Miscellany from Liland

I just added I would, but cannot, sing, text by John ("Amazing Grace") Newton, with a traditional Primitive Baptist tune, to my online hymnal. No Esperanto version yet. ;-( I also added Hail, ye sighing sons of sorrow (the hymn with the line about "expiring insects' cries"). These are both hymns that are, or were recently, current in Primitive Baptist circles, but no longer (if they ever were) in mainstream denominations to my knowledge. The Primitive Baptists are known for their slow, often mournful-sounding tunes and their forceful stance against musical instruments in church.

Also, "I love thy Kingdom, Lord" in Hawaiian, with an interesting 3:4 interpretation of the tune (St. Thomas) — the ending is reminiscent, I think, of Dennis by Nägeli/Mason ("Blest be the tie that binds").

Some of you (those with a high threshold of tolerance for preaching ;-) may also appreciate my just-posted sermon (from the summer of 1999) My Burning Bush (no, there's no political angle to the title; the reference is to Exodus 3 ;-). More political is my personal Welcoming and Affirming Statement.

Speaking of preaching, this coming Sunday, I'll be doing the children's sermon at our morning service, which will involve the Potato Bug Hymn's debut as congregational song. I'm going to accompany it/myself/us on a Nagoya Harp left over from my childhood in Japan. The sermonette will cover everything from Jonathan Edwards to Armadillidia. Pray for me. Not to mention the kids.

Last Sunday I attended the Sacred Harp singing at Phinney Ridge Lutheran in Seattle; I was under the weather, and didn't stay very long (I needed sleep! and it runs till 10pm) but I enjoyed it and will definitely be back. It's quite something.

Liland