In 2010, Celebrating Grace published the book The Worship Matrix. Written by David Bolin and Terry York, the book explains the concept of worship planning as the creation of an environment of worship rather than a schedule of worship.
The book is helpful reading for anyone, but especially those considering using Celebrating Grace's Worship Matrix online worship planning site.
"I now use the book as one of the texts for my worship course at Baylor University's Truett Seminary," said York.
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Celebrating Grace and Shawnee Press Partner on Anthem Series
When Celebrating Grace Hymnal was released
two years ago, 
work began with Joseph Martin, Hymnal Committee member and Church Music Editor for Shawnee Press, to create a series of anthems.
"This series takes original texts and tunes from the hymnal and places them in the hands of some of the finest choral arrangers," said Mark Edwards, Vice President of Celebrating Grace.
Currently there are five hymn settings in the series. All are arranged for SATB choir and keyboard, with several offering options for additional instruments.
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work began with Joseph Martin, Hymnal Committee member and Church Music Editor for Shawnee Press, to create a series of anthems.
"This series takes original texts and tunes from the hymnal and places them in the hands of some of the finest choral arrangers," said Mark Edwards, Vice President of Celebrating Grace.
Currently there are five hymn settings in the series. All are arranged for SATB choir and keyboard, with several offering options for additional instruments.Read More
Consider Hymnals for Children's Choir Recognition this Spring
Each spring many churches provide special recognition to children who are completing participation in children's choir and moving into the youth program.
Often a church will order personalized Celebrating Grace Hymnals embossed with each child's name as a keepsake of the milestone.
"Children love receiving a copy of the hymnal with their name on it. We present them at a Sunday evening concert each year in May for children graduating to youth choir. Parents and families are invited to attend," said Kathy Stauffer, Music and Worship Assistant at First Baptist Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Why not start a new tradition at your church? Place your order today for choir recognition hymnals by calling 877-550-7707.
The Most Powerful Feature of the Worship Matrix
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How many hymnals for your congregation?
- Don’t assume that the number of existing hymnals in the pew racks is enough.
- That being said, watch people singing during a worship service. Does everyone
singing have easy access to a hymnal? - Gather enough people, preferably of different sizes, to fit into the longest pew in
the sanctuary and do a test. - Check one of all same-length pews. If there are an odd number of people on a
pew make sure that there is an extra hymnal for that single person. - If more hymnals are needed than there is room for in the hymnal racks, hymnals
may be placed on the end of the pew seats. - Plan for enough hymnals to accommodate the entire sanctuary.
- Measure the hymnal racks with an actual copy of Celebrating Grace. Newer
hymnals have more content and may not fit as well as the current copies. Many
times in older sanctuaries the hymnal racks were custom designed for the
hymnal that was to be used. There are “work arounds” for this problem. - Consider choir copies – one per singer (There is a loose leaf choir edition.)
- Don’t forget large print hymnals for those with sight difficulties. Celebrating Grace
has loose leaf, large print hymnals. Hymns for the worship service can be taken
from the large print edition and placed in a smaller folder. Thus the weight will be
far less. Remember to have the hymns replaced after each service. - Many times individuals may want a copy of the hymnal for themselves. Offer that
as an option to your congregation when an order is placed.
Using Congregational Anthems as Choir Anthems
Congregational anthems have become Celebrating Grace’s “signature” supplemental
music resources. They have quickly caught on and music leaders are joyfully
discovering their beauty and value for worship. Many publishers produce hymn
anthems that feature the choir and include the congregation on the final stanza.
Celebrating Grace essentially flips that formula - our settings feature the congregation
leading the way on the hymn tune while the choir “decorates” their singing with
interesting choral parts included in the arrangement.
BUT
Congregational anthems also work well with choir only. They are great for unanticipated Snow Sundays when many choir singers can’t get to church or Summer Sundays when they don’t. These arrangements include a fair amount of unison singing that can be assigned to men only or women only. Keyboard accompaniments are fresh and accessible; many are further enhanced with a C or Bb instrument obligato.
AND
Congregational anthems, whether used with the congregation or choir only, provide excellent means of refreshing a familiar hymn or introducing a new one. There are currently 125 congregational anthems downloadable from our website – www.celebrating-grace.com – and 88 others will follow very soon.
Congregational anthems also work well with choir only. They are great for unanticipated Snow Sundays when many choir singers can’t get to church or Summer Sundays when they don’t. These arrangements include a fair amount of unison singing that can be assigned to men only or women only. Keyboard accompaniments are fresh and accessible; many are further enhanced with a C or Bb instrument obligato.
AND
Congregational anthems, whether used with the congregation or choir only, provide excellent means of refreshing a familiar hymn or introducing a new one. There are currently 125 congregational anthems downloadable from our website – www.celebrating-grace.com – and 88 others will follow very soon.
Churches Prepare for 2012-13 Children's Choir Season
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