Joseph Smith Jr. Bicentennial Hymn Festival
In commemoration of the 2005 bicentennial of Joseph Smith Jr.’s birth,
Community of Christ has invited participation from churches that share Latter
Day Saint heritage to join together in a Celebration Hymn Festival on
September 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Auditorium. All are invited to attend by
gathering at the Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, or via live Web
broadcast at
www.CofChrist.org/broadcast/.
Jan Kraybill, World Church director of music, said, “Members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, several Restoration branches, and the
Community of Christ have expressed enthusiasm for this unique opportunity to
raise their voices together in praise and, more importantly, to celebrate
those elements that unite these faith movements.”
Together, we will celebrate the life of the founding prophet through hymns
sung during his lifetime and still cherished today. Enjoy favorites including,
“When Earth in Bondage Long Had Lain,” “I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly,” “Glorious
Things of Thee Are Spoken,” “Redeemer of Israel,” and “The Spirit of God Like
a Fire Is Burning.” An outline of the service will be available on the Web by
September 17 at
www.CofChrist.org/worship/.
A brief background statement will be shared before the singing of each hymn
by readers from the various groups in attendance. They will share information
on the hymn’s origin and importance to the early church. Participating
instrumentalists will blend their sounds with the 6,313 pipes of the Aeolian-Skinner
organ to accompany the singing.
The event will be led by Richard Clothier, PhD, Graceland University
professor emeritus of music. This celebration was inspired by the success of a
series of multi-denominational festivals of historic hymns recently organized
and led by Clothier in Lamoni, Iowa; Nauvoo, Illinois; and at Kirtland, Ohio.
—Jane Gardner reporting
Worship Ministries coordinator
