People come from all over to just sing for two hours. Each year the company publishes a booklet with all of the songs we're going to sing. We heard a great story the other night - a couple who goes to China every year to do eye exams took quite a few of the booklets with them last year and the underground church is using them for hymnals. What a great story!
I've included a copy of the songs we sang.
The prelude began at 5:00, and the keyboard talent was amazing. Most people brought a picnic to enjoy on the lawn as they listened to the beautiful music. At promptly 7:00, the singing began. Our friend, the choir director who started this whole thing was one of the directors.
DC has sung in this quartet for over 20 years. They sounded particularly awesome this time in the open air, with a great sound system. That is DC in the red, white, and blue plaid shirt.
We sang 25 songs, with special numbers sprinkled in. I have to say, it was great fun, but my voice was pretty fried for choir the next morning. One of the sons of the high tenor above (on the far right - Bob's brother) took a picture of the crowd:
This is actually last year's shot, but I couldn't get this year's yet.
![Hymn%20Sing1a[1]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/567674841_79b7277f09.jpg)
One of the very best things about the entire evening was having Kevin and Sema join us. Kevin did not care much about singing in church when he was young, as you can imagine from his story. But when he was in T*ee*n Challenge, he was in a choir that traveled every week-end to churches all over the East Coast, where they sang and gave their testimonies. The hymns have seeped into his soul and nourished it. He has had a new favorite hymn about every month since he's been home. What a blessing to have him standing there beside me, singing his heart out. When it was over he said, "These songs have the gospel story through and through. They are so meaningful." My sentiments exactly!
As the singing ended, we spent some time visiting with friends and enjoying the setting sun. What a beautiful way to end a beautiful day and a blessed evening.
17 comments:
Now that looks and sounds like my kind of event - good gospel singing and food. Can't go wrong there! ;-)
And believe it or not, I know all the songs but 3 on the list. :-)
That's what 27 years as a church song leader will do for you.
Love and hugs,
Diane
Just in case you don't catch the email, here's what I sent:
Dawn, they were "God of Grace and God of Glory", "The Cleansing Wave" and "And Can It Be." I might know the first one if I heard it, but I don't really think so.
That first one we didn't know either, but it's the same tune as "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah" - a really old anthem, which also has two tunes. Interesting.
"And Can It Be" is a very majestic song - my "British" brother's favorite song, by Charles Wesley.
Dawn, what a beautiful day. The song list sounds wonderful, and what a joy to sing unto the Lord. What special worship!
Love your new page design.
Looks like it was a wonderful day!
Your sunset photos are stunning!
Congratulations on your blogiversay!
So glad we connected...
xo
Ah, the sunset. Just beautiful!!
Oh Dawn - that makes me get all teary eyed. How we would have loved to have been there. My husband used to sing with three of his brothers in a quartet when he was in high school. He has tried here to get something together - but it never seems to work out. The focus is on Praise and Worship music in our church (we love that too - but really miss the hymns). He has the most gorgeous bass voice you've ever heard (although I may be slightly prejudiced).
I am so happy to hear that Kevin enjoyed it. I would hate to think of these great songs being lost because we didn't hand them down to the next generation. I'm going to make my husband sit and read this later. Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures Dawn. It must have felt like a little bit of heaven.
That truly sounds like a perfect day...I would have loved to have been in the audience to listen to the musid and singing!! I so enjoyed looking at all your pictures....those sunset ones are breathtaking! xoxo
What a perfect way to spend a perfect day! Music just touches the soul in ways that none other can!
The photo's are great....especially loved the photographer on the roof! An outdoor music fest is a great way to kick off the summer!
Glad you had such a great time.
Diane
And can it be is my favourite hymn!!!! I grew up in the Methodist church, and oh my could we sing.
The evening looks and I am sure, souded wonderful, Dawn. The photos of the sunset are spectacular!
I think God enjoyed the "hymn sing". What a beautiful sunset he gave you!
What a wonderful event to participate in. It will always be something that you will remember.
Congratulations on your blogiversary!
Thanks for your visit and sweet comments.
Have a wonderful day!
I bet that is an awesome experience! Singing hymns by itself brings a lot of happiness, I can only imagine singing them with so many people. :-) What a great event to be a part of.
What an awesome time! Sounds like lots of fun! I just love to sing and have sang in a few choirs in my time along with my hubby.
I will come back after July 21st and catch up on all of my reading. Thanks for stopping by and please keep me in your prayers. I miss you.
Sounds wonderful! We do mostly contemporary music at our church, but so many of the older hymns are just fabulous - so full of rich doctrine.
And there's always something energizing about worshipping God with a crowd of like-minded folk!
What a great event!
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