Fee Fee Baptist Church

Category: Ronna Paden, Director of Music

All of Ronna Paden’s Forerunner articles.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 9

    Opportunity – Don’t Let This One Pass You By!

    Our Sunday Patriotic Choir rehearsals have begun, but do not despair. You will still be able to join us for the presentation of our Patriotic Concert which will be given on July 3 as our first summer concert.

    You may pick up a packet of music from Ronna. Our Sunday rehearsals run from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. and will be held in the choir room. We will sing many familiar Patriotic selections as well as some secular numbers by American composer Irving Berlin. Please come join us. There is a strong chance you will enjoy celebrating our freedom in song!

    The Song of The Bow

    As we are reading the scriptures in our reading plan I am always taken with any musical references. So, it is not surprising that The Song of The Bow grabbed my attention as I read 1 Samuel 1:17-27. Obviously, the title was given in honor of Jonathan who had great prowess as an archer. The song goes on to lament the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. The song highlights the good qualities of both men. David conceals the king’s faults and instructs that Saul’s honor be carried on. He ends the poem with a proclamation of love for Jonathan and honoring of soldiers who have fallen in battle. The lament demonstrates the fact that David kept his heart free from bitterness, even when he was greatly wronged. What a classy response!

    David commands the people of Judah to learn this song.  I am always curious about how a song such as this might have sounded. What instrumentation would have been used? What harmonies (if any) would have been sung? I did happen upon two settings of the poem set to music. Here is a link to the song for your listening pleasure. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iId9Cqfae5o

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 8

    April Playlist – Well, it is time for a new playlist featuring several genres of Christian music! You are really going to like this one. This is also a test to see how accepting you are of different styles of music. Do you enjoy variety or same-ole, same ole? Find Ronna’s April 2022 Playlist here: https://bit.ly/36asm6L

    Retro Christian Contemporary

    Amy Grant

    Sing Your Praise to the Lord 

     

    Bluegrass Gospel 

    The Bishops

    I’ve a Mansion Over in Glory

     

    Country Christian

    Brooks and Dunn (ft. Kane Brown)

    Believe

     

    Christian Contemporary

    Unspoken

    Start a Fire

     

    Christian Instrumental

    The Naz Church (ft. Shawn  Wallace)

    Draw Me Close to You

     

    Christian Contemporary

    Matthew West

    Grace Upon Grace

     

    Contemporary Praise and Worship

    Elevation Worship and Maverick City

    Jireh

     

    Christian Rap

    Justus (ft. Sevin & Alicia Renee)

    More Than Life

     

    Christian Contemporary

    Phil Wickman

    House of the Lord

     

    Christian Southern Gospel

    The Guardians

    It’s Still Good News

     

    Christian Urban Gospel

    Stockholm Gospel Mass Choir

    Total Praise

     

    Christian Rock

    Switchfoot

    Beloved

     

    Indie Christian Pop Rock

    Relient K

    Be My Escape

     

    Indie Christian Pop Punk

    Everyday Sunday

    Stand Up

     

    Indie Christian Rock

    The Wrecking

    You Remain

     

    Indie Christian Synth Pop

    Owl City (ft. Lindsey Stirling)

    Beautiful Times

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 7

    Patriotic Concert

    Our first Fee Fee Summer Concert will present patriotic music. This concert will be presented on Sunday, July 3, at 6:00 p.m. Plan now to be a part of our “Patriotic Choir.” We will rehearse on Sundays from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the choir room beginning May 1. There will be no rehearsal on Mother’s Day (May 8) and Father’s Day (June 19). We need your voice.  Please join us as we celebrate our freedom and declare our dependence on the undeniable hand of God on our nation.

    COVID vaccinations will be required to participate, but masks will be optional at this time. Invite your friends to join you in this project. Singers do not need to be members of Fee Fee. Come help us proclaim: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

    Music in 1 Samuel 16

    As we read many passages in the Bible, we find the importance of music. In 1 Samuel 16 David soothes Saul’s discomfort. God allowed an evil spirit to torment Saul. Saul’s attendants found Jesse’s son, David, who played the harp. Saul grew to like David and made him an armor bearer and asked Jesse if David could stay in his employ permanently. So, whenever the evil spirit would trouble Saul, David would play the harp for him and Saul would be soothed. Wow! Here is the power of music at work!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 6

    Multigenerational Choir

    Let’s have a multigenerational choir here at Fee Fee. Recently, churches have begun looking for opportunities for children, youth, adults and seniors to minister together.

    Think about the value of blending multiple timbres into one homogeneous sound. This is a perfect picture of the body of Christ. An intergenerational music ministry allows everyone the opportunity to participate – no matter the individual skill level. It reflects the age diversity already present. It involves the youngest and oldest pooling their voices together.

    Young people bring excitement and a contagious enthusiasm. Older members contribute a wealth of knowledge. Therefore, they can benefit from each other. Unity in purpose and musical unity are key. It’s a win – win situation!

    The choir must work together to overcome personal music preferences and traditions to be effective worship leaders.

    Here is a scripture that applies so well to the workings of an intergenerational choir:

    Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians church urged them (us) “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the Lord of peace,” (Ephesians 41:3 ESV).

    We can learn more than music from a choir experience.

    Hannah’s Song (Mother’s Prayer)

    As we have been reading in 1 Samuel, I was really taken by Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving. In coming across this rendition of Hannah’s song, I thought its beauty along with the dramatization was worth sharing: https://bit.ly/3ifg3bS

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 5

    March Playlist – I imagine you have been holding your breath waiting to see what the March playlist would look like!!! Well, here it is! It seemed appropriate to offer a tribute to Irish music for March. I hope you enjoy it!

    Listen here: https://bit.ly/3vC3T4O

    Who is Like Him  

    The Sky Family

     

    Come Thou Fount

    Celtic Worship

     

    In Christ Alone

    Celtic Worship (ft. Steph Macleod)

     

    Because He Lives

    Celtic Worship

     

    Morning Has Broken / Morning Chorus  (Medley)

    David Phelps

     

    My Lighthouse

    Rend Collective

    Amazing Grace

    Celtic Thunder

     

    Joy of the Lord

    Rend Collective

     

    You Raise Me Up

    Celtic Woman

     

    I’ll Fly Away

    Daniel O’Donnell

     

    40 (inspired by Psalm 40 and Psalm 6)

    U2

     

    Revival Anthem

    Rend Collective

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 4

    Opportunities Await

    Save the date on July 3. We will be organizing a choir to present a concert on July 3 as part of our concert series. We will present a concert with a theme highlighting the freedoms we enjoy in our great country, and more importantly the freedom we have in Christ, our Savior.

    Please give some serious thought to participating in this event. You will soon hear more about a rehearsal schedule. You do not need to be a current member of our choir to participate.

    Highlighting Spirituals

    As a salute to Black History Month I am presenting a short playlist for the purpose of sharing some spirituals that played a vital role in black history. You can listen here: https://bit.ly/357HLUr

    1. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around – Performing Arts Academy’s Elite Ensemble. This is a spiritual made famous during the Civil Rights era. It is a song of resistance, power, and strength.

    2. My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord – Traditional Spiritual arr. Moses Hogan, UT Arlington A Cappella Choir. This spiritual tells a story of help, resistance, and grounding in faith.

    3. Wade in The Water – The Spirituals Choir. It is believed that Harriet Tubman used this song to warn slaves to get off the trail and into the water to prevent dogs – used by the slavers – from finding them.

    4. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Plantation Singers. It is thought that this song is about abolition and being rescued from slavery. The call was for abolitionists to visit the southern United States where slaves were being held and carry them home.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 3

    Ronna’s February Playlist

    As you may have expected, it is time for our February Playlist. You guessed it! These songs are centered on the theme of love and relationships. Please enjoy this listening experience as you consider love for God and also for the special people in your life. The link for the February Playlist can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ISPcgW.

    1. My God is Known by Love – The Clark Family
    2. Meant to Be– J.J. Heller
    3. Lovin’ Me – Jonathan McReynolds
    4. Remind Me Who I Am – Jason Gray
    5. Good Day for Marrying You – Dave Barnes
    6. Lemonade – Chris Rice
    7. Your Love – David Phelps
    8. Beautiful – MercyMe
    9. I Stand Amazed – Steph MacLeod
    10. Jesus Loves Even Me – Cedarmont Kids
    11. O Love That Will Not Let Me Go – Sam Robson
    12. What Is This Thing Called Love? – Delirious?
    13. Out of Hiding – Steffany Gretzinger
    14. Till I Found You – Phil Wickham
    15. Your Love Changes Everything – United Pursuit (ft. Brock Human)
    16. I Won’t Let You Go – Jon Foreman (ft. Lauren Daigle)

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 2

    Opportunity for YOU

    Our wonderful handbells will be playing again on Sunday, March 6 in our 8:30 a.m. worship. Rehearsal time has changed to Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, February 1 in Room 203. Our new project will be directed by Bryan West. You may remember that he played a handbell solo a while back. Bryan holds a wealth of knowledge about handbells and brings years of experience. He has selected a piece that should be fun to play. We will need about three more players to max out on this project.

    I have no doubt that many in our congregation have played handbells in the past, or you have played an instrument that has given you some understanding of reading music. We would love to have you join us! Please respond to Ronna@feefeebc.org or Receptionist@feefeebc.org to be added to the handbell team or if you have any questions.

    Chimes From Crusader Times

    (In considering bells, think about this); Crusaders buried 13 bronze bells near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in the 13th Century. They slathered them with animal fat to protect them from rust. The effort was made to protect the bells from a Muslim offensive.

    The bells are being replicated by researchers from Oxford and a German university. These 13th century bells are significant because they are the bells of Bethlehem and a symbol of Nativity. They resonate with a clear pitched chime being struck with knuckles, but unfortunately the clappers have rotted away over the centuries. The artisans hope to replicate the bells and have them played in 2024.  I say – let’s organize a field trip to visit the Jerusalem Museum in 2024!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 1

    Happy New Year!!!

    Here we are in 2022 – new beginnings, new expectations and here is a new PLAYLIST!

    I really thought I would put a list together of the BEST of 2021, but that really isn’t as easy as it sounds. So, I have for you as always, a highly varied list containing music of different genres. Mostly the music is representative of recent times, but there are also some selections that offer insights into emerging styles and some lesser-known artists. So here goes:

    Together – for KING & COUNTRY (feat. Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly) – Contemporary. (It is interesting to note that this project was filmed when everyone was in quarantine and being filmed from their individual homes. This project won a Billboard Music Award).

    Farther Along – The Petersons (Live) – Bluegrass Gospel

    Shepherd of My Soul – Rivers and Robots – Indie Folk

    Brethren, We Have Met to Worship– David Phelps – Prelude from Hymnal Project. (Do I have to tell you this is my favorite!?).

    Yes, He Can – CAIN – Contemporary

    Believe for it – CeCe Williams (Live) – Gospel

    Messengers – Lecrae ft. for KING & COUNTRY – Christian Rap

    Old Church Basement – Elevation Worship and Maverick City

    Old Church Choir – Zach Williams

    Walk On – The Isaacs – Bluegrass Gospel

    There you have it. A little something for everyone! You can listen to the playlist here: https://bit.ly/3EXNcBN  – Enjoy!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 25

    December Playlist – I really think this playlist highlights some of the most beautiful, interesting, diverse Christmas music. Please enjoy and by all means – have a Merry Christmas! Listen here: https://bit.ly/3dz45aL

    Mary, Did You Know?

    One Voice Children’s Choir

     

    Go Tell it on the Mountain

    Zack Williams

     

    What Child is This?

    Lindsey Stirling

     

    Joy to the World

    David Phelps

     

    Children, Go Where I Send Thee

    The Fairfield Four

     

    Messiah

    Vocalocity

     

    O Come All Ye Faithful

    Pentatonix

     

    O Holy Night (Beautiful Saviour)

    The Spirituals (ft. Kaye-Marie & Niiella)

     

    Carol of the Bells (Heavy Metal Version)

    Orion’s Reign

     

    Light of the World

    Lauren Daigle

     

    Angels We Have Heard on High

    The Piano Guys

     

    If Everyone Believed

    David Phelps

     

    Christmas is Coming

    CAIN (ft. Mac Powell)

     

    Little Drummer Boy

    For King & Country

     

    Today Is The Saviour’s Day

    Rend Collective

     

    Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

    Francesca Batistelli