Choir News

It's official! At the church business meeting last night, Penny Folsom was unanimously approved as our Minister of Music! The church will also license her for ministry, as was done for Jenna and Rhonda. (This allows her ministerial tax benefits, among other things. Don't ask me what the other things are, I don't know.) Several people spoke on Penny's behalf. This has been a difficult time, but God has moved us through it and provided excellent leadership for the Music ministry. Our part is to be faithful in attendance and effort, and be supportive. I really believe we are going to have some wonderful opportunities for ministry in the days to come, and I'm looking forward to it! John Richardson is looking for instrumentalists. Penny is in the process of finding a pianist, so please be in prayer that God will lead the right person to us soon.
( I hestitate to say soon, even though I am eager to have a new pianist on board. There's an old joke about a young man who comes to God and asks how long a million years was to Him.
God replied, "A million years to me is just like a single second of your time."
Then the young man asked God what a million dollars was to Him.
God replied, "A million dollars to me is just like a single penny to you."
Then the young man got his courage up and asked, "God could I have one of your pennies?"
God smiled and replied, "Certainly, just a second.")

Our schedule for June has some special events as well as dates you need to
mark on your calendar::
Sunday, June 1 - "First Fruits Sunday". Fran is going to incorporate the
choir into his "musical sermon" which is entitled "Then Sings My Soul". Our
anthems are "Sometimes I Hear God's Music", and "My Song of Love". We'll sing verses from 5 hymns during the sermon, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this
will work.
Wednesday, June 4 - No rehearsal - Penny is going on Youth Choir tour
Sunday, June 8 - Youth Choir sings/ Sanctuary Choir off
Wednesday, June 11 - Summer Program Kick-Off Rehearsal for the August 3
"Summer Sunday Night SIng" and ice cream social. Invite someone new to come and
sing with us!
Sunday, June 15 - Father's Day - "I Have Felt The Hand of God" and special
men's chorus
Wednesday, June 18 - Regular rehearsal
Sunday, June 22 - First Joy sings/ Sanctuary Choir off
Wednesday, June 25 - Regular rehearsal}
Sunday, June 29 - "Battle Hymn of the Republic"/"America the Beautiful"

If you're reading this and you like to sing, come and join us on Wednesday nights at 7 pm in the choir room on the 2nd floor Adams wing of First Baptist Church. We have a good time and enjoy learning to praise God through music.

Artichoke Dip

I have been asked for the recipe for the artichoke dip I took to a choir fellowship, so here it is:

Artichoke Dip
1 - 4 or 6 oz. jar artichoke hearts
11/2c. mayonnaise (or light mayo)
3/4c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
Optional toppings: paprika or ground nuts

Mix together the first 3 ingredients in blender.
Place in an ungreased pan.
Bake at 350d for 20 min, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

CHOIR UPDATE

The Tenebrae and Easter services were wonderful! Under Penny's excellent leadership and with God's blessing, everyone came together for these meaningful worship services. We had wonderful college students in both the choir and orchestra, and Dr. Judy Arthur did a great job at the piano on Wednesday and Friday night. The good thing about Easter being so early, I think, is that nobody's Spring Break was scheduled, and we had exfeptional participation for the services. Thanks to everyone who came and sang or played, and if you aren't a "regular", we'd love to have you join us anytime! I had many good responses, as I hope you have.

Just a reminder that there is no choir rehearsal Wednesday night (come anyway, it's catfish and cheese grits for dinner!), and First Joy sings on Sunday. So take a little rest, and come back on Wednesday, April 2.
On Wednesday, April 9, there will be a short rehearsal followed by a choir fellowship in the parlor, where we'll celebrate the impending arrival of James Murray Cooper - Jamie - to Murray and Beth Cooper. If you would like to bring a gift, the Coopers are registered at Burlington Coat Factory. I'll also be asking choir members to bring refereshments, and I'll probably need some help with set up and clean up. Drinks, paper and plastic, etc.will be provided I hope everyone can come for this happy time of fellowship. Of course family members are welcome!

EASTER WEEK EVENTS

Here's the schedule of rehearsals and services for Holy Week, 2008.
If you have questions, need music, etc., contact Lenoir or Penny in the Music Office.

Wednesday rehearsal: Chairs in the choir loft will be assigned by name. Be in your assigned seat at 7 pm with music ready. We will rehearse with the orchestra, and we may go longer than usual. If you cannot attend Wednesday night but plan to sing Friday and/or Sunday, please let Lenoir (Music Office) or Penny know.

Friday Tenebrae Service: Be in A-2201 with music at 5:45 pm for warm-up. We will wear choir robes with black/cross stoles.

Sunday Easter Service: Meet in the sanctuary with music at 8:15 am to rehearse with trombones. Come in quietly, as Penny will be rehearsing with instruments. After we rehearse, we'll go upstairs to get robed (stoles red side out) and have a final warm-up. (Sunday anthems: "Coronation", Handel's (Hallelujah Chorus")

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Choir Update 1/24/08

Sanctuary Choir schedule for Jan - Feb 2008:
Sun, 1/27 - "One Bread, One Body"
Wed, 1/30 - Sectional rehearsals
Sun, 2/3 - "Standing on the Promises"
Wed, 2/6 - Regular rehearsal
Sun, 2/10 - "Most Holy Lamb"
Wed, 2/13 - Rehearsal with Penny
Sun, 2/17 - "With Wings as Eagles"
Wed, 2/20 - Regular rehearsal
Sun, 2/24 - First Joy sings
Wed, 2/27 - Regular rehearsal

Friday, Marh 21, 6:30 PM - Good Friday Service of Tenebrae

Choir Update 1/17/2008

We had a good rehearsal last night despite the rainy weather. If you haven't made it in to get a Tenebrae packet, there's still time to participate. We have 9 rehearsals until Tenebrae on March 23, and with several new pieces everyone needs to come and learn the music.
A schedule reminder - First Joy will sing this Sunday, Jan 20.
On Jan 27 the Sanctuary Choir has a special anthem for the Lord's Supper service. Wednesday rehearsals are the same time and place.
Several people have told me that they really enjoyed the music on Sunday and felt it added a lot to their worship experience.

Luncheon of the Boating Party

One of the nicest things about being retired is being able to stay in on a coooold morning and finish a good book! This morning I stayed in to read Susan Vreeland's Luncheon of the Boating Party. I got to hear Ms. Vreeland speak at LCPL's author lunches series (another perk of retirement). It's the story of how Renoir decided to paint the picture, chose the models from among his friends and acquaintences, and stories about the different people in the painting. There's also a good bit of background on the Impressionist movement, Paris and France at the time. She read from the book and talked about her research of the characters in France - there's a chore, having to spend all that time in Paris and the Louvre - sigh! The book is a very enjoyable read, well written and moves right along, giving insights in to Renoir's creative process as well as his personal inspirations. This would be a good book for students of art, France and French culture as well.

Choir Update - 1/3/2008

There will be no rehearsal 1/3/2008, and no fellowship dinner. Rehearsal will resume on 1/9/2008. We will sing on Sunday, 1/6/2008, at the usual 9 am, but come a little early to rehearse the anthem.

A First the New Year!

This is my first attempt at an online blog. My primary purpose is to share information on activites at my church and other organizations that I currently send out via email, but I'm sure some other stuff will show up as well.
When I retired after 37 years in public education, I thought I'd have lots of time on my hands. Thoughtful friends and acquaintences have rallied to help me fill all those "empty days", and now I find my calendar is really full!
If you're one of those on a "bulk mail" list I have used in the past, I hope you'll find this more convenient and less intrusive. Also, if I make mistakes (gasp!) you can post a correction for others to read. That should clear out some inbox clutter!
Thanks for taking a look at my experiment!
Happy New Year to all!