This is a new composition by Paul Vasile, a freelance church musician, consultant, and composer based in New York City. A frequent facilitator at Music that Makes Community events around the country, Paul is passionate about modeling and sharing leadership practices that sustain the musical and spiritual life of faith communities.
Paul Vasile is an interim/transitional church musician, consultant and composer based in NYC.
Paul Vasile wrote this song in December of 2015 at St. Lydia's Lutheran Church, and it's sweeping melody often elicits lush harmony when invited.
This hopeful song by Mary Alice Amidon was introduced to us by Rachel Kroh, MtMC’s first Executive Director. After the 2007 shooting rampage at Virginia Tech, Mary Alice heard the pastor of a church near the college quote from Psalm 30, "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Those words inspired the creation of this song, which was shared at the Guilford (VT) Community Church, UCC the following Sunday.
The song could be used in a variety of contexts, including the season of Advent.
"Joy shall come in the morning.
Joy shall come in the morning soon
Joy shall come in the morning Joy shall come to you.
Out of darkness we have light, comes the day from the night.
Joy shall come in the morning Joy shall come to you.
Peace shall come in the morning.
Peace shall come in the morning soon.
Peace shall come in the morning Peace shall come to you.
Brothers all in charity. Sisters all in unity
Peace shall come in the morning Peace shall come to you.
Love shall come in the morning.
Love shall come in the morning soon
Love shall come in the morning Love shall come to you.
Comfort us that we might live knowing love that we might give.
Love shall come in the morning. Love shall come to you.
Hope shall come in the morning
Hope shall come in the morning soon
Hope shall come in the morn ing Hope shall come to you.
Take this pain from the night.
Open your heart with wings take flight.
Hope shall come in the morning. Hope shall come to you."
Here’s a video of the Starry Mountain Singers sharing it in a four-part arrangement, as well as a link to purchase a score and learn more about this song created in the days after the Virginia Tech shooting.
Here's a video of Rachel sharing the song at The Bishop's Ranch. Notice how Rachel teaches the refrain to the assembly through call and echo, then invites a small choral ensemble to sing the verses in harmony. This is a wonderful way to imagine learning new hymns (especially with a chorus/refrain), alternating between the voice of the assembly and a choir (small or large).
https://youtu.be/VwOHZSUcZYI
This buoyant, rhythmic setting of verses from Psalm 134 was written by Ana Hernández in 2007.
The 7/8 meter is best felt in the body, first through tapping or clapping the larger rhythmic groups (2+2+3). Ana often invites the group to sing the tune on "la" until they've gained familiarity with the melody and rhythm. Then text can be added.
"Yours the day also the night, you made the moon and the sun.
La la la la...
God has bless'd us. God has bless'd us. God has bless'd us."
A shruti box or another drone instrument can help the group stay on pitch; percussion instruments can add rhythmic support.
Sheet music can be found in Music By Heart, the original collection of paperless songs that gave birth to MMC's workshops.
This canonic setting of Psalm 85:10 was written by Albuquerque-based composer David Poole. Many of his pieces have been created in collaboration with John Philip Newell, the well-known author and teacher on Celtic spirituality.
This setting could be used in various contexts: as a psalm refrain, as a sung Passing of the Peace, or in liturgies focused on peace and justice.
"Love and faithfulness shall meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss."
Sheet music is available for purchase from David's website.
Here's a video of Conie Borchardt leading the song at our Music that Makes Community Presenter's Retreat at Holy Cross Monastery:
Come, My Beloved was written by Carol Logen and shared with the MMC community by Chanda Rule.
"Come, my beloved,
make your home in my heart."
The video features Chanda Rule leading the song at a Music that Makes Community workshop in Baltimore, Maryland in November 2015.