people, look east

December 12, 2020 by Paul Vasile in Christmas, Advent, Music

I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to curate an Advent Hymn Study with two congregations over the past weeks - Valley Presbyterian Church in California and North Decatur Presbyterian Church in Georgia. Each Saturday we have gathered via Zoom for meaningful reflection on hymns and songs for the season. And it has been a life-giving challenge to create digital presentations that invite us to notice new details and beauty, especially since we can't be singing in the same room together.

keep us faithful

August 12, 2020 by Paul Vasile in Music, Congregational Song

Keep Us Faithful was commissioned for Arlington Presbyterian Church for their move and grand opening of their new home at Gilliam Place. Read about their journey as a congregation and their commitment to create affordable housing in their community.

you are present

June 26, 2016 by Paul Vasile in Music, LGBTQ, Lament

I wrote the text and a musical sketch for ‘You Are Present’ months ago but returned to it a few days after the mass shooting in Orlando. The initial feelings of shock and disbelief had given way to anger at the perpetrator and a broken political system that refuses to enact sensible gun control legislation. Anger melted into sadness for the victims, whose lives were ended far too soon, as well as their families and friends.

Glory to God testimonial and update

April 27, 2016 by Paul Vasile in Congregational Song, Music

In 2013, several of my pieces were published in Glory to God, the new hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It's been a pleasure to hear how one particular response, Glory to God, Whose Goodness Shines on Me, has been helping congregations around the country sing their heartfelt joy and praise.

Earlier this month, I received a particularly meaningful testimony from Dr. Mel Bringle, who served as the chair of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song, the group that compiled and edited the hymnal.

residency in Cincinnati

Carthage Christian Church

April 20, 2016 by Paul Vasile in Congregational Song, workshop, residency

Join me for a weekend residency in Cincinnati, Ohio from May 20-22. We'll SING sacred music from diverse cultures and traditions, EXPLORE leadership practices that encourage and animate congregational singing, and REFLECT on ways that worship can be life-giving, inclusive, and prophetic.