PRC Archives: First PRC Music Programs, 1941-1964

‘Tis the season for programs.

As you know, during the Christmas and New Year seasons numerous church choir and Sunday School programs are held, besides those which our Christian schools produce and perform. From this point of view, too, it is a wonderful time of the year. I speak as a music lover, as I enjoy and am edified by a variety of Christian music.

Which made we remember that in the PRC archives we also collect many church programs – that is, the printed versions. Our First PRC in Grand Rapids used to have many such music programs (entire oratorios, in fact), in part because of her size and thus in part because of the musical talent in her midst. She also had the Radio Choir (connected with the Reformed Witness Hour program), which produced her own programs and also sponsored others (cf. below).

In looking up a folder in one of First’s boxes in the archives, I found these miscellaneous programs, which I share with you today. It will give you a sense of the variety of music programs she once prepared and hosted. Undoubtedly, you will also recognize a few names. 🙂

And, I might add, though she is considerably smaller today then she was in her prime (one of the largest Reformed congregations in the U.S.), First PRC still has terrific musical talent in her midst – evident from the fine programs she still hosts.

 

 

“Refo Thursday”: Pope calls Luther a “wild boar”

The Christian History Institute (which also publishes the magazine Christian History – issue #120 is about Calvin and the Reformation – cf. image here) has a special post each week featuring various aspects of the Reformation.

It is called “Refo Thursday” (“your weekly throwback to the Reformation” [in their words] – connected to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017), and usually features a quote from one of the major Reformers and a brief video on an aspect of Reformation history.

Today’s post looks at Luther’s hymn writing as well as the papal bull that excommunicated him from the Roman Catholic Church for the statements Luther made in his 95 theses. I post the image they allow you to share and the video.

You may also sign up for the “Refo Thursday” at the link provided here. And, I might add, there you will also find plenty of other videos you may watch from these past Thursday posts.