Music In Our Worship: December 2012
"Ceilings of cedar, lampstands of gold... dreams of Messiah, beauty untold..."
- Advent Kyrie, sung by Chancel Choir, 12/2/12
As we watch and wait for Christ's birth, we make music to anticipate and glorify his coming. Here are some ways we will do that together in December:
The 8 am Service will include Advent Hymns from the 1982 hymnal as well as a lighting of the Advent wreath. As we prepare to worship, the organ prelude will include songs of familiar Advent hymnody, an organ arrangement of the Pastoral Symphony from Messiah, and others.
The 9:15 Service will celebrate Christ's coming with families, children, and adults together. The Spirit Choir and several instrumentalists and soloists will lead us in music, liturgy, and worship. Throughout Advent we will be using a new liturgy composed by Marty Haugen (including a new Kyrie, Gloria, Presentation Hymn, Sanctus, Fraction Anthem, and the spoken Nicene Creed and Lord's prayer.) The guitarists will provide Advent music during the Prayers of the People. A few others notes on the music:
On December 2, we will sing "How Great Thou Art" to celebrate the new liturgical hangings.
On December 9, we'll hear The Joy Story told by many of our congregation's youngest, led by Joy Weaver and Meggie Stewart.
One December 16, student musician Sarah Conroy will join us to provide classical guitar music for pre-service and communion.
The 11am Service will also have a distinct liturgical setting for Advent that includes many favorites from the 1982 Hymnal. Together, the congregation will sing a call to worship each week fittingly titled, "Prepare the Way" (We will grow more comfortable with it as we get closer to Christmas!) We are fortunate to have the Chancel Choir, the Youth Choir, soloists, and instrumentalists lead us in music this month. A few other highlights in worship:
On December 2, Chancel Choir will sing "Advent Kyrie," a contemplative piece focusing on our need for God's guidance and mercy throughout Advent.
On December 9, we will listen to an anthem called, "Will You Make Room?" that invites us to focus and reflect upon our openness to Christ, God, and the Spirit during this season.
On December 16, the Youth Choir will sing "If This Child Were Born Today."
Music in our Parish: Upcoming Special Events and Services in December
"We're bringing Joy To the World all year!"
- Lyrics from A Joy Story, 12/9/12
9:15 am Sunday, December 9: A Joy Story, a play about Christmas performed by children of our congregation. Email Joy (joyweaver228@gmail.com) for questions.
2 pm Sunday, December 9: Community Sing-Along, Hosted by St. Andrew's and Madison Academy of Music (in our sanctuary): Come sing familiar Christmas and Advent hymns as students at Madison Academy of Music accompany us. We will also sing along to three verses of "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Light reception to follow. Email Vanessa Pentz at madisonacademyofmusic@yahoo.com for more information.
1pm - 3pm Sunday, December 16: Family Caroling (meet at church). All are welcome!This should be a fun-filled event for singers and listeners alike. Together, we will visit several residences and nursing homes to bring Christmas songs across the town. Middle and High Schoolers, this constitutes 1.5 hours of community service. Hot chocolate reception to follow at 2:30 at the church! Email Grant (grant.underwood@yale.edu) for documentation or more information.
4pm, 6pm, 10:30pm, 11pm Monday, December 24: Christmas Eve Services, all including music.
Our elementary children will lead the 4pm Service with the Christmas Pageant. For more information, email Laura Miller, pageant director, at millerlaurac@yahoo.com.
Our 6pm Service will be led primarily by high school and college students with guitars and piano. Email Steve Van Ness, Music Committee, co-chair (steve@impactartsevents.com) for more information.
Our 11pm Service will begin with pre-service music at 10:30pm. The service will be primarily led by organ, instrumentalists, and our Combined Adult Choir. Email Jaime Polk, Music Committee co-chair, (jpolk@fgoldman.com) for more information.
Opportunities for Music Ministry at St. Andrew's: December 2012
Join the Adult Choirs for Christmas! Even if you are not or cannot be an active member, you are invited to join us for December 24. We will rehearse Christmas Eve music at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 6, December 13, and December 20, and then we'll meet before the final service on Christmas Eve to contribute to worship in song. Contact choir leaders Jaime (jpolk@fgoldman.com) or Grant (grant.underwood@yale.edu) if you're interested in lifting your voices with us on these dates!
College Student Singers on Christmas Eve: So many of us look forward to welcoming our college students home for winter break! If you know of a college student would share their passion and gifts in music while they're home, please contact Barb in the main office or Grant.
Brass and More for Christmas Eve: Have you ever wanted to dust off your instrument case and crack it open again, just like you did way back when?Now's your chance! For Christmas Eve, several members and attendees among us have already generously offered to play and accompany for our final service. If you'd like to join the ensemble, the more the merrier! While brass is a special focus for Christmas, any classical woodwind, brass, or string instrument is welcome. We will meet only once on Christmas Eve night (between the second and third services), but you'll get the music ahead of time so you can practice. Contact Barb in the main office or email Grant to get involved.
Vacancies Now Open for Youth Choir in 2013: Our vibrant, hardworking, and boisterous youth choir has boy and girl singers from grades 1-6 with a current active membership of 14. Most recently, they sang "Here I Am" (by Allen Pote) in front of almost two-hundred other adult musicians during the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service! Small-group auditions and an optional meet-and-greet (and sing! J) with the current choir will be held in early January. Email co-directors Heather (heather.meachen@gmail.com) or Grant by December 31 if your aspiring singer is interested!