A new grandson - James van Popta

Preacher who predicted End of World plans to speak - CTV News

Preacher who predicted End of World plans to speak - CTV News

I "predict" that he will say that due to his preaching, the judgment has been delayed. I think he will make allusions to Jonah and Nineveh.

Amazing Grace for Ambassadors Christian School in Ottawa

Worthy Is Our God

"Worthy Is our God", music composed by Arcangelo Corelli and arranged by Andre Schutten with words by George van Popta. This opening part of the song was recorded at the afternoon rehearsal of the 350 voice mass choir in Hamilton, Ontario. Elizabeth Smith is directing.

"I Will Praise You" at the May 14th concert in Hamilton

Stanza 1 of "I Will Praise You," a versification of Isaiah 12 by George van Popta set to Jesu, Meines Lebens Leben, performed by Rob Bonefaas, Ewout de Gelder, Henk Huijgen and Mike Boeringa at the Ambassadors Christian School benefit concert, May 14, 2011.

New Book of Praise (14)

Hymn 60–The Spirit Came, as Promised

James Seddon based this Pentecost hymn, first published in 1973, entirely on references to the Holy Spirit in the Letter to the Ephesians. As the Apostle Paul did in Ephesians, the hymn speaks about many of the works the Holy Spirit does in us and for us: He seals us; dwells in us; gives us faith; binds us together in unity and peace; brings us power from God; turns us away from base passion to godly living; puts the Word, which is his sword, into our hands. We are urged not to grieve or deny the Holy Spirit but, rather, to be filled with him and, by his influence, sing songs unto the Lord.

   Johannes Bastiaans composed the tune to which the song is set. Bastiaans was a Dutch organist who composed many tunes. Among other things, he taught music at the Institute for the Blind in Amsterdam. Also, he was primarily responsible for introducing J.S. Bach to the Netherlands, both through his Bach recitals and his founding of the Bach Society in Amsterdam.

   This hymn could be used on Pentecost, when preaching on a text about the Holy Spirit in Ephesians, or in connection with Lord's Day 20.

~gvp

Sources: Psalter Hymnal Handbook

It's Midnight in the Garden to the tune of old Hymn 37

In the 1984 Book of Praise, the Pentecost Hymn "Come Praise the Holy Spirit" had been set to the Lent tune "Ick wil mij gaen vertroosten" (I will seek my comfort [in the passion of Jesus] as Hymn 37. A beautiful hymn set to a beautiful tune, but quite mismatched. The tune is very mournful and elicits a sad feeling. The lowest note is a D and the highest a C, so it does not span even an octave. The intervals between notes are small. All is kept quiet and subdued. Very appropriate for Lent.

In the new Book of Praise, "Come Praise the Holy Spirit" is set to the joyful tune Thornbury as Hymn 48. There are many large intervals and the notes span more than an octave. It is in the key of D, a very joyful one.

Setting this hymn to Thornbury is, I believe, an improvement. Once we have grown accustomned to this tune, we will come to love it, and yet, it seems a pity to "lose" the beautiful and haunting "Ick wil mij gaen vertroosten." Here is an attempt to "save" it.

I had originally set "It's Midnight in the Garden" to the tune "Vigil." But since the metre is 76 76 D, it can also be set to "Ick wil mij gaen vertroosten."

Review of Great Hymns of Faith

CD Review

By George van Popta

Great Hymns of Faith and Other Favourites

The Covenant Christian School Community, under the direction of Joanne Hordyk and Tracy Jelsma, has produced an outstanding CD of eighteen ancient, traditional, and new songs.

The ancient is “O Sacred Head Now Wounded,” a translation of a Latin poem, written either by Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153) or the Medieval poet Arnulf of Louvain (1200-1250). An example of the traditional is “It is Well with my Soul” by Spafford and Bliss, c. 1873. The credit for the newest hymn, “In that Day I’ll Sing Praises to You, Lord,” 2008, goes to Tim Nijenhuis.

The main choir is made up of the children of CCS. Mrs. Hordyk, the school’s music director, clearly knows how to bring the best out of the students. They sing with gladness and exultation. The school choir is backed up by a mature adult community choir and six young women with soaring voices. The songs are accompanied beautifully by several accomplished pianists and a lovely orchestra of strings, brass, and woodwinds.

Each song is delightful. If I were to declare my favourite, it would be the new  (1997) rendition of “Holy, Holy, Holy,” written and composed by Michael Card. 

This is a very professionally produced CD that old and young will listen to repeatedly with joy and delight. To preview some of the sound tracks, please go to http://ccschoir.blogspot.com/.

Other information:

•  Cost, $20.00, cheques payable to “CCS PTA.”
•  Order by email:  covenantchristianschool@bellnet.ca or regular post, Covenant Christian School, 497 Millgrove Side Road, Millgrove, Ont.,  L0R 1V0.
•  Production by Semantic Design and Audiocraft and recorded at Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church, Burlington.
•  CD includes a booklet containing the words of the songs and various reflections.

The Glorious Victory

The Glorious Victory, a non-technical commentary on Revelation, is now available from your favourite online bookseller, e.g., Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, AbeBooks.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Lulu.com, etc. Search "George van Popta."

Our two grandsons

New Book of Praise (13)

The New Book of Praise (13)

Hymn 46– Christ Shall Have Dominion

This mini-series is introducing the hymns that have been added to the new Book of Praise.

“Christ Shall Have Dominion,” found in the 1912 Psalter to another tune (St. Gertrude = “Onward Christian Soldiers”), is a New Testament paraphrase of Psalm 72:8-19 that brings out the Christology of the Psalm.

•  In stanza 1 (=Ps. 72:8-11) the worldwide rule of Christ over all peoples and kingdoms is proclaimed. 
•  Stanza 2 (= vv. 12-14) sings of Christ's saving mercy to the needy and oppressed. 
•  Stanza 3 (= vv. 15-17) speaks of the blessings of His endless reign. 
•  The final stanza (= vv. 18-19) is a doxology (originally the doxology that ended Book 2 of the Psalms).

Albert Piersma (so fortunate as to have been born in Friesland, in 1901, and who died in Grand Rapids in 1960) composed the tune, KING OF GLORY. Beside his day job at a furniture store, Piersma was a church organist for over thirty years. He wrote a number of hymn tunes and texts. This tune is stately and builds to a solid climax in the final line. It's majestic.

~gvp

Sources: Psalter Hymnal Handbook; Internet