When I was still vicar in a middle-of-the-road parish in Coventry, Pentecost hymns were fairly easy to choose - Breathe on Me Breath of God to the less-miserable tune was about as lively as it got. O thou who camest, Come down O love divine... filled the list out. Since being in a place where much more contemporary stuff is used again, it's been interesting to see how few lively Pentecost worship songs there are. They are usually quite slow and even a bit dreary.
The surprising thing is that you would expect charismatics to be enthusiastic about Pentecost. Feeling the need to write a song, but I know I never will. If only I was a completer-finisher (and knew how to use the subjunctive properly).
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We found it equally as difficult as a music group to choose songs for this morning (of the 'a little less contemporary but still fairly modern' feel). There's always Shine Jesus Shine (blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire) and When the Spirit of the Lord. Hymns Old and New is a little lacking in suggestions too.
Consuming Fire is another. The field is pretty small, though.
I just think that if there's one day in the Church year to get excited, then it's Pentecost, and it's remarkable how unexciting the music is. After all, liturgies try and acknowledge that, so why don't the songs?
No dancing around the church then this year? As we sang, 'I will dance as David danced' this morning and I took a look around the church I thought to myself just how ridiculous it was that we sang it. If we don't mean it, why do we sing it?! Most of the congregation would be outraged if I'd skipped down from the platform and boogied down the aisle, and as for anyone joining me... not a hope!
sorry, that was me, didn't click the right box!
I wanted to play Ghost Town by the Specials but got over-ruled.
Write your song. Am going to bully you until you finish it. Deadlne - performance Friday July 14th Cafe Create.
Pity they didn't allow it - a song inspired by Coventry, no less!
You could always go for Fire by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
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