Penitential Advent?
Dear Ambrose In times past Advent was thought of as a penitential season and sometimes called “a little Lent.” We don’t see much of that anymore. When and why did that change? For many of […]
Ask Ambrose
Small Choir and No Budget!
Dear Ambrose: I serve at a small church and have few organ skills. I have a small choir and virtually no music budget. Help! ~ Desperate Dear Desperate: We feel your pain. Here […]
Printing Words of Anthems – Legal or Not?
Dear Ambrose Would you please address copyright issues with printing anthem texts in bulletins. Is there an issue here? Signed, Trying to do the right thing Dear Trying to do the right thing, There is […]
Capitalizing C’s
Dear Ambrose, Could someone please explain why we make such a big deal about being part of the lower case “c” as in the “catholic” church meaning universal but in Form III of the BCP […]
The Exsultet
Dear Ambrose: I need to chant the Exsultet this year at the Easter Vigil service, is there a recording that I could practice with? The Reverend Dr. William Bradley Robers, consultant to the Center for […]
Designing an Easter Vigil Liturgy
Dear Ambrose: I need help designing an Easter Vigil liturgy, what are some suggestions? Answer: DESIGNING YOUR EASTER VIGIL FIRE The service begins after sun down. The fire should be a large as you manage. […]
Christmas Hymns as Anthems
Dear Ambrose: Many of my choir members will be out for Christmas. Do you know of any hymns that would make good hymn-anthems for choirs? Answer: Here are a few suggestions from The Hymnal 1982 […]
Second Helpings of the Eucharist?
Q. Past teachings in the Church have said that parishioners should receive Eucharist only one time per day; however, is it not the case that more contemporary teachings relax this view? With multiple services in […]
Liturgical Color for Baptisms
Q: For baptism on Pentecost does the liturgical color red take precedence over white? Thank you. A: Since, according to the Book of Common Prayer, “Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief […]
Extinguishing the Paschal Candle
Q: I recently heard of a parish that extinguishes the Paschal Candle on Ascension Day. Why is this done, and is this an option, as opposed to leaving the Paschal Candle burning through the Day […]