Worshipping our Savior Through Music

“The music of sacrament meeting is a vital part of our worship. The scriptures teach that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto the Lord (D&C 25:12). The First Presidency has declared that “some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns” (Hymns, ix). How wonderful when every person in attendance joins in the worship of singing—especially in the hymn that helps us prepare to partake of the sacrament. “

“The scriptures contain many affirmations that hymn singing is a glorious way to worship. Before the Savior and his Apostles left the upper room where they had the sublime experience of the Last Supper, they sang a hymn. After their hymn, the Savior led them to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30)

“The Apostle Paul advised the Colossians that they should be “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16)

“In a revelation given through another prophet a generation later, the Lord commanded his people to “praise the Lord with singing, [and] with music” (D&C 136:28).

“When the Lord’s Apostles meet in modern times, the singing of hymns is still part of their meetings. The weekly meetings of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Salt Lake Temple always begin with a hymn…

“Picture the spiritual impact of a handful of the Lord’s servants singing [a hymn] before praying for his guidance in fulfilling their mighty responsibilities.”

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My Music Calling

The Ward Organist or pianist provides prelude and postlude music and accompaniment for hymns at sacrament meeting and at other ward meetings as requested.  Quiet prelude and postlude music creates an atmosphere of worship that invites the Spirit into Church meetings. Read more

Need help with your music calling? E-mail coalstakemusic@gmail.com

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What’s New?

Up and Coming

• General Conference – April 3-4 (Easter)
• Stake Conference – May 15-16
• ‘Piping Up’ Live Organ Concert every Wednesday 2PM EST from Tabernacle Square
• While in Phase 2 of worship services, remember choirs and hymnbooks are still on hold. Let’s hope and pray for this phase to end soon. . . for the better.

New Music – “Come, All, Unto the Temple” by Thomas/Stewart. Listen.

Website – Visit CoalStakeMusic.com for ideas and links about church music and music callings. The site is growing and developing so check back often. You can follow it and enjoy the latest posts (blogs). This newsletter and past newsletters can be found there.

Musical Technology – Are you interested in notating your own music or arranging songs to share? There are several music writing programs available online. Noteflight is one that is free.

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Hymn Highlight

How Firm a Foundation #85 Although this hymn is over 100 years old, it is as relevant today as in years past. Perhaps we should consider singing verse 4 which says: 

When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee . . . thy deepest distress.

These lyrics have been set to different tunes. Here are a few to listen to: 1) Art song new tune written by BYU professor Murray Boren for a collection of sacred songs titled “Sabbath Song”. This is sung for an Episcopal Music event. 2) Familiar tune found in our hymnal sung by BYU-Idaho choir. 3) Oldest traditional tune sung by a shape-note singing group. Shape-note singing is an old style of reading music by the shape of the note head and attaching a solfege syllable to it.

Read about the hymn’s history.

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Watch This

In case you missed it . . . from Christmas