Song Spotlight: “Every Season” by Nichole Nordeman
This Wednesday is the official start of autumn. The change of seasons provides an opportunity to stop and reflect. While this date isn’t as dramatic as the summer or winter solstice, where the length of days begins to change, autumn is usually a favorite season for many people (myself included!). The temperature begins to drop, the leaves transform, the days are now noticeably shorter, and we begin to head toward treasured celebrations like Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas.
If you’re interested in marking the seasonal change in worship, I want to remind you of an older song that still holds great power. Though it was written 15 years ago, “Every Season” by Nichole Nordeman can fit into most modern, blended, and even traditional services.
Nichole Nordeman is an incredibly gifted songwriter. In this piece, she gives a verse to each season, describing poetically the characteristics of each and the ways in which they remind her of the Creator. Through the turn of the seasons, she sees the pattern of life, death, and resurrection. This not only reminds us of the Gospel but of the faithfulness of God in our lives. Here is the verse about autumn:
And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice you when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and what’s to come
You are autumn
This song is not a congregational song for a large group. Rather it would work well as special music or as the soundtrack for a video. While liturgical dance is not my thing, it seems like the imagery in the song combined with the moderate tempo would provide opportunities for creativity.
iTunes Link
Amazon Link
CCLI Song Select Link: https://us.songselect.com/songs/3033526/every-season
Sheet Music: https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0046244
Choral Arrangement: http://www.jwpepper.com/10072572.item
If you’re a fan of what you hear, be sure to check out her brand new EP “The Unmaking” (iTunes | Amazon)
