The Sound of Hope

If you look at the heart of the Easter story, it's message is one of salvation, and of hope.

On Easter Sunday, Jeff and I came home and decided to put up our feet after what had been a very enjoyable, but very busy weekend. We don't watch much TV but for some reason, we turned it on and happened upon the final segment in this week's episode of 60 Minutes. I don't know why we tuned into this particular show (one we don't usually watch) or why we turned on the TV in perfect time to catch this particular segment. What I do know, however, is that it was one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen. If you like music, I can not encourage you enough to take 13 minutes to watch it (click here). 

I really believe that this is what hope sounds like.

Photos all from Le Figaro by Vincent Boisot 

Easter Sunday

I asked a number of friends and family for their favourite pieces of music to share this morning, and almost every request was something Jeff and I had already named as our favourites (neither of us could pick just one piece)! The music today covers genres from classical to gospel, and spans more than 300 years. Despite this diversity, I'm struck by how similar the message of jubilation and celebration is. We hope you move through today with a song in your heart as you celebrate Easter!

(please click on each following song title to hear it)

Because He Lives written and performed by Bill and Gloria Gaither

Thine is the Glory by Handel (and adapted by Budry)

The Easter Song composed and performed by Keith Green

Up From the Grave He Arose (even though this recording only sings the refrain after the third verse!)

See What A Morning written and performed by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Risen Today! by Dan Forrest 

O Happy Day sung by Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples

He Lives! written in 1933 by Alfred Ackley 

Toward Easter part 8: Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of quiet contemplation for me. Music today is therefore, fairly subdued and reflective.

           At The Foot of The Cross by Lee and Susan Dengler
           Were You There? arranged and performed by Finish acapella sextet Rajaton
           When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Dan Forrest

           (click on any of the song titles to listen to them)

For many years, I sang with the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic choir. On Good Friday, we sang either the St. John or St. Matthew Passion, and these pieces made me fall in love with Bach (who previously, had been my great nemesis). This music is not for everyone, but it really is a big part of my Good Friday. I am planning to listen to the entire St. Matthew Passion here and St. John Passion here. Here are two fine excerpts:

Ruht Wohl, final piece of the St. John Passion by Bach, performed by the Bach Collegium of Japan

O Sacred Head Now Wounded, chorale from the St. Matthew Passion, performed by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.

Toward Easter part 7: Maundy Thursday

Passover begins tomorrow. Until a few years ago, I had no idea what Passover was... and now it is an important part of our Easter weekend celebrations. Passover is actually a Jewish festival that commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. In recent years, Passover has fallen on Easter weekend and I find this reminder of deliverance and God's faithfulness makes a wonderful beginning to celebrating the lows and highs of Easter . Tonight, we're getting together with friends for a Seder Meal, complete with Matzah, the Exodus story and a time of worship and singing.

When I think of Passover, can not help humming the South African folk song, "Freedom is Coming". As we celebrate Passover today and continue moving toward Easter on Sunday, I think it's a very fitting tune to sing.

My View Wednesday

Magnolias!

West Jet Humour

With Sunday being April 1 this year, we were more focused on Palm Sunday than April Fools. West Jet, however, posted a hilarious new promotional video on their website on Sunday. If you've not already seen it, it certainly is a giggle. 

Preparing for Easter

Yesterday, we had friends over for dinner and, for the last time this spring, I was able to steal some flowers from my in-laws' beautiful rhododendron for a centerpiece (the snow birds arrive home this week). I was searching for some Easter centerpiece inspiration when I found these mini arrangements, placed in a decoupage egg, by a florist shop in California. It's not a realistic project for me but I thought it was really sweet.

                      

                    All images courtesy of Fleuretica

Toward Easter Part 6: Palm Sunday

To fit the joyous mood that accompanies Palm Sunday, our music today is boisterous, energetic and celebratory. Since we all celebrate in different ways, I've asked a few friends and family members to contribute the ways they worship and shout "Hosanna!" today. The result is a diverse and eclectic mix of music that, I think, shows the different ways we all approach worship. There are certainly a few pieces here I would not have found on my own, but that's the gift of being part of a community. Hosanna!

(click on the song title to hear the song)

Jeff's picks: Improvisation on All Glory Laud and Honor and Improvisation on Crown Him With Many Crowns (with a bit of Rule Britania?!?), both composed and performed by organist John Hong

Our cousin D's picks: The worship songs Hosanna by Paul Baloche and Hosanna by Michael W. Smith (which we both remember singing many, many times as teenagers!)

My mom's pick (which is actually my pick for a piece I know she'll love): Palm Sunday Hymns for handbell choir by Michael Ryan

Our nephew S's pick: Tim Hughes' modern rock version of O Happy Day

My dear friend and duet partner C's pick: Sana Sananina (which means "Praise the Lord!" in Swahili)

My picks: Rejoice! Your King is Coming by Larry Shackley and Hosanna to the King by Dan Forrest