Pageant Fever really took hold this past Sunday as St. Andrew’s with the final dress rehearsal ahead of the big performance next Saturday. Grant Hall resembled nothing less than the pits of a Grand Prix track with carefully taped off sections identifying costumes for angels, sheep, magi etc. Teams of volunteers took their places to execute lightning fast costume changes as our own Tracey Stabback took the cast through their final paces. Not wishing to give anything away but I hope as many people as can make it out next Saturday evening as they are in for a real treat….
The Children’s Choir also found time on Sunday for “business as usual” with a beautiful rendition of Come thou long expected Jesus. I was particularly excited to hear from my daughter that the choir would be singing this as it has been getting a lot of airtime on my playlist recently. I’ve been reflecting a lot this year about what it means to be a Christian seven days a week. When reflecting on this our minds naturally dwell on loving our neighbours, our family life and what being a Christian means at work. However praising God is also something that doesn’t need to be limited to Sunday…… That realisation prompted me to re-visit my music playlist and I’ve made some nice discoveries along the way. Let me share a few of them with you.
Redeemer New York’s Downtown workshop band are responsible for the beautiful version of the song our Children’s choir sang that’s been doing Yeoman service on my playlist. Listen to it or watch the video at http://www.redeemer.com/r/permanent_city_downtown. Redeemer Downtown Folk Band do an excellent bluegrass version of Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us. Music and video at http://www.redeemer.com/r/downtown_folk_band_album#. Trinity Grace Church, New York, have an excellent workshop album We sing as one available on various streaming services or iTunes. Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis are blessed to have two amazingly talented musicians in Nathan Partain and Rebekah Osborn. Listen to their albums at https://soundcloud.com/redeemindy or on Apple Music. There is a whole world of good worship music out there, Casting Crowns, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Sovereign Grace Music to name but three but let me finish by listing some albums you might not easily come across: Into Thy light by Christ Church Presbyterian Church and the Yale Reformed University Fellowship; Live at St.Pat’s by Saint Patrick Presbyterian Church; Hymns and Sacred Songs by Leigh Nash (more Bluegrass!); Double Cure and Open my Eyes by Redeemer New York’s 6:30 Jazz Band and lastly Hymns for New York from Redeemer New York. Happy listening!