Hi Mendalla,

I have used a particular piece of music as an Anthem, meditation and congregational hymn in a single service before it isn't necessarily grating.  Most of our learning involves repetition and by being able to present any one thing through a myriad of media or formats can help to drive a point home.

The progression I followed was anthem, meditation (which was essentially a line by line commentary on the hymn being considered) and then closing hymn.  "For the Beaythy of the Earth" is a fairly common hymn so it shouldn't be alien to those at worship.  The service might help them to unpack the range of meaning within the lyric and that new understanding would be reinforced in the congregational singing of the hymn in close proximity to the new understanding..

Having the musical meditation as a prelude to the message might also help to orient you closer to the message in the lyric.

Grace and peace to you.

John

Mandalla

Thanks for sharing this beautiful video ----it certainly portrays the beauty of the earth and the beauty of the words ---Loved it ---

Peace 

I've loved this hymn for as long as I can remember.  I was prepared to sing along with Rutter as watched the video.   I was momentarily disappointed to find he had changed the tune.  But then I caught the beauty of his arrangement, as well as the wonderful visuals.  Somehow I feel that you have to include it in your service. 

I'm trying to think how you could do both.   How about have the congregation singing the traditional tune at the opening of the service.  Then do your greetings, prayers, announcements, offering or whatever is included in your order of service, keeping the theme of gratitude running through.  Finally, play Rutter's version on the screen, followed by your meditation on it. 

Perhaps it could play again as the people get up to leave - some will stay and listen.

Jesus did not speak to people's intelligence as the use of paables showed,  but rather to their emotions. That which appeals emotionally has a far greater effect than that which encounters the mind.

Dare I say, this is likely to be a service very focussed on emotional impact. I'm odd among UUs that way. Many of us are of a humanistic bent which means sermons end up sounding more like short lectures at times rather than traditional sermons. Alas, with my very non-humanist Christian background, I tend towards a more traditional approach. And, oddly, it is generally appreciated.

Mendalla

I like Seeler's idea of using both the traditional and this version. I also really like this version of it.

This is another John Rutter piece that you might find useful for your service (sorry, it won't embed here):

Hi Mendalla -

This is a beautiful rendition of the hymn...thanks for sharing.

I downloaded the video "Creation Calls" from this site about 6 months ago and used it at the beginning of a special service on an "earth" theme.  It is breathtaking.

http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

Took a long time for the download as it is a huge file.  For some reason the link to the download doesn't seem to be working now.

I love watching it - very uplifting....since I am a "creature lover-whalelover-nature lover" it certainly appeals.

Whether you can access it or not....worth watching and maybe considering for your theme.

Thanks, gecko, I'll have a look.

To those who suggested using both versions (as a meditation/anthem and a hymn), I was contemplating that option but reluctant to do so. I'm now less reluctant given the posts above and will probably do it. Thanks for the input.

Now a trivia question that doesn't really impact on my OP. Is there another tune used for "For the Beauty of the Earth"? I'm familiar with the usual hymn tune and I have heard the Rutter setting before, but I swear that there's an alternate hymn tune as well. Anyone?

Mendalla

Hi Mendalla - this is the tune I'm more familiar with singing ... 

Gecko & somegal - loved the ones you posted!  Great visuals.

carolla wrote:

Hi Mendalla - this is the tune I'm more familiar with singing ... 

That's the one I'm referring to as the tradtional tune (nice version there, by the way). It's the one I'm most familiar with, too, and the one that's in the UU hymn book. What I'm thinking is that there is a third one besides this one and the Rutter.

Mendalla

Did you find this one?   http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/a-hymn-for-ordinary-time-9

Hi Mendalla --I had not heard that tune befor. I liked it a lot . May I remind you we humans are in partly, made of this Beautyful living earth as well. God Bless.

Indeed, ac. Something that will feature prominently in my sermon, since it's rather core to my personal faith.

Mendalla

I love all the videos, just beautiful.

How would you preach the service to a blind audience?

What an interesting question waterfall!  Must ponder that.  I had the great experience of rooming with a blind woman when in first year university - she taught me a lot!!

Mendella. I don't kow if this applies at all ,buyt seeing the title of the thread immediately brough this into my mind. From the Charge of the Goddess

" I am who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man, call unto thy soul: Arise, and come unto Me. For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed, and unto Me all things must return."

Many people legally blind actually have some vision.  Others may not have been blind all their lives and will have memories of light and colour.  Even those who have been totally blind from birth will hear the beauty in the music, and the speaker might use words in his message that bring to mind movement, wind, gentle breezes, and smells of new growth, flowers, songs of birds, touch of a feather, rush of water, the touch of a hand, hot, cold, sharp, soft. 

I am thankful for my vision - but there are other senses that can come into play as well.  Show i ton the overhead for those who can see.  Play the music for those who appreciate it (being tone deaf, I probaby don't hear it as well as most).  But also envoke the other senses.  And be thankful.