Saturday, March 13 – Selected by Jason Locke – Psalm 3
Variations on a Theme
Porter’s Gate: The Greatest Commandment
Brooklyn Tab: Psalm 3 (Thou, O Lord)
UCC: If Ye Love Me Metropolitan United Church, Toronto | Music Director: Dr. Patricia Wright
What I love about these musical selections is the variety of presentations – a friendly round, a grand choral offering, and a new way of miraculously bringing together voices in a choir virtually.
Each one makes my heart sing, but my folk music roots were nourished by the round. Joy seems to rise from the screen as I listen to the harmony created by the classical round style. It makes me want to sing along, tap my toes and move my body.
I wonder if it’s the message about loving God, my neighbours and myself with all my heart, soul and mind that makes the joy so real. Didn’t Rev. Maya say there was something magical about the number three a couple of weeks ago?
Gracious God,
May the heart-stirring gift of song bring me closer to you.
May it inspire me to love you with all my heart and soul and mind.
May it inspire me to love my neighbour as myself.
Amen
The Porter’s Gate:
The Porter’s Gate was founded to help worship leaders respond theologically to the pressing questions of our times through the writing of new worship songs and the creation of new liturgical resources. Their third and fourth records (Justice Songs and Lament Songs) were released in September 2020, during the pandemic crisis. Co-founder Megan Wardell writes: “We wanted to release as many songs as we were able to record for use by churches in a time where worship leaders are looking for songs and liturgical resources that give expression to the unusual and troubling circumstances of 2020 that our congregants and neighbors are experiencing…”
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir:
The six-time Grammy Award winning choir of the now famous Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City, USA. Known for its rich cultural diversity and deep dedication to sharing the love of God through the medium of music. Their faith expression lands in a more charismatic tradition: the songs are immersive and often include the personal experiences and testimonies of its members.
United Church of Canada:
This is a series of pieces recorded by United Churches in the city of Toronto. Our larger United Church has so much to offer to us – YouTube channels are filling up with wonderful resources, songs, sermons and worship services.