We’ll kick off the singing today with May Erlewine’s welcome song “Come On In.” This is an invitation to come as you are and to do so with full throats and hearts!

Come on in young and old… come on in however you do… come on in whatever you need…

Dolly Parton’s iconic song “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” is about finding hope after going through a difficult period in life. The lyrics describe the transition of emerging from a long, hard fight and feeling the figurative dark clouds finally lift. Dolly called it a “song of deliverance.”  Over recent weeks, there have been many beautiful tributes to her life, music-making, and spirit from Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Heather Cox Richardson, and many more. Fly well, Smoky Mountain songbird!

2027 is the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s passing. In the lead up to our 1st music Sunday of the church year (Feb. 7, 2027), this fall the adult choir will be diving into the music of one of the greatest composers this earth has known. The Kyrie we’ll hear today is from his 1807 Mass in C.

Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II commissioned the work to celebrate his wife’s name day — a tradition long held by Haydn. Beethoven consciously stepped into Haydn’s shoes, studying Haydn’s late masses while deliberately choosing a more intimate, human-centered style over grand courtly spectacle. Instead of treating the sacred text with standard theatrical majesty or divine distance, Beethoven emphasized personal emotion, gentleness, and directness.

— Chris