Voices Found

  Easter week 2023 Bloom. Bud. Fruit. Christ the vine VF 141 Christ the vine and God the gardener We your branches bearing fruit. We can bring forth shoots of promise When our lives in Christ take root. Christ, the fruit from Jesse springing, You fulfilled the prophet’s trust. And you pray that we, your body, Will fulfill your trust in us. Edith Sinclair Downing's text is based on John 15:1-8, a passage appointed for Easter week.  She includes an Advent image, envisioning Christ as the fruit from Jesse springing and finishes with a prayer that we, your body, will fulfill your trust in us.  Alfred Fedak's melody is simple, easily accessible with a keyboard or guitar accompaniment, which would allow young instrumentalists of accompany it.  It is easy to sing for congregational or small group worship.   Reflection Flowers can welcome the stranger, comfort the sick,  and bring hope to the downcast. At the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea,  julep ...

"Way beyond de Moon" Voices Found 130 I've got a mother in de heaven, outshines the sun,  outshines the sun, outshines the sun. I've got a mother in de heaven, outshines the sun, Way beyond de moon I've got a father in de Heaven, etc I've got a sister in de heaven, etc When we get to heaven we will outshine de sun, Outshine de sun, outshine de sun, When we get to heaven we will outshine de sun, Way beyond de moon!   Henrietta Morgan, a member of the Voices Found hymnal committee accepted the assignment to find music  addressing women of the African American Diaspora.    Morgan wrote that the  relationship between slaves and their mothers was significant. Because families were often separated early in the children's lives, slaves sang about their longing to see Mother and other family members, if not in this life, then the next.  They took comfort in the thought of uniting with  Mother and with Jesus. In this...

    Easter 2023:  Surrexit! Maria Magdalena et altera Maria  ibant di luculo ad monumentum. Jesus quem queritis non est hic: surrexit, sicut dixit precedit vos in Galileam ibi eum videbitis. Translation Mary Magdalen and the other Mary  went to the place of the Sepuchre (Matthew 28:1) Jesus whom you seek is not here.  He is risen as He said a nd goes before you to Galilee. There you will see Him  (Matthew 28: 6-7) Amidst a violent earthquake unleashed by a Fiery Angel, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary crept  to the tomb. To their astonishment they saw the the Angel/Messenger move the stone and sit upon it. Then they heard the Message, " He is not here. He is Risen." Straightaway the Angel sent them on  their way  and commanded them to proclaim the Good News to the  disciples. The Angel sent the Marys FIRST. Sulpitia Cesis (b. 1577) set the Angel's proclamation to music, creating one of the first liturgical dramas....