waiting

December 01, 2019 by Paul Vasile in Advent, Congregational Song, Music

This jazz-inspired Advent song was written on the plains of Southern Ohio last spring and holds an invitation to reflection and wonder. Rather than assume we know who or what is coming (because we often struggle even to know ourselves), we are invited to look and listen, to be in the present moment, attentive to where and when Divine will manifest.

And it could be in any number of forms - sound, light, touch, a human body, or through the movement of grass on rolling hills. God is always being made known to us, and Advent calls us to heighten our senses, to practice paying attention both individually and in community.

songs for the holy other

July 19, 2019 by Paul Vasile in Music, News, Worship, Social Justice, Congregational Song

So grateful to have my song God Calls You Good included in The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada’s new collection titled Songs for the Holy Other: Hymns Affirming the LGBTQIA2S+ Community, released at their annual conference this month.

singing as a holy act

May 08, 2019 by Paul Vasile in Congregational Song, Leadership, Church

I wonder what would it look like to imagine worship as a kind of holy rehearsal space. What if singing together is a place we are put back together, where we remember, re-discover and renew what we believe?

What if this congregation is a choir: a community of learning where we have the opportunity to grow into new experiences, trusting there is no success or failure but a deep pool of grace that holds us as we try and try again?

What might it look like to put to practice this way of love through our voices, through the tunes and rhythms we share in song?

the way of love: worship

April 17, 2019 by Paul Vasile in Worship, Church, Congregational Song

I'm grateful to The Rev. Hillary Raining for including me and Music that Makes Community in the Way of Love podcast focused on worship.

It's Holy Week, and time is of the essence, but take a listen when you have a moment and reflect with us on the formative power of worship, especially singing!

There is lots more to listen to at The Hive, an online spiritual community buzzing with rich material to sustain your life of faith.

the church's song in the world

October 18, 2017 by Paul Vasile in Congregational Song, Social Justice, Church

I was honored to represent Music That Makes Community at launch of The Hymn Society's Center for Congregational Song, joining a group of 40 leaders in the field of song and hymn-writing to discuss the most important issues facing composers and writers in the church today. I was also invited to write a brief essay reflecting on the question, "What kinds of songs are needed for today's church to best intersect and witness to the world?"