violin and film music

Emily Hedrick came to Zion this past Sunday and played several pieces on the violin. I'm a believer in variety in church music and I'm a believer that sometimes popular art can bring some fresh thought to our worship.

In this case I asked her to play the theme from the movie Schindler's List. They story of the film is of a German businessman who, despite himself, ends up saving some of the Jews who work for him, at great risk to himself. That sounds pretty "gospel" to me.

Emily herself chose an arrangement of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and we played another hymn together. As an offertory I had her play "Vocalise" by Rachmaninoff.

She is first chair violin and a senior at Christopher Dock Mennonite. This photo is from a concert last winter.

if you missed the barbershop

Last Sunday the worship was full of a variety of musics. A college vocal student, a Horsham organist sub, the High family, and a barbershop choir, and good congregational singing.

If you missed the choir, see them at this link. There is a sound clip but it took forever for mine to come up and mostly it was a pitch, but they can really do barbershop.

http://www.northpennsmen.org/

I'm grateful for all who shared their gifts.

today's numbers

I really like the date numbers today--8/8/8. A church musician has to think, too, that an "8" is a sign for infinity standing on its side. We sing about infinity a lot, calling it eternity.

back at work--yes

It's great to be back after a week of vacation in Kentucky. We met this Kentucky Cardinal right outside the window, along with egrets, green herons, chickadees, tufted titmouses and others birds I rarely see.

Nature is a great canvas of raw material. Now as I put my thoughts, prayers, and hands on worship, we are turning raw materials into art human hands have made. I really couldn't do without either kind of beauty.

marimbas in church

Young people play the marimba here on this photo I found on the net. Why this photo?

We have marimba music this Sunday at Zion. School kids from Chicago are coming through town.

That's not all. Victor and Warren will participate as the Eastern District officially recognizes Victor's ministry. See earlier newspaper blog about Victor and his ministry.