This is a “fuguing tune” in four parts also known by the title “Northfield.” It was composed by Jeramiah Ingalls in 1800 on a text by Isaac Watts from 1707. In 2018, St Lydia’s own Jake Slichter created this two-part version.
Hello song leaders and hello everyone! Here’s the music we’ll be singing this Advent season. We observe a 7-week Advent at St. Lydia’s, which includes the services from Nov 11 to Dec 24.
Click the linked song titles to hear the recordings to learn the songs. There’s a lot to dig into here. Let me (Angela) know if you have any questions, and enjoy !!
1) Gathering Song
People, Look East (taught by call and echo)
-or-
2) Candle Lighting Song
-or-
3) Table Acclamation
4) Prayer Song
During Advent, we’ll include Come O Lord and Set Us Free on the list of regular choices.
5) Offering Song
Laudate Dominum (Sing, Praise, and Bless the Lord)
-or-
Amen, Siakudumisa (Amen, We Praise Your Name O God)
6) Final Hymn
Laudate Dominum (or, “Sing Praise and Bless the Lord”), from the Taize Community in France. Sheet music may be found here.
Language: Latin/English
This is a brand new composition for Advent by Matt Veligdan, and it will be used during the candle lighting and procession to the tables. This Advent, a reading (Revelation 21:1-5a) will be added between the passing of the light and the procession to the tables.
Once each person is holding a lit candle, invite a drone. The reader will read the Scripture passage. Then bring the song back in, and invite the procession to the tables.
Descend to us as we await
And meet us in our earthly state.
Dwell with us, Lord, and draw us near,
Establish now your kingdom here,
with no more pain or cause to mourn:
The Advent of an Earth newborn.
Some tips on how to teach this one:
1) Begin with spoken text. Have the congregation echo the first two phrases, read the middle alone, then invite and echo on the last phrase – just as you will when singing.
2) Teach phrases by call and echo with no overlap.
3) Introduce the overlap. Midway through this time, the Deacon can begin to pass the light.
4) Once the light has been passed, tag (repeat) the last phrase, “The Advent…,” then invite a drone.
5) The reader reads Revelation 21:1-5a over the drone
6) Sing the last phrase, “The Advent…,” as a cue into the song again. Everyone moves to the tables.
5) Tag the last phrase again to end the song.
People Look East is an Advent classic at St. Lydia’s. This year, try this new twist – we’ll use it as a Gathering Song. The congregation will not have hymn sheets, but will copy the Song Leader’s words by echoing. In the middle of each verse, the Song Leader will sing a bit solo before bringing the group back in.
For example, Verse 4 would go…
Song Leader: Stars, keep the watch.
People: Stars, keep the watch.
SL: When night is dim
P: When night is dim
SL: One more light the bowl shall brim,
P: One more light the bowl shall brim,
SL: Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
SL: People, look east
P: People, look east
SL: and sing today:
P: and sing today:
SL: Love, the star, is on the way.
P: Love, the star, is on the way.
You can have a listen to the recording to get a better idea what I mean, and to practice singing along.
Enjoy !!
Angela
Hello Song Leaders,
Here’s the music will be using for All Saints’ Day, 2018, which we will observe on Sunday, November 4 and Monday, November 5. All Saints’ Day is a time when we remember those who have died, and the service music reflects this theme of remembrance and the mixture of wonder, sadness, and joy that we feel when remembering those we’ve lost.
Gathering song: “There Are Angels Hovering Round” (This is a traditional song but may be new to many at Saint Lydia’s)
Lamp Lighting song: “Receive, O Earth” (refrain only)
Table Acclamation: “Fall Acclamation”
Prayer Song: Song Leader’s choice
Post-cleanup Gathering Song: “Zimbabwe Alleluia”
Final Hymn: “For All the Saints”
It’s a special day for the congregation, and your song leading provides a great invitation for people to take part in this celebration of remembrance. Thank you for that!
Hello dear song leaders,
Here is the music we’ll be singing this fall season (Sept 9 through the end of October). Lots of Lydian composers represented here! Click the linked song titles to hear the recording.
xoAngela
1) Gathering Song
The Mighty Will Fall, by Debbie Holloway
-or-
Lament for Zion, by Debbie Holloway
2) Candle Lighting Song
The Journey of a Thousand Miles, by Paul Vasile
-or-
Lead Me, Guide Me
3) Table Acclamation
Fall Table Acclamation, by Meave Shelton
4) Prayer Song
Song Leader’s Choice
check out this beautiful new option, Oh Stranger/Oh Neighbor.
5) Gathering Song
Shukuru Yesu
-or-
Amen
6) Final Hymn
September
Come Thou Fount
October
God Whose Giving Knows No Ending
Congregant Debbie Holloway introduced this song. It began as a traditional Shaker song called “O Brethren, Will You Receive,” was later adapted by Harold Aks, and finally underwent some further lyrical massage on the St Lydia’s congregant page.
Enjoy this beautiful new prayer song option. A recording by Debbie is right here.
Oh stranger, will you receive my love?
Oh neighbor, will you receive my love?
Place it in a cup, and you may drink it up.
Oh this is Mother’s love
This piece gets its text from a teaching of Lao-Tzu. It was composed by Paul Vasile, one of our song leading inspirations and the executive director of Music That Makes Community.
“The Journey of a Thousand Miles” lends itself obviously to a processional moment in the service, and could also be sung outside the church walls at a march, vigil, or protest.
Text:
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step
Although we may not know where the road will lead
We know that love will always guide our feet
Oh the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step
You can find sheet music here, and a recording here.
–Angela
Hello songleaders and hello everyone! Here is the music we’ll be singing from Pentecost (May 20) through to the fall. We’ll switch some songs up from time to time, so check the date spans on the list below to make sure you learn the relevant music for the service you’re leading.
Click the linked song titles to hear the recording. Check out the harmony parts and optional descants (high solo parts) for the Candle Lighting Songs.
1) Gathering Song
May 20 – June 4
June 10 – Sept 3
-or-
Sing God’s Praises Glory Hallelu
-or-
2) Candle Lighting Song
May 20 – July 2
July 8 – Sept 3
3) Table Acclamation
4) Prayer Song
5) Offering Song
– or –
Know That God Is Good (sheet music)
6) Final Hymn
May/June
July
Spirit I Have Heard You Calling
Aug