March 2023 Newsletter (Year A)
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As I write this newsletter, I am en route back to Minneapolis after a wonderful first hymn festival as Sing For Joy host! It was a joy to be in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as we shared in music-making, prayer, and reflection with the choir of Trinity English Lutheran Church. We have two more hymn festivals in the works for later this spring, one in West St. Paul, Minnesota (April 23) and another in Indianapolis, Indiana (May 12).
The hymn festival genre is a unique one, first popularized by Lutheran church musician Paul Manz in the mid-20th century, and further developed by Sing For Joy Music Director emeritus, John Ferguson. Hymn festivals typically include hymn singing, of course, along with spoken reflections and choral anthems that accompany the festival theme. For Sing For Joy listeners, the hymn festivals we host will allow local audiences to experience a taste of the SFJ program format live and in-person. And a special treat is the joy of hearing our music director, Andy Jacob, at the organ!
I will never forget my first encounter with the genre as a high school-aged conference attendee at a worship conference in Montreat, North Carolina. The latest Presbyterian hymnal was in the works, soon to be released, and the hymnal committee hosted a hymn festival to celebrate some of the music that would be featured in the hymnal. I remember thinking to myself, even as a high schooler, what a wonder it was to get to spend an entire evening simply singing hymns alongside fellow lovers of church music. I learned hymns at that festival that have become dear companions to me on my own journey of ministry and life. I hope that the hymn festivals we lead in the coming season will offer a taste of the beautiful music of the Christian faith, and perhaps will introduce congregation members to new musical companions for their own journeys of faith.
If you live near Indianapolis or the Twin Cities, we hope to see you this spring!
Peace to you,
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Rev. Alexandra M. Jacob
Program Host, Sing For Joy
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Join us for an upcoming Sing For Joy Hymn Festival:
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Sing For Joy is supported by listeners like you. All gifts go directly towards our operating budget that makes Sing For Joy possible. To become a sustaining supporter, check the "recurring gift" option on our online giving form.
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March Playlists and Programs
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Interested in reading hymn lyrics as you listen? We recommend hymnary.org, where you can search by hymn name, composer, and more.
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Memorials and Honorariums
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Thank you for your gifts in memory and honor of those close to your heart.
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IN MEMORY OF:
Viola Zeller Asgian
Col. William L. Bagwell
Jim Braulick
Albert and Norma Eickmann
Kenneth Jennings
Myrna Johnson (two gifts)
Sigrid and Robert (BJ) Johnson
Jane and John Layman
Larry Lofgren
Arthur and Erna Raap
Pastor Alvin Reuter
Robert Scholz
Don Spitzmiller
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IN HONOR OF:
Rev. Bruce Benson
Dr. Matt Brittain
Rev. Kevin Quick
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To include an honorarium or memorial when you give to Sing For Joy, simply include the name(s) and occasion(s) in the comment box, as well as who should receive an acknowledgement letter and their street or email address. Due to editorial lead times, Honorariums and Memorials will appear in the Sing For Joy newsletter two months following our receipt of the gift.
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Sing For Joy is sponsored by:
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