Last week, your organist was snuffling feverishly in Poland. Not a good time to go down with a cold. Whilst in Poland, I visited Majdanek, a concentration camp just outside Lublin. With snow on the ground and temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius, it was a bleak place. Imagine those huts with hundreds of malnourished, sick and weary souls - truly terrible. They weren't treated as human beings - and the perpetrators hardly deserve to be described as humans either. Such atrocities must NEVER be allowed to happen again.

Hilary Jones ably deputised in my absence. I returned on Tuesday, getting off the plane at Luton to discover that I was half-deaf. (In answer to questions as to which half, I can only say that you can say what you like behind my back - and I can hear low notes better than high ones!) It would be convenient to blame any mistakes on my temporary deafness, but in truth it was more likely my fingers that were to blame. I'm not over-impressed by Sudofed, recommended by my GP - I'm still half-deaf!

Before the service today, the good folk of Killermont heard 'Coronach' (Edgar Barratt), and two Burns' songs - 'My love is like a red, red rose' and 'Flow gently, sweet Afton'.

During the offering, you heard 'Lascia ch'io pianga' (Handel), and the outgoing voluntary - in deference to Alan's sermon - was 'The arrival of the Queen of Sheba'.

On the 9th January 2005, I began with Gabriel's oboe (Morricone), then played Candle in the wind (Elton John). During the offering, you heard Colours of day, and God's gonna set this world on fire. The outgoing voluntary was Handel's Fireworks Music. Those who were there will realise that the "fire" theme linked in with Alan's children's address.

Today, 16th January, you heard Mozart's Gloria from the 12th Mass, and a Festival prelude on "Old 113th" (Gilbert M. Martin). During the offering, I played Purcell's Rondeau and Air. The outgoing voluntary was Hymn to joy (Beethoven).

Next week, 23rd January, my colleague Hilary will be deputising whilst I enjoy a weekend visiting my Polish penfriend near Warsaw.

Spring 2005 Killermont Choral Contributions. Take a look, and find out what Killermont Parish Church Choir will be singing from now until Easter:-

9 January
Introit CH3 408 v.1 Happy are they
Anth CFC 3 no.48 p.190 We three kings
Rec CH3 198 v.3 This is he, whom seers

16 January
Int CH3 482 v.1 Yield not to temptation
Anth SFP Blessed is the man
Rec SGP 2 A new commandment

23 January
Int CG 50 v.1 Here I am, Lord
Anth CG 82 v.1 and 2 Mallaig sprinkling song
Rec CG 122 v.1 & 5 Take this moment

30 January
Int CG 95 v.1 O Lord, the clouds are gathering
Anth CAB 38 Jesu, lead my footsteps ever ; Bach
Rec CG 95 v.4 Lord, your glorious cross

6 February
Int CG 69 Kyrie eleison
Anth CAB 65 O Saviour of the world ; Goss
Rec CG 36 Forgiveness is Your gift

13 February Communion
Int CAB 13 Blest are the pure in heart ; Walford Davies
Anth CAB 9 Jesu, word of God (Ave verum) ; Elgar
Rec CG 60 v.1 I waited patiently

20 February Thinking Day
Int CG 39 Glory to God
Anth CG 105 Sent by the Lord (with guitars and flutes)
Rec CG 58 I know that my Redeemer lives

27 February
Int SGP 29 v.1 For the healing of the nations
Anth CAB 41 Lead me, Lord ; Wesley
Rec SGP 29 v.2 Lead us, Father, into freedom

6 March
Int CAB 60 O Lord my God, to Thee ; Arcadelt
Anth CAB 40 King of glory ; Bach
Rec CG 67 v.5 Jesus Christ is calling

13 March
Int SGP 85 O Lord, hear my prayer
Anth CAB 59 O Lord, my God ; Wesley
Rec SGP 33 v.1 God forgave my sin

20 March
Int CG 13 Behold the Lamb of God
Anth CAB 2 A Palm Sunday Antiphon
Rec CG 47 v.1-2 Hear me, dear Lord

6.30 pm A Lenten Reflection (details to be confirmed)

27 March
Int CG 30 p.1 Eastertide Acclamation
Anth [Anthem by Rutter]
Rec CAB 87 v.1 The strife is o’er

A Happy New Year to one and all!

Killermont Choir wishes a Happy New Year to everyone, friends and strangers. If you live in or near Bearsden and have made a New Year's Resolution to take up a new hobby - why not join Killermont Church Choir? Make good friends, have a good sing, learn new music, enjoy the best cuppa in the neighbourhood ...

The organist apologises - I haven't been posting my music in recent weeks. Christmas overtook me! Here's a quick listing:

Christmas Day : Mary had a baby (composed by Andrew Gant); Away in a manger (Richard Lloyd); and to finish with, Fantasia on Adeste Fideles, by G. Shaw.

Boxing Day : Bethlehem, by Gounod; Have yourself a merry little Christmas; and, to finish, Do they know it's Christmas? (You can tell it was all-age worship at Killermont on Boxing Day!)

Today, 2nd January : You can rely on me to take you to Vienna on the first Sunday of a New Year. Johann Strauss ruled okay, as you heard the Blue Danube Waltzes, the Tritsch Tratsch Polka, and the Radetzky March. During the offering, I played Howard Goodall's 'The Lord is my shepherd', the theme tune of the Vicar of Dibley. Did you see last night's special episode, in which they promoted Christian Aid's new campaign, Make Poverty History?

Like many congregations and faiths around the world, in our prayers we remembered those affected by the Tsunami. If you haven't made a donation yet, but would like to, try this website:
Disasters Emergency Committee.


16th January - John Bell - Helensburgh! Sample the new Church Hymnary (CH4) :-

• 2.00 – 4.00 pm Park Church Halls, Charlotte Street – workshop for choir members and enthusiastic singers. Getting prepared for the evening event …
• 7.00 pm at West Kirk, Helensburgh – Rev. John Bell speaking about the new Church Hymnary (CH4)
• Read about John Bell on the Iona website
  
  
  (I'm sorry – I could not find a web-posting for these events. Tell your friends about the Killermont weblog, and they can get the details here!)