On the "other" Sundays, we have what
we call a Blended Service. If you are a Lutheran you
will recognize that the parts of a traditional Lutheran service
are there, but not in a traditional form. If you are not a Lutheran,
you will appreciate the up-beat music. We also use more music
than in the tradition service.
All services focus on the Word of God which is at the center
of the service. Ther is also a sermon or teaching at each service
to help us to understand God's Holy Word for today. Pastor Gary
uses modern illustrations to try to make the Holy Scriptures
come alive for today, while being careful to never change the
meaning of the Scriptures.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated on
the first Sunday of each month and on other special occasions.
We hope that you will come and worship with
us. We honestly feel that your week will be better when it is
grounded in God's Word and when you have lifted your voice in
praise to Almighty God.
Praise Team/Voices of Praise
Due to some confusion, the Mutual Ministry Committee has asked
that we explain what the Praise Team and Voices of Praise
are and how they began.
The
Praise Team was established by Congregation Council when we
were looking at different ways of worship. It was set up to
run the Alternative Service and to assist with the Blended
Service. It was in response to members of our congregation
who wanted a service with more "up-beat" music.
The liturgies were crafted by Pastor Gary to be in keeping
with our Lutheran tradition, but with music by the Praise
Team that had more of a beat to it.
At the December Council meeting, after we knew that we would
continue to have some Blended Services in 2007, Congregation
Council gave Praise Team the responsibility of all the music
in the Blended Services except for the opening hymn (and if
we would have gone to Blended only, half of the anthems would
be by the Senior Choir). At the January Council meeting, since
we would have a Traditional Worship Service every other week,
Senior Choir was given the responsibility of anthems on Traditional
Sundays and Praise Team on Blended Services.
The Praise Team did not want to"compete" in any
way with the Senior Choir and so when they were responsible
for anthems, a quartet was set up who could sing or they would
use soloists. But people started coming to the Praise Team
and asking if they could sing with the "quartet"
and out of this, Voice of Praise was formed. Voices of Praise
was not "selected" or "hand picked," they
were people who volunteered to sing (or some were asked by
friends to sing, not by the Praise Team). Voices of Praise
continues to be a group that is open to anyone, rehearsals
are now listed in the bulletin and newsletter.
By action of the Praise Team, Voices of Praise will only sing
once a month (the other time or times in some 5 Sunday months,
will be by a soloist or small group). This will mean that
it will only rehearse one time a month, on the Wednesday night
before they sing at 8:30 (following choir practice) in the
sanctuary. If you would like to sing with Voices of Praise,
you do not need an invitation, it is open to all, just show
up for the rehearsal.
The same is true for the senior choir, it is open to all.
Rehearsals are Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m.
Council's intent in setting up the Praise Team was not to
have competing choirs but choirs that compliment each other
and help us to celebrate God's wonderfully varied gift of
music. If you would like to participate, you are invited to
either or both of our choirs.
If you have any questions about either the Praise Team or
Voices of Praise, please talk with either of the co-chairs
of the Praise Team, Peggy Hoffner or Hope Coble.
If you have any questions about the Senior choir, please talk
with our Music Director, Beverly Ludwig.