The FBC Music Ministry: Celebrating Grace

The Music Ministry is very pleased to announce the launch of our Celebrating Grace Hymnal Campaign.  In 2010, a new hymnal, Celebrating Grace, made its appearance on the church music scene.  This hymnal, edited by a board made up of some of the most eminent and outstanding church musicians of our day, contains over 700 hymns, choruses, and readings chosen to give word and melody to Baptist worship in the new millennium.

 

Think on these words printed in the Foreword of our new hymnal: 

 

Hymns stir the soul and breach the barriers between our knowledge of God and our inner experience of God.  In the singing of hymns, we are able to exalt the mystery of God’s abundant grace and, at the same moment, find our own spirits becoming attuned to God’s spirit.  The mystery of God is too awesome for words; with poetry and music, we are able to sing even when we cannot speak.  Hymns are rarely meant simply to instruct.  Their power lies in enabling us to join our hearts and to lift our spirits in a celebration of God’s abundant and enduring grace…..The singing of these hymns will inspire us to affirm our faith more gladly and to proclaim our faith more boldly.  They will lift our spirits, give us strength and mend our hearts.

 

In short, the singing of these hymns enables us to “live His song”.  This collection contains hymns that give testimony to the faith of our Christian brothers and sisters of centuries long past, as well as songs and choruses bearing witness to the active work of the Spirit among composers and hymnwriters of the 21st century. You’ll find the great foundational hymns of the church (“A Mighty Fortress is our God”, “Holy, Holy, Holy”), the well-loved gospel songs you love to sing (“The Old Rugged Cross”, “Victory in Jesus”) and new hymns and choruses previously heard from choirs and soloists that we can now sing together as a congregation (“In This Very Room”, “Speak, O Lord” and “How Great Is Our God”).

 

We need to purchase 800 hymnals to supply our sanctuary and we are giving you the opportunity to participate in this exciting project with an “Honor your Father and Mother” emphasis.  During the period of time between Mother’s Day (May 13) and Father’s Day (June 17) we encourage you to purchase a hymnal in honor or in memory of a parent, grandparent, child, or anyone you desire to honor or memorialize in this way.  Your gift, including the name of the donor and honoree, will be printed on a nameplate inside of the hymnal(s) you purchase. Each hymnal is $20 and you may pick up an envelope with which to place your order at the front desk, from the pew racks, or from the Music Ministry office.

 

Please help us to “live His song” as a congregation with your gift!