Sing! Sing out loud!
Metro Lutheran to sponsor a September 22 Hymn Festival
Lutherans can sing. At least that’s what the press releases say.
Just look at all the talented Midwest college choirs that are feeder programs to such great choral organizations as the National Lutheran Choir, The Singers, VocalEssence, and Magnum Chorum.
Of course, Lutherans can also claim some great composers and musicians as part of the tradition. Some extremeley good text writers have also graced Lutheran congregations.
Singing is one thing that Lutherans of all stripes —- of all Lutheran church bodies — can do together without violating confessional principles of any particular group.
“One of the things Lutherans can do together,” explains the Rev. Michael Edwins, Metro Lutheran board member. “Singing hymns seems to bridge the ecumenical complexitites.”
It is for that reason that Metro Lutheran, an independent, pan-Lutheran news service, sponsors Hymn Festivals. And one is scheduled for 3 p.m., Sunday, September 22, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul.
Brass, strings, and voices
The congregational choirs of Gloria Dei and Immanuel Lutheran churches have formed a mass choir to help the congregational singing of festival participants. Immanuel is located at 104 Snelling Avenue South, St. Paul, just a mile north of Gloria Dei.
“We are co-opting the ELCA 25th anniversary phrase ‘making all things new’ for the hymn festival,” says Tim Strand, director of music for Gloria Dei. “While there will be old favorites, we will also emphasize hymns not in [earlier hymnals], some of which may be new to participants.”
A brass quartet, a string quartet, and a soprano saxophone player will join the massed choir. Chris Cherwien, director of worship and music for Immanuel Lutheran, will conduct the choir, while Strand is organist.
The Metro Lutheran Hymn Fesival is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be received to support the work of Metro Lutheran.
A reception will follow the hymn festival.
Tags: Bob Hulteen, Chris Cherwien, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Magnum Chorum, Metro Lutheran, Michael Edwins, National Lutheran Choir, Rev. Michael Edwins, The Singers, Tim Strand, VocalEssence
