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11 '23
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Thinking SPACE Dear Friends, ‘Let the Children Come’: It’s been a delight and privilege over many years and in a good number of churches where I’ve belonged, to share in…
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
Thinking SPACE
Dear Friends,
On the 22nd of this month many Christians will mark the feast of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. I have to admit that, being a true non-conformist, I find it hard to believe some of the tales as to why some Christians were canonised and beatified by the church. It is said, for example, that Cecilia was all but beheaded but remained alive for three days… Nonetheless, she inspired some wonderful Christian music, including works dedicated to her by Purcell, Parry and Handel, a lovely mass by Gounod and the magnificent Hymn to St Cecilia by Britten (coincidentally born on the 22nd November).
This month also marks twenty years since I was appointed as organist and choirmaster at Longcauseway. It is a job I love and that I find very rewarding both professionally and spiritually. I have been aided in this vocation immensely by encouraging parents, a patient wife and a very capable choir!
I have always believed that human talents are individual gifts from God to be celebrated and shared, and particularly music. In fact I would go further: I believe it is our duty to God to make the most of the talents we have. Why would God have given us our amazing abilities in so many varied fields if he did not want us to use them to the full? It is something I try to hold to in every aspect of my life, although I invariably fall short.
But despite having played for, at a conservative estimate, 1,500 Sunday services – so that’s about 7,500 hymns! – I continue to marvel at how music and poetry enhances our worship in so many ways. Which Christian could fail to be inspired and challenged by the final words of Watts’ hymn
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
especially set to the marvellous tune by Edward Miller, the son of a stone mason who ran away from home to become a flautist in Handel's orchestra?
Or how about these verses in Pott’s hymn Angel Voices, a particular favourite of mine, superbly set to music by E G Monk:
Yea, we know that thou rejoicest o'er each work of thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices for thy praise design;
Craftsman's art and music's measure
For thy pleasure all combine.
In thy house, great God, we offer of thine own to thee;
And for thine acceptance proffer all unworthily
Hearts and minds and hands and voices
In our choicest psalmody.
Whether it is the majesty of Thine Be the Glory, the uplifting beat of Shine, Jesus, Shine or the beauty and holiness of Be Still, our Christian music has the power to lift us into a higher emotional and spiritual plane.
You know, everyone has music in them, even if some are reluctant to let it out! So may I ask a favour of you this Sunday? After each hymn introduction, take the biggest breath you can, open your throat and sing out fortissimo!
Sing and make music from your heart unto the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 19-20)
Every blessing to you, David Hall
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