"It was a hot and humid July afternoon in Washington DC. I was so glad to hide in a cool, vast, neoclassical sanctuary of the National City Christian Church. Not only me. There were over a thousand of us, church musicians, members of the American Guild of Organists. Church musicians are typically trained to take care of all aspects of musical life in a church: playing the piano and organ, conducting vocal and instrumental ensembles, teaching music to adults and kids, singing, arranging, composing, planning music, etc. Majority of us who came for the National AGO Convention chose to participate in that particular event at the Christian Church that day. Why? Because it was a HYMN Festival. We do so many things at our churches, but we rarely get to sing as congregants. And we all miss that. (...)

The full house of trained musicians (standing room only), led by the choir, organ and brass ensemble, sang in unison the first verse of "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" (to the tune of Purcell's Westminster Abbey). I got butterflies in my stomach. Next, we divided into 4-part harmony, perfectly executed. It brought tears to my eyes. Then only women sang. Then men. Then we reunited in unison for the last verse. My whole body was overtaken by an overwhelming tremble. For over an hour I could not stop my emotional and physical response to what was happening. I was transformed. For the first time in my life, I felt that I fully, wholeheartedly, and physically understood what it means to SING A HYMN."

I continue writing about one of my favorite and most transformative experiences which happened during the 2010 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Washington DC. If you feel inclined, continue reading here: https://www.pinnaclepres.org/blog?month=09-2019

And now, two years after I wrote this blog entry, we get to have our own Hymn Festival at Pinnacle! I couldn't be more thrilled! On Sunday, January 23rd at 3 pm our Chancel Choir and instrumentalists will lead us in glorious hymns from the new Presbyterian Hymnal Glory to God. That same Sunday at the 10 am service, we will dedicate and place our new red hymnals in the pews. Pinnacle has already started exploring this hymnal some time ago with hymns we have been selecting for Call to Worship, Call to Confession or Communion. You will definitely recognize many of them. Over the next months we will continue learning about what great music and hymnody is inside Glory to God, as it becomes our primary hymnal and worship book.

You are warmly invited to participate in this one in a generation ceremony, and an amazing opportunity to sing your hearts out. Hymn festivals are intergenerational and communal events, where you deepen your connection with God and music that praises our Creator. Lorraine and I can't wait to see you and HEAR you!