Worship, Music and the Arts
It's been said that the Church kept the arts alive during the Medieval period. I would add that the arts have been returning the favor ever since! Artistic expression through music, visual arts and dance gives us avenues of connection with God, whose creative and re-creative power made us, lifts us up, and inspires us to live with both passion and compassion. Come share, come learn, come express yourself artistically to keep our Church vibrantly alive.
Martin Morley
Director of Worship, Music and the Arts
925-283-3722 ext 222; martin@oslc.net
MISSION STATEMENT: WMA MINISTRY at Our Savior's
The mission of the Worship, Music and Arts Ministry is
1. to create worship experiences that begin with gracious hospitality and end with joyful challenge, encompassing
opportunities for listening, confessing, sharing, receiving comfort, and proclaiming the word in speech and
song.
2. to make worship a time in which persons of varied backgrounds and tastes are honored through the use of a
variety of musical, verbal and experiential means.
3. to develop spiritual, musical and artistic skills within the context of loving small groups, with opportunities for
all ages.
4. to offer musical and other artistic expressions to the surrounding community, embracing opportunities for both
service and sharing.
5. to do all this with the ultimate goal of helping persons make living, meaningful connections with God and with
each other, so that we can live in the richness of humanity demonstrated by the life of Christ.
(adopted by the WMA Ministry Team, October 2007)
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Worship
"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Jesus' words from the gospel of Matthew seem to say that, when we get together on Sunday morning, he's going to be there, too. What does this mean? It's a question that's hard to answer, but well worth exploring. That's why we keep getting together on Sunday mornings — to make that connection with the Holy and with each other in the name of the Holy. But in the midst of this mystery is a lot of work behind the scenes done by people who help us practice hospitality, proclaim good news, and participate in the feast. Can you help?
| WMA Ministry Team |
9-10 meetings per year |
Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 as called |
| The Worship, Music and Arts Ministry Team is comprised of members representative of people involved in WMA programs. They work to understand what worship is and how to make it a vibrant, relevant and empowering experience. They evaluate programs, set goals, celebrate victories, and keep lines of communication open with the congregation and within the department. Meetings are always open. Contact Martin Morley, 925.283.3722, martin@oslc.net. |
| Altar Guild |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| Altar Guild is a group of people who work behind the scenes to make sure some of the most beautiful and important parts of our worship run smoothly. They take care of all details regarding communion, baptisms, flowers, paraments, robes, candles and vestments. Please contact Martin Morley at the church. |
| Greeters |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| No one gets a second chance to make a first impression... this is true of churches as well as individuals. Greeters have the opportunity to make a great first impression for OSLC when visitors come. A smile, a handshake, directions to childcare...things that help a "newbie" feel at ease. Greeters also welcome our "regulars," reinforcing how good it is to come together as a church family. Sign up to be a greeter at your preferred service on your preferred dates (what a deal!) – on the bulletin board between the lounge and the side entrance to the sanctuary. |
| Lectors/Cantors/Liturgists |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| Leading worship is a holy art too important to be confined to the clergy! Our services are energized by worshipers hearing different voices from "up front" and by lay leaders who take their roles seriously enough to perform them with joy. Chanting, reading scripture, leading liturgy, guiding prayers and creeds... all are vital parts of our time together. Leaders inevitably find their own worship experience heightened. Training is available. Contact Martin Morley. |
| Ushers |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| Ushers orchestrate the logistics of our worship services, preparing the worship space and helping people have their best possible worship experience. Keeping the temperature set, passing out bulletins with a smile, finding seats for late-comers, gently directing communion participation and collecting the offering... very basic, but very essential duties. A great ministry area for those who like to actively participate in worship. To volunteer, contact Russ Rackow, 925-934-5278, russr@astound.net. |
Music
Music is a powerful way to worship. It's also a great learning tool: we understand our faith better by singing about what we believe. And making music together bonds people in community. Each one of our musical groups is a "family within the church family" where you will find wonderful friends and a rich, joyful way to deepen your faith. You are welcome to participate in our music program whether or not you are a member of OSLC.
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| Voices of Praise |
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Thursdays 7:00-9:00 (Sanctuary) |
This is a group of youth and adults, instrumentalists and singers who enjoy the more contemporary music used in the late Sunday service. We tend to get more out of worship because we've had a sneak preview of the music and themes that will be shared each week. It's a friendly, fun and spiritual group that supports each other in music and prayer... and is always eager to have new members join. Come see for yourself.
Director: Martin Morley, 925.283.3722 x222, martin@oslc.net |
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| Bellissimo |
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Tuesdays 6:00-7:30 (Sanctuary) |
A handbell team of youth and adults with a passion for ringing. This group rings in services about once each month. Music reading ability is required.
Director: Martin Morley, 925.283.3722 x222, martin@oslc.net |
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| Chancel Choir |
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Thursdays 7:00-9:00 (Chapel and Sanctuary) |
This choral family of youth and adults sings anthems from classical, modern and gospel traditions and supports worship in the early Sunday service. Each spring we collaborate with professional musicians to present a major work (in 2011, it will be Mozart's amazing last work, his Requiem). We love new members - come to a rehearsal and audition us to see if we meet your standards!
Director: Martin Morley, 925.283.3722 x222, martin@oslc.net |
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Major Works at OSLC
| 2006 |
| 250thAnniversaryof Mozart's Birth |
Coronation Mass |
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| 2007 |
| Beaux Sons (Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Poulenc) |
Fauré Requiem |
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| 2008 |
| Music in the Twentieth Century |
Rutter Requiem |
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| 2009 |
| Bicentennial Concert 1809-2009 |
Haydn's Missa in Angustiis |
| excerpts from Mendelssohn's Elijah |
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| 2010 |
Saint Saens: A Requiem and a Carnival
Requiem, opus 54 and The Carnival of the Animals |
2011 |
Famous Last Words
selected composers' final works, featuring
Mozart's monumental Requiem |
| 2012 |
Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit
Spirituals and Gospel favorites, featuringRobert Ray's GOSPEL MASS |
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Special Musical Events
OSLC CONCERT SERIES 2011-2012 SEASON
Our past seasons have included a broad variety of musical offerings: voice recitals, piano recitals, world premieres of commissioned music, various instrumentalists, major choral works, handbell soloists and ensembles, and holiday music. All concerts are wonderful for families but childcare for very young children is always provided.
Sunday, October 16, 2011, 4:00 pm
EIGHTY-EIGHT and SWELL and GREAT
with David Auerbach, organ
and Martin Morley, piano
This irrepressible two-piano duo is back, this time showing that Mr. Auerbach has mastered that king of instruments, the organ, while Mr. Morley, alas, still plays only the piano. This program will include classics by Bach and Handel, works of Saint-Saëns and Demarest, Chicagoan Joel Raney's Symphony of Spirituals, and that bombastic old chestnut of the post-WWII repertoire, The Warsaw Concerto. Better fasten your seatbelts. |
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Sunday, December 11, 2011, 4:00 pm
CHRISTMAS WITH A FLOURISH
featuring The OSLC Choirs with an ensemble of professional instrumentalists
A festive mix of jubilant, contemplative and just-for-fun holiday music from our singing and ringing choirs. This concert features the choral music of Texas composer Randol Alan Bass, opening with his haunting arrangement of the ancient chant/carol, Personent Hodie, and ending with his dazzling carol medley, Christmas Flourish. Our freewill offering on this night will be split 50/50 with half going to The Bay Area Crisis Nursery (www.bacn.info/). Add our tradition of a glittering reception in the Fellowship Hall, and you have a delightful holiday experience that will leave no Christmastone unturned! |
Sunday, January 22, 2012, 4:00 pm
Dale Tsang-Hall presents IBERIA
We are delighted to feature one of the outstanding keyboard talents of the Bay Area, Dale Tsang-Hall, in Isaac Albéniz masterpiece, IBERIA. This cycle of twelve musical portraits of Spain is both a technical tour-de-force and an interpretive challenge for the performer. For the listener,
it is like dancing in an art gallery of large and vivid Spanish landscapes. Albéniz uses traditional dance rhythms including jota, polo and fandango along with imitations of flamenco guitars, gypsy music, church bells and other sounds heard in places such as Seville, Cadiz and Madrid.
It is a rare treat to hear this cycle played in its entirety. Come hear the passion, the dignity, the sorrow, the untamable spirit that is IBERIA.
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Sunday, February 19, 2012, 4:00 pm
Dominique Piana, Harpist
Born and raised in Belgium, Dominique Piana has established herself as a performer, teacher, editor, scholar, professor, writer, composer and impresaria. Now based in Pleasanton/Livermore, she combines precision, fluid gesture and musicality in her performances on that most heavenly of instruments, the harp. After one of her solo recitals, a reviewer described her playing "...like the duality of a lioness, alternating in evocative strains of tenderness and ferocity." Such virtuosic musicianship, combined with Old World grace and charm, will delight you in this performance. |
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Sunday, March 18, 2012,
4:00 pm
Ev'ry Time I
Feel the Spirit
In our annual "major works" concert with guest artists, we have presented works by Mozart, Haydn, Saint-Saëns, Fauré, Rutter and others who have written great classical interpretations of the Latin Mass liturgy. This year we sing the same words but in a very different way. With combined choirs, guest artists and instrumental gospel combo, we present a concert of spirituals and gospel music, culminating in Robert Ray's landmark 1981 classic, GOSPEL MASS.
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Sunday, May 6, 2012, 4:00 pm
OUR ANNUAL
CELEBRATION OF MUSIC CONCERT
Our choirs present some of their favorite "greatest hits" from the 2011-12 singing/ringing season, throwing in some secular surprises just for fun. (Pictured at right, the "Peter Gunn Theme" from our 2010 concert. Yes, we ARE the coolest people ever.)
Everything from the sublime to the ridiculous, from soup to nuts, from liturgy to lechery with never a hint of lethargy! |
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Would you like to be on our concert notices emailing list?
This list is NOT used for any church business.
You will simply be the first to receive details about our new season and periodic cyberflyers about upcoming concerts.
To be added, send your email address to Martin Morley at martin@oslc.net. |
Other Arts
| Liturgical Art Group |
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Meetings as called |
What do you see when you enter a worship space? How is color used? Symbols? Light? What do the stained glass, paraments and banners say to you? Is it intimate sacred space? Is it foreboding holy ground? Does what you see comfort you, unsettle you, or both? Our Liturgical Art Group seeks ways to speak meaningfully through visual means—sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle. We want the sanctuary to reflect different seasons and different sentiments, to inspire and challenge worshipers by what they see as much as by what they hear or sing. Our members have gifts in interior design, in visual art, in sewing and crafting, in imagining potential and in standing on ladders! Is this a place where your passion lies?
Contact Martin Morley, 925.283.3722 x222, martin@oslc.net. |
| Liturgical Dance Troupe |
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| Would you be interested in expressing your worship through liturgical movement? No previous dance experience necessary. If you'd like to try this with other like-minded folk, contact Martin Morley, 925.283.3722 x222, martin@oslc.net. |
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