10 Tips to Strengthen Your Character

My good friend, Mark Blankenship, composed this wonderful tune some time ago, set to a fine text by Terry York and it has become very popular worship hymn in evangelical circles. Bill Ingram has created a very usable, easy-to-learn setting of this tune, and the optional handchimes make a world of difference, if you can round these up somewhere, should you not have them. The handchimes carry the melody in the opening stanza and the bells add support. In the second stanza, the chimes provide accompaniment for the bells. This piece has few bell changes so it will be a snap to prepare for worship! Your people will love this one.

How Deep the Fathers' Love for Us, Music by Stuart Townend; Arranged by Peggy Bettcher; 3-5 octaves; Level 3+; $5.25; #2588

This setting of the Townend Lenten tune is very "ethereal," using the "singing bell" technique in the opening and closing sections of this most effective chart. Bettcher keeps the piece in 3/4 time throughout with a hint of 2/4 ever so often. She uses a multitude of bell techniques, including suspended handbells and LV ringing, which creates the mood of mystery and wonder that God loves us unconditionally. Every bell position is kept busy in this delightful setting for the Easter season.

New Product

The Shadow of the Cross, A Contemporary Tenebrae Service, Arranged and composed by Lloyd Larson; SATB Choir, keyboard - #8151 - $8.95; SAB Choir, keyboard - #8157 - $8.95; Narrator; Optional Instruments (flute, oboe, french horn and cello) - #8152 - $55.00; other products available

This 40-work is a "service of darkness," for use during Holy Week. It is easy to learn and will be a meaningful addition to the Holy Week celebration. It features old hymns, new tunes to old hymns, contemporary choruses, and of course, ends with the magnificent hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." There are seven readings accompanied by the extinguishing of candles and ends with a mediative conclusion shrouded in darkness. There are eleven pieces in this work, and these can be used as a build up to this special service. It comes in both SAB and SATB versions, and the optional instruments make a wonderful difference if you can round these up for the performance.

New Keyboard Book

To God be the Glory, Hymn Settings for 4-hand piano, arranged by John Carter; #8531; $16.95; Level: easy

If you have four good piano hands laying around or if you have two pianists who love to play duets in 4-hand styling, this is the book for you! Carter always writes very creative materials, whether it be keyboard or vocal, and he has created a marvelous gift to keyboard people with this collection of eight well-known hymn tunes--with flair, style and excitement! The web site says "easy," but I'd call these medium. I don't think they are easy, but get these and you decide! Your congregation will love these and so will the pianists who practice and play them.

Burkhardt has chosen the writings of the well-known writer, Max Lucado, from an adaptation of The Final Week of Jesus, taken from his outstanding book, And the Angels Were Silent. The opening pages of the choral score provides some very good Performance Notes, and a word from the composer. All of the pieces in this collection can be performed individually as well as collectively. This is a grand way to introduce the work to the congregation before the hear it performed all together, with the readings. The CD in the Preview Pack has a very fine performance of this work that we suggest you hear carefully as you make your decision to purchase the work. It will be well worth your time, and you'd still have time to get your order in and the piece learned in time for Holy Week!

New Book

The Book of God--the Bible As a Novel, Walter Wangerin, Jr., $19.99

THIS…is the way to begin this New Year! I found this book while at a friend's house. I read the first chapter and was hooked. I could not put it down. The author puts flesh and blood on the major stories of the Bible, bringing it to life. You will feel as if you are there as the characters unfold before your eyes. The most compassionate story is the relationship between Mary and Joseph.

Wangerin gives readers a fresh look at Peter and John--through the eyes of Jesus. Many of the chapters focus on biblical characters from the famous, like some of the disciples, to the obscure, such as Ehud and Ahikam. Throughout the book, Wangerin is sensitive to the roll of women in the "Bible," even devoting separate chapters to Rebekah and Deborah. "The Book of God" will not replace the Bible itself -- but it encourages readers to look at the Bible in a fresh and lively new light. Using what might be called literary homiletics, Wangerin organizes his book into eight parts. Beginning with "The Ancestors" and concluding with "The Messiah," Wangerin tells God's own story with excitement and reverence.

It will draw you into their lives and you will be there! I bought this book for several friends for Christmas and all responded, basically all saying, "This is the best book I've ever read!" Do yourself a favor. Buy this book today and enjoy the Bible as you never have before. I'll be interested in your response!

Conferences

It is not too late to register for The Annual Calvin Symposium on Worship, a three-day conference, sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Center for Excellence in Preaching, Grand Rapids, Michigan from January 26-28, 2012.

This ecumenical conference brings together a wide audience of pastors, worship leaders/planners, artists, musicians, scholars, students, and interested worshipers, with people coming from around the world to gather for a time of fellowship, worship, and learning, seeking to deepen and integrate all aspects of worship, develop gifts, encourage each other, and renew their commitment to the full ministry of the church.

The theme for this symposium will be: The Psalms: When Life is Prayer

You can see the entire program by going to: http://worship.calvin.edu/symposium/program.html, and register online by going to: http://worship.calvin.edu/symposium/register.html

This is a world-class ecumenical conference and would be a great symposium for the entire staff of your church to attend! It will be well worth your time and expense. Don’t miss it! 

Bits 'n Pieces

I am considering a project for the next Christmas season that you can be a part of. I'm not going to talk about it yet, but I hope to do so soon.

Final Thought

Here are a few New Year Quotes that might cause you to think a bit as we enter 2012

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.  ~ Bill Vaughan

•••••

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.  ~ Benjamin Franklin

•••••
We will open the book.  The pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.  ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

•••••

Grant that I may bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year. ~Edgar Guest


Happy New Year from Monday Morning Email!

 

 

 
  Bob Burroughs

 

 

 

 

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