Ian Welch 1/30/14 Ian Welch 1/30/14

The Sermon on the Mount

Four new sets have been released for the season of Epiphany that tie in Jesus' words spoken in his sermon on the mount. I'd like to now share some examples of how this art could be used in your worship folder. You may click the images to enlarge them.

The main art from The Sermon on the Mount set could be used as the cover for all of the following weeks. Art that is associated with the Gospel of the Day can then be used inside the service folder.

If there is room, the smaller art pieces can be placed near the Gospel lesson. A 3 pt. border is applied to the art here.

Combining art from The Sermon on the Mount with the art from another set can be effective. Here, art pieces 14b, 16b, and 16c are stacked together. A 4 pt. border was created around all of them. The stacked art can be made smaller to fit text underneath if you wish.

Similar to the example above, art can be mixed together on the cover. Art 14b and 15c are place here with a 4 pt. border and slightly separated.

This is just a taste of what can be done, but I hope you find these examples useful as you find new and creative ways to use my art.

Ian Welch 1/9/14 Ian Welch 1/9/14

Opus 54: A Documentary Film

Four years ago, Caleb Bassett and I set out to make a documentary about the organ in the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary chapel in Mequon, WI. This was to fulfill the requirements of our senior church history project by recording the historical and immediate impact of this grand instrument in the context of Lutheranism in America. But what started as a rudimentary chronicle of the planning and construction of the organ, quickly became something much more.

It was quite apparent after studying the organ, playing it, and listening to the heartfelt interviews with those directly tied to its history, that this project would transcend our course requirements and perhaps our initial expectations. For me personally, I have grown to appreciate organs and their role in worship considerably. Walking inside (yes, inside) the organ made me value the sheer engineering skill it takes to make a mechanical organ of this scale. Listening to the performances of expert musicians left me in awe at the colors of sound such an instrument could produce. Their expertise and words of praise for the organ created in me an ambition to encourage the best in worship, especially within my own congregation. Hearing from the various people who planned and made the organ gave me the knowledge I might someday need when my church considers purchasing a pipe organ. My hope for those who watch this movie, is that they experience and embrace all these things that I still carry with me today.

I'm always delighted and humbled when pastors and committee members tell me how beneficial this documentary and website has been in their preparations and planning for a new organ. Through the story of Opus 54, you will be well-equipped with the knowledge to tackle an organ-building project of your own, as well as a zeal to encourage the arts in worship. Opus 54 is made for pastors, teachers, musicians, organ committee members, and all those who wish to learn more about organs and their blessing to the church.

Please help support Caleb and me by going to our website below and browsing the wealth of information found there. You will find various documents, short films, photos, and audio and video of performances on the organ. The DVD is currently on sale for only $8 (US) on Amazon. We'd love to hear what you think of the film. It was an incredible journey that resulted in something that we are incredibly proud of.

Opus 54 Website

Purchase on Amazon

Ian Welch 12/23/13 Ian Welch 12/23/13

Symbol 10: O Emmanuel

Latin

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio Gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster.

English

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." — Isaiah 7:14

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Ian Welch 12/22/13 Ian Welch 12/22/13

Symbol 09: O Rex Gentium

Latin

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

English

O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay.

"He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." — Isaiah 2:4

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." — Isaiah 9:6

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