GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI
A Festival of Psalms
August 20-21
Join Dr. Martin Tel, Princeton Theological Seminary's C. F. Seabrook Director of Music, for a weekend of prayer and music. Tel will lead two workshops on Saturday, August 20, "The Psalms as the Bible's Prayer Book" and "The Psalms as the Bible's Song Book," and a concert, "Singing Christ in the Psalms," which will feature musicians from seven Gulf Coast churches and Westminster's 33-rank pipe organ. On Sunday, August 21, Tel will lead a special service of worship based on Psalm 103.
Workshop I
The Psalms as the Bible's Prayer Book
​
This workshop will look at the use of the Psalter as a book of prayer for individual Christians and churches. Participants will consider how the Psalms call believers to expand their prayer life to a broad and rich time of praise, lament, petition, thanksgiving, confession, and solidarity with others. For those looking to broaden their life of prayer; for those who teach about prayer; for those who plan prayer in worship; for those who are interested in historical, liturgical, and practical approaches to Bible study.
Schedule
Saturday, August 20
8:30 a.m.: Registration Opens
9:00 a.m.: Morning Prayer
9:30 a.m.: Workshop I, "The Psalms as the
Bible's Prayer Book"
Noon: Lunch
Box lunch available for $10
1:00 p.m.: Workshop II, "The Psalms as
the Bible's Song Book"
3:30 p.m.: Free Time/Dinner on your own
7:00 p.m.: Concert, "Singing Christ in the
Psalms."
​
Sunday, August 21
10:30 a.m.: Service of Worship
Based on Psalm 103
Following: Pot-Luck Luncheon
Workshop II
The Psalms as the Bible's Song Book
​
This workshop, drawing off the resources of Tel's "Psalms for All Seasons," will look at the wide array of ways to use the Psalms for Biblical singing and worship. Participants will consider the rich resources of the world-wide church as they use the Psalms to sing through praise, lament, petition, thanksgiving, confession, and solidarity with others. Church musicians and worship planners will especially enjoy expanding their repertoire through settings that encourage participation by people of all levels of musical ability. For those who lead music programs; for those interested in Biblical music; for those looking for new and fresh presentations of song in worship; for those wishing to preview a new resource for congregational music and worship.
"Singing Christ in the Psalms"
​
This evening of song will feature multiple musical Psalms that help illuminate the life of Jesus Christ. Choirs, instrumentalists and congregation will sing through all parts of Jesus's life, from his advent, through his birth, crucifixion and resurrection, to his coming again.
Register Now
Want to attend the Saturday evening "Singing Christ in the Psalms" concert? The Sunday morning service of worship? Just come as you are.
​
Free tickets are required for the two workshops. These, along with $10 box lunch tickets and $20 copies of "Psalms for All Seasons," can be purchased online now by clicking here or by calling (228) 864-3143. Online registration closes August 14.
About Martin Tel & "Psalms for All Seasons"
​
Martin Tel, who holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Arts degree from Calvin Theological Seminary and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas, in 2012 served as senior editor for “Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship,” which remains the largest-ever collection of musical Psalms produced in the English language. The collection draws from the Christian tradition of Psalm singing around the world, and features multiple settings of all 150 Psalms, including settings from Scotland, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and many other places and cultures.
​
Listen to a clip of Psalm 150, setting A, from "Psalms for All Seasons," performed at Princeton Theological Seminary:
Travelling to Gulfport?
Will you be coming a distance to attend "A Festival of Psalms?" Let us at Westminster take this opportunity to welcome you to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast. Gulfport is conveniently located on U.S. Highway 49 between Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90, right along the Gulf of Mexico. We are approximately three hours south of Jackson, Miss., one hour east of New Orleans, La., and one hour west of Mobile, Ala.
​
If you would like to spend the night, there is a small block of rooms reserved for "A Festival of Psalms" participants at the Marriott Courtyard, located on U.S. Highway 90, just across the street from the Gulfport beaches. Click here to reserve the special $109 rate, which is available the nights of August 19 and 20. Reservations must be made by July 29.
​
You will find plenty of good food on the Gulf Coast! Within walking distance of the Marriott Courtyard are The Chimneys and Salute, two "coast casual" fine dining establishments, and Shaggy's, a casual seafood restaurant. Try these, or explore other options!
​