On Choir Tours

From Bus Ride on 4/13

And there we were! In the mountains.. Riding on the bus… watching some stupid movie.

And yet here I am typing away on the computer, on the road from DC to Ohio.

So far tour has been.. tour. Rather boring as far as tours go. But tour none-the-less. Tours are very interesting times. You learn more about people then you could ever want to know. You are basically living with 50 other people for a week, with much time spend on a cramped bus. Then again not all you learn is bad -- Relationships are strengthened throughout the time spent together. You learn amazing things about people, some of whom you may never have talked to before.

What is also unique about tours is that once it is over most things go back to being exactly the same. Those people who you talked too a lot during the coarse of tour, go back to completely ignoring your presence when you get back to “real life.” What’s weird for me is that this is my final tour. When I get back I won’t have much time to form or strengthen relationships with those people who I have been in school with for four years. A month and a half left-- then everything begins again. New people, new school, new teachers a new place to live for the next few years. So what did these past four years, specifically choir tours mean? All they become is a flash of memories and a few pictures, but have they really impacted me? Choir tours… perhaps not, but being singing for the past four years? Definitely!

It was about this time 8th grade year when my sister was trying to talk me into trying out for Troubadours. I really was never much into music, especially singing. I never really listened to all that much music or anything. But there I was an 8th grader who was about to leave grade school. She finally did talk me into trying out for the best singing group offered at the school I would be attending next year. Then to fast forward a few months. There I was the kid in the middle of the summer before he entered high school who opened a letter not expecting much. Then reading that he had made it into troubadours and was one of three basses and the other two were seniors. From then on.. I developed a love and respect for music. It became the sanctuary for my mind. The best way to control my feelings or develop feeling within me. I love the quote that I found recently, “Who needs psychotherapy when you can listen to B Minor Mass?” Its true through music you have one of the greatest things for your mind. Music calms your mind, it clears it, it works, and it stretches the imagination. As I look back at the kid who stood there and opened the letter I can barely recognize him. Music has truly changed my life and without it I don’t know where I would be today.

So choir has definitely changed me, but what of tours? There are lots of memories from tours, But have they changed me? Perhaps some. Such as singing “Kyrie, Eleision” at ground zero in New York. That is not something one forgets quickly. I have seen many places I probably would have never seen if not for choir tours such as the sight of JFK’s assassination, or all the things that I saw in Washington DC this year. But still has tour meant anything? Perhaps not much for me, but for those who heard the choir sing. Hopefully, for that is what tour is really about. It’s about us proclaiming Christ. Especially this year as we tour right after Easter! Christ Crucified, Died, and Risen! Alleluia We Sing! So even if tour doesn’t seem to have that much meaning for me, it does for some of those who hear us sing and those hosts that we stay with. We have the great opportunity to interact with others and spread the Gospel.

So I guess tours do mean something. Even one’s like this where we only have the chance to sing two concerts.

The Peace of Christ who has been raised be with you! Alleluia!

Easter 2007

Alleluia! Joy unending, Praise ascending to the sky
Death is vanquished, life has triumphed.
Christ is Risen today!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where’s they victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has lead, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen Today!

Yet Though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee Mine!

TLH 172

1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss, till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

2. Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
And flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish
That once was bright as morn!

3. Now from Thy cheeks has vanished
Their color, once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
The splendor that was there.
Grim Death, with cruel rigor,
Hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou has lost Thy vigor,
Thy strength, in this sad strife.

4. My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
Which brought this woe on thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
Wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

5. My Shepherd, now receive me;
My Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts divine!
Thy lips have often fed me
With words of truth and love,
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
To heavenly joys above.

6. Here I will stand beside Thee,
From Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish
In death's cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.

7. The joy can ne'er be spoken,
Above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of life, desiring
Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring,
I'd breathe my soul to Thee.

8. What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
Outlive my love for Thee.

9. My Savior, be Thou near me
When death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me,
Forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
Oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish
By virtue of Thine own!

10. Be Thou my Consolation,
My Shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

"Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:28-30


When Jesus says "It is finished" He is saying that your salvation has been completed. Nothing more is needed!

"Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water." John 19:34

From His broken body the blood of Communion and the water of Baptism flow. The means by which we receive the gifts won for us that day.


Vs. 2-4 Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the Sacrifice appointed!
See Who bears the awful load!
’Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of Man, and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost.
Christ the Rock of our salvation,
Christ the Name of which we boast.
Lamb of God for sinners wounded!
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on Him their hope have built.

Monday of Holy Week

LSB 439

1. O dearest Jesus, what law hast thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
What dark transgression?

2. They crown Thy head with thorns, they smite, they scourge Thee;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge Thee;
They give Thee gall to drink, they still decry Thee;
They crucify Thee.

3. Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.

4. What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The master pays the debt His servants owe Him,
Who would not know Him.

5. The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted,
God is committed.

6. There was no spot in me by sin untainted;
Sick with sin’s poison, all my heart had fainted;
My heavy guilt to hell had well-nigh brought me,
Such woe it wrought me.

7. O wondrous love, whose depth no heart hath sounded,
That brought Thee here, by foes and thieves surrounded!
All worldly pleasures, heedless, I was trying
While Thou wert dying.

8. Mighty King, no time can dim Thy glory!
How shall I spread abroad Thy wondrous story?
How shall I find some worthy gifts to proffer?
What dare I offer?

9. For vainly doth our human wisdom ponder,
Thy woes, They mercy, still transcend our wonder.
Oh, how should I do aught that could delight Thee!
Can I requite Thee?

10. Yet unrequited, Lord, I would not leave Thee;
I will renounce whate’er doth vex or grieve Thee
And quench with thoughts of Thee and prayers most lowly
All fires unholy.

11. But since my strength will never more suffice me
To crucify desires that still entice me,
To all good deeds, oh, let Thy Spirit win me
And reign within me!
12. I’ll think upon Thy mercy without ceasing,
That earth’s vain joys to me no more be pleasing;
To do Thy will shall be my sole endeavor
Henceforth forever.

13. Whate’er of earthly good this life may grant me,
I’ll risk for Thee; no shame, no cross, shall daunt me;
I shall not fear what man can do to harm me
Nor death alarm me.

14. But worthless is my sacrifice, I own it;
Yet, Lord, for love’s sake Thou wilt not disown it;
Thou wilt accept my gift in thy great meekness
Nor shame my weakness.

15. And when, dear Lord, before Thy throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns Thy saints forever raise Thee,
I, too, shall praise Thee.


Such a beautiful hymn that we do not get to sing that often. It speaks of the crucifixion - of how this pain is for us. Throughout the Lenten season and especially Holy Week people try to “sin less” then end up focusing more on themselves, on how sinful they are, then on the Gospel. That Gospel which came physically to all mankind on that Friday and still comes physically to each of us through the sacraments. This Thursday we remember the day when Christ first instituted The Sacrament of the Altar. Each time we partake in the Lord’s Supper the Gospel is being put directly in our mouths, you receive the forgiveness that was won FOR YOU on the cross. You receive the same blood that flowed from Christ’s side when his body was broken. How wonderful the Gospel is!

Though hymns like the one above sound “depressing” musically, they carry the wonderful message from the Gospel.
This sinless son of God chose to die for us. We who forfeited our own lives. In his love Jesus felt complete and utter loneliness, and also felt the full hammer of God’s Wrath all For You! And For Me Too!

Throughout this holy week keep that at the front of your mind. Christ Crucified for the Forgiveness of your sins.

Blessed Holy Week to each of you!