They're here, they're here!!!

The new Easter Cantata books are here!!!

Talk about fast! Lifeway really came through. Only 4-days after ordering the 20-books, they arrived at my front doorstep today. Now we can really get into things.

All of the songs are pretty simple and it is written for just 2-parts. Nothing fancy. At first, I had considered eliminating one of the songs in the musical, Let the Song Go Round the Earth, but after listening to it several times I have fell in love with it. I feel that all of the songs together tell the story of Jesus very nicely, and the reading parts along with scripture makes it the perfect Easter cantata. I think everyone that hears it will be pleased and blessed.

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A New Year, New Songs, New Challenges

We had our first choir practice of the year last night. It went very well. We started on some new music and discussed our upcoming Easter Cantata.

We started out with an old Vestal Goodman classic, "God Walks the Dark Hills." I have always loved this song and like I mentioned in my last post, I had a vision of our choir singing it. That vision came to light last night after I purchased a copy of the sheet music online and then presented it to the choir during practice. After a little gentle persuasion, Marilyn agreed to sing the verses while the rest of the choir joined in on the chorus. I thought it sounded fantastic, especially for our first try. I know Marilyn will do a great job on the solo parts.

Next, I had them try one of the songs that my previous choir (House Mountain) used to sing. It is a song made popular by my favorite group, the Kingsmen Quartet, called "I'll Live Again." What can I say but WOW! The choir really picked up on it quickly and we even opened up the service with it last night. I normally work on songs for several weeks before trying them in the service but I felt they knew if well enough to go ahead last night, and they did. I think it will become one of our favorites.

Finally, I introduced the Easter Cantata that I had picked out for this year. I got a few weird looks when I told them that the first song was, "Amen." But, I think everyone came around as we listened to the CD and sang along some. It is a well known song and Sis. Carol will be doing the lead parts while the rest of the choir backs her up. I know she is a little nervous about doing it right but I also know she will do an outstanding job. I don't expect us to sound like one of those 100-member choirs or anything, I just want us to have fun and spread the Gospel.

As you know, I was in a dilemma over purchasing the cantata books. I was pleased that most everyone agreed to pay for their own copy. Last night I went ahead and ordered 20-copies from Lifeway. They gave me a huge discount, only $4.76 a piece plus shipping! So it was just a total of $106.20. That's much better than the $126 that I thought it would be. I'm excited about getting into this new book and seeing how well the choir will sound. Only 13-more practices until Easter! YIKES!!!

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A little hands on

I attended a Music Minister's Roundtable this evening at Sevier Heights Baptist church. It was hosted by Paul Clark, of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. They had two different sessions today. The early one was from 8:00 - 2:00. I didn't feel that I could miss work all day, so I went to the one for bi-vocational music ministers that was held from 4:00 - 6:00. There was only 7 of us in attendance, plus Paul.

Highlights for Roundtables 2008 – Theme: Do You Hear the People Sing?

A challenge to find out how well your people are singing their worship

Roundtable discussions & resource sharing - helping our people sing in corporate worship

Biblical and Theological foundations – Eight scripture passages to help your people sing

Preview/Overview of LifeWay’s new Baptist Hymnal/Worship Hymnal

Closer Look at LifeWay’s “Worship Project” products and services

Discussion about copyright issues and Worship Music Resources

Fabulous giveaways at each location!

I wish I could have attended the earlier session because I feel they probably hit more on the above subjects than what we were able to do in 2-hours. We mainly focused on Lifeway's new " Worship Project." Of course this centers around the Baptist Hymnal, which Lifeway generously gave each person in attendance a free copy. My church does not use the Baptist Hymnal, although I wish we would consider adding it in to our worship services. I love all types of Christian music and I think the new Baptist Hymnal has an excellent mixture of traditional, contemporary, and gospel tunes. I made a plea to those in attendance for anyone wishing to donate their old Baptist Hymnals to a worthy cause (my choir). I already use several songs from the hymnal in the music that I pick out for the choir. I just don't mention that it's from the Baptist Hymnal. I think if folks would open their mind and give the hymnal a chance, they would really love it. But, like I said, perhaps eventually we can use it along with our current song books.

I've worked in church ministry for most of my adult life. It is something that I love to do and feel led by God to do. Honestly I love doing church work more than anything else in my life. I wish I could be full-time instead of bi-vocational. I feel like I could do so much more and make such a difference in people's lives if I could focus only on that. Maybe one day it will be God's will for me to do just that.

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