The following is a sermon preached by Rev. Nathan Dell based on the text of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James
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This resource for worship or study is freely available for use and adaptation. Please remember to give us a shoutout! A Printing-friendly pdf of these reflections is available HERE (7 two-sided pages). Note from the Editors Though Advent is a season
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Salvation History in the Presbyterian Hymnal Letter by Nahida H. Gordon, Introduction by Rev. Chris Iosso Mary is warned by Simeon in the Christmas story that “a sword will pierce her heart” (Luke 2:35). Frankly, this letter from Professor Nahida Gordon, a Palestinian American Presbyterian, makes me uncomfortable because it challenges
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[ezcol_2third][/ezcol_2third] [ezcol_1third_end]Author David Lamotte sings “This Is My Song” (#340)[/ezcol_1third_end] “The prophet does not ask if the vision can be implemented, for questions of implementation are of no consequence until the vision can be imagined.” — Walter Brueggemann In the field of music therapy, stories are often told of
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After the General Assembly 219th in 2010 lifted the ban on the ordination of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals, the leadership at my past church thought it might be a good idea to host a couple of evening classes to inform individuals about the issues voted upon in Minneapolis. From
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As an editor, I’m used to going in search of articles, but this time the article found me! While brainstorming for this Advent issue, I came across the following Facebook conversation among several friends. This article documents the beginning of a conversation that is by no means over, and I
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Images of nature and creation in hymnody are hardly new. The psalms, among the earliest songs of God’s people, are replete with images and celebrations of God’s good creation, and as ancient a text as Francis of Assissi’s “All Creatures of Our God and King” (#15) contains an exhilarating richness
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“What does the new hymnal communicate about justice and inclusion for people with disabilities?” There is really no answer to the question of what a volume of 853 hymns will communicate to someone in the pew about justice and inclusion for persons living with a disability. What is communicated will
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A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was telling me about the first time her partner accompanied her to the PC(USA) General Assembly. She told me that they were there to be a witness to the Church, to join their voices with many others in calling for the full
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Question: “Why should European-American Presbyterians in the United States include world music in our worship?” I love a good mashup; I suspect we all do. There is something powerful about the collision of two different songs, a mess of lyrics and melodies that seem to work together while simultaneously offering
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“Heaven is Singing for Joy / El Cielo Canta Alegria,” (#382) was written in 1958, but/and Glory to God is the first Presbyterian hymnal to include it. The notes below the hymn read as follows: “Written in 1958 for a picnic of theological students in Argentina, this piece represents the
MoreThe following is a sermon preached by Rev. Nathan Dell based on the text of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson, Hymn #339 in Glory to God. Two widely known prayers that are often set to music are the Lord’s Prayer and the Prayer of St. Francis
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