Mercy Seat http://www.nemercy.org Minneapolis, Minnesota Wed, 16 May 2012 01:24:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Mercy Seat Presents http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-3/ http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-3/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 01:21:57 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1177 On June 3, Mercy Seat is proud to present: Good Diction and Kevin Steinman. Good Diction are a “rhythm-&-blues-grass” band who just released their album, “The Queen’s English” earlier this spring. Kevin Steinman is a singer-songwriter whose 2011 album “Pre-Existing Condition,” the City Pages called one of the best Minnesotan albums of the year. This will be our last Mercy Seat Presents for a few months, so come on out!
Mercy Seat Presents is a monthly music series sponsored by Mercy Seat Lutheran Church. We try to wrangle musicians who write music for us and other musicians that we just like, put them together and have a little soiree every month at the Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.
Good Diction
Kevin Steinman
@ the Aster Cafe
June 3rd
8-10 PM
$5

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-3/feed/ 0 Song of the Earth Mass http://www.nemercy.org/song-of-the-earth-mass-2/ http://www.nemercy.org/song-of-the-earth-mass-2/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 05:08:38 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1174 Chris Koza returns to Mercy Seat for the month of May. He’ll be reprising his Song of the Earth Mass. Chris’s liturgy features his intricate melodies and we’re excited to be led by his wonderful voice again. Listen to a live recording here:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/song-of-the-earth-mass-2/feed/ 0 The Ericksons/Scott Fitzgerald http://www.nemercy.org/the-ericksonsscott-fitzgerald/ http://www.nemercy.org/the-ericksonsscott-fitzgerald/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:52:28 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1157 On May 6th, Mercy Seat Presents The Ericksons and Scott Fitzgerald. The Ericksons are a duo of alt-country singing sisters who have a spectacular album out called “Don’t Be Scared, Don’t Be Alarmed” and another on the way. Scott Fitzgerald is a singer/songwriter who creates sparse and beautiful melodic landscapes.
Mercy Seat Presents is a monthly music series sponsored by Mercy Seat Lutheran Church. We try to wrangle musicians who write music for us and other musicians that we just like, put them together and have a little soiree every month at the Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.
The Ericksons
Scott Fitzgerald
@ the Aster Cafe
May 6th
8-10 PM
$5

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/the-ericksonsscott-fitzgerald/feed/ 0 Mass for the End of the World http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-the-end-of-the-world-2/ http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-the-end-of-the-world-2/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:42:16 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1153 It’s been a Mercy Seat tradition these past few years to celebrate Easter with a little bit of apocalypse. Wes Burdine will take us out of Lent and into celebrating the resurrection with a pop-liturgy called Mass for the End of the World. So come on out on Sunday and let’s get our resurrection on!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-the-end-of-the-world-2/feed/ 0 Easter Eve! http://www.nemercy.org/easter-eve/ http://www.nemercy.org/easter-eve/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:50:05 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1148 That’s right. It’s back and better than ever. Twelve artists, musicians, and writers will interpret 12 great Biblical texts as we wait and watch and celebrate the empty tomb with communion, champagne, and fancy pastries. Saturday, April 7 at 8 pm.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/easter-eve/feed/ 0 Songs in a Lutheran Key http://www.nemercy.org/songs-in-a-lutheran-key/ http://www.nemercy.org/songs-in-a-lutheran-key/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:27:11 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1139 Luther Seminary is hosting a concert and conversation about worship, music and daily life, featuring Lost & Found
(Michael Bridges and George Baum), with special guests Heatherlyn, Handt Hanson
(Prince of Peace, Burnsville) and Ben Kyle and Wes Burdine (Mercy Seat, Minneapolis).
Check out the Facebook event here.
Friday, March 23, 7 pm.
Olson Campus Center, Luther Seminary
2481 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/songs-in-a-lutheran-key/feed/ 0 Ben Kyle & Gospel Machine http://www.nemercy.org/ben-kyle-gospel-machine/ http://www.nemercy.org/ben-kyle-gospel-machine/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:13:44 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1135 On April 1st, Mercy Seat Presents: Ben Kyle and Gospel Machine at the Aster Cafe. Ben Kyle is well-known for fronting the alt-country band Romantica and he’ll be performing a solo set. Gospel Machine is a gospel & soul band consisting of Jayanthi Kyle of Black Audience, Scott Fitzgerald, and Wes Burdine, Jimmy Osterholt, and David Osborn of The Small Cities.
Mercy Seat Presents is a monthly music series sponsored by Mercy Seat Lutheran Church. We try to wrangle musicians who write music for us and other musicians that we just like, put them together and have a little soiree every month at the Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.
Ben Kyle
Gospel Machine
@ the Aster Cafe
April 1st
8-10 PM
$5

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/ben-kyle-gospel-machine/feed/ 0 Sacraments Mass http://www.nemercy.org/sacraments-mass-2/ http://www.nemercy.org/sacraments-mass-2/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:03:04 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1129 Scott Munson will help us continue Lent with his moody and contemplative Sacraments Mass. Instrumentation includes a marching bass drum, violin, effected guitars, designed sounds, church organ, and grand piano. With its enveloping layers of sound this second mass embraces the difficult mysteries of faith and aspires to the sacred in liturgy.
Listen to a live recording:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/sacraments-mass-2/feed/ 0 Mercy Seat Presents http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-2/ http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-2/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:34:07 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1112 On March 4th, Mercy Seat Presents is excited to bring you the music of Dana Thompson and Natalie Lovejoy.
Dana Thompson has received the City Pages’ Best Female Vocalist award, and is a founding member of The Strawdogs, Hot Head Fiasco, Marina Glass, The Minor Planets, as well as fronting her own band, Dana Thompson and the North Coast. She has enjoyed touring the US and Europe in support of her critically-acclaimed first solo record, Ox.
Natalie Lovejoy hails from Hastings, MN and has released two record: “Wish I Could Fall” and “One False Move.”
Mercy Seat Presents is a monthly music series sponsored by Mercy Seat Lutheran Church. We try to wrangle musicians who write music for us and other musicians that we just like, put them together and have a little soiree every month at the Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.
March 4th
8-10PM $5
Dana Thompson
Natalie Lovejoy

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-2/feed/ 0 Return of the Hermanson http://www.nemercy.org/return-of-the-hermanson/ http://www.nemercy.org/return-of-the-hermanson/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:49:04 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1107 John Hermanson returns this Sunday to begin the transition into the Lenten Season. He will be leading us in his fantastic “Is this the Feast of Victory?” liturgy. You can read about it and listen to an interview about it here. Or listen to it below.

Check out some demos of the Is This the Feast of Victory?:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/return-of-the-hermanson/feed/ 0 Mercy Seat Presents: Black Audience/GST http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-black-audiencegst/ http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-black-audiencegst/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:40:02 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1101 In February, Black Audience returns to Mercy Seat Presents. Jayanthi Kyle fronts the band that draws from old gospel music, 60s folk, and anything else they can get their hands on. Behind Jayanthi is Robin Kyle of Valet, Tony Paul (KFAI radio host and MPLS Reggae icon), Jon Davis on bass and bass clarinet, and Doug Anderson on banjo.
The Greg Schaefer Trio will be opening the night. The St. Cloud Times described the jazz trio as “Take the raw approach of punk and apply it to the normally refined genre of jazz music. That’s the essence of Twin Cities instrumental band GST, and a more unlikely musical combination you’re not likely to find.” Punk and jazz.
Mercy Seat Presents is a monthly music series sponsored by Mercy Seat Lutheran Church. We try to wrangle musicians who write music for us and other musicians that we just like, put them together and have a little soiree every month at the Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.
Black Audience
Greg Schaefer Trio
February 12th, 8-10 PM
$5

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents-black-audiencegst/feed/ 0 Schaefer Gives Thanks http://www.nemercy.org/schaefer-gives-thanks/ http://www.nemercy.org/schaefer-gives-thanks/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:23:56 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1098 Greg Schaefer will be debuting his new Thanksgiving Liturgy this January. While Schaefer’s Agnes Liturgy played to his love of jazz, the Thanksgiving liturgy picks up with a rootsy feeling of punk brevity. He plays a banjo, that’s right, dig it: a banjo. For the debut, Greg will be joined by:
Dana Thompson (Minor Planets) – vocals / guitar
Drew Miller (Boiled in Lead, Felonious Bosch) – bass
Grant Johnson (Bitter Spills) – guitar
Greg Schaefer (GST) – banjo

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/schaefer-gives-thanks/feed/ 0 Thanksgiving Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/thanksgiving-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/thanksgiving-liturgy/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:17:22 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1096 Greg Schaefer composed the Thanksgiving Liturgy on banjo the Saturday after the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday. The title is in reference to the holiday but not confined to it, because every day of life can be Thanksgiving. By it’s nature the banjo gives the songs a rootsy feel, but the intention was the punk rock rock style of short concise simple songs.

I’m thrilled to have assembled an all star ensemble for the liturgy’s debut:
Dana Thompson (Minor Planets) – vocals / guitar
Drew Miller (Boiled in Lead, Felonious Bosch) – bass
Grant Johnson (Bitter Spills) – guitar
Greg Schaefer (GST) – banjo

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/thanksgiving-liturgy/feed/ 0 Making Mercy Seat Work http://www.nemercy.org/making-mercy-seat-work/ http://www.nemercy.org/making-mercy-seat-work/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:01:24 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1091 In the past, when pledge-time came around, Mercy Seat would take the public radio route: “supporting us is the equivalent of a latte with 3 raw sugars and a mega-depth charge a day!” But in more recent history, we’ve started thinking about things differently. Mercy Seat isn’t your typical non-profit, nor your typical church. It’s a place where people come together and make redemption happen. The tricky part is where I insert money into this equation, but in all aspects, Mercy Seat is only as much as the people who go there make of it. When we gather at the table, it is whatever 4 people who stand up first who help in the sacraments. When we put together a fundraiser, the ideas come from the congregants. And so when it comes to playing Mark and Kae or commissioning our fantastic liturgies, it is all of us who scrounge together and make Mercy Seat happen.
So here’s the pitch: every year we ask people to think about what they can afford and pledge money to make Mercy Seat work. This year the Committee of the Future and the pastors came up with an un-padded amount of what it costs to run Mercy Seat for a year. It’s $149,000 and includes paying for our music ministry, rent, childhood ministries, missions, and our pastors’ salaries (That’s right, you just read “pastors’ salaries” – plural – because this year we want to commit to paying our beloved pastor Mark a portion of the salary he has not been taking). After receiving support from other sources, we need to raise $121,000. We divided the big budget number up into what we call “shares” to make it easy to understand how an individual can do their part to help us meet our budget goal. If 130 people give a share worth $18 a week ($78 a month) we will reach our budget goal. Of course, give what you are able despite the share scale. As you might have guessed, you are more than welcome to give multiple shares or even old-school tithe!

If you have pledged shares in the past, don’t forget to renew your pledge this year so we can add your shares to our total.

Also, consider automatic giving using Thrivent Simply Giving. It just takes filling out a form and including a voided check. Automatic giving not only enables us to have a predictable budget, it has allowed us to change the way we give during our worship services.

Finally, thank you. It is not an exaggeration to say that you’re what makes Mercy Seat work. I firmly believe that this place is special and I hope you join me in making sure Mercy Seat continues to make redemption happen.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/making-mercy-seat-work/feed/ 0 New Year, Old Gospel http://www.nemercy.org/new-year-old-gospel/ http://www.nemercy.org/new-year-old-gospel/#comments Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:41:52 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1085 We’re kicking off 2012 with some soul and gospel music. We wanted to celebrate the new year, so we chose the celebration of Reunion Day Mass, a Wes Burdine liturgy of the gospel band The Gospel Machine. The band features Jayanthi Kyle (Black Audience), Scott Fitzgerald, and The Small Cities’ members: Wes Burdine, Jimmy Osterholt, and David Osborn. You can listen to the liturgy below.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/new-year-old-gospel/feed/ 0 Zoo Animal/The Small Cities http://www.nemercy.org/holly-newsomthe-small-cities/ http://www.nemercy.org/holly-newsomthe-small-cities/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:00:25 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1079 Mercy Seat Presents returns in 2012 with some good ole fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. Zoo Animal will be taking your minds, autographing them, then repackaging them into your skulls in what most people would refer to as a “musical performance,” but we call science. Holly Newsom, known for being awesome, will be debuting the new Zoo Animal lineup, featuring (we can only assume) a Zebra on bass and a platypus on drums. The Small Cities will also be playing. The Small Cities are a four-piece rock outfit who have signed legally binding contracts to not melt faces with their rock. Instead, they will turn down to 11 and lull you into a gentle state of having been rocked. Both bands have written and played music for Mercy Seat and so we are delighted to work with them again.
Mercy Seat Presents is a monthly music series sponsored by Mercy Seat Lutheran Church. We try to wrangle musicians who write music for us and other musicians that we just like, put them together and have a little soiree every month at the Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.
Holly Newsom
The Small Cities
Aster Cafe
January 8, 8-10 PM
$5

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/holly-newsomthe-small-cities/feed/ 0 Chris Koza/Chord and the Fawn http://www.nemercy.org/chris-kozachord-and-the-fawn/ http://www.nemercy.org/chris-kozachord-and-the-fawn/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:56:26 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1072 Ladies and Gentlemen, Turkeys and Strongbow Cans: Mercy Seat Presents is proud to bring you a double bill of Chris Koza and Chord and the Fawn at the Aster Cafe on December 4th, 8-10 PM. You might have heard of them since they are, you know, kind of a big deal. Chris Koza, whose band Rogue Valley now owns majority stocks in 89.3 The Current, will be appearing in full regalia. By full regalia, I believe that means he will be playing guitar and singing. And to prepare you for this solo appearance will be Chord and the Fawn, a band that was once just two girls with a ukelele and melodica that has now multiplied into a 7-piece extravaganza.
Mercy Seat Presents is a monthly music series sponsored by Mercy Seat Lutheran Church. We try to wrangle musicians who write music for us and other musicians that we just like, put them together and have a little soiree every month at the Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis.
Chris Koza
Chord and the Fawn
Aster Cafe
December 4th, 8-10 PM
$5

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/chris-kozachord-and-the-fawn/feed/ 0 Christmas with Ben Kyle http://www.nemercy.org/christmas-with-ben-kyle/ http://www.nemercy.org/christmas-with-ben-kyle/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:47:53 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1068 It’s that time of year: snow flakes on the ground (well, kind of), cider on the stove, and Ben Kyle singing. Yes, folks, Advent is here and that means Ben Kyle will be joining us for his Massa Deux liturgy. If that isn’t enough for you, he’ll be joined by J.T. Bates of Fat Kid Wednesdays, Jimmy Osterholt of The Small Cities, and Linnea Mohn from Rogue Valley. Peace on Earth and beautiful music.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/christmas-with-ben-kyle/feed/ 0 Forest Russell Lewis http://www.nemercy.org/forest-russel-lewis/ http://www.nemercy.org/forest-russel-lewis/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:21:40 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1049 On November 20th, The World’s Laziest Book Club (TM) will be reading “He’s Not Possessed, He’s My Husband!” from our own Forest Russell Lewis. Forest has written loads of short stories, including a couple that have been read as liturgical responses at Mercy Seat holiday events. You might recognize Forest as the tall, attractive, enigmatic fellow wearing Carharts and a log-chain belt.
Book Club director Cody Menning will be circulating the story to the book club email list this month. If you’re not on the list, talk to Cody at church or email him here: codymenning at gmail dot com.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/forest-russel-lewis/feed/ 0 Liturgical Debut http://www.nemercy.org/liturgical-debut/ http://www.nemercy.org/liturgical-debut/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:48:45 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1025 In October and November, Scott Munson will debut his brand-spankin’ new mass, The Middle America Mass. In contrast to some of his lush masses, The Middle America Mass is sparsely arranged and contemplative. You can read more about the mass.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/liturgical-debut/feed/ 0 The Middle America Mass http://www.nemercy.org/the-middle-america-mass/ http://www.nemercy.org/the-middle-america-mass/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:42:19 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1021 Scott debuted this mass in October 2011. In his own words:
The Middle America Mass was composed during a season of recovery from an overseas automobile accident that left me unable to play music or work for a number of months. Mercy Seat kept me afloat during that season, providing for me physically, financially, spiritually, and emotionally. As I returned to playing music again I wrote this mass for Mercy Seat. The music calls out quietly from the place that we call home – a spare, honest sound in a large, open space.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/the-middle-america-mass/feed/ 0 The Cactus Blossoms/Scott Fitzgerald http://www.nemercy.org/the-cactus-blossomsscott-fitzgerald/ http://www.nemercy.org/the-cactus-blossomsscott-fitzgerald/#comments Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:31:16 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1015 Mercy Seat Presents returns on November 6th with local country stars The Cactus Blossoms and our very own Scott Fitzgerald. Mercy Seat Presents is a recurring music series on the first Sunday of every month put on at the Aster Cafe featuring musicians who play at Mercy Seat, are friends of people who play at Mercy Seat, or are just really great. The Cactus Blossoms will be joining us hot off their record release at the Ritz Theater. To learn more about them read the glowing City Pages story or listen to the MPR story. Then check out the facebook event page. November 6th, 8-10PM, $5, all ages.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/the-cactus-blossomsscott-fitzgerald/feed/ 0 BLOOD! http://www.nemercy.org/blood/ http://www.nemercy.org/blood/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:23:05 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1010 October means it’s time for some classic horror once again! This month’s edition of The World’s Laziest Book Club will find us at Brad and Heidi’s house discussing Bram Stoker’s, “Dracula” on Sunday the 16th.
Looking forward to next month, we are a go to read an original work by our own Forest Lewis. He has a few options for us and wants to know what genre we are interested in reading.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/blood/feed/ 0 Reunion Day Mass http://www.nemercy.org/reunion-day-mass/ http://www.nemercy.org/reunion-day-mass/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:13:40 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=1003 Wes Burdine returns in October armed with gospel and soul music. Last year, he debuted the Reunion Day Mass and now he’s back with Jayanthi, Scott, David, and Jimmy. Listen to some live recordings below.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/reunion-day-mass/feed/ 0 September Book Club http://www.nemercy.org/september-book-club/ http://www.nemercy.org/september-book-club/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:41:28 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=995 The World’s Laziest Book Club (TM) meets again on September 18th. We will be reading (or in Rev. Mark’s case “reading”) My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/september-book-club/feed/ 0 Mercy Seat Presents http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents/ http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:35:54 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=990 On October 2nd, Mercy Seat will debut its Mercy Seat Presents, a show to happen on the first Sunday of every month at Aster Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis. Romantica and Black Audience inaugurate the series with their show, October 2nd 8-10 PM. The show is all ages and cover is $5. Our goal is simple: let’s get together and watch some of our favorite musicians.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-presents/feed/ 0 Koza in September http://www.nemercy.org/koza-in-september/ http://www.nemercy.org/koza-in-september/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:28:51 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=985 September 14th marks the return of Chris Koza–International Man of Pop Music Mystery and front man of Rogue Valley–to Mercy Seat with his Song of the Earth Mass. Last year, Koza debuted his liturgy and this year he’s back with some new instrumentation and backing band.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/koza-in-september/feed/ 0 From Jazz to Bluegrass http://www.nemercy.org/from-jazz-to-bluegrass/ http://www.nemercy.org/from-jazz-to-bluegrass/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:34:49 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=981 From jazz to bluegrass. This August, we will have Greg Schaefer returning with his Agnes Liturgy, an eclectic jazz take on the traditional mass. Then, we have Rob Martin leading us in the Mountain Vespers, an original bluegrass Vespers written by Kent Gustavson. Click below to read more about the Mountain Vespers.
The New Holden Evening Prayer, Written for Holden Village in Winter 2000-2001 Commissioned by Holden Village in 2000, this Mountain Vespers has been used in the regular worship cycle at Holden Village and loved by thousands of individuals and churches from around the country alongside the Marty Haugen Holden Evening Prayer of 1986. Use this New Holden Evening Prayer with your church, youth group, or special event. Perfect for Lent or retreats! A traditional Vespers in the folk style. Fun and easy to play and sing for everyone! “O God, you have called us To ventures where we cannot see the end, By paths never yet taken, through perils unknown. Give us good courage, not knowing where we go, To know that your hand is leading us, Wherever we might go. Amen.”

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/from-jazz-to-bluegrass/feed/ 0 Ender’s Game http://www.nemercy.org/enders-game/ http://www.nemercy.org/enders-game/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:16:10 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=976 In honor of summer, Hollywood blockbusters, Comic-Con, and reading for fun, this months book club is going to venture out into the uncharted territories of Science Fiction. In August, the World’s Laziest Book Club (TM) will be reading Orson Scott Card’s Hugo and Nebula award winning novel, Ender’s Game. Book club will be on the 21st this time around and their might even be a place for us
to meet this time.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/enders-game/feed/ 0 BBQ This Sunday http://www.nemercy.org/bbq-this-sunday/ http://www.nemercy.org/bbq-this-sunday/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:47:52 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=960 There is a free BBQ this Sunday (24th) after church. Just come to church, hang out, and eat. That sounds easy, right. The good news is that it won’t be 1000 degrees.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/bbq-this-sunday/feed/ 0 Resonance is Coming http://www.nemercy.org/resonance-is-coming/ http://www.nemercy.org/resonance-is-coming/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:19:45 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=951 In July we welcome a brand-new liturgy from the absolutely spectacular Holly Newsom. Newsom heads up the minimalist rock band Zoo Animal, who have taken over the Twin Cities music scene. Resonance will mesmerize us all with its meditative minimalism. Read Minnesota Public Radio’s take on Newsom’s Zoo Animal and you can read a little more about Resonance.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/resonance-is-coming/feed/ 0 Holly Newsom http://www.nemercy.org/holly-newsom/ http://www.nemercy.org/holly-newsom/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:11:53 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=947 The City Pages said it best:

Newsom’s voice is the hook. Hazy and laced with vintage twang, it almost whispers at the end of some phrases, while contrarily resonating with power and conviction at others. She may be only 23, but there’s an old soul residing beneath that ribcage.

As the front of the Twin Cities minimalist rock band, Zoo Animal, Newsom has received quite a lot of attention in the last few years. Her presence on stage is enthralling, her voice carries shock, and her song-writing is mesmeric. Holly brings her liturgy Resonance to Mercy Seat in July 2011.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/holly-newsom/feed/ 0 Resonance http://www.nemercy.org/resonance/ http://www.nemercy.org/resonance/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:04:04 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=944 In July 2011 Holly Newsom (of Zoo Animal) will debut the meditative and minimal liturgy called Resonance. As Holly describes it,

I’ve really been learning sometimes you have to position yourself so that you resonate with the truth. At first it may not feel natural, but once you allow yourself to relax, your being becomes in sync with the spirit and you find yourself able to move freely in the truth and it doesn’t feel binding. I used very minimal, repetitive notions musically in this liturgy to give the mind room to concentrate on it’s own being and how it is relating to Christ. It is meant to allow the partaker to meditate on the words and how real they are.

Listen to live recordings of the debut:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/resonance/feed/ 0 Vox Humana Mass http://www.nemercy.org/community-mass/ http://www.nemercy.org/community-mass/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:27:24 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=922 Vox Humana Mass was envisioned as an occasional liturgy by Wes Burdine that would try to incorporate more members of the church community in creating the music for the liturgies. It is an a capella composition with roots in blues (a la Nina Simone), Eastern Orthodox liturgical singing, and traditional ballads.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/community-mass/feed/ 0 Mercy Seat NE for NoMi http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-ne-for-nomi/ http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-ne-for-nomi/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:21:27 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=908 Mercy Seat loves its community and its neighbors. We are saddened to see the amount of pain and trouble caused by the recent tornadoes in North Minneapolis, just across the river from us.

Will you join us helping our neighbors in NoMi to recover from the damage caused by the recent tornadoes? Every contribution helps!

http://givemn.razoo.com/story/MercySeatNEforNoMi

All donations will go to the Minneapolis Foundation‘s North Minneapolis Tornado Recovery fund.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mercy-seat-ne-for-nomi/feed/ 0 Massa is Back http://www.nemercy.org/massa-is-back/ http://www.nemercy.org/massa-is-back/#comments Tue, 31 May 2011 15:16:43 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=905 This Sunday Ben Kyle returns and will be leading our liturgies for the entire month of June. So cancel your summer vacations and get on down to Mercy Seat to hear Massa. But if that doesn’t convince you, you can listen to Massa here and get hooked:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/massa-is-back/feed/ 0 Book Club Two-fer http://www.nemercy.org/book-club-two-fer/ http://www.nemercy.org/book-club-two-fer/#comments Fri, 27 May 2011 19:18:37 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=895 The World’s Laziest Book Club™ is going to be a two-for-one in July.  We will be reading “Let the Great World Spin,” by Colum McCann and watching James Marsh’s documentary “Man on Wire.”  Both the book and the documentary revolve around Philippe Petit’s wire walk between the World Trade Center towers in 1974.  We will be meeting on Sunday, July 17, after church. ]]> http://www.nemercy.org/book-club-two-fer/feed/ 0 Persepolis http://www.nemercy.org/885/ http://www.nemercy.org/885/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 15:55:32 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=885 This week the World’s Laziest Book Club­­™ will discuss Marjane Satrapi’s classic graphic novel, Persepolis (or the Movie version – whatever you have time for). Persepolis tells the tale of a young girl trying to grow up punk-rock in 1970s Iran, amid the very unpunk-rock disturbances of the cultural revolution. Pick up a copy at 1/2 Price Books now and you can totally read it, like, Sunday afternoon before church.

We’ll meet after church at Stephanie Johnson’s house. Get directions at church.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/885/feed/ 0 Is This the Feast of Victory? http://www.nemercy.org/is-this-the-feast-of-victory/ http://www.nemercy.org/is-this-the-feast-of-victory/#comments Tue, 03 May 2011 14:44:39 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=880 The permanently fantastic John Hermanson returns to the shores of Northeast for three Sundays in May. He debuted his liturgy, “Is This the Feast of Victory?” last August and now we are delighted to have him back. John plays in the bands Storyhill and Alva Star as well as having once played in the now-defunct (but still amazing) The Hopefuls.

Listen to an interview with John Hermanson:

Check out some demos of the Is This the Feast of Victory?:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/is-this-the-feast-of-victory/feed/ 0 Holy Week http://www.nemercy.org/holy-week/ http://www.nemercy.org/holy-week/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:15:28 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=860 We have beaucoup de events going on this weekend for Holy Week.
On Friday we will have a low-key Tenebrae service starting at 8 PM.
Then we kick it up a notch (Bam!)* for the Easter vigil on Saturday night at 8 PM. This is something many of us look forward to every year. We will have 13 artists who have created 13 interpretations of 13 texts. Afterward, there will be champagne, soda, and snacks. Some might even say we will have fancy pastries.
Finally, escape your families and come out for Easter with Wes Burdine and the Mass for the End of the World. That’s right, let’s celebrate the resurrection with some eschatological pop music.

*I have been told, by my own conscience, that using an Emeril reference is not topical, nor is it funny.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/holy-week/feed/ 0 It’s the End of the World http://www.nemercy.org/its-the-end-of-the-world/ http://www.nemercy.org/its-the-end-of-the-world/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:10:07 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=863 Yes folks, it’s time for our favorite eschatological musical celebration. Grab your emergency kit and a box of twinkies and join us for 3 crazy weeks of Wes Burdine’s Mass for the End of the World. For added measure, you can listen to the mass here.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/its-the-end-of-the-world/feed/ 0 Good News Bad News Returns http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-returns/ http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-returns/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:13:25 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=857 Scott Munson and Co return this week for the Good News Bad News Mass. You can listen to the liturgy and read more about it here. Let’s get to celebrating the warm weather.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-returns/feed/ 0 The Life You Can Save http://www.nemercy.org/the-life-you-can-save/ http://www.nemercy.org/the-life-you-can-save/#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:51:00 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=850 Acting Now To End World Poverty.

That’s the subtitle to Peter Singer’s 2009 Manefesto on affluence, poverty, and giving. Ambitious? Yes. Plausible? Perhaps. Insane? Let’s find out. The third Sunday of each month Mercy Seat meets for some postchurch textual healing. This month’s author has taken his 40 year career in bioethics and turned it on humans in The Life You Can Save. Grab your copy now ($3 used on Amazon) and meet us on April 17. (Location TBD)

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/the-life-you-can-save/feed/ 0 If It’s Good Enough for Joe Biden http://www.nemercy.org/if-its-good-enough-for-joe-biden/ http://www.nemercy.org/if-its-good-enough-for-joe-biden/#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:14:13 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=846 This Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Holy Lent. That means, party down on Tuesday, because there’s gonna be some fasting coming up. On Wednesday, Mercy Seat will be holding a brief service for Ash Wednesday. It will be 8 PM in our regular space.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/if-its-good-enough-for-joe-biden/feed/ 0 Benificence Fund http://www.nemercy.org/benificence-fund/ http://www.nemercy.org/benificence-fund/#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:33:03 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=841 Our friend, fellow parishioner, and also one of our liturgists Scott Munson is still recovering from a car accident in India that has left him unable to work. To help him out, we have set up a special place for you to donate as little or much as you are able to help him through the next few months.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/benificence-fund/feed/ 0 Agnes http://www.nemercy.org/agnes/ http://www.nemercy.org/agnes/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:27:37 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=832 This Sunday, we’re back with a snowless vengeance! Come on out as Greg Schaefer leads us in his fantastic jazz liturgy, Agnes. Word on the street is that Greg has been learning the banjo. If you’re good, he’ll perform dueling banjos with a tuba as the other banjo. But that’s only if you behave.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/agnes/feed/ 0 Snow Day! http://www.nemercy.org/snow-day/ http://www.nemercy.org/snow-day/#comments Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:12:36 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=824 Mercy Seat Worship Service and World’s Laziest Book Club canceled, Sunday 2/20. Stay home, be safe, and enjoy the snow day with your friends and family.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/snow-day/feed/ 0 Brandywine http://www.nemercy.org/brandywine/ http://www.nemercy.org/brandywine/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:06:18 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=819 This February Wes Burdine returns with his oh-so-pretty Brandywine Mass. If you’re not familiar with how we do this liturgy thing here, let me lay some knowledge on you. For over three years Mercy Seat has been asking some of our favorite local musicians to take on the ancient liturgy and breathe new life into it. In that time we’ve commissioned more than a dozen compositions. Every month or so we feature a different setting, lead by the composer, for the whole month. Current composers in circulation include Ben Kyle of Romantica, Chris Koza of Rogue Valley, John Hermanson of Story Hill, John Pemberton, Greg Schaefer, and our own Scott Munson. This month’s composer, Wes Burdine (also our liturgy coordinator), moonlights as an English PhD and as lead guitarist for The Small Cities, who also serve as his backing band on another liturgy of his, The Mass for the End of the World. Wes is accompanied this month by Linnea Mohn, also of Rogue Valley (and a bajillion other projects). Stay tuned for more exciting additions to the Mercy Music Entourage, including a brand new liturgy coming this Spring from Holly Newsom of Zoo Animal.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/brandywine/feed/ 0 Brandywine Mass http://www.nemercy.org/brandywine-mass-2/ http://www.nemercy.org/brandywine-mass-2/#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:46:35 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=803 Come out this Sunday for the Brandywine Mass and 4th Annual Air show! Yes, that’s right, we’re going to have the Jesus Blimp (TM), gliders, and all sorts of flying things for after church. And that’s not all, Wes Burdine will be returning with the Brandywine Mass. Who knows? Maybe Amelia Earhart will make an appearance!*

*Barring unusual circumstances, Amelia Earhart will not be making an appearance.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/brandywine-mass-2/feed/ 0 A Wrinkle in March http://www.nemercy.org/a-wrinkle-in-february/ http://www.nemercy.org/a-wrinkle-in-february/#comments Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:33:26 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=796 Update: Since the weather didn’t quite behave for us, we have pushed this book club to the third Sunday of March (the 20th). It will be at Brad and Heidi’s. If you haven’t met them yet, they’re great (we promise).

The World’s Laziest Book Club® goes back (forward? sideways?) in time this month. Join us in returning to everyone’s favorite book from 5th grade*, Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. As always, book club meets on the third Sunday (2/20), after church. Location TBD.

*as determined by an informal poll of everyone within 18” of my desk

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/a-wrinkle-in-february/feed/ 0 Sacraments Mass http://www.nemercy.org/sacrements-mass/ http://www.nemercy.org/sacrements-mass/#comments Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:47:16 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=784 This January we celebrate Scott Munson’s (mostly) safe return from abroad with a month of his Sacraments Mass. Not only is this a beautiful and beautifully orchestrated setting of the liturgy, but also Scott really needs something to do while he’s laid up and recovering. So come worship with us this month, if for nothing else, to help Scott feel better. Preview Scott’s compositions here.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/sacrements-mass/feed/ 0 January’s Masses http://www.nemercy.org/januarys-masses/ http://www.nemercy.org/januarys-masses/#comments Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:19:51 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=780 It’s a new year and this one is going to be fantastic (and due to our prophetic abilities, we can promise it!). In January, we’ll have Scott Munson back with his Sacraments Mass, but due to an injury he sustained whilst performing an act of daredevilry, he’ll be starting up on January 9th.
This Sunday (the 2nd) Wes Burdine will lead us with his Brandywine Mass, a contemplative, piano-led liturgy. You can read about it here.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/januarys-masses/feed/ 0 Oh Snow! http://www.nemercy.org/oh-snow/ http://www.nemercy.org/oh-snow/#comments Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:45:38 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=759 Dear Mercy Seat-ians, our 5 o’clock service tonight (12/12) is CANCELLED. Ben Kyle and his band are stuck in Belvedere, Illinois and the streets of Northeast are still covered in more than a foot of snow. Stay home and be safe and warm. And know you are loved.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/oh-snow/feed/ 0 Carols and Parties http://www.nemercy.org/carols-and-parties/ http://www.nemercy.org/carols-and-parties/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:28:11 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=750 That’s right, caroling. On Sunday December 19th, Mercy Seat will be having a Christmas Party at Thad and Carmen’s house in Northeast. Wear velvet, drink nog, and possibly a world famous Thad-hattan. Before the party gets underway, though, Mercy Seat is going to get it’s carol on, bringing our Yuletide cheer throughout the Northeast Minneapolis. Here’s how it will go down:
On Sunday, December 12th: those interested in caroling can stick around after church where Jayanthi Kyle and Wes Burdine will lead our practice session.
On Sunday, December 19th: After church, the carolers will hit the streets of Northeast, wandering their way in the snow toward Thad and Carmen’s. Or, if caroling isn’t your thing, you can head right over to Thad and Carmen’s. Please, though, don’t drink all the nog.
Here are directions to Thad and Carmen’s.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/carols-and-parties/feed/ 0 We Did It! http://www.nemercy.org/can-you-spare-a-share/ http://www.nemercy.org/can-you-spare-a-share/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:47:19 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=739 UPDATE: That’s right, kids and animals, Mercy Seat has more than met the pledges needed for our budget! Thanks to everyone. This is going to be the best year yet! If you still need to pledge or want to sign up for automatic withdrawal (our budget committee loves it when you do that), you can still do so.

This year, we’re asking you to take ownership in this little church of ours by investing in it. $16/week = 1 share of Mercy Seat. All we need to meet our financial goals this year is 100 shares. That’s it. That’ll cover pastors, childcare workers, musicians, composers, rent, and everything that makes Mercy Seat happen. So how ’bout it. Can you spare a share? Or 2? Or 10? Some people have even told us they want to hear about tithing (yikes!) at Mercy Seat. If you’re into that sort of thing, check your program scorecard this Sunday for a handy guide to giving at Mercy Seat.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/can-you-spare-a-share/feed/ 0 Massa for Advent http://www.nemercy.org/massa-for-advent/ http://www.nemercy.org/massa-for-advent/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:08:02 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=731 This Sunday Ben Kyle of Romantica returns to Mercy Seat with his alt-country-tastic Massa liturgy. Ben gave us the first of our Pop liturgies back in 2007 and we still haven’t gotten enough of it. Join us for worship this Sunday and throughout the holiday season and participate in this uncommonly beautiful work of sacred music.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/massa-for-advent/feed/ 0 Book Club gets ambitious http://www.nemercy.org/book-club-gets-ambitious/ http://www.nemercy.org/book-club-gets-ambitious/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:52:10 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=725 Don’t let the holiday break fool you. The World’s Laziest Book Club™ may be taking December off, but we return in rare form after the new year. The third Sunday in January we will indulge our collective Seasonal Affective Disorder with a discussion of The Brother’s Karamozov. That’s right. THE Brother’s K (not the other book by that hack, Duncan). Nothin’ says wintertime cheer like a good ol’ Russian novel. So mark your calendars early and crack open that dusty old copy from college with the post-it still on page 52. You can do it this time. I believe in you. This month’s discussion will be lead by Cody Menning at la casa de Laura Brown.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/book-club-gets-ambitious/feed/ 0 November Book Club http://www.nemercy.org/november-book-club/ http://www.nemercy.org/november-book-club/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:38:01 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=719 This month the World’s Laziest Book Club (TM) will be heading over to Tseganesh and Matthew’s place after church to talk about the social psychology of mass movements while, you know, socializing en masse. And eating hot dish! Because, you know, the best midwestern mass movement of all = covering all food with a layer of tater tots. It’d be nice if some of you brought dessert or drinks or something, too. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the book, Rev. Mark certainly hasn’t and that won’t stop him from talking about it.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/november-book-club/feed/ 0 Mass of Massa http://www.nemercy.org/mass-of-massa/ http://www.nemercy.org/mass-of-massa/#comments Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:36:29 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=709 This Sunday Ben Kyle of Romantica returns to Mercy Seat with his alt-country-tastic Massa liturgy. Ben gave us the first of our Pop liturgies back in 2007 and we still haven’t gotten enough of it. Join us this Sunday as Ben closes out Masses for the Masses, Mercy Seat’s seven week celebration of the boundless creative energy bubbling out of our little church in the city.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mass-of-massa/feed/ 0 Return of the End of the World http://www.nemercy.org/return-of-the-end-of-the-world/ http://www.nemercy.org/return-of-the-end-of-the-world/#comments Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:37:30 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=703 For week six of our liturgy extravaganza, Wes Burdine returns with his Mass for the End of the World, the first of at least four liturgies he has composed for Mercy Seat. Backed by The Small Cities and featuring Linnea Mohn, Wes’s liturgy delivers some knock-your-socks-off pop grooves and Beach Boys harmonies for days and days. Wes has also lead the congregation with his intimate Brandywine Mass, a tambourine shakin’ soul liturgy, and a playful acapella arrangement. Next week Romantica’s Ben Kyle closes out the Masses for the Masses with the first of our pop liturgies, the Massa Liturgy.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/return-of-the-end-of-the-world/feed/ 0 Scott Munson http://www.nemercy.org/scott-randall-munson/ http://www.nemercy.org/scott-randall-munson/#comments Tue, 26 Oct 2010 03:47:48 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=688 This week we again welcome our own Scott Randal Munson to the microphone. Scott has been a part of Mercy Seat since the beginning and has been twice commissioned to reset the ancient liturgy. This week Scott returns with his second setting, the Sacraments Mass, a lush, textured composition reminiscent of Sigur Ros or the Beach Boys, in that order. Don’t miss it!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/scott-randall-munson/feed/ 0 Week Four http://www.nemercy.org/week-four/ http://www.nemercy.org/week-four/#comments Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:11:02 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=682 This week we welcome back the indomitable (yes, I just called him that) John Hermanson as part of week four of Masses for the Masses. John is part of the folk-duo Storyhill as well as being in Alva Star. But you know this, because that’s why I called him indomitable. To read more about the liturgy, listen to an interview with John, and listen to live recordings of the liturgy, click here.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/week-four/feed/ 0 Food Drive this week http://www.nemercy.org/food/ http://www.nemercy.org/food/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:17:08 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=676 The Little Kitchen Food Shelf operates out of the Grace Center for Community Life and serves local families in need. Right now, they’re going through hard times themselves and are in immediate need of donations. Mercy Seat is going to try to do our part by running a food drive.
Please bring donations to the Sunday service or drop them off earlier at the Grace Center. Requested items include: canned vegetables (corn, green beans, black beans, kidney beans, peas, & diced tomatoes), canned fruit, unsweetened condensed milk, canned spaghetti sauce, tuna, canned chicken, personal hygiene items, diapers, & Enfamil baby formula. We are currently well stocked on mac & cheese and pasta. Having multiples of goods makes filling orders easier, so donating a single item in bulk is a great option.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/food/feed/ 0 Pemberton Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/pemberton-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/pemberton-liturgy/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:11:34 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=667 Jon Pemberton will be reprising his absolutely fantastic jazz liturgy on Sunday the 17th. Jon’s liturgies were the first commissioned for Mercy Seat and we have missed them dearly. Joining him will be J.T. Bates and Mike Lewis of Fat Kid Wednesdays. All this comes as week three of Masses for the Masses will be kicked off in style. See you on Sunday!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/pemberton-liturgy/feed/ 0 October Book Club http://www.nemercy.org/october-book-club/ http://www.nemercy.org/october-book-club/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:03:48 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=663 In October the World’s Laziest Book Club™ is going all monster. Well, one monster. We will be reading (or not reading and yet still talking about) Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and we’ll be doing it in spooky St. Paul. Ruth Rosengren will be hosting at her apartment in St. Paul and she promises: harvest chicken stew, potato leek soup, hearty bread and yummy cheeses. Very, um, spooky. The World’s Laziest Book Club™will be held after church on Sunday the 17th.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/october-book-club/feed/ 0 Song of the Earth Mass http://www.nemercy.org/song-of-the-earth-mass/ http://www.nemercy.org/song-of-the-earth-mass/#comments Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:53:58 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=661 Week Two of Masses for the Masses sees the return of Chris Koza to Mercy Seat. Minty-fresh from his conquest of the Western World, Koza will reprise his liturgical role, leading us in his original Song of the Earth Mass. You can read all about the liturgy, hear snippets, and an interview with Chris about music and being an all-around fantastic guy here. Come on out at 5PM and check it out.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/song-of-the-earth-mass/feed/ 0 Masses for the Masses http://www.nemercy.org/masses-for-the-masses/ http://www.nemercy.org/masses-for-the-masses/#comments Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:58:52 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=619 7 artists, doing 7 settings of the Lutheran Mass, on 7 Sundays. Starting October 3rd, Mercy Seat will be having all of their liturgists come in for seven weeks of liturgizing (not a word, I know). What it means is that for a month and a half, Mercy Seat will be playing host to some of the Twin Cities’ best musicians who have done something special: they’ve taken an old, beautiful tradition of our church and put a new voice to it. We’re pretty proud of their work and we hope you are to.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/masses-for-the-masses/feed/ 0 Agnes Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/week-1-of-masses-for-the-masses/ http://www.nemercy.org/week-1-of-masses-for-the-masses/#comments Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:50:38 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=640 Greg Schaefer will be kicking off our 7 week celebration of 7 different liturgists who have created their own settings for the Lutheran Mass. Greg’s Agnes Liturgy places the mass in a jazz setting, backed by a guitar and horns, and sung by Dana Thompson (of Hothead Fiasco and Minor Planets). Come on out and let’s kick this Masses for the Masses off in style!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/week-1-of-masses-for-the-masses/feed/ 0 Reunion Day Mass http://www.nemercy.org/septembers-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/septembers-liturgy/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:57:07 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=598 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. Listen to live recordings below.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/septembers-liturgy/feed/ 0 Reunion Day Mass http://www.nemercy.org/mass-gospel/ http://www.nemercy.org/mass-gospel/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:53:02 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=595 The Reunion Day Mass 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.

Take a listen to some live recordings from the debut of the Reunion Day Mass.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mass-gospel/feed/ 0 Sept. Book Club http://www.nemercy.org/sept-book-club/ http://www.nemercy.org/sept-book-club/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 02:25:45 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=587 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.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/sept-book-club/feed/ 0 August’s Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/augusts-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/augusts-liturgy/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:33:43 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=582 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.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/augusts-liturgy/feed/ 0 Good News Bad News Mass http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-liturgy/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:12:15 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=572 For the next few weeks, we are delighted to have Scott Munson leading us with his Good News Bad News Mass. Good News Bad News is a setting of the Mass that sounds like it was pulled straight from Memphis, so come check it out.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-liturgy/feed/ 0 Grace Alworth’s Sermon http://www.nemercy.org/grace-alworths-sermon/ http://www.nemercy.org/grace-alworths-sermon/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:20:29 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=565 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.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/grace-alworths-sermon/feed/ 0 The Big Move http://www.nemercy.org/the-big-move/ http://www.nemercy.org/the-big-move/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:51:29 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=561 Mercy Seat has a new home. We’re settling down and moving into a new building and this time we’re going to start putting down some roots. Here are the essentials: our first Sunday in the new building is July 18th. The address is 1500 6th St. NE, Minneapolis.
Now for the longer version. We want to reaffirm our NE Minneapolis roots, believing that our mission as a church is tied to this neighborhood. Along with NE Community Lutheran and several other partners, we will be moving into the old Holland school. For a while, we will be housed in the cafeteria (to reaffirm the four basic food groups as written on the back wall) as the school’s atrium is worked on to make it appropriate for a sanctuary. This is part of a larger effort by Grace Center for Community Life. The new building houses a charter school, a food pantry, support groups and several other churches. In the next few weeks, we’ll be looking to hear from everyone about how we can make this move a step forward and a way to become a more visible presence in the neighborhood.
Here is a map of where we are now located.
Oh, it also has air conditioning.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/the-big-move/feed/ 0 July Book Club http://www.nemercy.org/july-book-club/ http://www.nemercy.org/july-book-club/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:30:03 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=554 Just when you thought we couldn’t get lazier, we go an prove ourselves again. For June, the World’s Laziest Book Club (TM) read the book Holy Man by Susan Trott. The problem is that we were having such a good time hanging out and talking that no one ever discussed the book. And so, for this month’s book club we will be reading the same book as well as some poetry. For more information, join the facebook group.
The book club will be held after church on July 18th at Wes & Lydia’s house. You don’t need to have read the book to attend, especially since Wes won’t have read it, because he is reading a biography of Elvis.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/july-book-club/feed/ 0 Massa by Ben Kyle http://www.nemercy.org/julys-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/julys-liturgy/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:24:01 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=552 We are delighted to have Ben Kyle return and lead us with his Massa liturgy. One of the first original liturgies that Mercy Seat commissioned, Massa is an alt-country take on the liturgy with gospel roots. Listen to some of it below.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/julys-liturgy/feed/ 0 Camping http://www.nemercy.org/camping/ http://www.nemercy.org/camping/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:19:12 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=545 Join us for Mercy Seat’s first camping trip to Jay Cooke State Park on July 16th and 17th. We have reserved a group tent only site and will share food and fun. All are welcome. Sign up on our facebook site or email Sarah Hjelmberg. Details will follow.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/camping/feed/ 0 June 20 http://www.nemercy.org/june-20/ http://www.nemercy.org/june-20/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:14:40 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=532 This Sunday Pastor Mark brings to the pulpit his riveting spoken word interpretation of Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words in the incomparable style of William Shatner’s 1968 opus, The Transformed Man.   Either that or a sermon.

Also this week we bring back John Hermanson for the second of three performances in June of the newest liturgy, Is This the Feast of Victory? If you missed it last week – don’t miss it this week.  If you caught it last week – you should probably bring a friend this week ;-)

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/june-20/feed/ 0 June’s Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/junes-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/junes-liturgy/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:22:06 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=512 For three weeks in June we invite John Hermanson to lead us in a new setting of  liturgy, Is This the Feast of Victory? Our latest composer in residence, John is known for his songwriting and immaculate singing in the folk duo Story Hill and in rock bands Alva Star and The Hopefuls.  John says that Jesus came and turned everything on its head; that we think that the feast of victory will be a celebration but its not always that way.   This liturgy asks if it’s possible that what we do when we’re together is the feast of victory, serving each other and watching out for each other’s needs.

Listen to an interview with John Hermanson:

Check out some demos of the Is This the Feast of Victory?:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/junes-liturgy/feed/ 0 June’s Book Club http://www.nemercy.org/junes-book-club/ http://www.nemercy.org/junes-book-club/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:59:07 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=507 This month’s book club is a triple-duty pizza potluck at Thad and Carmen’s post-church (6:30-ish) on June 20th: You can celebrate Father’s Day, Brian and Natalie Julin-McCleary (this will be their last Sunday at Mercy Seat, so let’s make it a great one), and this month’s book club selection (The Holy Man by Susan Trott) all in one fell (delicious) swoop.

Carmen and Thad will provide sauce + crusts; you bring toppings + your beverage of choice. Here are some directions.

As pizza-creation inspiration, I offer this actual menu item from Pizza Hut in Japan: “The crust is made of hot dogs wrapped in bacon and rolls of molten cheese. The center is built with hamburgers, cheese rolls, sausage, bacon, ham, bacon bits, mushroom, onion, pepper, garlic and tomato sauce. The pie also comes with two toppings — ketchup and maple syrup.”

Also, if you haven’t already joined the Mercy Seat Book Club Facebook group, you should!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/junes-book-club/feed/ 0 June 6th http://www.nemercy.org/june-6th/ http://www.nemercy.org/june-6th/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:50:25 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=503 To kick off the month of June, Rev. Mark Stenberg will be preaching on the subject of Will Smith’s Summertime, which he sees as a prophetic text about heaven. If this sermon doesn’t pan out, I’m sure that he will find another subject upon which to preach.
This Sunday will also be the World Premiere of Wes Burdine’s Community Mass a liturgy written to be sung A Capella. Reportedly, it will blow your mind, but those who have heard it have had their minds blown and therefore cannot really verify this.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/june-6th/feed/ 0 Kae’s Sermon http://www.nemercy.org/kaes-sermon/ http://www.nemercy.org/kaes-sermon/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 20:20:09 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=498 Now you can listen to Kae’s Sermon from May 23rd!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/kaes-sermon/feed/ 0 May 30th http://www.nemercy.org/may-30th/ http://www.nemercy.org/may-30th/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 16:48:34 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=484 Join us this Sunday for the first Sunday after Pentecost. If you thought last week was Pentecostal, well you haven’t seen nuthin’ yet. Rev. Kae Evenson will be preaching and pending copyright litigation won’t allow her to tell us upon what she will actually be preaching. However, she has revealed that she is definitely not going to be reading from singer-songwriter Jewel’s book of poetry, A Night Without Armor.

In addition it will be the final World Premiere of Chris Koza’s fantastic Song of the Earth Mass. Be there or be square.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/may-30th/feed/ 0 May 23rd http://www.nemercy.org/may-23rd/ http://www.nemercy.org/may-23rd/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 15:00:17 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=481 Come out this Sunday for a brand new sermon from our very Reverend Mark Stenberg. The subject of the sermon is being closely kept secret by the law firm, Price, Johnson and Rivers law firm. However, it can be confirmed that he will not be preaching a sermon on the subject of the recent cancellation of Law and Order, an event for which he has been in mourning.

We will also having the 4th World Premiere of Chris Koza’s spectacular liturgy: Song of the Earth Mass.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/may-23rd/feed/ 0 May 16th http://www.nemercy.org/may-16th/ http://www.nemercy.org/may-16th/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 03:52:13 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=471 Batting third in the month of May is our 3rd basewoman Rev. Kae Evenson. As yet, she does not have a sermon topic that she is willing to share with us, but she is willing to share the sermon topics that didn’t pan out and won’t be preached this Sunday: Stealing is Wrong, Even If You Play for the Twins (and other moral advice) and Health & Happiness: what you’ll be glad to know about both. Ok, that last one was on the cover of Martha Stewart’s Living, but Kae looked through the article and didn’t think it was worth preaching about.

Also, on Sunday will be the third world premiere of Chris Koza’s liturgy Song of the Earth Mass.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/may-16th/feed/ 0 May 9th http://www.nemercy.org/may-9th/ http://www.nemercy.org/may-9th/#comments Tue, 04 May 2010 04:06:57 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=440 This Sunday, our very Reverend Mark Stenberg will wax poetic and then wax off poetic during his sermon. Due to contractual disputes with a Norwegian Metal Band that shares his name, he is legally not allowed to disclose the title or subject of said upcoming sermon. However, he can reveal the sermons that he will not be preaching: Jesus Christ, CEO: Don’t downsize your spiritual life! and It’s Not Me, It’s You: How to break up with yours sins.

If that’s not enough, then Chris Koza and his spectacular band will be leading us in the second world premiere of his Song of the Earth Mass. Only three more world premieres left!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/may-9th/feed/ 0 Fundraisers for Haiti Relief http://www.nemercy.org/fundraisers-for-haiti-relief/ http://www.nemercy.org/fundraisers-for-haiti-relief/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:34:01 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=370 This month, Mercy Seat’s Youth Group succeeded in raising $1,640 for Haiti earthquake relief. The fundraiser was a Fun Run/Walk 5k held Saturday, June 5th around Lake Como in St. Paul.  A celebration potluck and awards ceremony was held at Matt and Tseganesh’s house.  100% of registration fees go to the Haitian Timoun Foundation.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/fundraisers-for-haiti-relief/feed/ 0 May’s Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/mays-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/mays-liturgy/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:39:35 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=357 Starting May 2nd and throughout the month of May we will be host to the World Premiere of Chris Koza’s liturgy, Song of the Earth Mass. Written in Koza’s intricate and melodic style, the liturgy is meant as a celebration of God’s creation. Chris Koza is the front-man of Rogue Valley, voted Best New Band by the City Pages in 2010. He has been a mainstay of the Twin Cities music scene for the last five years and with four albums coming out this year (in addition to this liturgy), Mercy Seat has voted him the Hardest-Working Liturgist of the Year.

Listen to an audio preview/interview with Chris:

And now you can hear live recordings of Song of the Earth Mass:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mays-liturgy/feed/ 0 Become a fan on Facebook! http://www.nemercy.org/be-our-fan-on-facebook/ http://www.nemercy.org/be-our-fan-on-facebook/#comments Sat, 03 Apr 2010 06:40:28 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=250 Be our fan on facebook! Participate in lively theolicious discussions.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/be-our-fan-on-facebook/feed/ 0 Place and Time http://www.nemercy.org/place-and-time/ http://www.nemercy.org/place-and-time/#comments Sat, 03 Apr 2010 06:34:09 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/place-and-time/ Our Services begin at 5pm on Sundays
1500 6th St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Click here for a map.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/place-and-time/feed/ 0 Scott Munson http://www.nemercy.org/scott-munson/ http://www.nemercy.org/scott-munson/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:18:35 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=80 Thanks to Mercy Seat’s uncommon kindness and belief in cultivating new art, Scott received his first composing commission before anyone had heard his music. His first liturgical mass, The Good News Bad News Mass, debuted in the spring of 2008. Since that time, Scott has gone on to perform as a weekly solo jazz pianist in Northeast Minneapolis and to compose a second mass for Mercy Seat, The Sacraments Mass, in summer 2009.

In addition to freelance music production and music instruction, Scott began composing for film in early 2010. Endlessly writing and picking up new instruments, Scott continues work on his own material for eventual recording and live performance.

Preview Scott’s Sacraments Mass

or his Good News Bad News Mass

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/scott-munson/feed/ 0 April’s Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-the-end-of-the-world/ http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-the-end-of-the-world/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:39:52 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=219 April may be the cruelest month, but this year we’re fighting back: celebrate this Easter apocalyptically! For Easter and the entire month of April, Wes Burdine will be leading us with his Mass for the End of the World, a Beach Boys-y jaunt through death and resurrection. Fun for the whole family!

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-the-end-of-the-world/feed/ 0 Good News Bad News Mass http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-liturgy-2/ http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-liturgy-2/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:44:35 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=113 With the Good News Bad News Mass I sought to incorporate the passion of the Negro spirituals that I love into the sonic context of a western high-church setting, with its enormous acoustic space, refined grand piano, and explosive church organ. The resulting songs have a bit of ache and a bit of old time gospel to them.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/good-news-bad-news-liturgy-2/feed/ 0 Chris Koza http://www.nemercy.org/chris-koza/ http://www.nemercy.org/chris-koza/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:33:35 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=127 Chris Koza is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based singer/songwriter, and has released three albums since 2004 — “Exit Pesce,” “Patterns,” and “A Friend of a Friend” (EP). Music critics have compared Chris’ sound to Wilco, Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Beck, and Ryan Adams, among others. He performs live with a band, which includes anywhere from 2-7 members.

Deep into autumn of 2004 Chris released his debut album “Exit Pesce” in an apartment. But it wasn’t until early the following year when a little blurb by Rob van Alstyne of the Pulse Magazine was printed before anyone really took notice of the album, calling Exit Pesce “An under-the-radar-music-stunner-phenomenon”

In April 2006, Chris released “Patterns,” which went on to receive more acclaim, including a Minnesota Music Award for Best Pop Recording (Chris also won the Best Male Vocalist award).

At the end of 2006, Patterns was kindly included in some local best-of lists, coming in at 10 in the Star Tribune’s annual Twin Cities Critics Tally, and at 1 in Chris Riemenschneider’s (Star Tribune Music Critic) top ten local albums list.

In April of 2010, he started his next adventure: transforming the Chris Koza band into Rogue Valley. This magical transformation occurred on the stage of the Historic Fitzgerald Theater.

Listen to an audio preview/interview with Chris:

And now you can hear live recordings of Song of the Earth Mass:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/chris-koza/feed/ 0 Song of the Earth Mass http://www.nemercy.org/chris-koza-liturgy/ http://www.nemercy.org/chris-koza-liturgy/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:25:17 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=124 In May 2010, Chris Koza is debuting his Song of the Earth Mass. As Minnesota Monthly described it (in a much appreciated shout-out): “Every Sunday in May, Koza will take over Mercy Seat Lutheran in Northeast Minneapolis as the church’s latest composer-in-residence, reworking the Lutheran liturgy into a folk/pop arrangement he’s calling the “Song of the Earth Mass,” promising ‘occasionally mysterious chord progressions and ever-present vocal harmonies.’” For a preview and an interview with Chris, listen below.

To hear a live recording of Song of the Earth Mass:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/chris-koza-liturgy/feed/ 0 John Hermanson http://www.nemercy.org/john-hermanson/ http://www.nemercy.org/john-hermanson/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:20:38 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=117 John is an accomplished string arranger, programmer, multi-instrumentalist and engineer.

Hermanson is a member of the nationally-acclaimed acoustic duo, Storyhill, that sold over 70,000 records independently before releasing a record with celebrated folk label, Red House Records in 2007.

An award-winning producer, John is the creative center of the art rock group, Alva Star, that has had numerous songs featured on MTV, HBO and ABC. Hermanson is also co-songwriter and member of Minneapolis super group, The Hopefuls. His alter ego, John August, has sold over 850,000 CDs in the popular Lifescapes kiosk in Target stores with titles ranging from instrumental guitar to lush strings, electronica to world music.

Listen to an interview with John Hermanson:

Check out some demos of the Is This the Feast of Victory?:

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/john-hermanson/feed/ 0 Greg Schaefer http://www.nemercy.org/greg-schaeffer/ http://www.nemercy.org/greg-schaeffer/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:19:00 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=82 Greg has been involved with music his entire life, but never professionally. He played trumpet through high school, guitar in punk bands during the 80′s, and currently lead the jazz quartet GST. His most exciting project is whatever he’s currently working on. When not playing music, he’s a software engineer and lives in Golden Valley with his wonderful family, feeling blessed every day.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/greg-schaeffer/feed/ 0 Agnes Liturgy http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-agnes/ http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-agnes/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:18:09 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=78 Named after my departed Mother who was and is my spiritual mentor.

It was written over a 2 week period in late 2008. I am not a lyricist, so all words are from the traditional liturgy. As a composer I speak in melody and the Agnes liturgy is my voice. Performing it brings me joy and I hope it has a similar effect on the congregation. Agnes can be performed by a single musician or an ensemble.

The Agnes Liturgy is performed with a roving list of musicians that may or may not include:  acclaimed jazz vocalist Nancy Harms, Dana Thompson (of Hothead Fiasco and Minor Planets), Hal Longley  (of Century Brass and Chooglin’), Bob DeBoer (GST and Chooglin’), Tony Watercott  (GST), and Joe Cline  (GST).

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/mass-for-agnes/feed/ 0 Sacraments Mass http://www.nemercy.org/sacraments-mass/ http://www.nemercy.org/sacraments-mass/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:17:43 +0000 admin http://www.nemercy.org/?p=76 The Sacraments Mass is a site-specific mass fully scored for six musicians. Instrumentation includes a marching bass drum, violin, effected guitars, designed sounds, church organ, and grand piano. With its enveloping layers of sound this second mass embraces the difficult mysteries of faith and aspires to the sacred in liturgy.

]]> http://www.nemercy.org/sacraments-mass/feed/ 0