Issue 20
Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ.
The first two words of this passage would serve us well at this time of year - don't worry! Easier said than done is what you're thinking! It is difficult not to worry when there are so many people and so many commitments pulling at us. I wonder what a list of worries from last Christmas would look like this year. Most of them were probably things that never came to pass. So if we decide that we won't worry what then? This passage tells us that if we go to God in prayer and thanksgiving, we will have peace. Our worrisome spirit will be replaced by the peace of God which we can't even understand. We need to turn our worries over to God and go through this wonderful season with a spirit of peace. Others will then see Christ in us and will come to know the true meaning of Christmas. If we keep our thoughts on Christ, filling our minds with prayers at all times, there will be no room for worry. May you have a blessed, peace-filled Christmas and enter the New Year with a sense of calm anticipation of the many blessings that await us!
Book Alert:
Music and Theology by Don Saliers,Abingdon Press, ISBN-13: 978-0-687-34194-8. This highly respected theologian and musician looks at the convergence of these two topics as they relate to our present-day worship. Using examples from all musical idioms, Saliers challenges us to think about music as a vital Christian practice. Deep reading, but well worth it.
Music Alert:
Organ:
Sacred Sounds from George Shearing, Sacred Music Press, KK229, available from www.sheetmusicplus.com. These are the only organ works from a brilliant jazz pianist. Each of the settings of these familiar American hymn tunes is filled with jazz harmonies and chords. While they are not especially difficult, they do take some practice because of the harmonies. This volume includes "Amazing Grace" and "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" as well as others and would serve well as preludes and postludes.
Choral:
He's Always Been Faithful to Me. Arr. By Tom Fettke, Hope Publishing 10028450, SATB This choral setting of the Sara Groves CCM hit is a combination of new material and the familiar "Great is Thy Faithfulness". The melody is haunting and the parts are familiar enough to make learning easy. This is a wonderful example of combining the traditional with the contemporary.
Handbell:
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High, Rick Founds, Arr. By Arnold Sherman, Hope Publishing, #8071582, 3-6 octaves, 2 oct. handchimes . This setting of the familiar praise song can be used as a stand-alone bell piece or as an accompaniment for the SATB setting of the song. It uses mallet "clicks" to give it some rhythmic pizzazz. While it is classified as a Level 2+ piece, it will require some concentrated rhythmic work to successfully ring the middle section. Your bell choir will have fun learning this piece and it can be used in your worship service at various times in the year/
Upcoming events:
Christmas Eve Carol Sing - First Baptist-West Allis at 6:45 p.m. Join us for a brief carol sing before our 7:00 p.m. worship service.
Any questions or comments, contact
me at fbwamusic@aol.com
Mary
