The joint songbook project of the OPC and the URCNA is nearing completion. December 31, 2015, marked the deadline for churches to submit feedback regarding the proposed hymn collection, which had been posted online for review since May of 2015. Rev. Derrick J. Vander Meulen, Chairman of the URCNA’s Psalter Hymnal Committee, explained that … Continue reading Plan to publish Trinity Psalter Hymnal in Autumn of 2017
During a March 5-6 meeting at Faith URC in West Olive, MI, the URCNA and OPC songbook committees were able to complete a provisional Psalm Proposal. The Proposal includes at least one full metrical version of all 150 psalms with the exception of Psalm 119, which appears in 22 separate selections corresponding to each section … Continue reading Songbook Committees complete provisional Psalm proposal
Participants and observers say that one of the best things about Synod is the singing. Hearing hundreds of men wholeheartedly praising God fills hearts with grateful awe. The URCNA loves singing aesthetically pleasing arrangements of biblically articulate hymns and psalms. And over the next few years, the URCNA will be cooperating with the OPC toward … Continue reading URC to collaborate with OPC on songbook
The sun came out this afternoon, and I tried to get some pictures of the Nyack College campus while walking between the dining hall and the auditorium. I'll paste a few in this post. In Synod's late afternoon session today, Rev. Ron Scheuers gave Rev. John Bouwers the opportunity to function as chair. He led discussion regarding … Continue reading URCNA Synod-7: Phase 2 with RPCNA and songbook
The Synod of the United Reformed Churches in North America today accepted the invitation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church to work together toward the publication of a songbook to be used by both federations. In God's providence, the URCNA songbook committee has done a great deal of work on the hymn section of their proposed songbook, while the … Continue reading URCNA Synod-5: Songbook (A)
What subject most fiercely fuels worship wars? Music! Traditional or contemporary? Book or screen? Accompaniment or a capella? Organ or guitar? Choir at the front or choir at the back? The list of possible debates is as extensive as styles of music. For years the URCNA has been working on a new songbook, which is one … Continue reading URCNA Synod 2012: Songbook
When Classis Pacific Northwest met on October 18, it unanimously sustained Angelo Contreras as a candidate for ministry in the URCNA and passed an overture of recommendations for the federation’s Songbook Committee. Classis met at Trinity URC in Visalia, CA, with elder Paul Scharold (Grace URC; Kennewick, WA) serving as Chairman and Rev. Chris Gordon (Lynden URC; … Continue reading URCNA Classis Pacific Northwest: New candidate, songbook overture
When Classis Western Canada of the URCNA met on October 13 & 14, 2011, at Emmanuel Reformed Church of Neerlandia, AB, most overtures on the agenda related to a federational songbook. Others proposed regional synods and sermons on the URCNA website. Classis also handled multiple matters of advice to the churches. Emmanuel’s Rev. Ralph Pontier chaired the … Continue reading URCNA Classis Western Canada: Many overtures and much advice
When Classis Central US met at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, IA, on September 12 & 13, 2011, its agenda and atmosphere were lighter than recent meetings. Business included finishing a candidacy examination and dealing with a four overtures, three dealing with a federational songbook. On Monday evening, Classis conducted the biblical exegesis portion of … Continue reading URCNA Classis Central sustains candidate, passes songbook overtures
The URCNA Psalter Hymnal Committee focused on the Psalms when it met from April 5-7, 2011, at Faith URC in West Olive, MI. The Committee additionally clarified copyright procedures and discussed ecumenical efforts with other NAPARC churches. While the Committee continues working through copyright issues, churches are asked to refrain from copying or distributing any … Continue reading Songbook overture deadline October 31
Glenda Faye Mathes 