July 2016 - Vol. 2 - No. 1

Greetings one and all!!

The first issue of 2016 is extremely long overdue. Unfortunately, this was brought about by a few major life changes that have come to pass over the past several months, some good and some not so. Regardless, “Theodore (still) Talks.”

With all this being said, summer here in St. Louis has been hot, hot, hot. Staying cool and creative is all that’s needed for this is issue of “Theodore Talks.” Enjoy!

All things music and creative!

Greenleaf concluded our 2015/2016 season with an intimate concert at the Tavern of Fine Arts on Friday, May 27th. Click here to see and listen to one of our selections from that performance: https://www.facebook.com/TavernOfFineArts/videos/1395321567149914/.

Also, I forgot to mention in the last issue that the women of Greenleaf sang a piece entitled lullay my liking during the 2015 Christmas season, which I composed for them. The ladies actually premiered the piece in December of 2014. To hear a recording from one of our rehearsals, which was part of an interview I did promoting the Eliot Chapel Christmas gig and the Greenleaf Singers, click the following link (Be advised. I am speaking during the recording to highlight components of the music): http://cpa.ds.npr.org/kwmu/audio/2015/11/lule_my_liking_commentary.mp3.

Seasonal Scripture in Song Part 1

Music and faith formation have merged extensively over the past several months at Good Shepherd. A new element that has evolved from this merging is the Seasonal Scripture in Song, which highlights something that has always been a part of the church. The project utilizes a hymn to learn Bible verses or passages. The goal of this project is to provide a resource that is the same each Sunday of a church season to help in establishing longer term devotional and serving practices as well as rituals and traditions (three of the Four Keys of Vibrant Faith).

The first several Seasonal Scriptures in Song were hymns found in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship. However, for the Pentecost Scripture in Song, I composed a new melody to which The Lord’s My Shepherd (Psalm 23) text was set. The melody was written within a half hour. I extended the melody a few days later, which took about another hour because I couldn’t decide on the melodic direction of the fourth line (see post below for a PDF of the music). After a few Sundays of use, the tune has been very well received and well sung.

For a few final thoughts on the SSS, see below after the Harmonious Health tip.

Living Life to the +Plus!

The proceeding list, provided by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, offers several methods for managing stress. Keep in mind, choosing just one of these is a step towards harmonious health:

Seasonal Scripture in Song Part 2

Many people experience singing hymns and portions of the liturgy every Sunday and during special services. However, each of us can experience these resources every day. The following “Ribbiting Quote” from Frogs Without Legs Can’t Hear (written by Dr. David W. Anderson), supports much of what Good Shepherd has begun doing with the Seasonal Scripture in Song: “The art of life is not in the singing of the Magnificat, but in experiencing and living the Magnificat.” To use the Pentecost Scripture in Song, The Lord’s My Shepherd, as an example, we can all live the Word of God (Psalm 23) as a prayer, as a greeting, as a blessing, etc. each and every day.

If you are interested in seeing how the Seasonal Scripture in Song is used in conjunction with the Four Keys of Vibrant Faith, checkout the following PDF: June 26th - 6th Sunday after Pentecost.

Past issues are now available on my website at: "Theodore Talks" - A Newsletter

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Blessings to each of you!