Called to Serve...Orlando South Stake Style

In our recent stake priesthood meeting, the Winter Garden Ward young men were invited to present Called to Serve as a special musical number.  Winter Garden Ward Music Chairman, Paul Allison, made it extra special by adding this third verse, written by Sister Casey Boyd, which references our local area.

• Called to serve in Orlando Florida South Stake, teaching, preaching, called within our youth. Armed with valor we will march to battle as defenders of the truth!

I thought this was a nice touch and made the musical number especially meaningful for those listening. Thanks, Paul and Casey, for your thoughtful creativity!

Here is a link to the sheet music if you would like to use it in your ward. It is also linked and available in our digital sheet music library.

Called to Serve (in Orlando Florida)

Involve the Youth

"In addition to the ward choir, Relief Society, priesthood, youth, children, and family choirs may be invited to sing hymns and other appropriate musical selections in Church meetings" (Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 14.4.5)

As I sat in the chapel during last Sunday's stake conference, I was thrilled to hear more than 100 of our young women and young men singing, "We have been saved for these latter days to build the kingdom in righteous ways." I almost couldn't believe it was happening.

Three months ago, when the stake president invited me to organize a youth choir to sing at stake conference, I wasn't thrilled. The challenge was made even harder when President Shill re-affirmed his interest in having ALL the youth participate, not just the 40-50 I might be able to talk into it. But as I prayed and considered how to accomplish the assignment, I felt subtle impressions and inspiration about how to proceed.

Instead of bringing the youth to choir, I decided to bring choir to the youth. With the kind support of both stake and ward leaders, we conducted rehearsals following a stake youth activity, during Sunday opening exercises, and during youth activity nights.  This effort culminated on Sunday morning at our final rehearsal. I was a bit nervous as 9:00am, the appointed meeting time, came and went with only a handful of youth present. But by the time the prelude, "Sweet Hour of Prayer," began, we had filled the stand and amassed a small crowd in front of the rostrum. With youth singing, youth accompanying, and youth leading, I could not have been more pleased.

Although this experience pushed me outside of my comfort zone, my faith has been strengthened. I have been able to see the hand of the Lord in the guidance and encouragement of our inspired stake leaders, in my own efforts to help the youth prepare, and in the way they responded to the invitation.

As you work to strengthen the music program in your ward, I hope that what you felt last Sunday might also inspire you to reach beyond your comfort zone.  Perhaps that means involving the youth more fully or, for you and your ward, it might mean something different. But know that the Lord will guide and bless you as you seek to make "inspirational music an essential part of our church meetings" (Hymns, ix).

Introduce an Unfamiliar Hymn

"In addition to using hymns that are already known and loved, members are encouraged to become acquainted with new or less familiar hymns. Music leaders should try to achieve a good balance between familiar favorites and hymns that are not as well known" (Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 14.4.4).

In 1987, a team of explorers discovered an extensive cave system in the mountainous region of Crimea. Dubbed the Mrahmornaya Peschyera, or Marble Caves, this expansive group of caverns is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. I had the opportunity to visit these caves while I was a missionary in 1999. My favorite among the strange and beautiful formations was a cluster of stalactites that have grown together over time to look like the pipes of an organ.

Not only are the caves strange and unfamiliar, but the path to find them is quite remote and was also unfamiliar to my companion and me. We needed a guide: a local member of the church who knew how to get there and what to look for inside the caves. Much like finding and exploring an other-worldly cave, singing an unfamiliar hymn may require a guide.

We have all had that awkward experience of singing an unfamiliar hymn in sacrament meeting and it seems as if only three other people are actually singing. To strike the right balance between introducing unfamiliar hymns, but still ensuring the singing invites the Spirit, consider the following suggestions.

Introduce It: Have a member of the bishopric or the Ward Music Director introduce the hymn acknowledging that it may not be familiar, but inviting all to try

Extend the Intro: Invite the Ward Organist to play an entire verse as the introduction

Slow the Tempo: Slow the tempo to allow the congregation to keep up

Lead by Example: Have the Ward Choir or small group sing the first verse as a special musical number then have the congregation join for the remaining verses

Repeat: Sing one hymn a couple of weeks in a row--as I often heard them say in Ukraine, Повторе́ние – мать уче́нья, repetition is the mother of learning!

Ease into It: Make sure that no more than one hymn per week is unfamiliar

Organ User Manuals

For those organists in the stake who, like me, are trained on the piano but have been asked to figure out the organ, here are links to the user manuals to each of the organs in our stake. Even a quick read of these manuals can provide a good understanding of the basic functions of each organ and enable you to approach your calling with a bit more confidence. Also, I am always happy to provide a one-on-one lesson or two for any who are looking for a bit more training.

Educate Your Congregation

"Encourage members to participate in congregational singing" (Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 14.2.1).

In our most recent stake priesthood meeting, the stake men's choir sang one of my favorite hymns, "I Need Thee Every Hour" (#98, #334). For me, the tender words and plaintive melody evoke a feeling of reverence and humility. My appreciation for this hymn deepened when I learned a bit about its origin.

"I Need Thee Every Hour" was written by Annie Hawks, a member of the Park Avenue Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey in April 1872.  It was first published in 1873 in a collection of hymns edited by her pastor, Robert Lowry, who composed the music. Of this hymn, Annie is quoted as saying: "It was not until long years after, when the shadow [of a great loss] fell over my way...that I understood something of the comforting in the words I had been permitted to write" (Our Latter-Day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages, K. L. Davidson, 1988).

Teaching members of your congregation about the hymns they sing can create a deeper sense of reverence and a greater desire to participate in hymn-singing. Consider the following suggestions:

• Add a hymn's background information or scripture references to your printed sacrament meeting bulletin
• Occasionally have your ward music director take a moment to introduce a hymn before the congregation sings it
• Invite those presenting a special musical number to briefly introduce it

Feel free to comment below and share ideas you may have on this subject.

Teach the Youth

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Sister Geri Preisser, the Ocoee Ward Music Chairman. I learned that she has been extensively involved in church music in the Orlando area for many years. In fact, she was called to serve as her ward's music director at the age of 12! Reflecting on her early experience with music, she mentioned feeling a need to teach the young women how to lead music.

One of the values in the Young Women theme is knowledge and their Personal Progress program encourages them to "Seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). One of the optional experiences young women may use to fulfill the requirements for the program is:

"Memorize two of your favorite hymns from the hymnbook. Learn the correct conducting pattern for the hymns and then conduct them at least two times at a family home evening, in a Young Women or other Church meeting, or at seminary. Read the scriptures listed at the bottom of each hymn."

Additionally, in For the Strength of Youth (Music & Dancing), boys and girls are encouraged to "Learn and sing the hymns. Hymns can lift your spirit, move you to righteous action, and help you withstand the temptations of the adversary."

Sister Preisser is planning to work with President Borkus, Ocoee Ward Young Women President, to organize an opportunity to teach the young women in their ward. Perhaps you can do the same. I encourage you to work with the young women and young men leaders in your ward to organize an activity or other experience to help youth appreciate and value the power of good music.

The Right Hymn

"Appropriate music is a vital part of Church meetings, particularly sacrament meetings. Music that is carefully selected and properly presented can greatly enhance the spirit of worship" (Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 14:4).

"What are you agonizing over?" Mick McCabe asked his wife, Margit, as he saw a look of deep concern on her face. Sister McCabe, the Ward Music Chairman in the Lake Reams Ward, had been praying and pondering for guidance about which hymns to sing in a particular sacrament meeting. She replied: "It has to be the right hymn."

Sister McCabe knew from her experience the importance of selecting the right hymns. The words of a hymn at the right time can touch someone's life in a simple yet meaningful way. As she continued to ponder, a special hymn kept coming to mind, "Be Still My Soul" (#124). This hymn has held special meaning for Sister McCabe for many years and she was pleased to include it on the upcoming sacrament meeting program.

At the conclusion of that sacrament meeting, Sister McCabe was unexpectedly approached by a member of the congregation. She was aware of significant challenges he was facing and was touched when he thanked her for selecting this particular hymn, saying it was a balm to his heart.

When selecting hymns and other musical numbers for sacrament meeting, I encourage you to be prayerful, be thoughtful. You may not know who needs that special message, but the Lord does and he will give you the inspiration you need.