Music leaders, show us your song list - NEW!!

[pnewton]

Okay, I finished my selections yesterday

I went in this order:

Where Charity and Love Prevail
All That We Have
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart
Dona Nobis Pacem
Prayer of St. Francis

 

[benedictgal]

I managed to survive the wedding Mass. Things went off without a hitch. In hindsight, it was a good thing to have switched cantors because my PV wound up having to use do the Liturgy of the Eucharist in Spanish and the cantor and organist were able to make the adjustments seemlessly. To my surprise, they sang the Panis Angelicus. I have been asked to plan another wedding for a fellow parishioner and a memorial Mass for my former high school principle.

On the parish front, we now have a new director of music. She is a green horn and was grateful when I clandestinely offered to help her plan music for the Mass. She is open to Tradtional music and ditched Mass of Hope, both of which are good signs. I have even helped her regarding the psalm, since she now has to sing it. We worked on timing and pacing.

 

[Sarabande]

I managed to survive the wedding Mass. Things went off without a hitch. In hindsight, it was a good thing to have switched cantors because my PV wound up having to use do the Liturgy of the Eucharist in Spanish and the cantor and organist were able to make the adjustments seemlessly. To my surprise, they sang the Panis Angelicus. I have been asked to plan another wedding for a fellow parishioner and a memorial Mass for my former high school principle.

On the parish front, we now have a new director of music. She is a green horn and was grateful when I clandestinely offered to help her plan music for the Mass. She is open to Tradtional music and ditched Mass of Hope, both of which are good signs. I have even helped her regarding the psalm, since she now has to sing it. We worked on timing and pacing.

That’s great to hear for both your cousin’s mass and the new music director.

 

[CatholicZ09]

This is what my church used for 11/8/09:

Processional: #409 Church of God, Elect and Glorious
Preparation of the Gifts: #577 Your Words are Spirit and Life
Communion Hymn: #360 I Receieved the Living God
Recessional Hymn: #526 We Are the Light of the World*

*Okay, I have a real issue with this song. It seems like this song is more-so centered around us than around God. I mean, it kind of bothered me when singing the refrain “We Are the Light of the World.” I mean, is it right to say WE are the light of the world?

Also, “Your Words are Spirit and Life” is a pathetic attempt at trying to make a song to sound good. I really have issues with this and hope we don’t use it that much.

 

[CatholicZ09]

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Processional Hymn: #604 In the Day of the Lord
Preparation of the Gifts: #686 The Lord is My Light
Communion Hymn: #438 We Will Rise Again
Recessional Hymn: #605 Soon and Very Soon

I went more with the newer songs this weekend and I am thinking of picking more traditional ones for my Advent-Ordinary Time I planning.

 

[pnewton]

Advent - We switch Mass settings to mark the change of season and enter every week on O Come O Come Emmanuel. I know it is repetitive, but I have found that as the holidays approach people want it to “feel” like Christmas is coming, it that makes any sense.

 

[hosea]

Recessional Hymn: #526 We Are the Light of the World*

*Okay, I have a real issue with this song. It seems like this song is more-so centered around us than around God. I mean, it kind of bothered me when singing the refrain “We Are the Light of the World.” I mean, is it right to say WE are the light of the world?

Also, “Your Words are Spirit and Life” is a pathetic attempt at trying to make a song to sound good. I really have issues with this and hope we don’t use it that much.

I have the same problem with Cooney’s “I myself am the bread of life.” I just can’t bring myself to sing those words. As much as I love Rory’s music, that one is just not in my quiver. Unless they let me change the words to “Jesus Christ is the Bread of life.”

When we change the wording to ‘we’ or ‘I’ we seem to leave our Heavenly Father behind. Just not a good idea. I try to read the lyrics of every song we do to make sure God is kept first. Sometimes they slip by me.

peace,
Hosea

 

[agapewolf]

I have the same problem with Cooney’s “I myself am the bread of life.” I just can’t bring myself to sing those words. As much as I love Rory’s music, that one is just not in my quiver. Unless they let me change the words to “Jesus Christ is the Bread of life.”

When we change the wording to ‘we’ or ‘I’ we seem to leave our Heavenly Father behind. Just not a good idea. I try to read the lyrics of every song we do to make sure God is kept first. Sometimes they slip by me.

peace,
Hosea

I dislike that song too, but lets be accurate with what it being talked about…the first phrase “i myself am the bread of life” is quoting Christ’s words. The 2nd part “you and i are the bread of life” is the part that can be theologically troublesome… while you and I are the body of Christ, referring as the “bread of life” does not match up.

Saying “We are the light of the world” is actually accurate…because Christ calls us that in Matthew 5. We are actually quoting scripture from our perspective there, reminding us of the huge baptismal call we hvae.

 

[hosea]

Saying “We are the light of the world” is actually accurate…because Christ calls us that in Matthew 5. We are actually quoting scripture from our perspective there, reminding us of the huge baptismal call we hvae.

I agree. I’ve never had heartburn with “We are the light of the world” for that very reason.
Great comments! Great discussion.
peace,
H

 

[CatholicZ09]

Advent - We switch Mass settings to mark the change of season and enter every week on O Come O Come Emmanuel. I know it is repetitive, but I have found that as the holidays approach people want it to “feel” like Christmas is coming, it that makes any sense.

Usually in my church I go to (not for the stuff I’ve planned) we usually sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” on the 3rd Sunday of Advent as the processional. I was reading that it’s more appropriate to sing that hymn during the 3rd and 4th Sundays as we enter into the “O” Antiphons. I don’t really see a problem though with using it on the 1st and 2nd Sundays.

Last year during Advent, my music director used “Our Lady of the Snows” for a Mass Setting. I found it really, I don’t know, “bland.” I really wish I could help him plan music for Mass. Has anyone heard of that setting?

Since we don’t use the Gloria, we sing the “Lord, Have Mercy” in a chant form. It’s really beautiful.

Now, in Lent, we use the “Holy, Holy, Holy” from the Grayson Warren Brown Composite Mass. That’s a really nice setting.

 

[benedictgal]

Usually in my church I go to (not for the stuff I’ve planned) we usually sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” on the 3rd Sunday of Advent as the processional. I was reading that it’s more appropriate to sing that hymn during the 3rd and 4th Sundays as we enter into the “O” Antiphons. I don’t really see a problem though with using it on the 1st and 2nd Sundays.

Last year during Advent, my music director used “Our Lady of the Snows” for a Mass Setting. I found it really, I don’t know, “bland.” I really wish I could help him plan music for Mass. Has anyone heard of that setting?

Since we don’t use the Gloria, we sing the “Lord, Have Mercy” in a chant form. It’s really beautiful.

Now, in Lent, we use the “Holy, Holy, Holy” from the Grayson Warren Brown Composite Mass. That’s a really nice setting.

This is what I have used for Advent:

First Sunday:

Entrance: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (all four Sundays)
Offertory: Creator of the Stars of Night
Communion: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Recessional: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

Second Sunday: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Offertory: Hills of the North
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Third Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits (one of three Haugen songs I can take)
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Fourth Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Communion: For you, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits
Recessional: Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates

While there is repetition, it is not a bad thing because Advent is so short, and, these songs are meant only for this time of year.

 

[CatholicZ09]

This is what I have used for Advent:

First Sunday:

Entrance: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (all four Sundays)
Offertory: Creator of the Stars of Night
Communion: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Recessional: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

Second Sunday: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Offertory: Hills of the North
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Third Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits (one of three Haugen songs I can take)
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Fourth Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Communion: For you, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits
Recessional: Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates

While there is repetition, it is not a bad thing because Advent is so short, and, these songs are meant only for this time of year.

I don’t mind the traditional form of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” every week. If it’s a contemporary version, then that might be a problem.

 

[benedictgal]

I don’t mind the traditional form of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” every week. If it’s a contemporary version, then that might be a problem.

OCP completely butchered the Spanish version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. They decided to “improve” the lyrics and their hatchet job is just awful. It’s almost as bad as what they did to the Exultet.

By the way, I shudder whenever I hear “We are the light of the world”. It’s just as bad as “Anthem”. That is one song that I would never use and a bad example of the seventies stuff.

 

[hosea]

This is what I have used for Advent:

First Sunday:

Entrance: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (all four Sundays)
Offertory: Creator of the Stars of Night
Communion: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Recessional: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

Second Sunday: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Offertory: Hills of the North
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Third Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits (one of three Haugen songs I can take)
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Fourth Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Communion: For you, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits
Recessional: Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates

While there is repetition, it is not a bad thing because Advent is so short, and, these songs are meant only for this time of year.

Advent will truly be beautiful if your parish uses these settings. Wonderful choices.
When we do O come o come, Emmanuel we do it as a chant. It is moving to listen to the congregation singing softly as they anticipate the coming of our Lord.
Has anyone done the Advent Wreath Service by John Schiavone? We use it for the Kyrie each week during Advent. Quite beautiful and the people sing it very well. Great SATB harmony.
peace,
H

 

[Sarabande]

Advent - We switch Mass settings to mark the change of season and enter every week on O Come O Come Emmanuel. I know it is repetitive, but I have found that as the holidays approach people want it to “feel” like Christmas is coming, it that makes any sense.

Our parish does “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” every week as well. I love it that way. I remember that they start it off with organ as the priest recesses out, but then will continue the rest of the hymn a capella as a chant with congregation and choir and it is beautiful because everyone sings.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Benedictgal, what do you these:

First Sunday of Advent:

#727 Come Now, Almighty King
#59 The Advent of Our King
#47 People, Look East
#49 O Come Divine Messiah

Second Sunday of Advent:

#74 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
#71 Every Valley
#38 On Jordan’s Bank
#70 The Coming of our God

Third Sunday of Advent:

#36 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
#37 Come Thou, Long Expected Jesus
#53 Emmanuel
#746 The King of Glory

Fourth Sunday of Advent

#50 Alleluia! Hurry the Lord is Near
#41 Waiting in Silence
#612 Soon and Very Soon
#65 See How the Virgin Waits

I’m wondering if I should do “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” every week.

 

[Writer]

This is what I have used for Advent:

First Sunday:

Entrance: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (all four Sundays)
Offertory: Creator of the Stars of Night
Communion: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Recessional: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

Second Sunday: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Offertory: Hills of the North
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Third Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits (one of three Haugen songs I can take)
Communion: Creator of the Stars of Night
Recessional: On Jordan’s Bank

Fourth Sunday: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Offertory: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Communion: For you, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits
Recessional: Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates

While there is repetition, it is not a bad thing because Advent is so short, and, these songs are meant only for this time of year.

Those are indeed beautiful selections. Sorry to hear about your run around at OCP. Been there done that. If anyone has access to the Church Music Association of America’s ***Sacred Music, *** my article “Reflections on a Hymn” is featured in the latest issue. It focuses on the problematic hymn “Sing a New Church.”

 

[benedictgal]

Benedictgal, what do you these:

First Sunday of Advent:

#727 Come Now, Almighty King
#59 The Advent of Our King
#47 People, Look East
#49 O Come Divine Messiah

Second Sunday of Advent:

#74 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
#71 Every Valley
#38 On Jordan’s Bank
#70 The Coming of our God

Third Sunday of Advent:

#36 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
#37 Come Thou, Long Expected Jesus
#53 Emmanuel
#746 The King of Glory

Fourth Sunday of Advent

#50 Alleluia! Hurry the Lord is Near
#41 Waiting in Silence
#612 Soon and Very Soon
#65 See How the Virgin Waits

I’m wondering if I should do “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” every week.

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is the quintecessenial Advent hymn, par excellence. It should be the entrance processional for all four Sundays of Advent. In fact, when my PV took over as rector of the Cathedral, he ditched a lot of the selections and told the choir director that he needed to have “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” for all four Sundays. He had me choose the music and make sure that the choir learned the appropriate Advent hymns.

I would not do “The King of Glory” nor “Soon and Very Soon”. The former is stylistically poor quality and not really fitting. It’s more appropriate for “Fiddler of the Roof” than the Mass. The latter is not very good either. Remember, the first Sunday of Advent concentrates on the second coming. That is why I chose The King Shall Come. The next three Sundays concentrate on the First Coming.

Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates is the ideal recessional for the Fourth Sunday of Advent because we can already taste Christmas.

The rest of your selections seem fine.

 

[baltobetsy]

Best First Sunday of Advent hymn. Ever. The tune name is Helmsley. My Episcopal choir does this once a year, and it’s one of the most wonderful moments of the entire season.

Lo! he comes, with clouds descending,
once for our salvation slain;
thousand thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.

Every eye shall now behold him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at nought and sold him,
pierced, and nailed him to the tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of his passion
still his dazzling body bears,
cause of endless exultation
to his ransomed worshipers;
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
gaze we on those glorious scars!

Now redemption, long expected,
see in solemn pomp appear;
all his saints, by man rejected,
now shall meet him in the air:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
See the day of God appear!

Yea, amen! let all adore thee,
high on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory;
claim the kingdom for thine own:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

---

Words: John Cennick (1718-1755), 1752;
as altered by Charles Wesley (1707-1788), 1758;
and then altered by Martin Madan (1726-1790), 1760

Betsy

 

[hosea]

Best First Sunday of Advent hymn. Ever. The tune name is Helmsley. My Episcopal choir does this once a year, and it’s one of the most wonderful moments of the entire season.

Betsy

Truly majestic, Betsy. Thank you for sharing.

33rd Sunday in OT
Entrance: Lift high the Cross
Response: You are my inheritance, o Lord (Haugen)
Prep: The path of life
communion: Unless a grain of wheat and Your light will come, Jerusalem
closing: Let the Heavens be glad.

next week Christ the King!

peace,
H