Worship Archive

September 1, 2019 (Holland Lectures) | C. Michael Hawn

Holland Lectures 2019
“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are:
Developing a Congregational Identity through Congregational Singing”
with Dr. C. Michael Hawn

As strange as it may seem, singing together has the potential to stem hate. The great commandment: “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31; Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 10:27) is rarely quoted in an age of division and hate. Perhaps we need to take what we sing in our sanctuaries to the streets. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s is perhaps the most powerful recent example of this. Somehow the songs of this era have given way to strident shrieks and slogans of hate. What might we sing that brings disparate groups – economically, ethnically, politically – together for the good of humanity…

C. Michael Hawn is one of our nation’s leading experts in hymnology and world music. Now a Richmonder, he recently retired after 25 years from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, as University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program. Previously he taught at two Baptist seminaries for a total of 15 years. He leads festivals and publishes extensively in the area of hymnology, is the USA Editor for the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, and writes a weekly hymn studies column entitled History of Hymns. A student of global Christian music, Hawn has conducted research and taught in over 40 countries. In addition, he has sung extensively as a countertenor and is a recovering accordion player.

Congregational singing both forms our individual faith perspective, but also shapes us as the body of Christ in community. These lectures will examine our hymnic heritage that have shaped our faith, look at some trends that are currently influencing the ecumenical church, and consider the cultural, societal, and ethical issues that inspire what we might sing in the future.

“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are.” — Albert van den Heuvel (World Council of Churches, 1966)

August 25, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Isaiah 5:1-7; Luke 12:49 -56 | Sermon: Dr. Daniel Glaze | Organist: Dr. Bob Gallagher | Guest Choir Director: Rev. Paul Honaker | Guest Accompanist: Mr. Robert Ford | Guest Choir: Jubilation Choir

Jesus didn’t break the rules for fun—he had a purpose. Jesus broke rules for people. When it came to following the rules or blessing people, he chose people every time.

The Jubilation Choir, a senior adult community choir for adults age 55 and older, is in its nineteenth season as an outreach program of the Music Ministry of Salisbury Presbyterian Church. The seventy-two member choir represents approximately thirty-two churches from eight denominations in the Richmond area. Founded in 2001, the choir meets weekly from September through May to sing sacred, secular, and patriotic music. Its mission is to spread fellowship and goodwill through music. Their director is the Rev. Paul S. Honaker, a member of River Road Church, and Mr. Robert R. Ford, a retired United Methodist Church musician, is their pianist.

Worship Bulletin – August 25, 2019

August 25, 2018 (Holland Lectures) | C. Michael Hawn

Holland Lectures 2019
“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are:
Developing a Congregational Identity through Congregational Singing”
with Dr. C. Michael Hawn

“Each generation must add its stanza to the great hymn of the church,” says my friend United Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez. What is our age saying about our faith and life that has not been said before? As important as it is to sing the songs of the saints, a vital sung faith should also incorporate the “new song” (Psalm 96:1). New songs, if chosen well, can point us in the direction the church should be heading. Yes, we can sing our way to a more faithful church.

C. Michael Hawn is one of our nation’s leading experts in hymnology and world music. Now a Richmonder, he recently retired after 25 years from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, as University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program. Previously he taught at two Baptist seminaries for a total of 15 years. He leads festivals and publishes extensively in the area of hymnology, is the USA Editor for the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, and writes a weekly hymn studies column entitled History of Hymns. A student of global Christian music, Hawn has conducted research and taught in over 40 countries. In addition, he has sung extensively as a countertenor and is a recovering accordion player.

Congregational singing both forms our individual faith perspective, but also shapes us as the body of Christ in community. These lectures will examine our hymnic heritage that have shaped our faith, look at some trends that are currently influencing the ecumenical church, and consider the cultural, societal, and ethical issues that inspire what we might sing in the future.

“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are.” — Albert van den Heuvel (World Council of Churches, 1966)

August 18, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Isaiah 5:1-7; Luke 12:49 -56 | Sermon: Rev. Anna Perry Miller | Guest Organist: Raymond Chenault | Guest Pianist: Beth Chenault | Soloist: John Tibbetts, baritone

We welcomed to the pulpit Rev. Anna Perry Miller, our Associate Pastor for Adult Discipleship.

We welcomed Raymond Chenault guest organist, Beth Chenault, pianist, and John Tibbetts, soloist this morning. Mr. Chenault and Mr. Tibbetts will be performing in our concert series May 17, 2020.

Worship Bulletin – August 18, 2019

August 18, 2018 (Holland Lectures) | C. Michael Hawn

Holland Lectures 2019
“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are:
Developing a Congregational Identity through Congregational Singing”
with Dr. C. Michael Hawn

What can Christians sing together if they come from different countries, speak different languages, and have been nurtured in a wide range of Christian perspectives? For seventy years, an ecumenical monastic community in the village of Taizé in southeastern France has been a point of pilgrimage for young people from around the world. Amenities are spartan; Internet is sporadic; food is simple; the community is authentic and spiritually rich. What can we learn from Taizé song and this way of praying?

C. Michael Hawn is one of our nation’s leading experts in hymnology and world music. Now a Richmonder, he recently retired after 25 years from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, as University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program. Previously he taught at two Baptist seminaries for a total of 15 years. He leads festivals and publishes extensively in the area of hymnology, is the USA Editor for the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, and writes a weekly hymn studies column entitled History of Hymns. A student of global Christian music, Hawn has conducted research and taught in over 40 countries. In addition, he has sung extensively as a countertenor and is a recovering accordion player.

Congregational singing both forms our individual faith perspective, but also shapes us as the body of Christ in community. These lectures will examine our hymnic heritage that have shaped our faith, look at some trends that are currently influencing the ecumenical church, and consider the cultural, societal, and ethical issues that inspire what we might sing in the future.

“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are.” — Albert van den Heuvel (World Council of Churches, 1966)

August 11, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20; Hebrews 11:1-3 | Sermon: Rev. Dr. Timothy Norman | Guest Organist: Daniel Stipe | Soloist: Christopher Ahart, tenor

We welcomed the Rev. Dr. Timothy K. Norman to our pulpit. Tim and Kathryn are members of River Road Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. Tim is a retired pastor and denominational Executive.

Welcome to Daniel Stipe, our guest organist and choir director this morning. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Daniel is a graduate of University of North Texas and Westminster Choir College and resides in Richmond with his wife Julie.

Worship Bulletin – August 11, 2019

August 4, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Hosea 11:1-11; Luke 12:13-21 | Sermon: Daniel Glaze | Guest Organist: David Gulick | Soloist: Michelle Harman-Gulick, soprano

If we knew we would die tomorrow, how would our priorities shift? Would we work harder at the office? Or would we spend more time with loved ones? Would we shore up our retirement accounts or would we give our possessions away? As Jesus explains, “one’s life is not defined by the abundance of things.” In other words, the most important things in life aren’t things at all.

Worship Bulletin – August 4, 2019

August 4, 2018 (Holland Lectures) | C. Michael Hawn

Holland Lectures 2019
“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are:
Developing a Congregational Identity through Congregational Singing”
with Dr. C. Michael Hawn

Each tradition is shaped by the faith they sing. What have Baptists contributed to the wealth of congregational song, for example, in the areas of scriptural integrity and religious freedom? What Baptists are writing hymns today and what are they saying? You may be surprised!

C. Michael Hawn is one of our nation’s leading experts in hymnology and world music. Now a Richmonder, he recently retired after 25 years from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, as University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church Music and director of the Sacred Music Program. Previously he taught at two Baptist seminaries for a total of 15 years. He leads festivals and publishes extensively in the area of hymnology, is the USA Editor for the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, and writes a weekly hymn studies column entitled History of Hymns. A student of global Christian music, Hawn has conducted research and taught in over 40 countries. In addition, he has sung extensively as a countertenor and is a recovering accordion player.

Congregational singing both forms our individual faith perspective, but also shapes us as the body of Christ in community. These lectures will examine our hymnic heritage that have shaped our faith, look at some trends that are currently influencing the ecumenical church, and consider the cultural, societal, and ethical issues that inspire what we might sing in the future.

“Tell me what you sing and I’ll tell you who you are.” — Albert van den Heuvel (World Council of Churches, 1966)

July 28, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Psalm 138; Luke 11:1-13 | Daniel Glaze

I’m no expert on prayer; there are times when I wonder whether I’m even using the right words. But two things I do know: God wants us to pray, and God will listen to us. It’s hard sometimes, but we must keep at it.

Worship Bulletin – July 28, 2019

July 21, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Psalm 52:6-9; Luke 10:38-42 | Daniel Glaze

Like Martha, we have so much work to do. We have conversations to have, wounds to heal, mouths to feed, souls to tend to. That is good and holy work; and we must serve with all our might. But like Mary, we must also take time to rest. We must not get so busy doing the work of ministry that we lose who we are and lose focus upon the one who calls us to work…and to rest.

Worship Bulletin – July 21, 2019

July 14, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Luke 10:25-37 | Rev. Leslie Straw

We welcomed Rev. Leslie Straw to the pulpit, who serves as Team Leader of Support Ministries at Baptist General Association of Virginia. Leslie and her husband Matt, also an ordained minister, have been members of River Road Church since 2009. They are parents to Laura Jane and John.

Worship Bulletin – July 14, 2019

July 7, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Galatians 6:7-16 | Daniel Glaze

In this story, the great King Naaman gains his freedom, his health, and his salvation all because of a little child who becomes the mouthpiece of God. Children teach us so much about God, don’t they? I suspect this is so because their perspective is one of innocence. They haven’t been hardened by the ways of the world, so they endear us to God’s ways instead.

We welcomed trumpeter Daniel Lewis to River Road Church on July 7. Mr. Lewis holds the position of Associate Principal/Second Trumpet with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. He began his musical training at a young age, starting piano lessons in elementary school and continuing on to the trumpet in the fifth grade. He holds degrees in trumpet performance from Cedarville University and the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with Michael Sachs, Principal Trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra.

Worship Bulletin – July 7, 2019

June 30, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Psalm 77:1-2, 11-14; Galatians 5:1, 13-25 | Daniel Glaze

In this passage from Galatians, Paul speaks about the matter of freedom. He writes of how by faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross we are set free, and how we, as Christians, are to live in that freedom. As we celebrate our personal and national freedom later next week, we should remember that first and foremost, we belong to Christ and only Christ is Lord.

Worship Bulletin – June 30, 2019

June 23, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Galatians 3:23-29; Mark 2:1-12 | Rev. Dr. David Breckenridge

The church is all over this text. We are those who have come to hear Jesus, sometimes clogging the aisles. We are the scribes. We are the paralytic. We are the friends desperate to get our friend the healing he needs. We are Jesus/the body of Christ about the process of healing. All at the same time. But hopefully we are moving from paralysis to health, from “barriers to” to “carriers of” God’s grace.

Worship Bulletin – June 23, 2019

Commissioning of Summer Volunteers

June 16, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5 | Daniel Glaze

Worship Bulletin – June 16, 2019

June 9, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21 | Daniel Glaze

Worship Bulletin – June 9, 2019

June 2, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Psalm 97; John 17:20-26 | Daniel Glaze

Worship Bulletin – June 2, 2019

Mission Moment by C. Page Highfill

May 26, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Revelation 21:1-6; Acts 16:9-15 | Daniel Glaze

Worship Bulletin – May 26, 2019

May 12, 2019 (Sunday Morning)

Bible Verses: Psalm 23; Acts 9:36-43 | Daniel Glaze

We’ll look together at the lesser known character of Tabitha in this story from Acts. She holds out for us a model of a ministry of care within her community of widows. Tabitha causes us to ask ourselves, “how shall my faith inform acts of charity and service to others?”

Worship Bulletin – May 12, 2019