Anthems for All Occasions - Warren Anderson
Choral collections are wonderful, but what if you don't want nine out of the ten songs in a given collection? Or what if your budget at the moment will only accommodate the spare anthem or two? At those times, it helps to have a nice selection of anthems to choose from. Here is one such list, with recently released anthems from a host of publishers, divided by theme.
BenedictionsConsider James Chepponis' reflective "A Blessing," a setting of the traditional may-the-road-rise-to-meet-you Irish blessing (MS) and Don Besig's arrangements, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again," three different a cappella blessings (SP). Also nice is Marty Parks' "Doxology of Praise" (LM).
Blended WorshipAnthems are great for blended worship. Here are some nice selections: Travis Cottrell's arrangement of "In Christ Alone," which incorporates "The Solid Rock" (IM); "There is a Redeemer," which places "My Redeemer Lives" alongside the popular Melody Green title chorus (HP); and "Blessed Be the Name Medley," which uses the two hymns, "Blessed Be the Name" and "O Worship the King," to augment Matt Redman's similarly titled classic (LW).
Calls to WorshipStart your service off on the right foot with Pepper Choplin's "Thank You for Coming," which features clever antiphonal phrasing (thank you/you're welcome) in the midst of a sincere greeting to seekers (LC).
Contemporary Worship MusicUsing anthems to introduce a contemporary worship music selection to the congregation-a week or two before you will ask them to sing the song-is a great way to help them to get to know the piece. Here are some great options in this category: Paul Baloche's title cut from the album Our God Saves is given an energetic treatment by Dave Williamson (WM); Song Discovery's Worship Song of the Year, "Let Your Holy Rain Fall Down," is done up right by David Hamilton (LW); Jay Rouse lends his creative arranging touch to CCM radio hit "Lifesong," part of the Adoration Worship series (PG); and the already-a-classic "How Great Is Our God," by Chris Tomlin, is nicely transcribed by B.J. Davis (BB).
ChristmasAdd spice to your Christmas season with these out-of-the-ordinary arrangements of traditional faves and new songs: Joel Raney's moving "We Wait in Hope," a candle-lighting ceremony for Advent (HP) and the stirring "A Savior Is Born Medley," part of the Travis Cottrell Worship Leader series (BB).
CommunionCommunion meditations are very effective ways to set the tone for the Table. Consider Larry Shackley's "Communion Invitation (You Are Forgiven)" (LC) and the driving (trust me, it works) "The Bread Has Been Broken," by Joe Beck and Wendy Wills (LW).
EasterAmong all the fabulous traditional choral music available in this season, give a listen to the 70s-era Don Francisco classic "He's Alive," arranged by Russell Mauldin (it's a resurrected song, in a manner of speaking) (WM) and Vicki Tucker Courtney's beautiful spiritual, "'Twas on One Sunday Mornin'" (SP).
FuneralsI've been to a couple of funerals recently where the dearly departed had been a choir member, and those left in the loft were asked to minister at the homecoming ceremony. Though they're tough to sing without choking up, you will honor lives well lived with Mark Hayes' "Worth It All" (LC) and Richard Kingsmore's arrangement of "Hello After Goodbye" (BB).
Hymn ArangementsIntroduce the young to the music of the young at heart with the following clever and interesting arrangements of timeless classics: Camp Kirkland's "Trust," a medley of "Trust and-Obey" and similar hymns (LM); Hal Hopson's accessible "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" (MS); and Jay Rouse's deceptively complex "Simple Gifts," part of his wonderful PianoPlus series (piano plus solo-instrument obbligato) (PG).
Hymn SettingsYou can breathe future life into ancient lyrics by setting the texts to new music, as has been done in the following arrangements: "Rejoice, Give Thanks and Sing," by Mark Kellner (HP) and Lynn DeShazo's "For the Beauty of the Earth," part of the Modern Hymns for Today's Worshiping Church series (IM).
MissionsHave an annual missions conference or evangelism emphasis? Consider Chris Rice's radio hit "Go Light Your World (The Candle Song)" (WM) and Lloyd Larson's gentle "Who Will Go for Me?" (LC).
Multi-Ethnic FocusesMore and more churches are embracing multi-ethnic worship in an attempt to more accurately reflect the diversity in the Body of Christ. Choral music has been leading the way on this front for years. Try David Lantz's "African Pentekoste" (SP); "Song of Hope," an Argentine folk melody arranged by Hal Hopson (HP); or "Takwaba Uwabanga Yesu" (aka "There's No One Like Jesus"), part of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Music series (GM).
ThanksgivingPut a choral touch on your annual Thanksgiving Eve worship service with Mike Speck's upbeat southern gospel arrangement "Giving Thanks" (LM); "The Lord of the Harvest," arranged by noted hymnologist Austin Lovelace (GM); and Randy Vader's energetic "We Give You Thanks" (PG).
Key: BB =
Brentwood-Benson GM =
GIA Music HP =
Hope Publishing IM =
Integrity Music LC =
The Lorenz Corporation LM =
Lillenas Music LW =
Lifeway Worship MS =
MorningStar Music PG =
PraiseGathering Music SP =
Shawnee Press WM =
Word Music
