Sunday's Music: St. James Music Press is a church music publishing house that has developed a unique and timely practice. Rather than selling printed copies for a flat fee, they offer downloadable anthems that churches may reproduce in any quantity they desire. In addition, to aid in musical selection they have mp3 files of real church choirs performing the works. Our choir has been asked to record eight of the anthems that will appear in the 2011 release, and over the next few weeks we will use several of these in our morning worship as we prepare for the recording session on June 1. This week, the entire choir will sing "Quietly, Beneath the Dark Earth," an anthem whose text reminds us that, just as there is a plan for a plant to grow from a simple seed, God has a plan for our growth and witness. In addition to this anthem, the women of the choir will sing a setting of "Amazing Grace" in a unique arrangement accompanied by a solo oboe.

Test Hymn: This week we sing "Go to the World!," another hymn under consideration for the new Presbyterian Hymnal. We have used the first stanza of this sending hymn as a benediction response; it is set to the familiar tune Sine Nomine, which is more commonly associated with "For All the Saints." Written in 1985 by Sylvia Dunstan (1955-1993) for a college convocation, it was clearly inspired by the great commission. In Dunstan's brief career, she created a number of fine texts that have been gaining wide acceptance throughout the church.

Program of Note: To close out our program year, the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists is hosting a hymn festival at First Baptist Church of Bristol, VA, on Tuesday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The dean of the chapter, Michael Frazier, has this to say about this event: "Four of the region's finest organists will lead the congregation in favorite hymns, old and new, spotlighting sections of the Nicene Creed. When it comes to congregational singing, it's always 'the more, the merrier,' so come early, and get a seat down front. Then prepare for a glorious evening as we lift our voices in song." ~ Vicki & Steve Fey

May 15: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Lessons: 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Ephesians 2:1-10

Sermon: Building God's House, Gordon Turnbull

Hymns: Come, Christians, Join to Sing; I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord; Go to the World

Anthems: Quietly, Beneath the Dark Earth, Sanctuary Choir; Amazing Grace, Sanctuary Choir Women's Ensemble and Maggie Dozier, Guest Oboist

By the Numbers for May 8 Combined Worship Service: 290

In Our Prayers

Lynne Testerman

Frankie Trammell

An extensive list of prayer concerns, "Pray for One Another," is available for pickup at the church each week.

Birthday Prayer Fellowship