Issue 10
Philippians
2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey
Him and the power to do what pleases Him."
One of my favorite activities during
the summer is attending the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians
week-long conference at Green Lake. While part of the reason for attending
is the setting, the main reason for attending is to reconnect with
old friends and to make new ones. During this week, workshops are
offered on many different subjects from organ and piano to hymn singing
and worship planning. Various publishers present their new music so
we get a chance to sing through many new anthems. This really gives
me a head start on the coming choir year. There is plenty of time
for visiting, enjoying the grounds and discussing common issues and
problems.
Perhaps the best part of this week
is experiencing the myriad ways that God is working in people's lives.
There are people from many denominations, some from large churches,
some small. There are directors, organists, pianist, singers, ringers
and family members along for the sheer pleasure of Green Lake. Some
are experiencing growth and renewal in their churches and others are
struggling with divisive issues. Whatever the reason that brings them
to this conference, I hear over and over again that God is working
His purpose out through them. Sometimes, that is painful and sometimes
it is so wonderful we can hardly believe it.
As we work in the church as musical
leaders and participants, we need to remember that the purpose is
worship and the focus is God. All of our planning and teaching and
learning are meant to help people worship God more fully. If we open
ourselves up to the spirit of God and allow Him to work in us and
through us, our worship will be more and more what it was meant to
be - praising God for all He does.
MUSIC ALERT: Jesus
Loves Me by Michael Hassell
Augsburg Publishing
What a great setting of one of the
most beloved songs of all time. I would never have thought that this
song would "fly" as an anthem but this one does. What really
makes it wonderful is that it has a part for saxophone (soprano or
alto). Don't let that put you off. Check with you local high school
for a young player or use a keyboard or synthesizer to record the
part and play-back with your accompanist.
BOOK ALERT: Open
to Glory by Carol Doran and Thomas H. Troeger,
Judson Press, ISBN # 0817009817
Worship is my favorite reading topic
and this book offers insight into worship, what it is and how to make
it better in your worshipping community. The authors emphasize the
necessity of worship being specific to your community and that we
need to stay open to the glory of God and the working of the Holy
Spirit in all we do in the name of worship. While not very long, this
book holds much that will need to be re-read and prayed about.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
ABC-Wisconsin
Annual Meeting October 13-14, 2006
Come and enjoy the beauty of Green Lake and fellowship with friends
old and new. Make sure you plan on attending the music reading session.
Free music!!
"Singing Our Faith-A Festival
of Hymns"
Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. First Baptist-West Allis.
Come and enjoy an evening of singing
hymns and songs we all love. Be a part of the premier of "Why
Do We Sing Our Faith?, a new hymn text written just for this occasion.
Call 414-258-7400 for information or to arrange a ride.
Any comments, questions or suggestions
email me at fbwamusic@aol.com
Mary
