Creator Connection January 2023

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Ministry Music Ministry The Chord that Everyone Wants to Hear There is a famous moment in choral music. It occurs in the accompaniment of the hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful. And it has been called ‘the Chord’. When I was a young girl and started to play in churches, l was very taken with how a hymn’s music can express the words of the hymn. I tried to express that meaning in the way I played a hymn. Later I heard for the first time the Christmas service from Kings’ College, Cambridge. It was conducted by Sir David Willcocks, who had just published the first “Book of Carols.,” In It, I was able to see the version of “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” that the choir and congregation at Cambridge had sung. I can hardly tell you what a thrill this was. It seems that other organists perhaps congregations have also experienced that thrill. Let me quote The New York Times: “Of all the music heard around Christmas, few passages rival the awe and mystery of the one chord, known as the ‘Word of the Father Chord.’ This occurs in the hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful. It is a rare instance of powerful drama in holiday liturgical music…a moment of total release, embracing the unknown. In British choral circles, this moment is referred to simply as ‘the chord’. ’It comes halfway through final 4 verse of the carol “O Come All Ye Faithful.’…Following a rising figure full of anticipation, it places an explosive, half-diminished seventh chord under the text ‘Word,’ resolving it elaborately over the next few measures.’ “It is a startling moment,” David Hill, the musical director of the Bach Choir in Carlisle, England, said in a telephone interview. “I remember being a boy of ten playing it in my church in Carlisle, and loving every moment of it, “What is this? This is outrageous!” He continues “It is a moment everyone wants to hear.” The Times article continues, “But the chord is much more than just a crunchy harmonic moment, it carries a deep symbolic meaning for the Christian community.” “It matches harmony with subject .” The Times writes: “The words of the final verse of “O Come All Ye Faithful’ read; “Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning, Jesu, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing: O come, let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!” Carols usually reference the parts of the Christmas story, the shepherds, angels, etc...but this final verse is unusual. It refers to and is based on the words from John “In the beginning was the Word, “gives a greater sense of divine mystery and complex significance John is trying to communicate here. To line it up with that chord not just reinforces the mystery of the text, it grabs you, makes you concentrate, and makes you confront it.” “Then the Times article concludes; “ It is not just the choristers, soloists, choir, and organist. Absolutely everybody in the congregation can get that feeling of being part of that sound. You’re right in the middle of that chord, whoever you are.” We may be singing this hymn, O Come All Ye Faithful, again before the end of the Christmas season. Then then you yourself can hear the chord everyone wants to hear. The article was based on an article in The New York Times, Friday Dec. 23, 2022. I will put it up on the bulletin board in the hall outside the music office. Nancy Betz
Thoughts on Fellowship We want to thank each of you that submitted a pledge sheet in December. It is very helpful when we receive the form indicating the amount of money an individual or family is willing to pledge to the church for budget planning purposes. Equally important are those who pledge to volunteer in some way to help with the various programs and ministries. Slowly, yet steadily we have continued to resume regular activities within the church as the pandemic has lifted. Committees, programs, and ministries have been operating on a limited basis, so as we have returned to pre-pandemic operation, we continue to need more help. Some committees have a very minimal number of people to do the work, and often it is the same people covering the worship services. We truly value and appreciate all people willing to volunteer and serve in our church. If you have been hesitant to step into any volunteer positions for any reason, know that training and mentoring is available. The truth about volunteering is the help is needed, but what you gain as an individual by serving is the real benefit. Giving of our time in service to God blesses us more than it does what we do. It is a remarkable thing. Scripture talks about spiritual gifts. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV) We read in the Old Testament how there were so many, such as Moses, who felt unprepared or afraid to step into God’s service. But God gave Moses the necessary skills and worked through him. Moses was the vessel and the Spirit empowered him to rise to the occasion. We are not asking anyone to step into shoes like Moses, however any way you are willing to serve and be used by God at <strong>Creator</strong> is needed and appreciated. Know that He will equip you and when we step out in faith to serve, we are blessed. Know that He will equip you and when we step out in faith to serve, we are blessed. 5
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Creator Connection January 2023

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