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The Chancel Choir and Ensemble will play at the 10:30 service on Sunday for our Church Birthday Celebration. 76 years! I moved to St. Simons in 1983 when the church was a mere 37 years old. Some of you have been here since the beginning. The physical and spiritual growth has been immense if you look back. We have much to celebrate! Our anthem will be Canticle of Faithfulness by Daniel Bird. At the end of this piece, you will have the opportunity to sing the first verse of Great is Thy Faithfulness - just watch and I’ll let you know when to sing.
One of our hymns was arranged by my good friend, Tom Trenney. The hymn, How Firm a Foundation, was our theme for the 75th anniversary. We will all sing the first verse together, treble voices will sing the second verse, tenors and basses will sing the third verse, the choir will sing the fourth verse as a round (you are welcome to join us), and then we will all come together and end on verse five. I am grateful to the four brass players who will enhance our service of worship – Anne Marie Stirewalt, Ed Jackson, Fred Leif, and John Simmons. Our other hymn is God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand. The trumpet fanfare on this piece will be a familiar introduction to those of you who remember this hymn. The words of the last verse speak of our path to eternal life and our need for encouragement along the way:
Refresh thy people on their toilsome way.
Lead us from night to never ending day.
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.
October 2nd is World Communion Sunday. The Chancel Choir will sing a piece by Craig Courtney, Idyll of Praise. Craig was a guest conductor and composer for a workshop last year at St. Simons UMC held by Nathaniel and Amanda Roper through Kappellmeister Productions. The words to This is My Father’s World are set to Mr. Courtney’s composed tune. As in the past, Suzanne Morrison will present a display of the breads of the world and colorful materials to draw your attention to the elements of communion. The Early Music Ensemble plans to play Mozart’s Ave Verum during communion. Pam Hamilton, Mary Jo Townsend, and I have been practicing before dinner each week. Mark Lochstampfor will join us on the harpsichord.
Don’t miss You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Island Players – Amy Bishop is directing and playing the music, and Mark Propst is Schroeder.
We continue to be grateful for your prayers for Harlan for his recovery. Receiving a blanket and a gift bag of comfort items was so nice. Knowing that your prayers and healing thoughts are surrounding us mean so much. When you get to the third verse of How Firm a Foundation, take note:
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
Love & Gratitude,
Rhonda
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