early Easter morning and go for a run (it was a gorgeous, bright morning). There were lots and lots of people out walking, running, and riding bikes and so I greeted almost every one with a cheery "Happy Easter morning!" Now, what other day would I be doing that!

02-16-2007 04:18

Forum: PRAYER

Praying for you, Greg. May God's Spirit fill you with His passion and purpose and heal all your past scars and hurts and mis-trusts. May He lead you with peace and confidence to where He may best be served.

a WF blessing 01-20-2007 03:17

Forum: PRAYER

May our words and relationships here bring glory to You, Father. May You bless and encourage us by Your Spirit through the efforts here. May You keep this a sacred place of light, joy, hope, peace, unity, encouragement, & love and keep us from things that miss the mark, waste Your gifts, or cause discord.

Amen.