Thursday, February 25, 2010

Monday, February 8, 2010

Music Plan for Feb 7, 2010

Here is the music list for this Sunday.  This week's readings center on listening to God's call, saying "Yes!", and following him.  So we have chosen songs that delve into the various aspects of being called and following Christ.
 
 
Prelude: “Solitude Song” by Tom Booth
(pending being able to buy it off Spiritandsong.com)
 
       Back-up Options:  Walk By Faith (Jeremy Camp)
      Chords and lyrics on the yahoo site under "Files" --> "Songs"
or
      "With All I Am" in the Heart of Worship Praise Packet
 
 
Opening: “Speak, Lord” (BB 589)
 
Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 138--“In the Sight of the Angels (McGehee and Lee)
Mars has recordings, chords are in the file cabinent, and we are trying to locate full sheet music as well.
Backups:
Ps. 138: On the Day I Called by Rory Cooney
Ps. 138: Respond and Acclaim 2010 (Sunday Feb. 7) 
 
Preparation: The Summons (BB 377)
 
Communion: Pescador de Hombres (BB 519)
http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/15607  for anyone that doesn't know the melody -- this recording is in both Spanish and English
 
Meditation: “Yes I Will” –Bebo Norman
Chords & lyrics in the "Heart of Worship" praise packet on the Sundays at Seven yahoo group site under "Files" --> "Old Retreat Files" --> "HOW Retreat Praise 06.doc", page 21 
 
Sending Forth : “God Has Chosen Me” (BB 390)
 
 
*** Note that the prelude and meditation songs are new or sort of new!  But not too hard hopefully...  Since there is no Thursday practice, please please please try to listen to the recordings before Sunday to make practice as easy as possible!  Thanks!  :D
 
 
 
 
Here is an synopsis of the readings and an explanation for the songs chosen.  :)
 
The Readings:
In the first reading, when God asks, "Whom shall I send?", Isaiah responds, "Here I am.  Send me!" 
In the gospel, Jesus calls Simon, James, and John to be fishers of men, and it says that "they left everything and followed him."  And an interesting detail that the first reading adds to this idea is that that leaving everything means not just leaving our possessions, but our sins as well, as in the case of Isaiah whose sins where purged with a burning coal touched to his lips so that he might speak God's word to the people.
Finally, in the second reading, Paul outlines the importance that our "yes" to God has for those we are called to minister to.  He describes his personal call from God, how by allowing the grace of God to work in him God has used him greatly, and in conclusion he points out his listeners great benefit of this ministry, saying "So we preached and so you believed."
 
 
The Songs:
Prelude: “Solitude Song (Follow Me)” by Tom Booth
This song speaks to the doubt we are sometimes faced with when we choose to follow Christ, doubt the apostles and prophets probably also often faced, and that people may be struggling with as they come to mass this Sunday.  The song is a prayer for trust to follow the Lord wherever he leads us.
"Walk by Faith" by Jeremy Camp has similar themes.  "With All I Am" focuses more on committing everything to Jesus and trusting Him in our walk with him, particularly in the second verse, "I'll follow you, wherever you go, through tears and pain, I'll trust in you"
 
Opening: “Speak, Lord” (BB 589)
The servants in the readings were blessed with rather obvious calls from God—Isaiah and Paul had visions, and the apostles actually had Jesus walk right up to them and tell them to follow.  Today we aren’t always blessed with such obvious signs or we don’t know how to pay attention to the ones God gives us.  So part of us practically applying the themes in the readings and obey God’s call is to meditate on His holy Word, discern, and pray.  This song centers on the power of God’s word, and in it we ask him to make clear His will for us.  Because it is the opening song, before the Liturgy of the Word, we are also preparing ourselves to properly listen to the readings.  And though it is not specifically a gathering song we are united together as we sing as a community “Speak, Lord…See Lord, here I am.”
 
Preparation: The Summons (BB 377)
In this song we again hear Jesus asking us, “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?”
 
Communion: Pescador de Hombres (BB 519)
This song puts us in the place of Simeon, James, and John in this week’s gospel when Jesus called them to leave everything behind and follow him, to come be fishers of men.  It points out that Jesus didn’t call the rich, wise, powerful, (insert other often desired attributes…) to be his apostles.  He asked that they follow and give their labor, as he calls us.  As the song says “take my hands and direct them.  Help me spend myself in seeking the lost, returning love for the love you gave me.”  And it goes on to remind us that in following Christ we will find everything we long for, because we will be with him. :)
 
Meditation: “Yes I Will” –Bebo Norman (Heart of Worship praise packet)
This song focuses a lot on the Passion of Christ, and reminds us that when we choose to follow Jesus, we are ultimately going to the cross, both in the hardships we may face and also to die to our sins.
 
Sending Forth : “God Has Chosen Me” (BB 390)
Reiterates the theme of being called to minister, with a peppy sending forth.  :)
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Your February Music-Pickers,
Rachel and Erin