Killermont Praise!

2006-11-02T14:39:00.001-08:00

Oh, we had a lovely time! We were determined to give our soprano Susan a good send-off before she goes to the USA. The practice was brief - I had to leave to "go and get something I'd forgotten". Which gave everyone a chance to sit and drink tea while I fetched a special surprise for Susan - a Tenor-gram clad in Rangers football strip. She was serenaded in style. The tune was "O sole mio". And Andrew's top notes were superb.

"Beneath thy window, as the sun is fading,
Among the happy flowers my watch I’m keeping,
While gentle breezes to thy presence creeping,
Thy dreamy heart with songs are serenading.

Just one soprano! Give her to me!
How could you send her across the sea?
No more will she implore,
O Karen, tell us, when is this for?

The Ibrox pitches will fade without her,
The players languish; they’re sad about her,
Those hearty terraces will roar less brightly,
The fans will know she’s gone across the sea!

Just one soprano! [etc]

Our Thursday evenings will miss her laughter,
We’ll miss her banter – the chatter after;
She knows she’ll keep her place in our affection –
We’re all just waiting for her trips back home.

“Oh, that was lovely!” She is so young,
Yet there’s a list of the things she wants sung …
Alas, no time for more –
Another chapter has just begun!"

Music image from interviu.it

2006-10-29T08:58:00.000-08:00

Sunday 29th October

The organ music played over the past two weeks has all had personal significance - it is music I remember my father playing. He has been a church organist all his adult life, though he less frequently graced the organ stool once he was ordained as a part-time minister. When he retired, he resumed organ playing, only giving up a few weeks ago when he became too frail to clamber onto the organ stool. Since then, he has had another two mini-strokes and is currently in hospital down in Norfolk. My music has been a quiet tribute to all his years of playing.

Opening voluntary: Canon in D, by Pachelbel
Offering voluntary: Andantino in E, by Cesar Franck
Outgoing voluntary: Tuba tune by C. S. Lang

Sunday 22nd October

Opening voluntaries: O Mensch, bewein, and, Jesu, joy of man's desiring; J S Bach
Offering voluntary: Scots air
Outgoing voluntary: March on a theme by Handel; Guilmant

Farewell!

Susan Wernham, a popular member of Killermont Choir, is shortly leaving us to go to America with her husband. This was Susan's final service, and our minister, Alan Hamilton, paid tribute to Susan's long years of service and cheery disposition. The Choir and I will be sorry to see her go, too, but will mark her departure with a farewell supper next week. Au revoir, Susan!

2006-10-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday 15th October

Organ music played:-

Before the service - Prelude in B minor by Cesar Franck; Elevation by Guilmant; Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.
During the offering - Lascia ch'io pianga, by Handel
Outgoing - You raise me up, by Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham

Please pray for:-

All church organisations; also our neighbouring churches as they plan the forthcoming union.

Image from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, library website - acknowledged with thanks.

2006-10-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

Killermont Fun Day (Saturday 7th October 2006)

The Choir's input was to man the bookstall. We raised in excess of £127. Very many thanks to all the generous choir members who gave their time to make this such a success. And just as many thanks to our customers, too!

A Personal First (Sunday 8th October 2006)

The band played today, so I had the chance to participate in a different way. It's a strange feeling, worshipping in the body of the Kirk rather than seated at the organ.

Today, however, was special. This was the first Boys' Brigade Parade at which all three of our sons participated.

To reiterate what was said in today's service, please pray for all church organisations - especially the Boys' Brigade, which has such an important role to play in helping our sons grow up in the Christian faith.

Pray, too, for all those involved in leading worship at Killermont.

2006-10-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

This evening, we had a service of Remembering and Healing. It was well-attended and very much appreciated by all present.

This is the music I played:-

Evening hymn, by Purcell
Che faro senza Euridice, by Gluck
Ashokan farewell, by Jay Ungar (the music to the series Civil War. You can visit American Jay Ungar's website here.)
Berceuse (Cradle Song) by Benjamin Godard

Image - I'm happy to acknowledge use of this picture, which came from http://www.fairview-killin.co.uk/

2006-09-17T05:05:00.000-07:00

Choir contributions 17th September to 5 November 2006:-

17 September (Harvest)
Introit 233 v.1- Come, you thankful people, come
Anthem CAB 71 p.366 - Praise, O praise ; Martin How
Recessional 804 - You shall go out with joy

24 September - The Band will accompany worship. (Your organist will be in Norfolk accompanying her nephew's christening!)

1 October
Introit 576 v.1 - Jesus before me
Anthem 575 - Over my head
Recessional Celtic Anthem, "The peace of Christ be with you" ; Geoff Nobes

8 October - The Band will accompany worship

15 October (start of October holiday week)
Introit 105 v.1 - Glory to God
Anthem 180 - Give thanks with a grateful heart
Recessional 176 - Let’s sing unto the Lord

22 October (end of October week - Communion)
Introit SGP72 v2 - Living Lord
Anthem CAB32 p155 - Holy, Holy, holy ; Tchaikovsky
Recessional SGP2 - A new commandment

29 October
Introit 805 - Your will be done on earth, O Lord
Anthem Celtic Anthem -Alone with none but you ; Andrew Wright
Recessional CAB27 p141 - God be in my head ; Rutter

5 November
Introit CG42 - God to enfold you
Anthem - The armed man. Benedictus ; Jenkins
Recessional CG189 v.3 - Be still, for the power of the Lord

All newcomers are welcome to join us - Choir Practice is at 7.30 pm on Thursday evenings at Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden. (Go on - you know you've been meaning to give it a go!)

And we make a mean cup of tea/coffee, too!

image from uncc.edu - with many thanks!

2006-08-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

Choir practices begin again on Thursday 24th August!

Killermont Parish Church Choir warmly welcomes newcomers - we meet at 7.30 pm, and on our first practice of the session, we'll be rewarding ourselves with an extra long tea-break so we can catch up on each other's news.

We look forward to meeting again, and pray earnestly that others will feel inspired to join us this session.

Sunday 27th August is Rededication Sunday. Here's the choir music:-

Introit - Hymn 507 verse1, Jesus, I come
Anthem - Church Anthem Book 37, Jesu, joy of man's desiring ; J S Bach
Recessional - Hymn 681 verse 1, Send out the gospel

Sunday 3rd September

Introit - Hymn 757, Come all you people
Anthem - Hymn 802, We are here to praise (special two-part setting)
Recessional - Hymn 573, Saranam (I surrender)

image of August church flowers from southforestflowers.com - an American florist.

2006-06-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

We're recruiting singers right now!

Killermont Church Choir (Bearsden, Glasgow, Scotland) is in good heart and good voice, but we're always ready to welcome new singers.

See if you're anyone like this:-

You used to sing in a choir at school
You used to sing in a choir when you lived somewhere else
You always enjoyed singing but have never been in a choir
You enjoy music and fancy a new leisure activity
......................................... (fill in your own situation!)

Why not come and give it a try when we meet up again at the end of August? We rehearse on Thursday evenings at church, at 7.30 pm. We always have a tea-break - social networking is very important to us!

The choir is a family - but we're happy to welcome newcomers. Go on - you'll love it!

2006-06-25T04:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday 25th June 2006

Killermont is in Summer Sunday mode now. There's a short, informal family service at 9 am, and a "conventional" service at 10.15 am.

Before the 10.15 am service, you heard:- "Oh, my beloved father" and "Nessun dorma" (both by Puccini); during the offering I played "I'll walk with God", from The Student Prince by Brodszky; and we finished with "Crown Imperial", by Walton.

To the kind people who joined us in praying for our friends' daughter over very many months, I am sorry to have to relate that sadly all the doctors' best efforts were not able to win the struggle with cancer. We celebrated her funeral a week ago - it was a very positive celebration of a life filled with enthusiasm, happiness and - yes - a zest for life itself.
The huge smiley balloons in Marie Curie colours were chosen by our friends' daughter as a signal that this was a service to be celebrated. Our thoughts are with the family and many friends coming to terms with their untimely loss.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.mariecurie.org.uk You can donate to the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity here.

The family has suggested that charitable donations might also be given to the Ileostomy Association, who offered much support, gratefully appreciated. http://www.the-ia.org.uk

While you say a prayer, you might like to take a cyber-walk through these churchyard gardens, with absolutely fabulous spring flowers: http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/english-gardens/churchyard-garden-spring-daffodils.html (The church is St Giles', in London.)

2006-05-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

28th May 2006

Today, you heard:-

Elevation, by Guilmant
Prelude on Crimond, by Hesford
Bourree from the Water Music, by Handel
Fanfare, by Gordon Jacob

Did you enjoy the anthem? "Lord, can this really be", is a hymn from the new Church Hymnary (CH4). Maybe we'll all sing it together one day.

You may remember that over a year ago, I requested your prayers for the daughter of friends of ours. For a few glorious months, it looked as though her health had improved enormously. Sadly, the improvement didn't last, and things are now very bad again. Please pray for her and her family.

Please also pray for the spouse of a colleague of mine, fighting their own battle with cancer and currently undergoing chemotherapy. That's another family whose plans for the next few months have suddenly been up-ended.

If you're currently blessed with good health, give thanks for it!

2006-04-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

On Palm Sunday, the band played on. The Choir "rested their voices" (evidently!), for they were in splendid voice for the evening Gospel songs service.

And that brings us to day - Easter Sunday. We had a Sunny Sunrise Service! The best weather we've had yet, in fact. It was still a bit nippy for the guitar-playing minstrels (brrrrr!), but the singing was enthusiastic. The breakfast afterwards was good, too.

For the regular morning service, I played:-

Before the service: You raise me up (Rolf Lovland and Brendan Graham); then Postlude on Laudate Dominum (Rosalie Bonighton).

During the communion: Romance from The Gadfly (Shostakovich), and Domine Deus (Vivaldi's Gloria).

Outgoing voluntary: In Dir ist Freude (J S Bach)

After that - nearly five hours at church! - we scuttled home for lunch, and then some serious Family Fun at Finlaystone. ("Family Fun" is what our youngest son calls any outing when we all go out together! And the more active it is, the more fun - obviously.)

2006-03-26T03:17:00.000-08:00

Well, they do say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions - like your organist not updating the Killermont Praise weblog for over a month, maybe?

Faced with the 5.5 mile drive to the frozen heights of Killermont, I might as well have been looking at an ascent of Mount Everest. The image shows my car busily going nowhere on 12th March. (I might add that three little boys joyously frolicked in the snow all morning, and a wonderful time was had by all - including our washing-machine.

Last week, 19th March, we were back in business again. I played the Adagio by Albinoni/Giazotto, a blues piece entitled "Free the Spirit", by Blinko, and the outgoing voluntary was Nun danket, by Karg Elert.

Today, 26th March, I took the final hymn as my musical theme, and played -

Trio, and Toccatina for flutes, both based on "And can it be", in a setting by Christopher Tambling.
Sursum corda, by John Ireland
God so loved the world, by Stainer (during the Offering)
Concertino on "And can it be", again by Tambling.

Those with observant musical ears may have noticed that for the past two weeks I have played an organ interlude from Stainer's "Crucifixion", as the choir processed in. It's intended to be a signal that worship is about to start - and hopefully to remind everyone of the liturgical season, too.

Look forward to Palm Sunday evening at 6.30 pm, when Killermont Parish Church Choir leads worship in an evening of Gospel songs - some reflective, and others vibrantly joyful. Listen, join in, and just take a break from the busy daily routine to reflect on this special time of year.

Amongst our musical contributions will be a set of spirituals arranged by the gifted American Moses Hogan, who sadly died far too young, quite recently.

2006-01-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

Oh, the embarrassment of realising that it is many weeks since this blogspot was updated!

Happy New Year from Killermont Choir!

Today, I played "To a wild rose" (Macdowell) and "In Elysium" (Gluck) before the service. During the offering, I played "The sun whose rays", from The Mikado (Sullivan). The outgoing voluntary was "Monmouth" (Wood).

Sometimes the strangest or seemingly trivial pieces of music just catch our imagination. Thus it was that our recessional, "You shall go out with joy", ended up being sung twice. The children so enjoyed clapping in time to the music that I couldn't resist giving them a repeat!

Permit me to become serious for a moment. Followers of Killermont Praise! will know that we have held the daughter of our friends in our prayers for some time now. After a few months of really encouraging progress, suddenly we hear that things are not so good again. Your prayers would be very welcome at this most difficult time.

Please also pray for a 12-year old known to our oldest son. This boy lost his mother in tragic circumstances last weekend. His mother was a classroom assistant at the school still attended by our two younger boys, so there is great sadness at the school, too. Please pray for a child who now has so much more to cope with, in addition to struggling to adjust to the challenges of a big secondary school. We don't know much about the family, but I'm sure that some prayers for this youngster's future would be very appropriate.

2005-11-27T07:43:00.000-08:00

Killermont Parish Church, Beardsen - Choir music for December

4 December - the band will be playing.

11 December
Introit CH4 317, Before the world began (v.1)
Anthem CFC 3 no.32, p.138, O little town of Bethlehem; Walford Davies
Recessional Archer carols p.34, The linden tree carol, v.1

18 December - morning
Introit CFC2 no.1, p.6, A babe is born, I wys (v.1)
Anthem CH4 320, Joy to the world
Recessional CH4 311, Jesus is born, v.1

18 December - there will be a brief afternoon rehearsal.

EVENING LESSONS AND CAROLS

Introit CH4 273, O come, o come, Emmanuel v1-2
Lighting of Advent Candle & Call to Worship
Praise CH4 273, O come, o come, Emmanuel (contd.)
1st Lesson Isaiah 42 verses 1-9, 16 (Ian Steven)
Choir Carol Archer p.14, In dulci jubilo
Prayer
Praise CH4 294, On Christmas night all Christians sing
2nd Lesson John 1 verses 1-18 (David Sherry)
Choir Carol Archer p.20, Lute-book lullaby
Praise CH4 304, O little town of Bethlehem
3rd Lesson Luke 1 verses 26-38 (Catriona Morse)
Choir Carol CFC2 (orange) 17 p.74, Il est ne le divin enfant ; arr. Rutter
Prayers
Praise CH4 301, Hark! The herald angels sing
4th Lesson Luke 2 verses 8-20 (Shona MacLachlan)
Choir Carol CFC 3 no.21 p.89 Hush my dear, lie still
Offering
Offering Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
5th Lesson Luke 2 verses 25-38 (Bill McMillan)
Choir Carol Christ-Child in the manger ; Kenneth Rothery
Praise CH3 191, O come, all ye faithful
Benediction & 3-fold Amen
Choir Carol CFC2 no.39 p.182, The angels and the shepherds18 Dec 2005

24 December - WATCHNIGHT SERVICE 11.30 pm (no Choir)

25 December - CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE 11 am (no Choir)

1 January - No choir today (NB it is unseemly to shout "Yippee!" Please don't!)

2005-11-27T07:40:00.000-08:00

Organ music at Killermont:

20 November - Sarabande, by Arnold Cooke; the Harry Potter theme, by John Williams (much to the delight of our younger members!); and Procession, by Sumsion.

27 November - the first Sunday in Advent - Agnus Dei, from The armed man, by Karl Jenkins; Wachet auf!, by Bach; O come, o come, Emmanuel - two settings, by Rex Koury and Flor Peeters; and Fantasia in C minor, again by Bach.

2005-11-27T07:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks are due: visitors to Killermont Praise will be aware that we have been praying for the recovery of a young woman who has been seriously ill for the past year. We are delighted to hear that her family are now much encouraged by her progress. From a position of total despair, there is now considerable hope for the future. Please don't stop praying!

Please pray also for the many other families going through difficult times, whether through the illness of a family member or problems in other areas of their lives. Remember, too, friends and neighbours - perhaps with no church connection at all - whom we know are having a tough time at the moment.

2005-11-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

On the 6th November, the Band played. (As it happened, I was in Manchester at a research conference. I delivered my paper, answered questions, went for coffee - and as I glanced at my watch, realised gleefully that I was actually getting it before the rest of you for once, since it still wasn't quite 11 o'clock!)

Which brings me to day, 13th November. Remembrance Sunday.

Before the service, you heard 'Romance', from The Gadfly (Shostakovich), then 'Beautiful Isle of Somewhere' (J. S. Fearis) - guess who has been purchasing new music? During the offering, I played the celebrated 'Adagio' by Samuel Barber. It has particularly come to prominence since the 7/11 disaster. The outgoing voluntary was 'Spitfire', by William Walton.

To adhere to the Remembrance Sunday theme, the Choir sang the Kyrie and Sanctus from 'Mass: The armed man', by Karl Jenkins. The music is atmospheric - very appropriate for the occasion. But I have to say that 'The armed man' is a fifteenth century French chanson (L'homme arme), on which Jenkins based his mass. And that's the only connection with war! Be not deceived!

Our minister was warning us to Beware of false prophets, today. Was it purely coincidental that our neighbourhood suffered an attack of the Jehovah's Witnesses this afternoon? I did tell them to go away. I exercised self-control and kept my car-washing water bucket well away from them. However, I missed my chance to share Alan's comments with them, which was an opportunity wasted! (If interested, you might like to follow this link - it's by a Canadian professor who is no longer a Jehovah's Witness.)

2005-11-13T04:55:00.000-08:00

'I Hope You Dance... This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend. The last line says it all.

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

2005-10-23T04:29:00.000-07:00

Too many Sunday have passed. No-one will want to know what music was played between 12th September and 23rd October!

Today, 23rd October:- Before the service you heard Entree pontificale, op.104 no.1, by the Italian composer, Bossi. (Maybe this is the first time a Session Clerk has ever entered church with a pontifical Entrance!)

During the Offering, we returned to our roots, with Coronach, by Edgar Barratt. After the service, I played "Hornburg", from the Lord of the Rings.

To answer a question passed on to me indirectly - yes, the organist is sure she could play Ghostbusters. But she thinks she'll pass on that one. Other suggestions and requests are very welcome, however ...

2005-09-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

Killermont Parish Church music update!

The organ music on Sunday 4th September was derived from the operatic and orchestral repertoires:-

Grand March from Aida (Verdi)
"Chaos", from The Creation (Haydn)
Nessun dorma (Puccini)
Trumpet tune from Te Deum (Charpentier)

Meanwhile, the Choir anthem was a Caribbean Lord's Prayer, which tied in with the New Testament reading.

Prayer points - please continue to pray for the sick, whether anxiously awaiting results of tests, or undergoing treatment. Pray for their families, too, that they find the strength to cope with the worry of their situation.
Pray for children at Yorkhill Hospital, whether in-patients or outpatients. Help them and their parents to be brave and to trust in the decisions of their medical advisors.
Pray for asylum-seekers and refugees - spend a few minutes imagining yourself in their shoes, often having no more possessions than what they stand in. Seek guidance on how we can offer sympathetic help.

2005-08-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go? Life whizzes by too fast to blog it!

Here's an update on the organ music played at Killermont Parish Church Bearsden, over the past few weeks:-

31 July 2005 : A joyous acclamation by Lani Smith; Lascia ch'io pianga by Handel; Jesu, joy of man's desiring by Bach; and Festal Flourish by Gordon Jacob.
7 August 2005: Romanza on The White Rock by Vaughan Williams; The dark island ; Sarabande in D, from the cello suite in D by Bach; and Judex, from Mors et Vita by Gounod.
14 August 2005: the minister's birthday, so the music was deliberately upbeat. Coronation march by Meyerbeer; Scherzo for the White Rabbit, by Nigel Ogden; Tuba tune by C. S. Lang.

Prayer points:-

Pray for people undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Pray that the side-effects won't be too debilitating. Pray and give thanks for the dedication and skill of medical staff and lab technicians.
Pray for all the friends and relations affected by the illness of a loved one.
Pray for school-children returning to their studies after the summer holidays, whether to their old school or to a new one. Pray that God will be with them as they rise to new challenges. Pray, too, for students, and for anyone who got lower - or higher - grades than they expected, for they will have big decisions to take over the next few weeks or months.

ALL AGE WORSHIP ON SUNDAY 21ST AUGUST!

Come and worship at Killermont tomorrow, as we celebrate the start of a new session. The band will be playing - they need you to sing!

2005-07-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

After three weeks away, it was good to be back on the organ stool again on Sunday 24th July. Worshippers who attended the 10 am service on 17th July will be relieved to hear that my deputy suffered no lasting effects from her fainting fit. Indeed, she wasn't the only person to be overwhelmed by the heat that day.

I brought a fan to church with me on 24th July (the kind you flap, rather than the kind for whom you write autographs) - but I didn't need it.

Before the service, you heard Handel's Hornpipe in D, from the Water Music. Afterwards, you heard Widor's Toccata in F. (I confess - I played both at a wedding on Friday afternoon, so you benefited from some considerable hours of practice during the week!)

On to a more serious note. I am happy to report that our friends' daughter is home from hospital, gaining weight, and is even "out and about" again. More treatment will follow, and there may still be trying times ahead - but we are all overjoyed at the progress that has been made so far. Truly God is good - give thanks for this wonderful news.

Please continue to pray for those suffering serious illness, for anyone undergoing uncomfortable treatment, for their families and friends, and for the skill of the doctors and nurses who look after them on a daily basis.

Pray, too, for all countries threatened by terrorism in these worrying times. Pray for anyone directly affected by the aggression. Give thanks to all those involved in defending us and bringing to justice those responsible for the atrocities.

2005-06-26T03:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday 26th June - a sunny Sunday

Before the service:-

On the lake ; Heinrich Hofmann
Arioso ; J S Bach
Memories of Childhood ; Granados
Trumpet tune ; Charpentier

And the trumpet tune prompted memories of his own wedding-day, for our minister. Appropriate, since he was preaching about Jesus' changing the water into wine at the wedding feast. And a bride-to-be liked the Charpentier piece so much that it is to be played at her own wedding later this year!

By process of association, the rest of the organ music had to be celebratory. So, the music during the offering was Funiculi, funicula, by Denza. (The words celebrate singing and dancing.) And the outgoing voluntary was Verdi's Drinking Song, from La Traviata.

However, amidst all this frivolity, let's not forget more serious matters. Please continue to pray for members of the congregation who are sick, or who have family members in need of our prayers. We give thanks for operations successfully endured, and pray for continued recovery and an increase in strength. We pray for consultants, surgeons, nurses, and give thanks for their expertise. And we pray for the relatives of those suffering, that they may have continued strength to support their loved ones.

2005-06-26T03:50:00.000-07:00

Nothing if not topical - torrential rain outside prompted me to play rainy music inside, on Sunday 19th June :-

When sunny gets blue
Raindrop prelude ; Chopin
Pavane ; Paul Drayton

During the offering, the Choir sang a Caribbean Lord's Prayer.

The outgoing voluntary was The Hornburg, from the Lord of the Rings (by special request).

2005-06-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

I've been so SLOW to catch on! I've been searching the web for good prayers - prayers that would say exactly what I wanted them to say. But, I hear you say, why waste time searching?

Quite so. So, I've written my own. Here's An Organist's Prayer:-

Dear Lord,

We thank you for the many blessings that we in the western world enjoy. In particular today, we thank you for the medical profession and for the knowledge that allows them to treat us when we are ill. We thank you too for the constant care that they show us, for their willingness to listen to our complaints and their continuing efforts both in diagnosis and treatment. We thank you for research into surgical procedures and new pharmaceutical products - and we pray that all these blessings might be made available to those less fortunate than ourselves in other parts of the world.

We thank you for taking care of people near and dear to us, and rejoice when we hear of improvements in their condition. At the same time, though, we pray for patience when things aren't going quite so well, and for the strength to keep on going at times when things seem very hard. Help us to remember that all things are in your hands.

When we make music, help us remember that using this gift can in itself be a form of prayer, if it is an expression of gratitude for the many and varied gifts that you give to your people.

And help us, please, to remember that you aren't just there for the bad times, but for the good times as well. If we are in a crisis situation now, help us not to forget to give thanks to you when things are going well, too.

And all these things we pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

2005-06-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Christian fellowship at Killermont Parish Church of Scotland (Bearsden, Glasgow) were heartened to hear that our brother and sister's daughter came through major surgery "remarkably well" last Tuesday. There's a long way to go, and further treatment to be endured, but let's keep praying for a steady improvement.

Pray for the faith of the Roman officer in Matthew 8 (5-13), and read on just a few more verses - such is the power of healing.

The music played today?

Before the service: Sarabande, by Arnold Cooke; Berceuse by Ernest Tomlinson, and Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, arranged by Burleigh.
Offering : Prelude, by C. S. Lang
Postlude : Toccata in 7, by John Rutter

2005-06-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

Members of the Killermont church family in Bearsden, Glasgow, have a burden of prayer for someone seriously ill at the moment.

I've plundered the WorldPrayers.org website again - they're very happy for me to promote their website, so I can quite comfortably quote this prayer for doctors and nurses:-

Lord God, Giver of Life, Source of all healing, who alone can help us grow in wholeness: We thank you for the gift of life and health, and remembering your faithful servants Cosmus and Damian, we ask you to guide and uphold all doctors, surgeons, hospital staffs and all engaged in the ministry of healing together with those they serve, that disease and disunity may everywhere be overcome; through Christ the Divine Healer, who suffered and died, and lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, our God of Salvation, now and always.

Amen.

(Parish prayer - St. Cosmus & St. Damian in the Blean)

Please join me in saying this prayer for medical workers and sick people everywhere, and especially for anyone dear to you.

I thought I should make the effort to discover who St. Cosmus and St. Damian were, and where the Parish Church of St. Cosmus & St. Damian in the Blean is situated. So, if it helps you to know where the prayer originated, I can tell you that it's in Canterbury, Kent (England).

2005-06-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

Update: It would be inappropriate to post a running commentary on our friends' situation. For now, please give thanks that the operation has taken place, and let's also give thanks for the skills of the medical team who are doing their best for those suffering from severe illness.
Your continued prayers are much appreciated.

2005-06-05T04:51:00.000-07:00

The prayer below is from a website called WorldPrayers.org . It's a personal prayer by B.Madaras. The people at World Prayers are very happy for me to share this with you.

Members of Killermont will be aware of a family suffering terribly right now because a daughter is seriously ill, about to have yet another operation. This prayer is dedicated to them.

Heavenly Father, I call on you right now in a special way.
It is through your power that I was created.
Every breath I take,
every morning I wake,
and every moment of every hour,
I live under your power.
Father, I ask you now to touch me with that same power.
For if you created me from nothing,
you can certainly recreate me.
Fill me with the healing power of your spirit.
Cast out anything that should not be in me.
Mend what is broken.
Root out any unproductive cells.
Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild any damaged areas.
Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection.
Let warmth of your healing love pass through my body
to make new any unhealthy areas
so that my body will function the way you created it to function.
And Father, restore me to full health
in mind and body so that I may serve you the rest of my life.
I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Organ music played today, Sunday 5th June 2005:-

Beforehand:

Sanctuary of the heart, by Ketelby
Chanson de Matin, by Elgar

During the offering: Resignation, by Bossi

Postlude: I know that my Redeemer liveth, by Handel

2005-04-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday 24th April - and my apologies for not posting anything about the music at Killermont Parish Church recently.

Today, I played:

On the wings of a dove (Veni Creator), by American J. G. Barr
An organ arrangement of a song by Satie
Chariots of fire, by Vangelis. (Well, knowing that this afternoon there is a marathon run, a football match and the Erskine Bridge crossing, it seemed appropriate to have a sporting theme!)

I should like to mention a song workshop called Freedom is in your head! This workshop with South African songs is being held at Renfield St Stephen's Church, Bath Street, Glasgow, on Tuesday 3rd May from 7 pm until 9.30 pm. Most music will be sung by ear, and anyone is welcome. To find out more, contact Victoria at the Iona Community Office on
0141 332 6343
- or email victoria.rudebark@gla.iona.org.uk

Finally - this week I have heard sad news about the serious illnesses of a colleague, and a friend's daughter. In both cases, anyone who knows them would protest that "surely they're too young" for what has happened to them. Alas, illness is no respecter of age.

Please pray for these sufferers and their medical teams, and also for their families and friends.
If you are blessed with good health, give thanks! It's something we don't value until we lose it, isn't it?

2005-03-27T03:08:00.000-08:00

Easter greetings to all in Killermont!

This is the organ music I played today:

Allein Gott in der Hoh ; Pachelbel
Easter hymn : Jesus Christ is risen today ; Archer
Alleluia (from Exultate, jubilate) ; Mozart
Trumpet tune on "Hail the day that sees Him rise" (Llanfair) ; David Lasky
John's trumpet solo, This joyful Eastertide (Vreuchten) ; Lasky
Herr Gott, dich loben wir alle ; Volckmar

Our greetings go to Jean, church secretary extraordinaire, coming home today after a hip replacement operation. All good wishes for a speedy recovery, Jean. Our thoughts are with you as you take those first steps!

Lastly, while you scoff your Easter eggs and enjoy your Sunday roast, maybe you might like to look at the work of Plan - an agency improving the lives of people in the third world. There are some interesting alternative gift ideas for any time of year.

For the person who has everything - why not "give" them something that will benefit those who have nothing?

2005-03-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

It's Easter tomorrow. Are you ready for a 7.30 am service? (Not forgetting that you'll have put your clocks forward before going to bed tonight. Yawn!)

So, what have we got? A 7.30 am service, with breakfast to follow. And the normal 10 am service - with a difference. Youthworker John will be blowing his own trumpet, literally, at the end of the service. And if that doesn't send you home with a spring in your step, then nothing will!

What will I be playing before the service? Wait and see ...

2005-03-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

Well, Palm Sunday is one day where the music just chooses itself. In the morning, I played:-

The Palms, by Faure;
Settings of "Herzlich thut mich verlangen" (O, sacred head, sore wounded), by Bach, Zollner and Walther;
O Mensch, bewein, by Bach (it's such a mournful piece. I always remember lying ill in bed with glandular fever when I was 18, and my father playing that piece on the piano downstairs);
Nun danket, by Karg Elert

In the evening, Killermont Parish Church had visiting musicians in the shape of Rita McGhee's musical twin grand-daughters, Abbey and Aisling (violin and piano respectively). Didn't they do well? Rita can rightly feel very proud of them!

Don't forget to put your clocks forward on Saturday night. Get to bed early - the dawn Easter communion service is at 7.30 am, British Summer Time. What an unearthly hour to be driving from the south-side to Bearsden!

By the end of the service, we shall all be sufficiently awake - and hungry - to do our Easter breakfast justice!

There's another service at 10 am, of course. But no breakfast after it.

2005-03-20T00:12:00.000-08:00

After a cyber silence ...

I realise with shame that I haven't posted details of Killermont organ music for a whole month. It will now be of no relevance whatsoever.

Today is Palm Sunday. Don't forget that there is an evening service tonight, entitled Contemplating the Cross. We have talented young musicians playing before and after the service, choral contributions old and new, inspirational readings ... and your favourite seasonal hymns. Don't miss it!

2005-02-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

Did you read The Herald today?
As far as housing is concerned, Killermont has the tenth top postcode in the whole of Scotland.
I washed my car that little bit more carefully, knowing it was going to be parked in such a posh location while I practised this afternoon!

2005-02-19T14:42:00.000-08:00

Last week (13th February) was Communion Sunday in Killermont.
This was the organ music played :-

Before the service:
Suite Gothique, op.25 (1st - 3rd movements) ; Boellmann
The armed man . Kyrie ; Karl Jenkins
Communion:
Canon ; Pachelbel
Outgoing voluntary:
March on a theme by Handel, op.15 ; Guilmant

2nd service
Before the service:
Panis angelicus ; Franck
Communion:
Prelude in the phrygian mode ; Tallis
God be in my head ; Walford Davies
Outgoing voluntary:
Entr'acte from Rosamunde ; Schubert

WIPE OUT DEBT IN 2005 - THE JUBILEE DEBT CAMPAIGN
This campaign was mentioned in the Notices last Sunday. Find out more ...

2005-02-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

Killermont Parish Church had its Quinquennial Visitation this week. What could an organist pull out of the hat that was appropriate to the occasion?

Aha! You didn't realise, did you? Before the service, I played a movement from Schubert's Trout Quintet, and then Bach's C minor Fantasia in five parts. Somewhere in my repertoire, I have an outgoing voluntary with 5 beats to the bar, but unfortunately I couldn't remember which book it was in. Neither did I have the music for other tunes suggested to me anonymously. So, thwarted in my endeavours, I turned to opera for inspiration.

During the offering, you heard Puccini's Nessun Dorma, and the outgoing voluntary was Meyerbeer's Coronation march.

Now it's time to promote our evening service on Palm Sunday. At 6.30 pm on Sunday 26th March, the Choir will be leading a Lenten meditation, entitled Contemplating the Cross. You are invited to join us in Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden, Glasgow, for an hour of quiet contemplation. There will be contributions from the Choir, appropriate readings and hymns, and a time of prayer.

2005-01-30T05:31:00.000-08:00

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'.

2005-01-16T03:48:00.000-08:00

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.

2005-01-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

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

2005-01-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

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!)

2004-12-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

Fragile! Pre-Christmas parent; handle with care!

My apologies, one and all. I have been remiss in posting details of seasonal music played at Killermont. Christmas preparations and festivities are catching up with me.

5th December : Bible Sunday. You heard Reger's "Wachet auf", then Flor Peeters' "Of the Father's love begotten" before the service. The outgoing voluntary was "Nun danket", by Johann Sebastian Bach.

12th December : a Baptism. Before the service, you heard "Angels guard thee", by Godard, then a "Christmas prelude on Divinum mysterium", by Watkinson.

During the offering, I played "Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding", by Archer. The outgoing voluntary was the Overture to "Unto us a child is born", by Bach.

Which brings us to this weekend. On the morning of Sunday 19th December, I shall be playing Brahms' "Es ist ein Ros' ", op.122 no.8 - and if there's time, "Puer natus in Bethlehem", by Buxtehude.

The offering music is a special surprise for the children. They'll soon tell you what it is, when they hear it. The outgoing voluntary will be "Offertoire sur deux Noels", by Guilmant.

On Sunday evening, it is the Killermont Carol Service. Before the service, you'll hear "Christmas cradle song", by Alfred Hollins, and (if time), "It came upon the midnight clear", by Stephen Kemp.

During the offering, I shall play "Noel : offertoire on a subject by Berlioz", by Guilmant. The outgoing voluntary will be my all-time favourite "In dulci jubilo", by Bach. And the louder, the better! Stirring stuff.

2004-12-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday, 28th November, was the first Sunday in Advent. Before the service, I played "Adam lay-ybounden", followed by Bach's rousing "Wachet auf".

During Communion, I played an organ prelude on "O come, o come Emmanuel", op.100 by Peeters. This was followed by Taladh Chrisada - The Christ-Child's lullaby, a tune from the Outer Isles.

The outgoing voluntary was the eighth short prelude, in B flat, by J S Bach.

This coming Sunday, 5th December, you will only need to bring your hymn-book. Some of the words, not in CH3, will be printed in the order of service and projected on The Big Screen.

The Choir has moved into the festive season, so expect appropriate choral music!

2004-11-26T00:58:00.000-08:00

If you would like to know what the words were, for 'The Hillwalker's Benediction' last Sunday, then I'll copy them here:-

The heather soft beneath my tread,
The bothy where I rest my head;
If I my maker's touch would feel,
Scenes such as these my sorrows heal.
For Scotland's grandeur,
In sunshine or in rain,
Is a symphony in nature
To restore my soul again.
If I'm made to know such beauty,
If it's truly made for me,
Such a harmony of purpose
Must affirm God's deity.

Copyright Karen E McAulay, 2004.

While I rehearsed the choir this evening, a disaster was unfolding at home. Our youngest son had just gone to bed, when he came back downstairs in a complete panic. He told our babysitter that he had just swallowed a small metal ball from a construction game. What induced him to do something so stupid, when he was meant to be going to sleep, I can't imagine! The babysitter dialled 999, and apparently we had the ambulance with sirens blaring, lights flashing, paramedics with an oxygen tank - except that he was actually okay. He wasn't choking - he had literally swallowed it.

I went to Yorkhill with him, where they waved a metal-detector over his tummy and agreed that yes, something was in there, but it would pass through with no further bother. He thought it was all a very exciting adventure. We have to go back for another metal-detector scan in a fortnight – at 10 am on Thursday 9th December, just for a check-up.

Earlier in the afternoon, the poor wee soul got a bump on his head when he tripped over on the way home from school. You could say it hasn’t been his day!

And at 00.58, I am shattered. Good night!

2004-11-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

21 November 2004

The organ music before the service was Bach's Air on a G string, followed by Ashokan Farewell, by Jay Ungar.

Our visiting clarsach player, Karen Marshalsay, played during the offering.

The outgoing organ voluntary was England's Glory, by Nigel Ogden.

Forthcoming Choir music (Advent and Christmas)

It might be of interest to you to know what the Choir will be singing for the next few weeks:-

5 December

Introit CFC2 (orange) 27 p.120 O come O come Emmanuel
Anthem CAB 48 p.231 Mary’s Magnificat ; Carter
Recessional CFC2 (orange) 3 p.10 Adam lay y-bounden ; Ord

6.30 PM CHOIR GOES TO BUCHANAN HOUSE

12 December

Introit Archer p.34 v 1 The Linden tree carol ; Archer
Anthem Archer p.14 In dulci jubilo ; Archer
Recessional CFC2 (orange) 35 p.162 Bethlehem, there (v.3) ; arr. Willcocks

19 Dec am

Introit Archer p.18 verse 2 Flocks were sleeping ; Archer
Anthem Archer p.29 Rise up, shepherds ; Archer
Recessional CFC2 (orange) 6 p.16 Nativity carol : Born in a stable so fair ; Rutter

19 Dec pm LESSONS AND CAROLS

Introit CFC3 (blue) 2, p.15 A babe is born in Bethlehem (vv 1-2)
Lighting of Advent Candle & Call to Worship
Praise CH3 165 O come, o come, Emmanuel

1st Lesson Isaiah 40, vs.3-5
Choir Carol CFC3 (blue) 19, p.74 Jesus Child (vv 1,2,4,5) ; Rutter
Prayer
Praise CH3 193 Once in royal David’s city

2nd Lesson Mark 1, vs.1-7
Choir Carol CFC3 (blue) 20, p.86 He smiles within his cradle ; arr.
Willcocks
Praise CH3 176 Still the night

3rd Lesson Luke 1, vs.26-38
Choir Carol Archer, p.11 I saw three ships – with children
Prayers
Praise CH3 190 Christians, awake

4th Lesson Luke 2, vs.1-7
Choir Carol See the baby in a manger ; McAulay
Offering
Offering Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

5th Lesson Luke 2, vs.8-20
Choir Carol CFC3 (blue) 29 p.123 King Jesus hath a garden, vv.1,3,5
arr. Rutter
Praise CH3 191 O come, all ye faithful
Benediction & 3-fold Amen

Choir sing “Glory to God”, from Handel’s Messiah (no.17, p.68)

24 Dec 11.30 PM Watchnight

25 Dec 11 am Family worship

26 Dec

Int CH3 203 v.4 Joyful, joyful, all you people
Anthem Archer p.22 Mary had a baby
Recessional Archer p.50 Of his love and mercy mild (vv.4-5)

2 Jan

Introit CH3 611 O God, our help in ages pas
Anthem CFC3 (blue) 7, p.31 Flemish carol ; arr. Rutter
Recessional CFC3 (blue) 9, p.40 v.5 Jesus, whom the Gentiles worshipped

2004-11-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Today, you heard - carefully chosen for Remembrance Sunday -

Pie Jesu, and Agnus Dei, from Faure's Requiem
An introduction to the last hymn - the tune for "God of the nations"
"Nimrod", from Elgar's Enigma Variations

The truth will out - the new "Gaelic-sounding" tune is actually called Govan Cross - because that's where it first saw daylight. I'm afraid it is no more Gaelic than your organist! However, if the proof of the pudding is in the eating, then the proof of the tune must be in the singing. And it did turn out to be singable!

2004-11-12T22:47:00.000-08:00

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday. Alan has found a great new hymn to end the service, "God of the Nations" - the words are very apt. Finding a tune was challenging, but I'm pleased with the result. Hope you'll enjoy it!

2004-11-11T22:50:00.000-08:00

Where did she get to?

Relax - the organist is back! After Church on Sunday, I nipped down to Norwich for a very quick visit, just to reassure myself that my Ageing Father really is recovered after his operation and ill-health earlier this Autumn. I'm happy to report that he does seem much better.

Yesterday was spent recovering (and trying to do a decent day's work) after the trip, so this is my first opportunity to post anything on Killermont Praise!

On Sunday, you heard:-
Prelude in blue, by Blinko
Sunday morning swing, by Mawby

- and as the outgoing voluntary, John played The trumpet shall sound, from Handel's Messiah. Wasn't it great?

This coming Sunday, hymns are taken from Common Ground, The Church Hymnary, and two hymns are in neither. All will be printed on the order of service and projected onto The Big Screen.

The Choir will be singing:-

Introit - Thou knowest, Lord (Purcell)
Anthem - Kyrie = Lord, have mercy, from The armed man (Karl Jenkins)
Recessional - God be in my head (Walford Davies)

And next week - just wait for this - the Choir is singing "The hillwalker's Benediction" - music by RSAMD Lecturer Eric Rice, words by "yours truly", clarsach played by eminent proponent of the art, Karen Marshalsay, and violin by Helen Dale. Be there!

2004-11-06T04:54:00.000-08:00

What do you need to bring to Killermont tomorrow? Yourselves. Your youngsters. Because it's a Youth Service, on the theme of The light of God.

Everything will be on the order of service, and on The Big Screen. (Bring your CH3, Common Ground and Songs of God's People if you need them, but most folk will manage fine without.)

And the band played on. You'll hear the praise band, the choir, the organ, the piano - and John (our new Youth Worker), who turns out to be a virtuosic trumpeter to add to his youth working and vaulting skills. (Ask any member of the Boys' Brigade about the latter.)

The choir starts off with a rock/blues influence, then turns to an updated Negro spiritual, Ain't that good news?, during the offering. (Wouldn't they look great in kaftans? I keep telling them!)

The uniformed organisations will all be there, and hopefully a good helping of their mums and dads. The place will be packed. Don't miss it!

2004-10-31T19:15:00.000-08:00

Today, the good folks of Killermont heard:-

"A joyous acclamation", by Lani Smith. Followed by "Gabriel's oboe" (from The Mission), by Ennio Morricone. And "I'll walk with God", from The Student Prince, by Nicholas Brodszky.

During the offering: Domine Deus, from Vivaldi's Gloria. After all, it can't be good for you to have a diet solely of film tunes!

After the service - well, I understand that certain boys in the Sunday School get quite excited when they see I'm using my "Film themes" book. (Maybe it's the picture of Batman on the front cover?)

They didn't recognise the Chariots of Fire theme, by Vangelis. But my son did.

(picture obtained from the University of Innsbruck Engineering Dept website!)

The theme was intentionally chosen, because Eric Liddell stood up for his faith despite other people's comments. And standing up for what we believe in seemed to be a predominant theme today.

Today being 31st October, many of us will have been asking ourselves what we think about guising and related matters. Doing a Google search on "Christian attitude to Halloween" is an interesting way of exploring the subject.

2004-10-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Sunday 31st October, worshippers at Killermont Parish Church Bearsden will require - the CH3 Hymnbook, Junior Praise & Common Ground. (Bring a trolley - or alternatively, you can sing off The Big Screen. Then you won't need to bring any books at all!)

Advance notice - the Choir would warmly welcome new singers of either sex. Join us for Christmas at least! We have a great programme of music lined up - so, the more the merrier.
Yes, we know Christmas is a busy time. But, as the old saying goes, Jesus is the reason for the season. Put Him right at the heart of your celebrations as you come to sing about the glory of His advent.

Choir practice is on Thursday nights from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. If you can't make it bang on time, we won't hold it against you - and we make a great cup of tea at 8 pm. Do join us!

2004-10-24T04:20:00.000-07:00

Today you heard:

Amazing Grace, in an organ arrangement by Lynn L. Peterson
Petites Litanies de Jesus, by Gabriel Grovlez
Voi che sapete, from Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
Procession, by Herbert Sumsion

You also heard the Choir sing The Lord is my shepherd, in the arrangement by Goodall - the theme tune for The Vicar of Dibley. By special request for Roy Weston!

Roy was talking about key moments in his life as a Christian. Such as :-
The Scottish Schoolboys' Club

The births of his daughters
"Footsteps in the sand"
Roy's dog lying quietly whilst Roy read the Bible

What would come to mind if you were recalling your own Significant Moments?

2004-10-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today, you heard me play:-

Jesu, joy of man's desiring (J S Bach)
Fanfare for 2 organs (Soler)
Scherzo for a white rabbit (Nigel Ogden)
Toccata and fugue in D minor (J S Bach again)

Since Fergus MacDonald was our preacher today, you might be interested in visiting the website of the Scottish Bible Society

2004-10-16T02:56:00.000-07:00

For Sunday 17th October, you will just need to bring your hymnbook.

Choir contributions:-

Introit - The Lord reigns (and this one will certainly wake you up!)
Anthem - Babylon's fall ; by Beaumont (back to the early 19th century)

(Image of Babylon's destruction from truthnet.org; image of millstone from bibleexplained.com)

Recessional - We are marching in the light of God

ADVANCE CALL - We need cellists on Sunday 7th November for the All-Age service. The more the merrier. Please help! (If we have any double bassists in the congregation - you'd be even MORE warmly welcomed.)

2004-10-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

Music today at Killermont, Glasgow:-
Before the service : Air for Holsworthy Church Bells, by S. S. Wesley
(This picture of Holsworthy Church Tower comes from the BBC web-page, Discovering Devon.)

During the offering : Gymnopedie no.1, by Erik Satie
Outgoing voluntary : Trumpet tune, by Charpentier

I just thought I'd post this picture as a reminder of a brilliant children's address - which attracted 100% attention from everyone present. You are the salt of the world - and you must shed light on the world - that was the message. With the proviso that nothing works without batteries. So - read your Bible if you want to stay charged up!

(Due acknowledgement to AlarmRemotes.co.uk for the image!)

2004-10-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

You only need to bring the Common Ground hymnbook to Killermont tomorrow (10th October) - the rest of the hymns will be printed in the order of service.

The Choir will be singing:-
Introit - I was glad
Anthem - Sing, O daughter of Sion (by the wonderfully-named Mr Button)
Recessional - I come to you for shelter, Lord.

You will smile as you recognise the tune of "Ye banks and braes" - a guid Scots tune. Actually, the "Ye banks and braes" tune originates from an English melody, only slightly modified. Oh, horror! What a discovery! And the fact has been known by the select few for the past 150 years.

2004-10-03T04:08:00.000-07:00

BB Enrolment - what a crowd!
The boys were there, the band was there - wasn't it great to have a "full house" for morning worship?

Trying to have an "upbeat" kind of atmosphere, I tried to make my organ contributions triumphal in mood.

Before the service, you heard "Judex", by Gounod. That was followed by "Bourree" (Praetorius), and then a couple of trumpet pieces - Trumpet Tune (Purcell) and Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke).

Once the Choir, Saxophones and percussion had performed the Recessional - O when the Saints (thanks, everyone!) - I played the same thing as an organ voluntary. To calm things down after that, you heard "Jupiter", by Gustav Holst. I love that piece!

We're not finished for today - don't forget the Band is playing at tonight's evening worship. I heard them practising some interesting songs, after the service this morning.

We were all reminded today, of just how lucky we are, with our computers and mobile phones and computer games. And Alan mentioned child poverty, and some startling statistics from Tear Fund, just before the end of the service. So I thought you might like to find out some more about Tear Fund.

Advance call!! The morning of November 7th is another Killermont All Age Service. I need cellists! If I know about you, I'll contact you. If you play cello or double bass, and think I might not know, please get in touch. Email Karenmca@april87.fsnet.co.uk Many thanks!

2004-10-02T04:35:00.000-07:00

By popular request - advance warning! Tomorrow you'll just need CH3 for the last 2 hymns. You won't need to bring any other hymn books. The first two items are choruses, words to be provided. (Not forgetting The Big Screen, too!)

The Choir will commence with "Clap your hands".
Anthem (during the offering) "Walk with me".
Recessional, "O when the Saints". Sit back, clap if you wish - and listen to the Choir and instrumentalists giving it laldy. (Non-Scots will have to email me for a translation. Alternatively, visit Eejit's Glasgow Patter website, which gives all sorts of definitions!)

We shall be welcoming boys from the Anchor Boys, Junior Boys' Brigade and Company Section to this service, so it will be lively, without doubt. Watch out for marches, banners, and clean, smart, smiling boys! (Just how every parent likes to see them.)

2004-09-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

The ramblings of a distracted organist.....

No-one saw my youngest son messing about before the service. Friends, I'm ashamed to say I threatened him with a quick drive to South Church if he didn't calm down. He calmed down.

Before the service, I played the Andante from Mozart's flute concerto, then Marche Romaine by Gounod. During the Offering, I played Ave Maria d'Arcadelt, by Franz Liszt. The outgoing voluntary was Coronation March, by Meyerbeer.

Not a good day for the organist, I'm afraid. I forgot to cancel the "pull out all the stops" registration after the last verse of the hymn before the sermon. So what happened? The gentle, meditative offering voluntary came out as a real belter. Sorry, everyone! Then I realised, too late, that I had decided to transpose the last hymn down a tone to make it easier for you all. The time lag was the time it took me to find the correctly transposed version in the hymn book.

Finally, you just try playing a loud, triumphant closing voluntary and taking a sticky chocolate biscuit off your sticky-fingered six-year old at the same time. He meant it as a peace-offering, but his timing was lousy! At least I kept going...

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Pause for thought ...

Don't forget to take a look at the Traidcraft website - if we all tried to use fair trading products wherever possible, what a difference it could make.

Food for thought - have you heard of Back to Church Sunday? It's an initiative by the Church of England. In Manchester, they're tempting people back to church with free-trade chocolate. Yumm! "The Church of England is launching a pilot scheme to attract people back to church - by offering a bar of fair trade chocolate to every worshipper." Read about it on the BBC news website!

Nebuchadnezzar - you can find out more about the subject of Alan's sermon, at ChristianAnswers.net. Or, for the kids, visit GardenOfPraise.com to see the story of the fiery furnace retold for children: it's called Three Brave Boys.

2004-09-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday 19th October - and it was Harvest at Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden. (Click on the link to visit Harvest WebQuest). It was also the baptism of baby Mark.

Before the service, I played Chanson de matin (Elgar); To a to a wild rose (Macdowell - no Scottish connection!) and the ever-popular "September". Finally I played Tuba Tune (Lang) as the choir and minister came in.

During the offering, I looked at the pouring rain outside, as I played Summertime (Gershwin) - actually a lullaby to a baby, urging him to sleep. Prophetic words? Mark had screamed and yelled at the start of the service, but came back in his Dad's arms, blissfully asleep.

After the service, I played Nun danket, a voluntary based on "Now thank we all our God", by Karg Elert.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:-

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Highlighting a forthcoming concert:

We were told this morning about the Soweto Gospel Choir's imminent visit to Glasgow. It's on Thursday 7th October at the Royal Concert Hall. (You can see the whole itinerary by clicking this link to the Soweto Gospel Choir website.)

Hard to see how the Killermont Choir could get to hear this fabulous group without foregoing their weekly practice, but hey! we could always give it a thought .....

2004-09-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick summary of recent organ music at Killermont, Bearsden:

29 August 2004 : Pastoral dance on "Simple gifts", by A. Clarke; Prelude in blue, by Blinko; Soul song, by A. Fletcher. On the way out, the kids were treated to Jurassic Park, by Williams, then I played "Rejoice in the Lord", by Purcell - just to redress the balance!

5 September 2004: Agnus Dei, by Faure; Pavane, by Drayton; Solemn Procession, by Lloyd Webber - father of Andrew and Julian. Lascia ch'io pianga, by Handel (during the offering), and a Fanfare by Eldridge at the end of the service.

12th September 2004 (Communion Sunday) - 1st service: Finlandia, by Sibelius; Solemn Melody, by Walford Davies; Panis angelicus, by Franck. During Communion I played Barber's Adagio, and Nun danket (Bach, arranged by Rawsthorne) played you out.
2nd service: Jupiter, from the Planets, by Holst; during Communion you heard Franck's Andantino in E major and Prelude in B minor; at the end of the service I played Benedictus, by John Marsh.

Please remember my father in your prayers - he's in the Norwich BUPA hospital, having had a complex hernia operation. I played the Franck pieces because Franck is one of my francophile Dad's favourite composers.

And tomorrow is Harvest. Now, what shall I play ....?

2004-08-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

What the Organist played this summer! (I'll give you a list, because I have been forgetting to update this website.)

25th July : Jesu, joy of man's desiring (Bach); Gabriel's oboe (Morricone); Priere a Notre Dame (Boellmann); Hornburg (Lord of the Rings).

1st Aug - my colleague, Hilary, played for you whilst I was busy being Godmother to my niece Jessica at her Christening down in Norwich.

8th Aug - Sursum corda (Ireland); One fine day (Puccini); Angel eyes (Matt Dennis); March from Aida (Verdi)

15th Aug - On the wings of a dove /Veni creator (John Barr); Pastoral dance on Simple Gifts (Andrew Clarke); Free the Spirit (Blinko); Chariots of Fire (Vangelis)

22nd Aug - Nimrod (Elgar); Now is the month of Maying (Morley); Alla marcia (Ireland)

Which brings us neatly to Thursday 26th August, the first choir practice of the session.
Anyone interested in joining Killermont Church Choir (Bearsden, Glasgow) has only to email me - or, if you're a member of the congregation, you'll find my phone-number in the church directory.

Shall I tell you what we'll be singing on Sunday? No, I'll wait until we've practised it first!

2004-07-18T11:59:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, I'm sorry - I haven't been keeping up to date. And what good is a blogspot that isn't up to date?!

On Sunday 27th June, I kept my promise and went traditional - A Bach Prelude and Fugue in A major and then Handel's "Silent worship" played you into church. During the offering, I played Gluck's "Che faro" (What would I do without Euridice?); and the outgoing voluntary was the March on a theme by Handel, by French romantic composer Guilmant. Not a film theme in sight.

And then we went on holiday, and my colleague Hilary deputised for me - many thanks, Hilary!

Now we're back again, having enjoyed the break but not really benefitted from any warmer weather. Obviously Brittany wasn't far enough south!

Bill preached about "light" this morning. Slightly at a loss as to what I could play that had any connection with light, I played Elgar's Carillon, then Handel's Minuet from Berenice, before the service. I played Phyllis Tate's arrangement of "The lark in the clear air" during the offering (clear air - light - well, there's a vague link there!), then a Procession by Sumsion for the outgoing voluntary.

2004-06-27T00:24:00.000-07:00

On Sunday 13th June, I was at a conference in Dublin. I did think of you all!

Last week, 20th June, I confess to playing to the gallery. With Sunday School Prizegiving, I wanted the music to be (as far as possible) recogniseable to the kids as well as the adults.

Did I succeed? Before the service I played "Trumpet tune" by Charpentier (quite often played at weddings), then the Jurassic Park theme by John Williams.

The offering was collected as I played a Pastoral dance on "Simple gifts", by Andrew Clarke - a recent acquisition.

You went out to the Raider's March, from Raiders of the Lost Ark, again by John Williams. And my son's non-church-going friend commented that he recognised the music, so I must have scored there.

This week - watch this space - I've promised to be more conventional, for those that didn't like the Raider's March!

2004-06-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

6th June 2004 - this morning was Katie's baptism, an eagerly awaited event in Killermont. And wasn't she good?! Hannah was every bit the proud big sister, too.

Before the service, I played Magnificat, by Guilmant, then an Entree by Dubois for the Choir's entry. Talking of whom - didn't they sing "Lord, I want to be a Christian" beautifully? Well, I thought they did!

During the Offering, as a tribute to Katie, I played Gershwin's "Love walked in". I'd hazard a guess that was the first time Killermont's organ played that little number!

After the service, I thought it only appropriate to mark "D-Day" for the older members of the congregation who still have vivid memories of the event. Walton's "Spitfire" seemed to fit the bill.

My own little monsters managed not to show me up after the service - at least, not in my earshot and nothing was reported to me - so all three are permitted to go swimming this afternoon. And my Sunday headache is abating already....

2004-05-30T05:27:00.000-07:00

Last week? Oh heavens, I can't remember what the outgoing voluntary was for 23rd May. How embarrassing! (Normally the choir can see me jotting down what I've played in a little blue notebook. I must have been in too much of a hurry to escape the organ stool and supervise Small Fry. I think it was a Soldiers' Chorus from a 19th century opera. Maybe it'll come back to me later ...)

I can tell you that before the service you heard "O for the wings of a dove" by Mendelssohn, "Serenata" by Sanderson, and "The strife is o'er", by Rawsthorne. The offering was the "All creatures great and small" theme by Pearson.

Today, 30th May 2004, is Pentecost. I played "Blue haze", by Rosalie Bonighton, then Verdi's "Anvil Chorus". That was buoyant enough to prepare everyone for the introit, "Dance with the Spirit" - with Helen on the violin, and Colin and Jamie playing cello. Another debut, certainly for Jamie. I haven't been at Killermont long enough to know if Colin has played for us before. And thanks to John for managing the mike for us, too!

The choir anthem, "Every time I feel the Spirit", went with a bang - I was proud of them.

To keep the theme going, I played "Free the Spirit" by Timothy Blinko during the communion. I love that piece! Must look out some more Blinko music.

And after the service, you heard the eighth of Bach's Eight Short Preludes and Fugues.

2004-05-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon - time for the stress levels to start rising as I contemplate letting my sons loose on Killermont tomorrow. For a long time I endured constant headaches (no, I can't blame that on Killermont) - now they've abated, thankfully, but you can be sure that my head will be throbbing by 9.30 am tomorrow! No.2 son is away at a friend's house. No.1 son has been warned to keep an eye on no.3. No.3 has been told that he mustn't run, mustn't shout, mustn't barge into grown-ups, must watch where he's going at all times, apologise if he should accidentally bump into anyone - and ANY collisions will mean no swimming on Sunday afternoon. Call it a Victorian revival. Except they wouldn't have gone swimming on a Sunday. Ah, well.

2004-05-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

16th May - before the service, you heard Solemn melody by Walford Davies. During the offering, it was Nessun dorma, by Puccini. You went out (believe it or not) to Jurassic Park, by John Williams. Never let it be said that I don't try to reach out to the younger members of the congregation.

Talking of whom ... my profound apologies to anyone that my youngest son barged into after worship last Sunday. He is told, repeatedly, not to run and shout when grown-ups are about. I am very sorry that two ladies found it necessary to comment on his appalling manners, which obviously reflect badly on me and on his upbringing. And I can only promise that I will continue to teach him better manners - as I do, though some must find it hard to believe. I'll warn his brothers to try to calm him down if he appears too over-excited. You will appreciate that until I have tidied up my music and closed the organ, I can't be there in the corridor to keep an eye on him.

2004-05-09T03:55:00.000-07:00

9th May - Youth Service at Killermont. What with the band - the saxes and flutes and drums and guitars and so on - your poor organist began to feel decidedly - well, CONVENTIONAL!

What could I do to make it better? Well, I played some bluesy music before the service - Prelude in blue, by Blinko, and then The good news, by Simon Lesley. I thought the choir contributions ought to be up-beat too, so we played the "Vicar of Dibley" theme tune, The Lord is my shepherd (by Goodall). I'm not alone in having a great affection for the Vicar of Dibley - my heroine!

And a STAR is born. Our minister's middle boy made a triumphant debut in the choir recessional - Oh when the saints (in the McAulay arrangement) - as a new arrival in the saxophone section. Well done, Gavin.

The outgoing organ voluntary was Marche in F major by Lefebure-Wely. Not modern, not blues or rock or anything else - just good, triumphant organ music. And why not?

2004-05-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

25th April - I played Cumbrae Cottage by Eric Rice (see my previous posting), before the service. During the offering I played an organ arrangement of "O Master let me walk with thee", by John Barr (from Church windows : a suite for organ).

The outgoing voluntary was the March from Aida, by Verdi.

2nd May - before the service you heard Marche Romaine, by Gounod, and Elevation, by Boellmann. Then I played "The dark island" as the choir came in.

The offering was John Williams' Schindler's list theme, and the outgoing voluntary was by popular juvenile request - the Star Wars theme, again by John Williams.

9th May - it hasn't even happened yet! Prepare yourselves to sing "Daniel was a man of prayer". We started it last week - but that was just the beginning. Tomorrow's service is a youth service, so here's hoping it all goes triumphantly well.

2004-04-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

What was the organ music for 18th April? I started off playing Flowers of the Forest, followed by Roslin Castle. I found these pieces in an old flute manuscript from Dundee - but discovered the manuscript owner had copied them from another, earlier book of Scottish pieces. They date back to the 18th century.

During the offering, I played Libera me, from Faure's Requiem - a favourite movement from a favourite work.

The outgoing voluntary was Toccata and Fugue in D minor by J S Bach. Once I'd played a few notes for Hamish during his childrens' address, I felt I was somewhat committed to delivering the entire piece at the end of the service!

I must tell you about another piece of music I recently discovered. A colleague at RSAMD, Eric Rice, has written a beautiful Scottish piece entitled Cumbrae Cottage. He has graciously allowed me to make a choral setting of this piece, which I have just finished working on. Once the choir has had a chance to learn it, I am really looking forward to performing it with them. Eric thinks it's one of his most successful compositions. I hope he (and you) will like it just as much in its choral reincarnation, "A hillwalker's benediction".

2004-04-11T04:07:00.000-07:00

Dear me, I really have slipped this time - I've omitted to post what I played for TWO previous weeks. Mea culpa!

On 28th March I played "Monmouth", by Wood before the service, and Promenade by Mussorgsky, after it. In the evening, when we had our very successful Lenten meditations on the sacrificial lamb, I played Coronach by Barratt, Arioso by Rawsthorne, and He was despised, from Handel's Messiah. My outgoing voluntary was O Haupt voll Blut, by Reger. The atmosphere of this service was exactly how I hoped it would be, and I am indebted to all those who took part to make it such a success. I don't wish to seem proud on my own account - I am not, and I don't take pride in my abilities at all, I can assure you - but I was humbly proud of everyone else's efforts and the way they worked together to such good result.

On 4 April, I played Judex, by Gounod and Minuet from Handel's Water music, before the service. I played Bohemian Rhapsody during the offering, and Rutter's Toccata in 7, as outgoing voluntary.

Today, 11 April, I played Organist's country garden by Andrew Wright, and Allein Gott in der Hoh, by Pachelbel. During the communion I played Wagner's Pilgrim's chorus, and Pie Jesu by Andrew Lloyd Webber. After the service, I played the Alleluia from Mozart's Exultate - it seemed suitable for Easter.

I was taken to task by a member of the congregation for playing Pie Jesu, because it was considered inappropriate for a church using the reformed church liturgy. I have to say I disagree! Let's look at the words (which you didn't hear, obviously, because it was played in my own organ arrangement) -

Pie Jesu, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam.

This is an adaptation of the text in John 1 : 29 : Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Nothing wrong with that! The exact translation of the words in the Requiem is:

Merciful Jesus, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. O Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest.

Apart from the "grant them rest / eternal rest", we very often hear ministers say these words during a communion service.
My conscience has no difficulty whatsoever with playing an organ arrangement of these words during a Church of Scotland communion service. And I can only go by my own conscience!

2004-03-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, I see that I forgot to post what I played last week. So, here goes:-

On 14th March, you heard Pachelbel's Canon before the service, Handel's Largo during the offering, and a Rondeau by Purcell on the way out.

Today, being Mothering Sunday, I scratched my head trying to think of something appropriate to play. But when I arrived at church this morning, I found everyone sweeping up broken glass after a nocturnal attack by vandals. So, before the service I played two Negro spirituals: Oh Lord, what a morning, and Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Then, determined to get mothers in somehow, I played Schubert's Ave Maria.

During the offering, I played part of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and because there was a meeting after the service, I just played a short outgoing voluntary - Courante, by Praetorius.

You won't forget to come to the special Lenten service at Killermont next Sunday evening, will you? 6.30 pm, Killermont Parish Church, Bearsden, Glasgow. See you there!

2004-03-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

What was the organ music on 7 March?
Before the service : Elegy by Rawsthorne, and Dream Children nos. 1 & 2 by Elgar
During the offering : the Flower duet from Lakme, by Delibes
Outgoing voluntary - G minor short prelude & fugue, by J S Bach

Advance warning!

Special evening service on Sunday 28th March : a Lenten meditation, entitled The Sacrificial Lamb, led by choir and organ. This is designed as a gentle, thought-provoking service, which will have a good musical blend of traditional old favourites and a few more modern contributions. See you there!

2004-02-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

Being Communion today, I went back to the more usual classical repertoire. Before the first service, I played Trumpet tune by Charpentier, and Andantino in G minor, by Cesar Franck. Giazotto's arrangement of the Albinoni Adagio was played during communion, and you went out to The arrival of the Queen of Sheba, by Handel.

Before the 2nd service, I played the Franck Andantino again. Elgar's Nimrod, and the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations, were played during communion, and the Queen of Sheba was back again at the end of the service.

A quick reminder to Choir members - we rehearse as usual on Thursday 4th and Thursday 11th March, but there will be no rehearsal on Thursday 18th March.

Out of curiosity - who knows the old hymn, "O happy band of pilgrims", from the Revised Church Hymnary. No point in my being kind and using this hymn in the evening service on March 28th unless enough folk remember and enjoy it!!

Is anyone out there reading this? Email me and let me know!!

Karen McA

2004-02-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

Well, folks, Thinking Day was an upbeat, bouncy, very successful service, wasn't it? The band was great, as ever, and my special thanks to Jenny and Valerie for their extra flute contributions to the choir anthem and recessional. It seems to have gone down very well.

In my organ music this morning, I was unashamedly influenced by showbiz. I reckoned that if we had visitors who didn't often come to Killermont, then I'd make sure they recognised most of what I played. So - you heard:-

Before the service : the Schindler's List theme, then 'Colours of the wind' from Pocahontas (which I hope the Brownies and Guides recognised!), and finally 'Jupiter' from Holst's The Planets.

I played from Les miserables during the offering, and you went out to Camptown Gallop, by Judith Bailey.

The band will be leading worship next Sunday evening (29th February). And it's the Choir's 'turn' to lead worship at the evening service on 28th March. We've got some nice pieces lined up for you, and I shall plan the hymns in the next few days.

Choir members - I mentioned to a few of you that we won't be having a rehearsal on Thursday 18th March. We're well ahead in our rehearsals, so a night off shouldn't make any difference to our habitually stunning performances!

2004-02-15T05:22:00.000-08:00

"What was that you played?"

Before the service, I played Handel's Lascia ch'io pianga, then the 2nd movement of a keyboard concerto by J S Bach.

The offering was accompanied by The Circle of Life, from the opening of the Lion King movie - music by Elton John. I naively imagined that this was a cute and quite suitable piece to play before a baptism, and that our youngsters would appreciate hearing a piece of music that they recognised. You have no idea how deeply some people analyse the deeper meaning and symbolism of movies, however. Take a look at this website, to see what I mean! I shouldn't have bothered to look it up!

You went out to Prelude and Fugue in B flat, from the Six short preludes by J S Bach.

2004-02-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

"What was that you played?"

Valse lente by Oskar Merikanto, then Arioso by J S Bach. The offering was accompanied by Prelude in blue by Timothy Blinko, and you went out to the Star Wars theme by John Williams.

Advertised in the Church Notices this morning - a worship workshop by Chris Bowater from 9.30 am to 1 pm on Saturday 28th February at Bearsden Baptist Church.

2004-02-01T10:56:00.000-08:00

"What was that you played?"
You don't go to church to listen to the organ, so I'm not going to give you advance warning of what I'll be playing!

However, if you wondered what I played this morning - Mozart's Voi che sapete , then Cantilene by William Reed preceded the service. Ashokan farewell by Ungar accompanied the offering. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV.565 played you out.

From which you might correctly deduce that I've bought several new books of organ music recently, to widen my repertoire. Meanwhile, the Choir is always adding to its repertoire so you can expect some pleasant surprises in the next few months.

2004-01-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, and many thanks to all the volunteers who helped make our Lessons and Carols a great success! We'd love to see you again - any time!

Here is the list of music that the choir will be singing from now until 20th June. Never say we're not organised!

11/1 Int CH3 202 v.1 How brightly beams the morning star
Ant SGP 87 (complete) Oh the life of the world
Rec CH3 207 v.4 Christ, once Thyself a boy

18/1 Int CH3 447 v.1 Lord and Master, who has called us
Ant CAB 73 p.378 Pray that Jerusalem ; Stanford
Rec CH3 451 v.1 Almighty Father of all things that be

25/1 Ordination of Elders
Int Take my hands ; arr. McAulay
Ant CAB 1 A Gaelic blessing ; Rutter
Rec CAB 27 p.141 God be in my head ; Rutter

1 /2 Int CG 108 v.1 Sing of the Lord’s goodness
Ant CAB 70 p.359 Panis angelicus ; Saint-Saens
Rec CG 126 v.2 The Lord is loving … The eyes of all creation

8/2 Pulpit exchange
Int Holy, holy, holy ; Schubert
Ant CG 51 verses 1,2,4 How can I keep from singing?
Rec SGP 101 The God of heaven is present on earth

15/2 Int CG 4 v.1 Let us build a house where love can dwell
Ant CAB 41 p.206 Lead me, Lord ; S. S. Wesley
Rec CG 4 v.5 Let us build a house where all are named

22/2 Thinking Day
Int CG v.1 I come with joy
Ant CG 142 v.1,3,5 When in our music ** with flutes
Rec CG 18 Come all you people ** bass guitar, flutes

29/2 Card communion
Int CH3 574 Bread of the world
Ant Benedictus (from The armed man) ; Karl Jenkins
No Recessional today

7/3 Int CG 37 v.3 When the rooster crowed at daybreak
Ant CAB 85 p.448 The secret of Christ ; Richard Shephard
Rec CG 63 v.5 God asks, who will go for me

14/3 Int CG 133 v.2 Today I arise
Ant Ain’t that good news? ; Hogan
Rec CG 67 v.5 Jesus Christ is calling

21/3 Int SGP 23 Come with me
Ant CG 79 Lord, you have come to the lakeside *flutes, guitar
Rec CG 91 Now go in peace

28/3 Int SGP 11 v.3 The word was in the world
Ant CAB 50 p.239 My shepherd is Lord ; Oxley
Rec SGP 16 v.3 Tempted to transform the stones into bread

28/3 Evening service of meditation; more to be decided in due course
Abide with me ; Hogan
All in the April evening ; Roberton
Responsorial prayer – CG 120 Stay with me (Taize response)
CG 137 Trim the crusie’s failing light

4/4 Int CG 86 v.1 Meekness and majesty
Ant CAB 10 p.48 Ave verum ; Mozart
Rec CG 86 v.2 Father’s pure radiance

11/4 Easter Day
Int SGP 100 Surrexit Dominus
Gospel CG 30 Eastertide Gospel acclamation (To be sung before
Gospel reading, and instead of normal anthem)
Rec CAB 87 p.458 v.1 & 3 The strife is o’er ; Ley

18/4 Int CAB 29 p.145 God so loved the world ; Goss
Ant CG 46 Haven’t you heard?
Rec CG 5 Alleluia

25/4 Int SGP 108 Thuma mina, Send me Lord
Ant SGP 117 When our lives are joined to Christ
Rec SGP 111 v.2 We will walk with each other

2/5 Int CG 14 Bless the Lord my soul
Ant Blessed is the man (Songs from the Psalms 1E)
Rec CG 49 v.4 Heaven shall not wait

9/5 Int CG 95 v.4 O Lord, your glorious cross shall tower
Ant Lord, I want to be a Christian ; Hogan
Rec O when the saints ; arr. McAulay *with saxophones*

16/5 Int CG 143 v.1 We lay our broken world
Ant CAB 21 p.110 Comfort, O Lord ; William Crotch
Rec CG 121 The peace of the earth be with you

23/5 Int Suffer little children to come unto me
Ant CAB 13 p.62 Blest are the pure in heart ; Walford Davies Rec CG 1 v.1 A touching place

30/5 Pentecost
Int Dance with the Spirit
Ant Ev’ry time I feel the Spirit ; Hogan
Rec CG 116 Spirit of the Living God

6/6 Int As the deer ; arr. McAulay
Ant The Lord is my shepherd ; Howard Goodall
Rec You’re my friend (verse 3 of As the deer)

13/6 Int SGP 61 Kyrie eleison
Ant CAB 54 p.266 O come let us sing ; Anthony Piccolo
Rec SGP 76 v.1 Make me a channel of your peace

20/6 Sunday Club service
Int Songs from the Psalms 150 Praise Him on the trumpet
Ant For the beauty of the earth ; Rutter
Rec SGP 50 Jubilate (whole Congregation – sing twice)

Int = Introit, Ant = Anthem, and Rec = Recessional

2003-12-18T15:31:00.000-08:00

Well, I asked for volunteers, and this evening I was absolutely delighted to see lots of smiling new faces! Handel's "And the glory" is going to be great.

(Someone tells me that the local newspaper has picked it up wrong and is saying we're singing the whole Messiah. No, we aren't - so there will be plenty of time for you to finish wrapping your gifts after our evening carol service!

As well as the augmented choir, and the other choir contributions, and the congregational carolling, and the kids singing, there will be bible readings and a couple of seasonal poems. Don't miss it!

2003-12-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

Advance notice of some of the goodies in store for you at the Christmas Carol Service on 21st December:

Our children are joining the Choir to sing "Away in a manger" and "Once in Royal David's City". This is the first time they've been involved in this service, so please give them your support!

Also - a brand-new carol dedicated to our Minister. (Well, he wrote in the Newsletter that he was notching up "first baptism, first wedding, first Christmas" and so on, so it seemed only right that he should have a "first dedicated carol" to add to the collection ...)

And, just in case you missed the church notices this morning - the choir is also singing "And the Glory of the Lord" from The Messiah, during the Carol Service.
If you've sung it before and would enjoy singing it again - please come and join the choir just to sing this one "big number". You're welcome to attend Thursday choir practice on 11th or 18th December to have a quick run-through. We already have two volunteers. Twenty-two would be absolutely fantastic!

2003-11-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to be jolly,
Sniffle, snuffle, splutter,
Cough, cough, cough ....!

As your caring, sharing organist, I thought I'd offer a few suggestions to get through this awful damp, cold-ridden season:-

- Many folk swear by zinc, echinacea, & vitamin C - how effective are they? (Click on the link to find out!)
- visit the BBC website to find out how garlic prevents the common cold
- I discovered this intriguing weblink to the Scottish Really Garlicky Company - who wants to be the first to try it out?!

Lastly, if you're a member of Killermont's congregation - please be forbearing if we are low in numbers due to seasonal indisposition!!

2003-11-23T14:23:00.000-08:00

Well, did you make it to our Celtic Praise? I felt it went quite well, didn't you? My grateful thanks to everyone who participated in any way in making the event such a success. (We have every reason to be grateful to Rev John Bell of the Iona Community, too - he's one of the guiding lights behind Common Ground. Click on this link to read more about him.)

Incidentally, I was gently scolded for not including any Welsh Celtic music, so maybe one day my choice of music might just reflect my own half-Welsh background ... Because I know I'm not alone in Killermont!

What next? Advent begins next Sunday. How can it have crept up on us so fast? (I tell you, I had a nightmare the other day - it was Christmas morning already, and Santa had nothing for the stockings ...!)

For anyone keen to know what the choir will be singing, I'm helpfully posting our "menu" for December:-

KILLERMONT ADVENT 2O03

30 November : 1st Sunday in Advent & card Communion

Introit CFC 35 p.162 Whence is that goodly fragrance (v.1 & 3)
Anthem CFC 39 p.182 The angels and the shepherds
Recess CG 28 v.2 Hear the herald’s proclamation

7 December 2nd Sun in Advent : Bible Sunday & Baptism

Introit Archer p.8 Balulalow : My Jesus ; Malcolm Archer
Anthem Archer p.9 Hush my dear, lie still ; Malcolm Archer
Recess Archer p.8 Balulalow : No, I will never cease my praise

14 December : 3rd Sun in Advent & Gift Service

Introit SGP 45 How lovely on the mountains
Anthem CFC 49 page 212 Patapan ; arr. Jacques
Recess Beside Thy cradle here I stand

21 December 4th Sun in Advent

Introit CH3 194 v.1 Love came down at Christmas
Anthem Archer p.43 The Virgin’s lullaby ; Malcolm Archer
Recess SGP 8 Hallelujah, my Father

Lessons & Carols (evening) - miss this at your peril! It's going to be great!

Introit Archer p.20 Lute book lullaby ; Malcolm Archer
Carol 1 CFC 6 p.16 Nativity carol ; John Rutter
Carol 2 CFC 28 p.123 The shepherds’ cradle song ; Leuner
Carol 3 Archer p.6 Away in a manger (children v.1)
Carol 4 Archer p.31 Once in Royal David’s city (children v.1)
Carol 5 CFC 25 p.107 Sans Day carol ; arr. John Rutter
Recess Messiah . And the Glory of the Lord ; Handel

Congregational items as follows:-

Hymn 1 CH3 165 O come, O come Emmanuel (v.1 choir)
Hymn 2 CH3 170 It came upon the midnight clear
Hymn 3 CH3 176 Still the night, holy the night (with descant)
Hymn 4 CH3 191 O come all ye faithful (with descant)

24 December Watchnight

25 December Christmas

28 December

Introit CFC 4 p.12 All my heart this night rejoices
Anthem Archer p.22 Mary had a baby
Recess CFC 4 p.12 [verse 3] Come then, let us hasten

2003-11-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Now you positively HAVE to come to our Celtic Praise service on Sunday night - our piper will be wearing his birthday suit. Well, um, not exactly, but certainly a new birthday outfit. And very smart I'm sure he'll look, too!

To anyone who was worrying about the Rebel Rabbit - I'm told it gets out regularly, but to date has always come home safely. (And no, it wasn't either of the Manse bunnies, either! They haven't learned how to escape yet.)

2003-11-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

Back from Berlin and Dessau - wow, what a weekend! (Did my husband HAVE to phone me on Sunday lunchtime - when I was looking at a mediaeval bible in a hushed church exhibition area - just to ask how to roast potatoes?!)

Anyway, here I am back and raring to go. I'm looking forward the Celtic Praise on Sunday 23rd November at 6.30 pm. I've already hinted that there will be a wide variety of instruments involved, and I'm not about to spill the beans - just wait and see!

Singers and instrumentalists, we're going to meet after the morning service on Sunday on 23rd November, to run through arrangements. I hope we'll get everything sorted out so that we don't need an afternoon practice!

Here follows the full programme. Wearing tartan is optional!

Before the service: clarsach music played by well-known clarsach professional, Karen Marshalsay

Introit: CG127 The Lord’s my shepherd v.1 (Brother James’ Air)
Welcome
Prayer

CG138 We cannot measure (Kelvingrove)

CG66 Jesus calls us here
CG112 Sing to God with gladness

How lovely is thy dwelling place (Choir and organ)

Reading: Psalm 69
Harp Meditation (Karen Marshalsay)
Prayer

CG78 Lord of life (Lynn Keating, soprano, and Karen Marshalsay, clarsach)

CG146 Whoever lives beside the Lord
CG60 I waited patiently
CG82 Mallaig Sprinkling Song

Sermon

CG117 Spirit of God

CG39 Glory to God above

Benediction

CG148 Will you come and follow me (verse 1)

Now, watch this space, because my next contribution will mention our Advent and Christmas arrangements.

2003-11-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

What a morning! It began with a cat up a tree, and ended with a rabbit in the garden. In between, we had the choir singing Babylon's Fall (the first time this millenium, I guarantee); cool kids learning a rock chorus; and assorted characters from Bob the Builder to assist the minister in his children's address. Let's build, and don't let's procrastinate, was the message.

The cat, you'll be pleased to hear, was rescued by Lynn's husband, who I'm told is "an absolute hero". I've no idea what happened to the bunny, or indeed to whom it belonged.

Choir practice as usual at 7.30 pm on Thursday, folks, but you will have a visiting organist next Sunday, as I am escaping to Berlin to visit my penfriends for the weekend.

2003-10-29T14:08:00.000-08:00

Well, did you enjoy our Praise Him with Trumpets? Our thanks to David and his brass quartet for their vigorous leadership of our singing on Sunday night! I've received some very favourable comments, so thank you to everyone who took part. The choir's "God's gonna set this world on fire" went down well, too. (So we'll be performing it again very soon!)

This Sunday morning, the choir will be singing something very different - Babylon's Fall, by John Beaumont. Who was Beaumont? Well, he seems to have been an Englishman who wrote a book of hymns in 1801, called the "New harmonic magazine or compendious repository of sacred music in full score". (Makes our hymn-book titles sound punchy by comparison, doesn't it?) Beaumont's book includes our anthem. The words of Babylon's Fall are attributed to Isaac Watts and are derived from the Book of Revelations. And I found the music copied out in some nineteenth century manuscripts from Dundee. Here's the interesting part. John Beaumont expressly wrote that "if any person chuses to alter my composition, let them remember it is not with my consent". The Dundee owner of the manuscripts was clearly unaware of the prohibition, and seems to have altered things merrily and with gay abandon! Including (choir, please note!) transposing it down a tone. Who said copyright was a new problem?

Now, I just need to type the final version of the Celtic Praise service, then I can start thinking about Christmas ...

2003-10-20T15:06:00.000-07:00

Celtic Praise - 6.30 pm on Sunday 23rd November
Killermont Parish Church, Rannoch Drive, Bearsden (Glasgow)

Praise Him with Trumpets hasn't even taken place yet, and already I'm working on the programme for our Celtic Praise towards the end of November. Regard it as an early St Andrew's Day celebration if you like - other things are happening on the 30th, so it had to be early!

I can't wait to tell you what's in store for you, but it hasn't been finalised yet - so I suppose I'd better not spill the beans. Let's just say there will be a huge range of instruments, not to mention singers, piano and organ. I've drawn together a pool of really good Scottish songs from Common Ground, and the choir will be singing our favourite "How lovely is Thy dwelling place" to a well-known Scottish tune.

I've booked the flutes, the fiddles, the saxophone ... I'd better remember to phone the bagpiper next!

It's going to be very definitely Celtic in flavour, and uplifting in mood. Join us there!

2003-10-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Oh happy day - I got my brass quartet arrangement of "Jerusalem" done just after midnight so I was able to hand it over to our Quartet Maestro this morning. But of course, because "Jerusalem" doesn't meet with universal approval, we are singing it to the words of a psalm instead. I played it over on my computer and I must say that it sounds quite promising. Over to you, Maestro!

I'm looking forward to our Praise Him With Trumpets evening service next week (26th October at 6.30 pm). It should be joyous, bright and breezy - and just a little louder than usual! Let's dress correspondingly brightly to fit the occasion.

Celtic Praise, on the evening of November 23rd, will be different again. But you'll have to watch this space to find out more about it, as plans are still being made. Regard it as an early St Andrew's Day special...

2003-10-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

It's the mid-term break this week, folks (as though anyone could have missed it!) -- so as a special treat, don't forget there is no choir practice this Thursday (16th October). I shall be in London on business that day.

However, I look forward to seeing everyone next Sunday, when we'll have a quick get-together before the service to run over the choir music.

2003-10-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

My name is Karen McAulay, and I'm the Organist and Choirmistress at Killermont Parish Church. I'm going to post details of choral contributions Sunday by Sunday, but for now I'll just outline tomorrow's music.

Introit - Take the time to call my name (Common Ground 122 verses 1 & 2)
Anthem - Turn Thy face from my sins (Attwood ; CAB 95 page 512)
Recessional - Take the tiredness of my days (CG 122 verses 3 & 5)

Our Minister is preaching a series of sermons on the Lord's Prayer, and I hope that the theme of the anthem will tie in with this.

Advance notice! Another of our evening Sunday Praise services is coming up, on Sunday 26th October. If I tell you it's entitled "Praise Him with trumpets", then you can probably guess that there will be guest instrumentalists. Last month's evening Praise service had a modern slant, so this month we're going to be a bit more traditional. The Choir will hopefully be out in force, and everyone can be guaranteed of a Good Sing!

2003-10-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

Only hours later, and I'm back! I thought I'd post the list of choral contributions from next week until the 23rd November. (After that, it's time for Advent and Christmas - yes, I'm thinking about it already.)

So, here goes:-

19 October
Introit Songs of God’s People 19, v.1 Christ be beside me
Anthem CAB 60 p.293 O Lord my God to Thee ; Arcadelt
This anthem is a special favourite of mine!
Rec SGP 62 v.1 Lead us, O Father, in the paths of peace

26 October
Introit SGP 107 v.2 Though we pass through tribulation
Anthem SFP 1E Blessed is the man
Rec SGP 29 v.4 You, creator God, have written

2 November
Introit CG 51 v.1 How can I keep from singing
Anthem Babylon’s fall ; John Beaumont, pre-1813
(found copied into an old Dundee manuscript, presumably from a printed book)
Rec SPF 126 When the Lord He turned again

9 November (Remembrance)
Introit CG 71 v.3 With the healing of division
Anthem CG 141 What shall we pray
Rec Abide with me ; Hogan

16 November (Youth)
Introit CG 21 Christ be our light
Anthem God’s gonna set this world on fire ; Hogan
Rec CG 112 Sing to God with gladness

23 November
Introit AB 79 O that Thou had hearkened ; Gounod
Anthem CG 95 O Lord the clouds are gathering
Rec CG 133 Today I awake