April 24, 2025

Dear EOORC music people (second letter),

There’s news to share and it involves updating details for June 15th. Most substantially, we now have an anthem in the service (SATB) and there’s a complete set of written music and music tracks (SATB) now available at the link below. Thanks for your interest in this worship service, and your anticipated gift of music as part of the event. Your voice and the collaboration of music directors is essential.

All the elements for learning and rehearsing the “Love Each Other” anthem (and contemporary Taize-version) are available. As you can see there are two versions of “Love Each Other” and they will both be part of the service. While there is much in common, these two musical experiences will be quite distinct…and will lead us into a deep reflection on the nature of sustaining and transformational love in our church.

Please rehearse the anthem (with harmony and verses) and be prepared to participate in sections. Please also familiarize yourself with the unison version of the piece as well, it is in a different key and has a different chord progression. Both will shape the liturgy of the 100th service, and underscore the sermon, on June 15th.

There will be a very brief rehearsal on the day of the service so we are assuming that folks will prepare separately and simply be ready for participation. There will be song leaders assisting as ‘section leads’.

Here is the music and rehearsal resources for “Love Each Other” Love Each Other Music Resources – Google Drive

Here is the list of other musical elements that you’ll be invited to sing.

1. These are songs that will occur in the worship service:

• Draw the Circle Wide MV 45
• The Church’s One Foundation VU 332
• Lord, Listen to your Children Praying VU 400
• Love Divine VU 333
• Walk With Me VU 649

2. Singalong Hymns/Songs (this list may change):

• Great is Thy Faithfulness
• All who are Thirsty
• What a Friend
• Over My Head
• Holy Holy Holy

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:

There will be video monitors available for you to see the lyrics, but please bring books/music/paper/digital resources yourselves if you plan to read music during the service. And in that regard, all the VU and MV hymns will be played in the original book keys with as-written harmonies. It would be fantastic if choirs are prepared to lift the EY rafters with the SATB harmonies on those hymns … and with the full power/volume of this many people multiple descants will be welcomed.

Reminder of details:

Logistics:

• Please come as early as convenient on June 15th. Singers are invited to gather in front of the stage at 10:15 for a 20 minute rehearsal. You will be invited to gather in groupings of SATB at that rehearsal time. Again- please feel free to be onsite as early as you’d like…it’ll be a fun chance to hang out with each other!
• Dress is casual and summery
• Please note that the festivities will immediately continue with lunch, and there will be some music happening at that time as well….including a few opportunities for casual group singing. Please bring along a picnic lunch.

I trust this all looks like a reasonable plan at this point? The goal is to inhabit our rooted traditions/sounds in a way that invites daring possibilities and bold directions in our life together, and in our shared theological project. The two versions of the anthem will greatly assist in creating a unified worship experience. Thanks for your leadership and participation.

We will share the full order of service at a later date. Please advise if there are questions or concerns.

In Christ,

Peter (on behalf of the planning committee)