Congregational Songs

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Psalm 84: Blessed Beyond Measure
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[embed]http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm084-blessed_-beyond_measure.mp3[/embed]
Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, MN commissioned this song and choral anthem for their centennial celebration. Their choice of Psalm 84 is perfect for such an event: the Psalm is full of wide-eyed wonder about God’s temple, but also trust in God’s presence on the journey of life. What a beautiful theme for a church that has journeyed for 100 years and is looking to its future!

The song is what I often call a “blender.” That is, a song that can live comfortably in both traditional and contemporary settings: think “In Christ Alone,” “There Is a Redeemer,” etc. This demo leans toward the contemporary with guitars and drums, but the choral arrangement leans more traditional. Ultimately, I think it will be right at home in both Trinity’s weekly traditional and contemporary services.
Psalm 87: Glorious Things
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https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_087-glorious_things.mp3

Psalm 87 is a beautiful and surprising prophecy of how God will draw all nations to the holy city of Zion. Long-time enemies like Babylon and Philistia will miraculously be welcomed into God’s family. This is a lovely reminder that God’s understanding of insiders and outsiders has always been more gracious than ours. Michael Morgan captures this as “generations to be numbered, sons and daughters yet unborn” are “future heirs of Israel.” Beautiful.
Psalm 9-10: Rise Up, O Lord!
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https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/psalm_009-010-rise_up_o_lord.mp3

Though the verse melody for this setting of Psalms 9 and 10 is fairly straightforward, there are lots of harmonic twists and turns in the harmonies underneath it. This feels to me a lot like life: we may put on a good front, but there may be knots in our stomach and a prayer of anguish in our heads.
Psalm 98: Sing to the Lord a New Song
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[audio mp3="https://gregscheer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/01-Sing-to-the-Lord-a-New-Song.mp3"][/audio]
It seems like everyone has their own version of Psalm 98, but each generation needs a “new song” so I make no apologies for adding my voice to the fray! This song was chosen to be sung at COLAM 1999 (Conference on Liturgy and Music) at Dordt College as part of the Composition Competition.
Ready My Heart
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I first heard “Ready My Heart” on Steve Bell’s CD Each Rare Moment a number of years ago and immediately fell in love with it. Lois Shuford has composed a unique Advent song, a devotional text in which we pray that our hearts would be prepared to cradle the coming Savior. Below is a video of Larry Figueroa and me introducing the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3aMobSfosM
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
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http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/rejoice_ye_pure_in_heart.mp3

What I like most about this hymn tune is that it twists, turns, and teeters on the edge of chaos without ever losing its melodic momentum. I would be very pleased to turn this into a festive choral anthem with organ and brass. If your church commissions it, you get to name the hymn tune! Alternately, if you want to write a new hymn text (6.6.8.6 with refrain) to this tune, I’d be happy to collaborate with you.

This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.
Renew Us, O God
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http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/renew_us_o_god.mp3

This song was commissioned for the World Communion of Reformed Churches 2017 General Council. It takes the council’s theme (“transformed and transforming; renewed and renewing”) and puts it in prayer form: “Renew us, O God.” This prayer serves as a refrain that can be sung joyfully, as on the recording, or introspectively, like a Taizé chorus.

An Indonesian translation by Ivan Santoso is also available for download.
Rhyme or Reason
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I wrote this tune for a somewhat irregularly metered hymn text based on Ecclesiastes. Since the text talked about stretching and striving, I thought this rising melodic figure (with a chromatically descending bass) fit the theme quite well.

This is an orphan tune, waiting to be adopted by a text to call its own. If you write your own lyrics for this melody or pair it with an existing text, please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense, and let me know how you’ve used it.
RUSTY
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https://archive.gregscheer.com/sounds/RUSTY.mp3

This is my homage to shape note singing. No, I won’t stack it against the timeless tunes of Sacred Harp or Southern Harmony, but it has a certain rustic charm that may be just right for your 8.6.8.6 text. It was first composed for Adam Tice’s text, “The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound,” a rousing ode to the church’s mission outside its sanctuary walls.

This is an orphan tune, waiting to be adopted by a text to call its own. If you write your own lyrics for this melody or pair it with an existing text, please let me know how you’ve used it.
Sanna, Sannanina – flute/piccolo descant
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https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/sanna_sannanina-flute.mp3

“Sanna, Sannanina” is a delightful South African song that is perfect for joyous Palm Sunday processions. Here I’ve added a flute descant that is almost as rhythmic as the djembe accompaniment. The recording above is an instrumental version with flute and djembe; this descant would also work over the congregation, choir, or praise team singing the song.

Descants for flute/piccolo. Download also includes SATB hymn with both South African and English texts.
Savior of the Nations, Come (Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland) – string orchestra
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http://musicblog.gregscheer.com/savior_of_the_nations_baylor.mp3

This theme and variations for string orchestra was commissioned by Carlos Colón for a 2017 Advent service at Baylor University. The stout hymn tune Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland is stated, then volleyed back and forth between different sections of the string orchestra. It could be used as a stand-alone concert piece or used as a prelude or instrumental selection in a worship setting. It is especially appropriate for Advent and Lessons and Carols services.

Score and orchestral parts for violin 1+2, viola, cello, and bass. Purchase price allows you to print as many copies as you need for your ensemble.
Semper Reformanda
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https://musicblog.gregscheer.com/semper_reformanda.mp3

This was a first attempt at a song for the World Council of Reformed Churches 2017 General Council. Since this song went unused (“Renew Us, O God” was chosen) I would love to see the tune used with a new text.

This hymn is a free download. If you sing this song in your church please report its use to CCLI or OneLicense.