Reunion Day Mass
September will see yet another World Premiere of a new musical setting of the Lutheran liturgy. Wes Burdine, our liturgical coordinator, will debut the new liturgy entitled, Reunion Day Mass. The liturgy is a gospel and soul inspired homage to the likes of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. Come out in September and check out the first gospel and soul liturgy at Mercy Seat.
Reunion Day Mass
The Reunion Day M
ass came from a long-standing desire to pay homage to musicians such as Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. It was an attempt to change up the alt-country moods of some of our liturgies and inject some new melodies into our theological bloodstream at Mercy Seat. Thematically, it takes up the promise of deliverance, especially in the Song of Praise, “All My Friends are Comin’ Back to Jesus” and the cross-lament of the Sanctus, “I Cry, ‘Holy!’. It also includes the song “Reunion Day” that encloses the service parenthetically, promising, “It won’t be long ’til that fine reunion day.” The band is composed of liturgy regulars, Scott Munson and Jayanthi Kyle (of Black Audience), plus Mike Berger (of Cincinnati punk outfits toolshed and The Bushrocks) and Kim Larson.
Sept. Book Club
This Month’s book club will be hosted over in good ol’ St. Paul (Directions to the Osterholt’s). Since we’ll be in the capitol, we thought it would be appropriate to celebrate one of it’s most notorious authors, Scotty the Fitz (aka, F. Scott Fitzgerald). And since we are the World’s Laziest Book Club, we’re keeping it short with the 1920 short story that first put the Minnesotan on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, Bernice Bobs Her Hair.
August’s Liturgy
John Hermanson will be back in the liturgical seat (as it were) when he brings back his liturgy entitled, “Is This the Feast of Victory?” John’s liturgy was featured in a recent article in MN Monthly and you can read about it as well as listen to the songs here.
Good News, Bad News Liturgy
For the next few weeks, we are delighted to have Scott Munson leading us with his Good News, Bad News Liturgy. Good News, Bad News is a setting of the Mass that sounds like it was pulled straight from Memphis, so come check it out.
Grace Alworth’s Sermon
On July 4th, Grace Alworth gave the guest sermon. If you missed it due to celebratory explosions and watermelon-eating, you can check it out now.