Here’s a song that came to me this Advent. Lyrics below, recording and sheet music linked. Enjoy. -Angela
Holding fear like a baby
Holding darkness like light
Holding space for a question
Holding silence
Christ come near us, Christ come in
We are waiting
Christ come near us, Christ come in
We are waiting
Holding Silence by Angela Morris – recording
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 our services from Nov 12 to Dec 24. We’ll make a couple changes to the music when the month changes. Click the linked song titles to hear the recordings to learn the songs.
1) Gathering Song
November:
Come O Lord and Set Us Free
December:
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Dec 3, 4: Verse 1
Dec 10, 11: Verse 2
Dec 17, 18: Verse 7
Dec 24: your choice
2) Candle Lighting Song
Evening Lamps Are Lit
3) Table Acclamation
Advent Table Acclamation
4) Prayer Song
During Advent, we’ll use the peaceful Iona Kyrie as a prayer song
5) Offering Song
God Came Down
6) Final Hymn
November:
O Come Divine Messiah
December:
People Look East
This advent carol is the English version of an old French hymn.
Listen to a version here, and see the sheet music here !
Here’s a song we’ll use as a re-gathering song as we pass the offering plate.
We’ll make a couple tweaks to the words of the song. These are the words we’ll use:
God came down that we may know love
God came down that we may know love
God came down that we may know love
Hallelujah forevermore
As you go along, feel free to add different words in place of “love,” like “hope,” “peace,” “joy…”
Listen to a version here, but remember that we’re using slightly different words!
Hello dear songleaders,
This Sunday and Monday we celebrate All Saints’ Day by remembering loved ones who have died. We’ll use the table acclamation usually used during Lent.
1) Gathering & Candle Lighting Song
Receive, O Earth
2) Song for Hanging Photos
Receive, O Earth
3) Table Acclamation
Lent Table Acclamation
4) Prayer Song
I Will Guide Thee
5) Offering Song
Zimbabwe Alleluia
6) Final Hymn
Sing With All the Saints in Glory
“Receive O Earth” by Daniel Schwandt is a piece intended for a funeral which we may use at St Lydia’s as a piece during Lent or on All Saints Day.
Click here to listen to the teaching recording (bonus points for those whose ears pick up Emily’s cat meowing in the background) and here for the sheet music. Pay special attention to the meter on this tune — it can be tricky!
Parts for flute, violin, and viola are here.
Shukuru Yesu (shoo-koo-roo yay-soo) means “Thanks, Jesus” in Yoruba Arabic, which is spoken in Sudan. We’ll also use the English translation “thanking you Jesus,” to fit the melody.
Listen to a snippet by Worship Chorus, Sudan here
Listen to a full teaching recording here!
Our congregant Alan noticed it also works in Mandarin: phonetically, shay shay nee Yesu. Feel free to translate it into any language you feel called to lead in! Once the song gets going, use the song leader’s “call” part to invite a new language for the next repetition.
As you lead this piece, the first three phrases will be picked up naturally by the congregation. Then a large, encouraging gesture into the longer fourth phrase will help everyone sing that part with confidence.
Hello songleaders and hello everyone! Here is the music we’ll be singing this fall season (Sept 10 – Oct 23). Click the linked song titles to hear the recording!
1) Gathering Song
Freedom Come
-or-
Lament for Zion
2) Candle Lighting Song
Lead Me, Guide Me
3) Table Acclamation
Fall Table Acclamation, by Meave Shelton
4) Prayer Song
Song Leader’s Choice
5) Gathering Song
Shukuru Yesu
6) Final Hymn
September
I Come With Joy
October
God Whose Giving Knows No Ending
This gentle piece by John Bell of the Iona community in Scotland is a new addition to our prayer song collection. It could also be used as a candle-lighting song (processional).
Feel the pulse of the song, and then notice how the first note of the melody starts just after the first beat – in between pulses – softening the beginning and giving an inviting quality to the start of the song.
Don’t be afraid
My love is stronger
My love is stronger than your fear
Don’t be afriad
My love is stronger
And I have promised, promised to be always near