Worship

In preparing for a week of new organ sounds and new church spaces, the worship committee thought it would be meaningful to begin where we all began – before there were these sounds and spaces – before the organ existed for the church and before it existed for us in our individual stories. We will join in worship, raising our voices in a service of evensong much as people did before there was an organ: unaccompanied. Scripture readings from the Book of Revelation will encourage us to consider the pipe organ as a symbolic representation of the City of God. As the service draws to a close, we will hear the voice of the organ, announcing "Dieu parmi nous" and finally join together in singing "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones."

Worship leaders for this service include organist Mary Preston, cantors Michie Akin and Annette Albrecht, and readers Charles S. Brown and Damin Spritzer.

Monday afternoon worship at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church will follow traditional Reformed practice. Leading worship will be Dr. Blair R. Monie, senior pastor; Annette Albrecht, organist; The Sanctuary Choir, Terry Price, director of music; Sanctuary Ringers, Judy Melson, director. Choral music includes "Around the Throne" by Richard Wayne Dirksen and "How Can I Keep From Singing" by Leo Nestor. Joel Martinson's new work for two organs "Organum, a fantasy for two organs" will be heard as the Opening Voluntary.

The program Tuesday morning will begin with a Hymn Festival centered on the convention theme "Sounds and Spaces" in the newly-built sanctuary of Northaven United Methodist Church. The Rev. John Thornburg, United Methodist minister, published hymn-writer, and congregational song consultant will write and narrate the script. Joel Martinson will treat the hymns to varied settings for congregation, choir, brass quintet, timpani, and organ, and will also serve as organist for the service. The Transfiguration Choir will be joined by Imperial Brass, under the direction of Cynthia Nott.