About SCS
Introduction
"A Southern California Setting" is for congregations who are looking for an alternative setting in order to refresh and enliven their worship life. Neither "high-church" nor "hip-hop", this liturgy strives to embody a classic Southern California musical feel within a traditional Lutheran framework. Uncomplicated and easy to follow, this service is an offering to all ages. My hope is that you find it to be a means of grace that others can embrace and enjoy.
Over the Pentecost season of 2005 (an ideal season for this setting), a preliminary version was tested with our congregation, Bethel Lutheran Church, with enthusiastic reviews. In early 2006 a few parts were "tweaked", added, and the entire project was finalized in May.
Notes
This music works beautifully with just guitar and piano, but can be filled out with additional instrumentation as well as vocals. During the "Meal" section, the "Great Thanksgiving" through the "Agnus Dei" is meant to be played continuously, but can be done in sections, if desired. Since this setting has a more "down to earth" style, we found that the service was most effective conducted "on the floor"--table, font, preacher and all.
The non-communion service that bears the "Moving Ahead in Christ" preface resembles the format from "Service of Word and Prayer" from the "With One Voice" (Augsburg Fortress, p. 46-53) worship resource. The Confession can be used in either service but was placed in the non-communion setting for the sake of length. Feel free to utilize as you deem appropriate.
The CD contains music for the service and is a good way to hear what this setting is all about. The recording was made on May 20, 2006 in the Bethel Lutheran Church sanctuary.
The entire service is avilable in our leader and congregational editions in PDF format. Both the CD and the guides can be ordered in the catalog section of this website.
Musicians
Dan Gibson, acoustic and electric guitar and vocals
Terry Cupples, keyboard and vocals
David Eisner, bass and vocals
Jean Welles, guitar and vocals
Betty Cooper, percussion instruments and vocals
Jay Hutson, woodwinds
Lu Stephens, vocals
Marilyn Peters, xylophone and vocals
Ben Albert, vocals
Anna Leah Eisner, vocals
Johnnye Milligan, vocals
Leroy Patterson, vocals
Special Thanks to
Terry Cupples for adapting this for piano and organ, her gifted musical insight and improvisational skills were a great asset to us; David Eisner for his faith in me and this project; Lu Stephens who introduced us to "Lift Me Higher in You" (an old camp song he learned as a child that we were unable to source); and Sandy Cupples for setting up the recording equipment.
And last but not least, my biggest thanks goes to my wife Karlyn, who put endless hours into all aspects of this venture, including compling the music and liturgy into booklet form; setting up the web-page; running the recording equipment; managing the business end of things; and putting up with me. Without her love and support this project would not have been possible.
We hope you like it.
Graphic Design: Dan Gibson
Finished Product: LA Press Printing, Inc.
Song Selections
Gift of Grace
(Kyrie)
Praise God
(Hymn of Praise)
The Lord Be With You
(Salutation)
Hear the Word of the Lord
(Gospel Acclamation)
God of Love
(Prayers of the People)
We Give Thanks, Lord
(Offertory)
God is Good
(Preface Dialog)
Holy Lord
(Sanctus)
Lamb of God
(Agnus Dei)
Celebrate!
(Post Communion Canticle)
The Lord Bless You
(Benediction)
Lift Me Higher in You
(Prayer Song)
Produced and Arranged by Dan Gibson
DEDICATED TO BRIAN WILSON