A Message From Joel

September 2010

There is so much that went on this August to get ready for all the ensembles and everything for the school year! But in our busy-ness, is God there? Are we running around so fast, and forgetting that God can be there with us? I know I definitely do from time to time. But, praise be to God that we have a God that can be there in the midst of our business, or in the midst of our slowness. We have a patient and loving God, that wants us to be in relationship with him. So, because our God is always there for us, we could try to be there for Him. Even if it's a couple minutes in the car, or in the shower, or wherever, try to spend a little time with God, and make an effort to come to church and continue to be fed with the living word and sacrament given there.

We've made some changes to the music schedule for worship, and I think it will allow for some variety, without being too scatter-brained. If you would like complete details for the "generic month," please see the music bulletin board. The Adult Choir will sing some at both the early and late services, the Children's Choir and Bonus Ludo will be at one service each per month, and Sounds of Faith will stay at their 4th Sunday familiar place. Jesus' Garage Band is continuing on an occasional basis. Myself and a couple other thoughtful folks met in late summer to come up with this "compromise plan." I feel like it will allow for the greatest number of folks to have the greatest amount of satisfaction from their contribution to the Music Ministry here. Of course, no plan will ever be perfect, but I feel as though the folks that are in the Music Ministry can get behind this plan.


Of course, no Music Ministry would be successful without the help of many folks. I would like to take this space to thank the other directors who are volunteering their time. Donna Chase and Lori Lewis, for leading Sounds of Faith. Amy Kopp, for leading Bonus Ludo, the strings group. Nathan Heimer, for leading Jesus' Garage Band. If you are interested in participating in any of these groups, please speak to the director of the group.

Let us go onward together in peace.
Joel


The Adult Choir has an exciting year planned! If you'd like to be a part of this wonderful group, please talk to me. Having some experience in music is helpful for this group, but it is not necessary - the most important qualification is a willingness to learn, and work hard during rehearsals. Some folks in choir have lots if music experience, and others have very little, but we all get along, and give to God and to each other our best. WE ARE PROVIDING CHILDCARE!

Hopefully, singing at both services and providing childcare can remove some roadblocks for folks who would like to sing, but can't due to some circumstances that were in place last year. We are also moving our rehearsals forward a half-hour, beginning at 7:00 and ending at 8:30.

The Children's Choir has begun, and we want you! We are rehearsing from 4:30 to 5:30 on Wednesdays. In addition to providing anthems for the church once a month, we will be learning to actively listen to music, basic music theory, music reading, hymns, and composers. In addition to all of this, we will be participating in the Chorister's Guild festival at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in early April! Sign your child up today for this exciting opportunity!

Selections from Joel's Recitals are available on the links below. Enjoy!