Lighting the Advent Candles

The Advent wreath is a symbol that we are well acquainted with at St. Mark’s.  Each year we can be sure that it will appear in its designated place with the correct amount of candles in the proper colors.  Many of us remember seeing Advent wreaths our entire lives and so we suppose the symbol’s origins to be shrouded in ancient secrecy, perhaps even something to be taken for granted – but just how ancient is the wreath?

According to Wikipedia, the symbol is not as ancient as we might think.  The evergreen wreath itself is ancient since we know it was used in northern Europe long before the arrival of Christianity. The circle told of the cycle of seasons while the pine boughs spoke of the persistence of life through difficult winters.

Somewhere along the way, it was reinterpreted as a Christian symbol.  Candles were not added to form the Advent wreath we know until the 16^th century.  Wikipedia credits Lutherans with establishing the tradition, but not everything you read on the internet is true!  The article goes on to say that Advent wreaths didn’t appear in American churches until the 1930’s.

This year the Advent wreath at St. Mark’s will take on a different appearance all together.  The wreath will include us inside its circle.  We are using the festival stands appropriately adorned with advent colors and symbols.  Evan H. will be in charge of this work.  The lighting ritual will include the reading of the gospel and the singing of an Advent song by Daniel E. Schwandt – “Many Will Come.”  This is an unpublished piece which the composer has granted us permission to use. Schwandt is the Cantor at Augustana Lutheran Church (Hyde Park, Illinois) and the Staff Musician at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Whatever form the wreath takes, Advent’s two-fold message is a powerful one for Christians: Christ has come and he is coming again!

A Hymn Festival Celebrating the Continuing Reformation of the Church Sunday, November 11th at 5:00 P.M.

LutherCountry is a name for the combined German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. This is the area where Martin Luther lived and did his world-changing work. Since one year is not enough to commemorate this work, LutherCountry instituted the “Luther Decade” which began in 2007. When it culminates in 2017, we will observe the 500th anniversary of the events that started a reformation.

Each year has a theme and the theme for 2012 is “Reformation and Music.” The Reformation didn’t only affect singing in the home and church, but it influenced the work of composers like Telemann, Handel, and J. S. Bach.

Donald L. Armitage, a noteworthy Lutheran church musician from North Carolina, and Susan Palo Cherwien, a gifted Lutheran poet and hymn writer, have teamed up to create A Hymn Festival Celebrating the Ongoing Reformation of the Church. This festival celebrates the reformative work of Martin Luther as it is expressed in his hymns and tunes, and in the hymns and tunes from Christian peoples around the world in the centuries since. This hymn festival will be sung at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday, November 11th, at 5:00 p.m. Tony Cruz will serve as the organist and a choir will help lead the congregational singing.

Admission is free. An offering will be taken to benefit the expansion of St. Mark’s 1984 Zimmer pipe organ which is expected to be completed in early 2013.

Come Sing in One of Our Choirs!

In a Lutheran understanding of worship, the role of solo voices, choir, organ and other instruments is to enhance the musical participation by the congregation. This is accomplished by supporting and enriching the singing of congregational hymns; bringing richness and variety to worship as portions of the liturgy are entrusted to those who have rehearsed on behalf of the congregation; and presenting attendant music as appropriate and possible. (From the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Statement on Worship and Music

The Festival Choir prepares hymns, liturgical music, and various musical offerings to enhance worship at St. Mark’s. We are ever mindful that the music we prepare serves to worship God as we sing Lutheran chorales, plainsong, polyphony, spirituals, and more. We sing music written by composers long dead and those who are writing today. Some of our music requires many weeks of intense practice and some is ready after only a rehearsal or two.

We are always looking for new singers, but have a particular need for basses right now. There is no audition, but some experience singing in a choir is preferred. The ability to read music is not required, but it is helpful. Through hard work and practice, you’ll be reading music before you know it. The Festival choir sings at the 11:00 service on Sunday morning and at other liturgical observances (Epiphany and Ascension, for example) throughout the year. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evening in the music suite 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. We also rehearse on Sunday morning (during the regular year) at 10:30.

The Matins Choir is a smaller group, providing musical leadership at the 8:30 service. These singers meet on Sunday morning at 8:00 to rehearse service music for the day and to learn an easy musical offering. Members of this group often sing with the Festival Choir for larger events. If you like to sing, but cannot attend a midweek rehearsal, we would love to have you join us.

This year the Kingdom Choir will transform into a robed choir! Rather than coming forward to sing a musical offering, they will wear robes and help lead the full liturgy once each month. Membership in this group is open to all children in grades 1 through 6. The choir rehearses on Sunday morning after the 11:00 service for about 1 hour. There is no audition and church membership is not a requirement to sing! Contact Tony Cruz, or any choir member, if you have any questions.

The Psalms Come to Life In Anne Coyle's "David and the Psalms."

Jacksonville composer Anne Coyle says that on April, 7, 2011 she was inspired to set all 150 psalms to music by writing one psalm per day - a task that would take about 5 months to complete.

She completed the task, but that wasn't the end of it! Anne has selected several of these psalms and combined them with drama, the San Jose Dancers, singing by the choir of San Jose Catholic Church, colorful banners, and an Ark of the Covenant procession. Anne says that the last piece was added to highlight the importance of the Levites in Hebrew worship.

Paul Burns helped with the writing of the script.

Anne has a tie to St. Mark's - she is the mother of John Coyle, a former member here.

When she reached her eighties, Anne's thinking was, "Well, it's about over." The Lord, she says, had other plans. She says she's in good company since Moses didn't start until he was 80. Read more about Anne's journey and hear some of her music at www.psalmbird.net.

St. Mark's will host this production on Sunday, July 29th, at 6:00 p.m. in the nave. All are welcome. There is no admission fee, but the gift of a non-perishable food item (to be shared with Lutheran Social Services and Catholic Charities is requested.

Dinner and A Show - The Sequel

Last year’s “Dinner and A Show” was such a popular event that we are repeating it again this summer. There is still room for several singers and one handbell ringer.

The theme for this year’s show is “Far Away Places.” Our ringers will play selections from “The Wizard of Oz” and “Star Wars.” The choir will sing songs from “The Lion King,” “The Sound of Music,” and “South Pacific.”

The remaining rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings: 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, and 8/15 with our “show” being on 8/22. The handbell choir rehearses 5:30 to 6:30 and the singing choir rehearses 7:00 to 8:30. If you would like to participate, please contact Tony Cruz. Our evening on 8/22 will begin, as it did last year, with a potluck supper.

All are welcome!

Music In the Mountains: A Summer Worship Event

Musicians from the Episcopal Church have been gathering for 62 years at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee for the purpose of continuing education, fellowship, and inspiring worship. I first attended this conference in 2000 when I was the organist-choirmaster for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, FL. Why would someone who is now a Lutheran attend an Episcopal conference? First, our manner of worship is not that far removed when you consider our common lectionary. The words that we say and the prayers that we pray sound very much alike. Second, Sewanee always attracts a knowledgeable faculty – leaders in the field of church music. Third, it’s a chance for me to sing in a choir, a choir of about 150 singers. Most of the singers are music directors and/or organists in their home churches, but some are not. The literature that is sung is quite difficult. That said, this is not a place for beginning singers! As in the past, this year’s focus was on two worship services: Evensong on Friday Evening, and the Sunday morning Festival Eucharist. Father Matthew Moretz was our preacher for the week. He also gave lectures on the use of social media. He is the creator of “Father Matthew Presents,” a series of videos that seeks “to present the treasures of Christianity one video at a time.” I encourage you to check them out on YouTube. Just search “Father Matthew presents.” I recommend the one on the Ascension.

Our choral leadership was provided by Huw Lewis, an internationally known choir director and organist. He is the College Organist at Hope College (Holland, MI) and the Director of Music at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Detroit. His warm teaching style and (sometimes maddening!) attention to detail must be two items that put him at the top of his field - those and the fact that he is a consummate musician! Bruce Neswick, Associate Professor of Music in Organ and Sacred Music at the Jacob School of Music (Indiana University), was our organist for the week and he was inspiring to hear! His improvisations on the mighty 70 rank Casavant organ at All Saints Chapel (University of the South) did not disappoint! He accompanied both services where his playing inspired glorious singing.

No conference is complete without workshops! I attended sessions on training volunteer voices, hymn playing, and organ improvisation. I also attended a master class where several organists played and then received private instruction from Huw Lewis and Bruce Neswick – well, as private as it can be with 70 other organists listening and picking up pointers for their own playing. The Lois Fyfe music display was wonderful! I was like a kid in a candy store – an expensive candy store! Evensong is the Episcopal version of the Luther Vespers service. The choir sings quite difficult music and essentially prays on behalf of the congregation whose participation, except for the hymns, is mostly active meditation. We sang the Preces and Responses (prayers) by Robert W. Lehman, a setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Henry Smart, and Edward Bairstow’s setting of “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.”

Lutherans would have felt right at home with the Sunday morning worship since we share much of the format and texts in common. Our choral music for the morning was two pieces by Gary Davison: “My Song Shall Be Alway,” and “Hymn of Praise.” The latter, commissioned for the conference and thus a world premiere, featured changing meters, solos, and singing throughout the dynamic spectrum. The psalm at both services was sung in the Anglican Chant style. More complicated that what we typically do at St. Mark’s, this style of psalm singing is usually sung by a trained choir. I am fortunate that St. Mark’s permits me two weeks of continuing education per year. At Sewanee, I found fresh inspiration and new ideas that will find their way into my own directing and playing this year. Thank you to all of my “full communion” brothers and sisters who welcomed me as a fellow Christian musician. May God bless our ministries as we were blessed on the “holy mountain.”

New Choral Risers in the Music Suite

The choir room in the music suite got a major upgrade this summer courtesy of Adam K. and his desire to complete an Eagle Scout Project at St. Mark's. Over the course of one weekend, Adam and his crew completed a project that will help us for many years to come. He had great help from Justin V., Dennis D., and several adult scout leaders as well as many other scouts. These risers were designed and built from scratch. Due to their stability and durability, they will benefit musicians at St. Mark's for many years to come. Adam designed the project and was responsible for getting donations, materials, and assistance for its building. Thank you to Adam and to all of those who assisted him! Please come back to the music suite and check them out!

ALCM Region 2 Conference in Austin, Texas: Simple Gifts

The venue for our Region 2 conference of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicicans was St. Martin's (ELCA) Lutheran Church which was started in 1883 when a group of about 20 families decided to start a "German Lutheran Church" in Austin. It is the home of two organs. First is the Visser-Rowland Mechanical Action Organ from 1982 with 3 manuals and 36 ranks. Second is the Kilgen Choir organ with a total of 21 ranks. Opening Worship on Sunday night began with a prelude titled "Prelude For Weary Travelers" and featured St. Martin's Symphonic Winds and Voices, the St. Martin's Ringers (handbells), St. Martin's Reformation Band, St. Martin's Choir, and the Symphonic Winds. The music calmed any jitters left over from traveling and did a beautiful job of preparing us for worship. St. Martin's Cantor and Composer-in-Residence, Thomas Pavlechko, was also our host for the event. He was probably one of the hardest working hosts in ALCM history. (Members of St. Mark's will recall seeing his name on many of the psalm settings that we have used at St. Mark's.) His choir's singing of "Surrexit a mortuis" (Charles-Marie Widor) was a highlight of the conference, so the bar was set high from the very beginning! The evening finished with a reception given by St. Martin's titled "Gifts of Finest Wheat." The table was filled with yellow flowers and loaves of different types of bread, jams, cheeses, and other spreads - all to the accompaniment of the Inside Out Steel Drum Band under the direction of C.J. Menge. Monday's plenary session was by Dr. Carl Trovall, PhD. whose topic was "Light Is Generous." He said that there is no effort in God's giving, that his gifts simply come. He compared these gifts to light - light, like water, doesn't really have to work because it simply fills in every space. The balance of the day was given to reading sessions and workshops. I attended "SOS (Simple Organ Solutions) For Service Players by Donald Rotemund who shared and demonstrated material from his two books on the same subject. Monday evening was a "Festival of Hymns" led by our host, Thomas Pavlechko. He gave both of the organs a serious workout and we heard them up close and personal! Tuesday's Morning Prayer Service featured Karin and Joy Gunderson. Every day should start with Morning Prayer and many of those should be accompanied by harp music! Tuesday also included Mark Mummert's conversation around the topic of "Being a Lutheran Musician in the Southern United States." It was truly a conversation as attendees recounted their own experiences and talked about regional influences (everything from mariachi to contemporary music) that influenced their own work. On Tuesday I also attended Donald Meineke's workshop "Whole Body Warm-up and Vocal Coaching for Choirs." One of his suggestions: Don't be scared to demand something from your singers; they are capable of more than you think. He used Harold Friedell's "Jesus So Lowly" to demonstrate many techniques. I was happy to come home and find this choral gem already in our library! Tuesday night was dinner at the County Line Barbeque rounded out with entertainment by Mark Schweizer. If you haven't read Schweizer's Liturgical mysteries, I highly recommend them! "The Treble Wore Trouble" came to life in a sort of radio drama that kept the audience (and the cast!) in stitches over the demise of a woman named Carrie. . .Carrie Oakey. Wednesday saw another plenary, this time led by Mark Mummert who talked about "Gifts: Simple, Diverse and United." There was a surprise as a group of children suddenly appeared singing Christian songs with great gusto. When they sang "Deep In the Heart of Texas," it brought down the house. Thomas Pavlechko joked that this was their "first flash mob." It was such a surprise, I didn't even think to get my camera out! Worship is an integral part of ALCM conferences and our sending worship, which included anointing and blessing, did not disappoint anybody. I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible, especially Carol Henderson (Region 2 Vice President and Conference Chair), Thomas Pavlechko (for whom my great admiration has only grown), Steve Brandt, Rob Gerlach, Donald Meineke, David Thoresen, Aaron Garcia (whose postlude at Sending Worship was simply stunning!) and Renee Kesselring (thanks for the jazz!). I HOPE I didn't forget anybody. There were many things that happended (all wonderful) that I did not attend or simply didn't have space to write about such as the compline service, ILC Jazz, and the "Luther's Indulgence Bar" sponsored by Thrivent International - it was build your own sundaes! They say all good things come to an end. Scripture says "All things work together for good. . ." and this conference certainly worked good for the hearts, comfort, and inspiration of all who attended. This final pic is of Carol Henderson, our hard working Vice President, Conference Chair, Head Cheerleader, etc., etc.

The Experience Returns to St. Mark's on June 17, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

I am happy to announce that The Experience, the popular youth choir from Christ Lutheran Church will make a return visit to St. Mark’s on Sunday, June 17th. If you were at the concert in 2009, you remember the excellent, high-energy program they presented. You probably also remember the clap of thunder that caused all of our lights to go out so that the last number was performed under the glow of cell phones, flash lights, and candles!

 In 2009 there were about 80 youth and adults, but now they have grown to a touring group of more than 100! When Mark Glaeser, their director called, and asked if they could perform here again, I told him they would be most welcome - but that I couldn’t commit to housing for 100 people. As a result, we will only need to house about 40 youth and adults while the rest will stay in a hotel.

These are the things we need your help with:
1. Overnight housing for 40 persons to include breakfast and a return trip to St. Mark’s on Monday morning 2. A Sunday evening meal of burgers and fixin’s. We need people to cook the burgers and to prepare side dishes to bring to the church.
3. Come to the concert – and invite your friends! If you can help with these items, please let me know via email (vespers@comcast.net).

You can subscribe to their iTunes account at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/christ-lutheran-christ-lutheran/id432118947

Keeping A Holy Vigil

“. . .and darkness covered the face of the deep. . .”
“. . .and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves. . .”
“. . .see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today. . .”
“. . .listen, so that you may live. . .”
“. . .and you shall know that I am the LORD. . .”
“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish.”
“. . .there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.”

In our day and time, churches will be packed for Easter Sunday because it is thought of as the most significant date on the church calendar. St. Augustine would not have concurred. He called the Easter Vigil “the mother of all holy vigils” for on this night “the whole world is awake and watchful.”

We gather in the courtyard around a fire then enter into the darkened nave to hear the story of creation. Next we hear many of the Old Testament’s great narratives of God protecting and nurturing his people: the devastation of a great flood followed by a fresh beginning, the parting of the Red Sea as God’s people passed through it unharmed and then witnessed the destruction of their enemies, Abraham making the journey to sacrifice the son he loved, Jonah praying from the belly of a fish, and finally three men being rescued from a fiery furnace.

We celebrate these stories with musical responses: hymns sung by the assembly, handbell anthems, and music by the Festival Choir.

This is a night to listen and proclaim, to remember our baptism, to celebrate the eucharist, and to sing “Alleluia!”

This is truly the most significant liturgy of the year. Please come to witness the “strong signs” and “powerful words” so that you may be sent into the world proclaiming the good news! Remember to bring a bell (any size, shape, or color) to be rung as the altar candles are lit and we sing joyfully “This is the feast of victory for our God!”

The Easter Vigil is Saturday, April 7th, at 7:00 p.m. Remember your bell!

Lutheridge Handbell Weekend 2012

Members of our handbell choirs made their annual trek to Lutheridge, a Lutheran conference and retreat center in Arden, NC, last week. We arrived late in the day on Friday, enjoyed dinner, and then launched right into an intense two hour rehearsal. The weekend was taken up with more rehearsals, workshops, worship, and plenty of eating!

While there, we were also able to visit with Pastor and Karla Trexler who are always as happy to see us as we are to see them. (Pastor Trexler is a former pastor of St. Mark's and a past bishop of the Florida Bahamas Synod.)

For the first year (that I know of)we had more ringers than we have bells! We borrowed some extra bells and I rang on the advanced track with ringers from Lakewood United Methodist Church.

The workshop clinicians were Michael Helman and Tim Waugh. We have played their handbell compositions in the past. On Easter Sunday, we will play Helman's "Procession for Easter."

This year we were very happy to have Pastor Hanson and Sue Hanson join us for the trip.

Ash Wednesday Worship on February 22nd at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." On Ash Wednesday we receive the sign of ashes, an ancient symbol that reminds us of our mortality. We also begin our 40 day Lenten journey praying for those who are preparing for baptism and looking to the joy of Easter. The Festival Choir is hard at work preparing for this important service in the life of St. Mark's. Please come on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 7:00 p.m. Bring a friend! Music by Paul J. Christiansen, J. S. Bach, Marty Haugen, Daniel Schutte, and others.

The 10:30 morning service is without the choir.