The church pianist plays a very important role in setting the mood for the service through the use of prelude music.

For example, this past Wednesday evening was very rainy and dreary.  I chose more peppy, uplifting hymns for the prelude… to create a happy mood.  In general, I try to use peppy hymns for the prelude. I want to communicate to the listeners that the Christian life can be joyful.  There are times for slower hymns but I prefer to use more upbeat hymns during the prelude.

Here’s a list of hymns I played for the prelude this past Wednesday night…

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today

Heavenly Sunlight

I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord

Showers of Blessing 🙂

For offertory, Sunshine (our other church pianist) and myself, played “Count Your Blessings” from the hymnal.  

We as church pianists certaintly have a wonderful opportunity to encourage our church family in the Lord through the use of prelude music.

 It always excites me to have young people wanting to get involved in the music ministry.  Our church family is so supportive of their  young people’s endeavors to serve the Lord.

Hannah and her family have recently joined our church and they are a blessing.  Hannah hasn’t had lessons in a little while and is a level one student.  She is anxious to begin lessons this fall and is ready to  serve in the area of music.  Amen!

I recently gave her one of my beginner arrangements of “Nothing But the Blood“ along with an audio to help her out.  To my surprise, she had it down in a short time.  (It’s always encouraging to work with self-motivated young people)  🙂

As a church pianist, I try to encourage our youth to get involved in the music minstry.  I’m thankful that our young people are interested in doing so. The younger they start, the easier it becomes as they gain experience and much practice.   I usually schedule the younger ones for a Wednesday or Sunday evening until they feel more comfortable.  (Sunday mornings require longer offertories due to a larger attendance.)

Here is a video of her playing the offertory at our church this past Sunday night. (Notice the encouraging responses at the end)

I’m also providing this arrangement free…with this article.  I plan to offer more of the beginning student hymn arrangements as time allows…in the music store.

I just finished the free arrangement of  “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”.   It was a challenge having to write this piece at an early advanced level.  I had to leave sooo much out but knew this level would benefit a larger group of church pianists. 

Editor notes for Part Two of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”

Measures 17 & 18:  Left hand begins with melody which is very busy; therefore…the RH remains simple.

Measure 19 & beyond:  RH borrows the rhythm of the LH melody and becomes the leader for variety.

*Overall tip:  This arrangement wasn’t written for too fast of a speed.  I recorded it at the highest suggested tempo. If your church sings it faster than the recording…you’ll need to play less detail (fewer notes) to keep up.

Part One of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” (free arrangement)

Yes….it’s part one of a free piano arrangement entitled: “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”.  This particular hymn can be challenging for a couple of reasons.  The melody has such a wide range..making it a challenge to sing! (I transposed it to B flat Major).  The chorus can also be tricky for the church pianist.

I’ve gleaned ideas from different piano arrangements for “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” and applied them during congregational singing.  It’s a great time to try new ideas while you have the singers for coverup. (ha ha)
The chorus use to be the most awkward part of the song but now has become my favorite over the past few years…once I learned to play in a more user friendly style.  Can’t wait to share the rest of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” in the next article or two.

One of my favorite arrangements of“Wonderful Grace of Jesus” is arranged by Mary Lynn Van Gelderen. I also gleaned alot of ideas for congregational style from Marilynn Ham’s “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” arrangement.  I could not locate a pdf sample of this particular arrangement but it’s found in her book entitled “Timeless Tribute”.

Wonderful Grace of Jesus (Part Two)

I’m adding a new website to my blogroll list!  Bible Truth Music contains a nice selection of resources  that will benefit the church pianist.

I recently purchased one of their new piano duo books entitled Wonderful Grace of Jesus.  The arrangements are fairly easy to learn but sound wonderful! The piano arrangements can also be purchased individually from this book in downloadable pdf format!  Sunshine and I are playing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”  for July 4th Sunday. I will provide sample audios of this book in an upcoming article.

Here’s a list of audio excerpts from several of their piano books:

Audio Excerpts:

Playing Piano Praises   (early advanced) arranged by Glenn & Jan Christianson

In the Garden 

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Joyful Melodies Three   (early intermediate)  arranged by Jennifer Hall

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Power in the Blood

Songs of Invitation  (early advanced) arranged by Harold DeCou

Almost Persuaded

Just as I Am

More sample audios and book titles will appear in the next few articles.  Bible Truth Music plans to have all of their piano books available in pdf format very soon!  Hop on over and see what they have as of now.  I plan to purchase several of their books very soon to add to my offertory repertoire.

Church pianists of all levels will benefit from this website! 

Busy times…but still here 🙂   I’d like to share a free patriotic  piano arrangement with my church pianist readers.  My Country Tis of Thee is a very old hymn. The author of the melody is unknown but the words were written by Samuel Francis Smith.  

My Country Tis of Thee (Audio of free piano arrangement)

Ken Renfrow is one of my favorite arrangers for sacred piano arrangements. His latest book, Sacred Favorites Book One, is an excellent resource for the church pianist. This book features familiar hymns that are rarely seen in piano arrangement books. 

A  must have for church pianists looking for offertories!

Sacred Favorites Book One  (Advanced piano solos) by Ken Renfrow

One of my church pianist readers recently asked if I knew of any nice intermediate level piano offertory books.

Try the following…

Lost in Wonder by Jim Lucas

Intermediate Collection #1 by Jenifer Cook (unavailable; store under construction)

Hymn Medleys by Phillip Keveren  (recommended by a friend)

A Sacred Collection by Ken Renfrow

Hymns with Style by Jerry Ray

Sacred Silhouettes by Dennis Alexander

I just thought I’d share a couple of sacred piano arrangement books with my church pianist readers that I use quite frequently.

Fairest Lord Jesus  by Dan Forrest (favorite arrangements: “Fairest Lord Jesus, Lead Me to Calvary and Hiding in Thee”)  *Intermediate

Have Thine Own Way Mary Ann Van Geldren (favorite arrangements: all of them!)   *Late intermediate

Draw Me Nearer by Faye Lopez  (favorite arrangements: all of them) *Advanced

As a church pianist, I’m always looking for new/old piano offertory books.  I will share more  offertory books with you soon!

Ever been nervous while playing an offertory?  I’ve never met a church pianist who hasn’t dealt with this issue. (including myself).

A question from one of my readers…

How do you address the issue of nerves with your students? I am completely comfortable playing congregationals, but as soon as it is time for the offertory my hands start shaking!

A music professor shared some sound advice with me several years ago, about my being nervous to play or sing at church.  I’m human too 🙂

He said, being nervous reflects on self.. thinking about how I will sound or look when I’m playing or singing in front of others.  Then he said what I didn’t want to hear….PRIDE.  I know…pride is a sin and therefore…well…

So true!  If you think about it…being nervous hinders us as church pianists from being effective communicators through music.

I still get nervous at times, but this wise man’s words have rung in my ears many times… as a gentle reminder to forget self and focus on the message of the song.  Ultimately, I should rely on God to help me convey His message of truth in song.

I also find it easier to play for congregational singing as opposed to playing for an offertory.  During the offering, the church pianist is more on display right?  🙂  Just forget about all those eyes watching you and focus on the message of the song. I like to sing along in my head as I play…which draws me into the song.  Just ask God to give you peace.

Either my parents or piano teacher once advised me to imagine myself just playing in my own livingroom when having to play in church.  I found this helped me to forget the audience and focus on what I was playing.

I will have to say that experience over time does wonders to ease the nerves.  I’ve been playing for church since about age eleven.  I’m ancient now!  Well…just 46.   But…long enough to have gained some experience.

God has a way of keeping me humble if I get too prideful 🙂

There is another side to being nervous.  Maybe the pianist hasn’t prepared enough and therefore he or she is nervous.  Valid reason! Or…it could simply be…the pianist has chosen a piece above his or her level.  If you can’t play it at home without struggling after sufficient practice…then don’t play it.  It’s better to play a simple piece well than to play a fancy piece poorly.

In closing, I’d like to  encourage all church pianists, including myself, to focus on pleasing God with our music and so much will just fall into place.

Thanks for your visits and comments!  I pray for you all as you seek to please the Lord with the talents He has blessed you with.