Advent 2024

Updates on the Music Ministry

Rehearsals are well underway to prepare Keith Hampton's joyous gospel anthem "Celebrate!" for Celebration Sunday, October 29. The Chancel Choir will sing, and we welcome guest soloist Ibidunni Ojikutu who will sing the solo verses. Lead Pastor Sharon Benton has written a third verse for Ibidunni to sing, with the Chancel Choir joining in the refrain as congregants bring forward their pledge cards.

Allison Thomas led the Handbell Choir in "Joyful Reflection" by Cynthia Dobrinski for the Offertory on Sunday. Thanks to Allison and the ringers for hours of practice, and flexibility in moving to different rehearsal spaces to accommodate other needs for the Sanctuary. Thanks also to the volunteers who leapt into action to transport the handbell tables down three floors: Pete Beglin, John Green, Larry Menninga, and Tom
Schneider.
Thanks also to the volunteers who transformed the Sanctuary into a concert hall last Sunday, carefully moving the Communion table and the Steinway piano: Joe Kutz, Rob Olason, and Isaiah Stumpf.
Thanks to Cathy, Connie, and Katie Beecham for their beautiful arrangement and singing of Leonard Cohen's
"Hallelujah" for the Offertory on Sunday, October 8. We look forward to more musical gifts from our talented
congregation in the coming weeks. All are welcome!
Our newest ensemble, the small choral group (name yet to be decided) led by Scott Ward, is rehearsing weekly. This ensemble will sing during worship on Sunday, November 12 and will also share their gifts for regular and special worship in December. 

Please mark your calendars for special music on December 3, when the Chancel Choir will sing songs reflecting the theme of Beauty. We will focus on music honoring Mary, including Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria," joining with our new small chorus. For more information, or if you would like to share your musical gifts to enhance our worship, please contact Debbie Brown, Minister of Music: kenzieb@ comcast.net.