“Let the word of Christ dwell in you … ; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

Power and Protection Provided by Worthy Music – Part 2

“Worthy Music also has the power to persuade.” says President Russell M. Nelson in a fireside given May 4, 2008. He continues;

“Prophets through all generations have taught the importance of worthy music in our expressions of worship. A few citations from the scriptures may serve to illustrate.

An Old Testament scripture bids us to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise” (Psalm 98:4). In the Hebrew language, the meaning of this verse is to literally burst forth into song and to shout for joy. Contrast that spirit of enthusiasm with scenes we may see at church when some sing only passively and without a spirit of joy.

A New Testament scripture counsels us to have a well of good music within, “speaking to [ourselves] in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in [our] heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19–20).”

Our prophet has loved, learned, and practiced music his whole life. He has allowed it to persuade him for good. His first wife Dantzel was a gifted singer. The following story was told about Russell Nelson in 1982:

. . . Russell, after rebelling at the strictures of piano practice as a lad, resumed musical study in college and now plays the piano and organ. In fact, Dantzel reports that he once said he thought he would take up organ playing seriously because in the next world there will be no need for heart surgeons!

Ensign Aug 1982

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My Calling

Ward Music Coordinator (formerly ‘Ward Music Chairman’)

The ward music coordinator has a great and beautiful calling. They have great potential to touch many people of all ages. Fellowshipping others, encouraging music making, facilitating music training, and building confidence are just some of the blessings.

Here are a few guidelines of the coordinator as described in the newly revised music section of the handbook:

• Planning music for worship services with your priesthood leader.
• Selecting music that enhances the spirit of worship in the meetings.
• Using hymns for congregational singing in worship meetings
• Organizing special music such as choir, solo, or small groups. Hymns or other sacred musical selections in the spirit of worship (and not as a showcase for musical talent) should be used.
• Considering sacred music that is written or sung in culturally diverse musical styles if it will help unify congregations. Music coordinators and priesthood leaders may include a variety of appropriate musical styles that appeal to members of various backgrounds.

Please refer to the handbook for a continuation of your calling description

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What’s New?

•New Tune for “With All the Power of Heart and Tongue”. Good for ward choir. Brent Yorgason is continually expanding the hymns by setting them to different tunes. Check out his site Sing A New Song.org . Other sources for free church music.

•2022 Youth Album “Trust in the Lord”

•Stake Music Specialists – The Coal Mountain Stake has several music specialists to strengthen, support, and build our stake. They include sisters: Jamie Barnes, Kay Bohn, Malia Bradford, Lauren Draney, and Sprice Packham. Michelle and Todd Seay are specialists for the Christmas Sing Along.

•Opportunities to Share – Uplift others by sharing worthy music. You can use this newsletter and past newsletters to share ideas, songs, and videos. Invite others to events in the ‘Up and Coming’ section below.

•Free Online Organ Training from BYU

The BYU Organ Online Training Sessions will be expanded during the upcoming year to include not only 5 classes geared toward early level church organists, but also 2 classes for beyond the basics training.  We will add some ongoing individual feedback sessions at a later date. All events are free of charge and available to pianists and organists in any location!

The presentations will offer a pre-recorded video from 7-8 pm Mountain Time, interactive chat with the instructor during the video, followed by a live Question & Answer session. Enroll for the sessions by hovering over each topic and clicking the “Register” button. Recordings of each class will be available to view for one month following the live presentation.

Click Here to register.

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Up and Coming

•UNG Church Choir Festival – Feb 27, Sunday at 3 PM. Dahlonega Baptist Church, 234 NW Hawkins St., Dahlonega 30533. Come early to listen to our stake choir participate in this community event, facilitated by the UNG music department. We will sing “This is the Christ” then sing 4 pieces jointly with the other church choirs.

•Sacred Music Fireside “Grateful Praise” – April 24, Sunday at 6:30 PM An hour of music from the keyboard and guest musicians. Be prepared to sing along with some of the best loved hymns. A nice event to invite friends to. Coal Mountain GA Stake Center.

•Stake Conference Choir Practice – May 1st . Note: there will only be 1 choir practice for the Stake Conference session on Sunday May 15th. All are welcome to sing but must learn the music prior to the practice.

•Stake Music Training Day – May 14, Saturday 9:30 AM . Anyone interested in learning about music and especially those with music callings are invited. Special session for Primary Music Leaders. A variety of training and discussion will occur. Youth welcome. More details coming.

•“Carry On” Music Festival – Sept 17, Saturday 6:30 – 9 PM. It’s never too early to start rehearsing for this fun event. All kinds of instruments and various styles of uplifting music are encouraged.

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Hymn Highlight

How Great Thou Art – Hymn #86

A 25 year old minister, Carl Boberg found himself walking along the coast of Sweden in a thunderstorm. Inspiration descended on him and he wrote: “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy pow’r thru-out the universe displayed; Then sing my soul, my Savior God, to see, How great thou art!”

Many years later, Russell Nelson met a young missionary at a conference who asked the question with tears in his eyes, “Why did the Savior have to suffer so much?” He reached for a hymnal and turned to this hymn and read, “And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin.”

President Nelson teaches us that “Jesus suffered so much because of His love for you and me. What a message! Worthy music is powerful. It has the power to make us humble, prayerful, and grateful.” May 2008

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Watch This

Each weekly “Come Follow Me” lesson has a suggested song that corresponds to the themes being studied. February 21-27 suggests: “Choose the Right”.

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This version of the spiritual “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” was arranged by Margaret Bonds, originally for piano accompaniment. Jasmine Habersham and Justine Maxey do a wonderful job of expressing the power of God and his plan.