 What is my favorite hymn you ask? ALL OF THEM!!
After all, there are more than a million hymns out there (donât believe me? Just go to www.hymnary.org). The folks at The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song selected 853 of the best tunes and texts to be included in our current hymnal. Everything from classical (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded by J. S. Bach) to contemporary rock (We Fall Down by Chris Tomlin), from Irish ballads (Be Thou My Vision) to American folk songs (My Shepherd Will Supply My Need) and Spirituals (Lord, I Want to Be a Christian). There is something for everyone!
Hymns are âcompact theologyâ*; a vehicle to express yourself in a poetic manner in the company of fellow Christians. Collections of hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs give voice to the churchâs core beliefs and theological convictions.** So, sing out and savor in the joy of singing praises to the Lord our God.
Hymns are prayers. Talk to God while you sing, lip-sync, speak, or think the words of the hymn. Listen to the voices around you, and imagine that you are in His holy temple.
Wait, you say you canât sing? No problem, this isnât a tryout for American Idol. l canât sing either. Donât let that stop you.
Service playing is the art of leading, encouraging, and enhancing a congregation in song. There are whole college courses dedicated to service playing. Some of the concepts are:
- Playing of hymns at a reasonable tempo; not too fast so that you canât get all the words out, and not too slow that you run out of breath;
- Playing the melody louder than the harmony parts;
- Transposing to a lower key when needed;
- Holding the last note for an extended time so that the singers can catch their breath;
- Being consistent with entrances and breaks between phrases;
- Playing loud enough so that singers feel confident that they are not singing a solo, but not so loud that they are overwhelmed.
So, we try to make it as easy for you as we can to participate in this joyful practice.
The organ is particularly useful in advancing the last point, as it produces tone in the same way as the human voice â air vibrating through a tube.*** When combined with the reverberation of our sanctuary, the sound can be all encompassing; surrounding you like a blanket in sound and giving the sense of confidence in singing praises to God. After all, it is said that hymns are hugs from God.
So, whatever singing ability you have, it is good enough! Participate joyfully in singing our hymns to the glory of God.
New question. What is the most meaningful hymn to me? What a Friend We Have in Jesus. The very first hymn I ever played in a worship service at the ripe old age of 13.
In Peace,
John Kautzman
*âGlory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnalâ Theological Vision Statement
**Ibid
***âLet the People Sing!â David M. Cherwien Introduction
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"Gathering and Gospelling"
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This past six weeks has gone very quickly. Time does that. Moving sometimes so quickly that it is hard to keep up, let alone be attentive. "Gathering and Gospelling" together for these weeks has been a great reminder to me. A reminder to slow down, to keep showing up, to focus on Jesus, and to share in life with others. These days do not come with easy solutions or even easy questions. We live in a time on the cusp of something, something rooted in Christ, and in tradition, but it is new like a sprout pushing up through the ground in the spring. This is the same image the author of The Art of Gathering uses when describing how we often communicate when we gather. We go to the same old rehearsed conversations, but what we could be doing is sharing more honestly about where we are and what new thoughts we are still trying to work though. Thank you for sharing honestly, listening well, and trying some new sprout-like ideas.
Sometimes when you pass through a place and then back again, it is exactly that: a passing through. I hope for you, like me, this was a meaningful pass, gatherings that included honest and open conversation, worship and connection to one another, listening to God and living into God's ways. It has truly been my pleasure to be with you all. You will be in my prayers as you continue gathering here and wherever you go, until we meet again.
Blessings,
Amber
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 The store will be open on:
Friday, September 17
(10 a.m. â 4 p.m.)
Saturday, September 18
(10 a.m. â 2 p.m.)
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The first rehearsal for Valley's
Adult Choir will be on Thursday,
September 23, 2021 at 7 p.m. in the Choir Loft.
We will sing during the worship service on September 26th!! New members are always welcome; so think about adding your voice to our group. The fellowship, the sharing of our time and our talents make the choir more than just a singing ensemble;
IT IS A FAMILY.
Hope to see you on the 23rd of September at 7 p.m.! |
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Chagrin Valley Council of Churches
Crop Walk
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Sunday, October 10, 2021
Frohring Meadows
16780 Savage Road
Sign in begins at 1:45 p.m.
Walk begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Katydid Shelter.
Proceeds benefit the Geauga Hunger Task Force and Church World Service.
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Valley member, Russell Wilson, passed away on Tuesday, August 24. Please keep Russell's wife, Lin, and the rest of his family in your prayers as they mourn his loss.
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Kindness Rocks
July 15, 2021
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Health and Safety Protocols
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With the return to in-person worship services, we ask you to follow these guidelines:
⢠Windows will be open and fans turned on, so please dress to be comfortable.
⢠In order for proper distancing, please do not sit in the pews that have been blocked or directly next to people not in your family.
⢠Please wear face coverings when inside the church building.
⢠If you are not feeling well today, please stay home.
⢠Hymnals and pew bibles have been put away, the words are printed in the bulletin.
⢠At this time, we will not be passing the peace, the offering plate, or holding hands for the benediction at the close of the service.
⢠Since we are livestreaming the service, we ask that you remain seated in the pews during the prelude and postlude.
⢠After the worship service has concluded, we ask that you move outside for any extended conversations.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Any changes to these protocols will be shared in advance of Sunday gatherings.
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Sundays
10:30 a.m. Worship live or via YouTube
Sunday, September 5
10:30 a.m. Communion Sunday
Friday, September 17
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open
Saturday, September 18
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Pass-it-On Open
Sunday, September 19
12:00 p.m. Session Meeting
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Food Bank Needs:
September
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Please consider donating the following items to help stock the shelves at Chagrin Falls Park Community Center:
White rice, tea bags, white sugar, broths/bouillons, wide egg noodles, canned chicken, Tylenol or low-dose aspirin.
CFPCC is receiving donations at your car. Someone will come out and retrieve donations.
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9/1
Aprille Laupan
Kaden Urban
9/3
Logan Fouts
9/7
Penny Hatch
9/9
Hallie Anderson
9/11
Jerry Moreno
9/12
Mikala Izzo
9/13
Ray Fouts
9/14
Isabella Bush
9/15
Matthew Cooper
9/16
Chip Steele
9/20
Carol Ferguson
9/22
Judy Vernon
9/23
Paige Spicuzza
9/26
Rachel Brinning
9/28
Nancy Sullivan
9/29
Alice Heineman
9/30
Gerry Chittock
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And weâre off! Heart of Valleyâs first day of school is Wednesday, Sept. 8th â we are all so excited! We have 42 children enrolled in four different classes. Our rooms are set up, bulletin boards are updated, and our teachers are rested and ready for a fantastic year!
This marks the beginning of my 11th year at Heart of Valley as Director â each year brings new challenges and perspectives! I am truly blessed to be surrounded with people that care so much about each child and family in our preschool. Together, we have supported, loved, and cared for one another in ways that go beyond measure.
I believe that God works through people â and Godâs love is very strong here at Valley â even through a pandemic!
Thank you for your continued support ~
Heidi Cregar,
Director
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Valley Presbyterian Church
17560 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
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