This blog moving to WordPress - changing to HymnWyse

This is my last post on this blog - I will be moving the archives of this blog to WordPress with a new blog - a continuation and expansion of this blog to include Christian hymnody in general. Please join me at http://hymnwyse.wordpress.com/

Eric

Christmas Caroling

Last night about12 members of my church choir and I went Christmas caroling, visiting shut-ins from our church. I used the carol books from Hendrickson Publishers A Classic Christmas Caroling Songbook. This is a carol book we produced as The Christian Life Hymnal was in production and is based on the hymnal. It includes "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" that has additional words for verse 2 and 3 as a Christmas blessing. It was fun last night to conclude at each home with that version (rather than "figgy pudding, etc.") and offer a blessing for the new year.  We adapted the carol so that it seemed appropriate in a Christian hymnal, and could be used in a worship service setting. Here is a PDF  and MP3 of the carol.

Advent & A New Church Year

This Sunday after Thanksgiving for many begins the season of Advent (if your tradition follows the Church Year), or it may be when you  start using Christmas songs in your worship.

In my church this Sunday , we will observe the 1st Sunday of Advent. On this day, we will focus on Christ comings - both His first coming in the incarnation, and His final (second) coming to rule and reign one day. Among the music I'l be using in our services are the following found in The Christian Life Hymnal:

• Prelude: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming #84
• Opening hymn: Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending (Tune: Helmsely) #211
• Offertory: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel #72
• Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night #76
• Recessional: Hail to the Lord's Anointed #79

Here is a descant for Hail to the Lord's Anointed.

What songs are you using in your church during this season of Advent leading up to Christmas? (Please share with the readers of this blog in the comments section.)

DESCANT #591 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (Tune: St. George's Windsor)

Here is a descant for Thanksgiving. I am using it this Sunday at my church in a medley of Thanksgiving hymns we will all sing at the offertory, as follows;
#591 Come, Ye Thankful People Come, vs. 1
#589 Now Thank We All Our God, vs. 1, 3 (in E flat)
#590 We Gather Together, vs. 1
#591 Come, Ye Thankful People Come, vs. 4 with descant

Available in Key of F as well.

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Thanksgiving Day