Virtual Choir for UCC Heartland Conference Annual Gathering (Sept. 26)
Thanks for your interest in being part of the Virtual Choir for the Heartland Conference’s Annual Gathering, “From Pandemics to Possibilities,” on Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. This is a season of unprecedented challenge but also unprecedented opportunity for The Church. We hope you will join us for a morning of worship, celebration, lament and reflection, inspiration, and of course business. Register Here.
We are preparing two virtual choir songs and would love to have you participate. For each song, you will record only your voice (no video). Send your voice recording and a recent photo of your smiling face by Monday, September 21 to Brian White, brian@zionucc.org , music director at Zion UCC (Delaware, Ohio) and he will merge the voices together. Here are the songs …
In the Midst of New Dimensions
Word and music by Julian B. Rush, 1994
If you’ve never heard the song before, listen to it here:
Here’s the accompaniment track you should listen to when you record your voice. Put in some headphones and use your phone or other device to record just your voice, not the background music:
Some notes:
- The song intro is the verse plus an extra measure. Please begin singing verse 1 after the intro.
- 1st verse: sing the unison melody throughout.
- 2nd verse: sing unison melody but split to parts at chorus “God of Rainbow….”
- 3-5 verses: parts / ad lib
Here’s a PDF of the lyrics with SATB parts:
And finally, here are just the lyrics themselves, in the order they should be sung:
[verse 1] In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways.
Who will lead the pilgrim peoples wandering in their separate ways?
[Refrain] God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,
We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever,
now and ever more.
[verse 2] Through the flood of starving people,
warring factions and despair,
Who will lift the olive branches? Who will light the flame of care?
[Refrain] God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,
We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever,
now and ever more.
[verse 3] As we stand a world divided by our own self seeking schemes, Grant that we, your global village might envision wider dreams.
[Refrain] God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,
We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever,
now and ever more.
[verse 4] We are man and we are woman, all persuasions, old and young, Each a gift in your creation, each a love song to be sung.
[Refrain] God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,
We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever,
now and ever more.
[verse 5] Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to withdraw in pain, May your blazing phoenix spirit, resurrect the church again.
[Refrain] God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,
We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever,
now and ever more.
Called to Be Family
Composed for the Heartland Conference’s Annual Gathering in 2018.
Words by David Long-Higgins and Ken Medema, Music by Ken Medema, Transcription by Cathy Chamblee, copyright 2018.
If you’ve never heard the song before, listen to it here:
Here’s the accompaniment track you should listen to when you record your voice. Put in some headphones and use your phone or other device to record just your voice, not the background music:
Some notes:
- The song intro is the chorus, which is different from what you will see written as the intro in the PDF. (We needed a longer time for the song title on the video.)
- Lyric change is typed in on the second page (“Siblings and Cousins”)
- Clarinet sound will be reduced in final production, but is there to help you learn melody.
- Feel free to harmonize — esp. on the chorus 2nd verse and beyond.
Here’s a PDF of the lyrics:
And finally, here are just the lyrics themselves, in the order they should be sung:
[verse 1] We’re called to be family united in love,
God’s grace and God’s mercy we live now to prove.
We’re God’s beloved people: we walk in God’s way,
Where justice and mercy shine bright as the day.
[chorus] Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Better together than out on our own.
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Here in God’s family, no longer alone.
[verse 2] Each person a treasure now part of the one,
now joined in the labor that waits to be done.
With Christ ever leading, new visions are sown,
God’s light to display and God’s love to make known.
[chorus] Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Better together than out on our own.
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Here in God’s family, no longer alone.
[verse 3] We work for a world that is loving and just.
We pray for a Church dressed in honor and trust.
We’re bound to each other in Christ one to all.
We’re siblings and cousins who’ve answered Christ’s call.
[chorus] Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Better together than out on our own.
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Here in God’s family, no longer alone.
[verse 4] We stand on the edge of tomorrows unknown.
Together we face what we cannot alone.
Each church and its people united to be
the voice of God speaking, the Spirit set free.
[chorus] Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Better together than out on our own.
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Here in God’s family, no longer alone.
Send your voice recordings and a recent photo of your smiling face by Monday, September 21 to Brian White, brian@zionucc.org , music director at Zion UCC (Delaware, Ohio) and he will merge the voices together.