Concord UMC Music Notes

November 15th, 2017
From the Podium
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There are a lot of little details that happen prior to the Advent and Christmas season. One of those things involves making sure that the musical instruments that are used so often in worship are in good shape for one of our most important and well-attended seasons. So I've been making appointments to have the organ tuned up and given a maintenance once-over, and working on having the pianos in the sanctuary and choir room tuned. It occurred to me while talking with the piano tuner that I haven't had the piano at my home tuned in, well, I couldn't exactly remember when. The piano tuner came to my house last week. Piano tuners typically will leave a business card in the piano that lists the date on which the instrument was last tuned. In the case of my home piano, it had been two years! I would never think of allowing the sanctuary or choir room piano to go that long without a tuning, but the instrument that was in my own house received a lot less attention.

There's a parallel here with our discipleship and ministry. Our call and purpose as disciples is to be a light to the world. Most of us don't hesitate at all to serve others and take care of others, but we can fall into a habit of not taking care of ourselves. It's much harder to spiritually encourage others when we don't adequately care for and encourage our own spirits. That's not to say we should be selfish and self-indulgent, but most of what we call evangelism and ministry is a sharing and passing on of that which we have received ourselves. If we don't take the time to help ourselves, our help to others can be a little less than it could be. As in most things, it's a balancing act that requires careful attention.

After my piano had been tuned, I sat down just made some music for myself. What an incredible difference from the last time I had played it. It's not that it was horribly out of tune in the first place, but when every string had been restored and tuned, the note just rang so much more clearly. The instrument "spoke" much more effectively and beautifully. It was a joy to hear the sounds coming out of it. You know the Psalmist was a musician. I think that perhaps that familiar phrase, "Restore to me the joy of my salvation" might have brought to mind an instrument that had been perfectly tuned in order to fulfill its purpose. There is a joy in finding again the clear sound of one's purpose and call.

So if you're feeling a little out of tune, or maybe you just don't feel like your soul is speaking as joyfully and clearly as maybe it once did, take some spiritual time for yourself. Allow the Spirit to work in you through prayer, Scripture, and reflection. I think you'll find that if it's be awhile since you paid attention to yourself, there are joyful sounds for you in the near future.







Chancel and Worship Choirs
Chancel Choir - This Sunday will be a lot like last Sunday. The Concord Men's Ensemble will handle the anthem duties while the rest of us will provide hymn support and benediction duties. You don't need to be in the choir room until 10:45.

Worship and Chancel Choir - I realize that this is far into the future, but worship plans for Dec. 24th and 31st have changed. Originally we were going to have worship at the usual Sunday morning times, but we have now decided to hold one service at 10:00 a.m. More details about our role in those worship services will be forthcoming.

Worship and Chancel Choirs - Almost everyone is very good about this, but this is the periodic reminder that as we approach the holiday season, please make sure that you're signing the calendar when you will be away. It's an enormous help in scheduling music when I know the number of people who will be here to sing. It's also very helpful to know if you are planning to sing at the 8:00 Christmas Eve service, the 11:00 service, both, or neither.
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Youth Choir
  • Thank you everyone for a great rehearsal yesterday. In last week's newsletter, I indicated that there was a chance we would sing this Sunday at 11:00. Alas, we will have too many people absent to do so. We will sing again in worship on Dec. 3rd.
Other Musical Ensembles

  • Concord Bells - Just a reminder that we are now going to play "Carol of the Bells" at both services on Dec. 3rd, and "I Saw Three Ships" on Dec. 31st. Thank you for a great rehearsal last night.

  • Concord Men's Ensemble - Don't forget that we are rehearsing this Wednesday night in the choir loft. We are also singing this Sunday in the 11:00 traditional service. We'll meet in the choir room at 10:30 for a final run-through and polishing.
  Looking Ahead










Wed. Nov. 15th

5:30 - Concord Men's Ensemble

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal

7:30 - Orchestra rehearsal

Sun. Nov. 19th

8:45 - Worship Choir - "Sing Unto God a New Song"

11:00 - Concord Men's Ensemble - "I Will Sing"

4:00 - Youth Choir rehearsal

7:30 - Concord Bells rehearsal


Wed. Nov. 22nd

No Choir rehearsals (Happy Thanksgiving!)


Sun. Nov. 26th

8:45 - Worship Choir - TBD

11:00 Chancel Choir - TBD

4:00 - Youth Choir

7:30 - Concord Bells


Wed. Nov. 29th


5:30 - Concord Men's Ensemble

6:30 - Chancel Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary

7:30 - Orchestra rehearsal


Sat. Dec. 2nd

10:00 a.m. - Cantata dress rehearsal with orchestra


Sun. Dec. 3rd

8:45 - Concord Bells - "Carol of the Bells"

8:45 - Concord Men's Ensemble - "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"

11:00 - Concord Bells - "Carol of the Bells:

11:00 - Concord Youth Choir - "Advent Candlelight Carol"


4:00 - Chancel Choir gathers for Christmas cantata

5:00 - "Invitation To a Miracle"

6:00 - Choir fellowship in the choir room.

7:00 - "Invitation To a Miracle"

8:30 - Everyone collapses on the couch and reflects upon a day of wonderful music.












Prayer Concerns and Celebrations




  • Joan De Tar's birthday is today, Nov. 13th.
  • Laurie Booker's birthday is Friday, Nov. 17th.
  • Paul Garrison's birthday is Sunday, Nov. 19th.



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