Concord UMC Music Notes

September 20th, 2017
From the Podium
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        I recently downloaded and began listening to one of The Great Courses offered on audible.com. The Great Courses is a series of college-level lectures on a wide variety of topics, and the one about “The Art of Reading” caught my eye. I read a lot, and I read a lot of things, but I don’t consider myself to be a good reader, particularly of literature and good fiction. One of the reasons is that I don’t notice symbolism very well, but the biggest reason is that I’m a lazy reader. That’s the primary lesson that this course has shown me so far. The advice of the professor is, “Come to the text with the intent of asking questions.” Why did the author write in a first-person perspective instead of a third-person perspective? Would it be as powerful the other way around? How are we brought into the story? Is there a backstory that we need to figure out? You get the idea. Suddenly reading becomes more work, but promises a deeper enjoyment of the story. Now, I don’t know why this was such a revelation to me, since this is the exact process I’m always encouraging people to use when they approach Scripture or questions of faith.

               I hear many people say that they don’t understand enough to delve into faith issues, or that they have trouble understanding how to gain a deeper faith. I don’t believe it has anything to do with their intellect, and I’m not sure they’re completely at fault. Our brains like things to stay the way they are. The brain doesn’t always like new things because it must work harder to figure out if this new thing is a threat. Plus, it takes more energy to develop new ideas. Therefore, we tend to fall back on “Sunday School” answers. When thinking about our faith life, we will immediately say we need to “follow Christ”, “have a relationship with God”, or “make disciples.” Those are all absolutely correct answers, but here’s the challenge: what do those phrases mean?

               Here are two important questions to always have at hand: “What does that mean,” and “So what?” Don’t be afraid to use them often when thinking about faith. It’s a process of distilling down to the essence and immediate action of discipleship, and the best way to arrive at a firm definition of what is being talked about. Take, for instance, “following Christ.” What does that mean? It can’t mean physically following him like the disciples, so what else could it mean? Following his example? Well, what does THAT mean? You can see how asking this one simple question can take us down several deeper levels of understanding and study. When we get to the endpoint, when we can go no further with “What does that mean?”, then we use the “So what?” question that determines the best action steps for us to take towards more meaningful discipleship.

               The most important tools you can bring to the study of Scripture and faith are not books, commentaries, or scholarly articles. Those certainly have their place once the digging begins, but the most important tools at the outset are good solid questions. It is well worth the work involved in order to prevent very meaningful faith statements from becoming empty and meaningless phrases.

    


Chancel and Worship Choirs
  • Worship Choir - We are back to our normal schedule this Sunday. Hannah will be leading the choir this week.
  • Chancel Choir - This Sunday at 11:00, the service will feature the important work of United Methodist Women. In keeping with a long Concord tradition, the choir will be a ladies' ensemble. The first part of Wednesday's rehearsal will be ladies only, and you will also meet early on Sunday to do a final review of the anthem. The gentlemen will join us at 7:00 Wednesday to continue work on Christmas music.
  • Chancel Choir - We will continue working on Christmas music this Wednesday night at around 7:00. Bring your friends and be sure to invite choir alumni to come and join us.
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Youth Choir
  • Thanks to everyone for being a part of an outstanding worship experience Sunday morning. That was not an easy piece, but your voices combined with the Chancel Choir produced a truly special musical moment. Thank you for being there, for coming early, and for being willing to be a part of a mass choir.
  • We rehearse this Sunday afternoon at 4:00. We are about to enter a season in which we will miss some rehearsal time, so we need to make the best of the time that we have.
Other Musical Ensembles

  • Concord Bells - Great rehearsal last night. Remember the change in our schedule: we are now playing on October 22nd instead of October 15th.
  • Concord Men's Ensemble - I hope you were able to hear some of the very appreciative comments offered by the congregation Sunday. You were a special part of Sunday's worship. I appreciate more than I can say your continued dedication and commitment. We have developed into an excellent ensemble, and the fun you have singing is apparent. We are rehearsing this Wednesday night at 5:30. We should now be back to normal with our initial schedule.
  Looking Ahead















Wednesday, Sept. 20th

5:30 - Men's Ensemble rehearsal

6:30 - Ladies rehearsal

7:00 - Christmas cantata rehearsal




Sunday, Sept. 24th

8:45 - Worship Choir - "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace"

11:00 - Ladies' Ensemble - "O Lord, Most Holy"

4:00 - Youth Choir rehearsal

7:30 - Concord Bells rehearsal


Wednesday, Sept. 27th

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

7:00 - Christmas cantata rehearsal

7:30 - Orchestra rehearsal


Sunday, Oct. 1st

8:45 - Worship Choir - "Come to the Table of the Lord"

11:00 - Chancel Choir - "Come, Taste, and See"

4:00 - Youth Choir Rehearsal

7:30 - Concord Bells rehearsal


Wed. Oct. 4th

5:30 - Men's Ensemble rehearsal

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

7:00 - Christmas cantata rehearsal

7:30 - Orchestra rehearsal

Sunday, Oct. 8th

8:45 - Men's Ensemble - "The King of Love and Grace"
11:00 - Chancel Choir - "A Clean Heart"

7:30 - Concord Bells


Wed. Oct. 11th

5:30 - Men's Ensemble rehearsal

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

7:00 - Christmas cantata rehearsal

7:30 - Orchestra rehearsal


Sun. Oct. 15th

8:45 - Worship Choir - "Lord, Lead Me Lord"

11:00 - Chancel Choir - "Lord, I Know I've Been Changed"

4:00 - Youth Choir Rehearsal

7:30 - Concord Bells rehearsal



Wed. Oct. 18th

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

7:00 - Christmas cantata rehearsal

7:30 - Orchestra rehearsal


Sun. Oct. 22nd

8:45 - Youth Choir - TBA

8:45 - Concord Bells - "Gospel Rags" & "Joyful Acclamation"

11:00 - Youth Choir - TBA

11:00 - Concord Bells

4:00 - Youth Choir rehearsal

7:30 - Concord Bells rehearsal


Wed. Oct. 25th

5:30 - Men's Ensemble rehearsal

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

7:00 - Christmas cantata rehearsal

7:30 - Orchestra rehearsal


Sun. Oct. 29th

8:45 - Worship Choir - "Your Grace Still Amazes Me"

11:00 - Chancel Choir - "With a Heart of Thanks

NO YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSAL

NO CONCORD BELL REHEARSAL























Prayer Concerns and Celebrations



  • Christopher De Tar's birthday is today, Sept. 19th.











    
    
      
 
Weekly Devotional Challenge




This Week's Challenge:

Read Matthew 20: 1-16 several times. Come to the reading with questions. What do you immediately think of this story? What emotions are triggered? Is anyone "right" or "wrong" in this story? Why do you think Matthew placed this story here (in other words, what comes before it?)?

Mike Stallings
mike@concordumc.com
mikestallings@charter.net
(865) 966-6728 (o.)
(865) 719-3469 (c.)