Church band will accompany highschool girls group Feb. 1st

In two weeks the Sunday service will be led by the highschool girls group. Several songs will be performed by the girls and accompanied by the church band. A flute and clarinet duet will perform Amazing Grace. Dana, the group leader, will give the prayer of the day. Sara will do the readings. Hannah will lead the children's sermon. Tessa is providing gospel news story headlines. Emma is singing a solo. Miranda will give the sermon. All of the girls will put on a flash mob to the song We Shall Overcome. Anna will perform an original song. Don't miss this special service.

Music for Sunday, May 11th

Here are the selections for Sunday, May 11th:

Reunion by Collective Soul - prelude

Morning Has Broken #556 - confession and forgiveness

You Are Holy #525 - gospel acclamation

What Feast Of Love #487 - hymn of the day

In Thee Is Gladness #867 - offertory

We Are Called #720 - sending hymn

Don't forget the GLP band rehearses at Patrick's house every Tuesday at 6:30 pm. Being in a band like this is a wonderful way to share God's gift of music with everyone. If you would like to play with the band please join us at next week's rehearsal (May 6th at 6:30 pm).

Music Night is Taking a Break

The weekly Tuesday Music Night is taking a break during the summer. Stay tuned to the church blog for news on when we resume Music Night.

Pastor Dave is Back!

Hey folks!  I'm back from my long journey now.  It's good to be home!

"But Pastor Dave, wherever did you go???" comes the chorus of voices.

I'm glad you asked!  Let me tell you...

My trip started on Tuesday with a drive to Portland.  It was for business but it was actually my "other" business.  Each year our Portland Trail Blazers blog takes donations to send underprivileged kids from the Portland area to a Blazers game.  We work with dozens of organizations who serve kids who otherwise wouldn't get to go because of economics or family situations.  These organizations range from low-income schools, foster care programs, programs that work with disabled children, churches, counseling services, youth programs, after-school programs, you name it.  This year we sent 750 kids and chaperons to last Wednesday's game where the Blazers faced the Golden State Warriors.  Portland lost--one of the few times that's happened on our special night--but it was fun anyway.  I've already got letters and e-mails from people describing how much the night impacted their children.

It just goes to show you how easy evangelism and service are if you have your eyes open.  This whole thing started six years ago when we were holding a regular old get-together at a Blazers game.  One of my readers purchased tickets but wasn't able to use them.  He e-mailed me and asked if I could give them away to someone in need.  I posted on the website that we had 3 tickets available if anyone could use them, priority given to anyone in need.  A guy wrote and said he worked with a dozen kids from impoverished families.  He asked if he could get tickets to send 3 of them to a game.  I told him to hold on for a day or two and put the word out on the site that we needed 12 tickets.  Within a couple days we had 45.  I wrote the guy back and said we had enough tickets for ALL his kids to go, and by the way did he know other people in similar circumstances?  That's how Dan, a youth worker in Portland, became our official ticket coordinator...a post he's held ever since.  It's quite a job now that we're up to 750 kids instead of just a dozen!  But people are looking for a chance to do something wonderful and the need is always there.  Ministry doesn't always mean doing everything yourself.  Sometimes it's just having your eyes open and being able to connect people who need to be connected.

After the game and a couple stints on the radio in Oregon explaining why the Blazers stunk so bad at the end  of the season and how they'll try to fix that this summer, it was off to Boise for the annual Synod Assembly.

The assembly was a mixed bag.  Some parts were great.  I attended a couple workshops on stewardship and got some traction on some materials that should be inspirational for all of us.  I'm glad other people have gifts in areas that I don't!  We also heard plenty of inspirational stories of ministry from around the synod.  Unfortunately the assembly seems to be locked into a system where all of the less important parts get most of the time and attention while all of the vital, living parts get shunted to the side.  It was ironic that in a gathering with the theme "The Spirit Gives Us Power" many of the presentations were tone-deaf reports that inspired...well, let's just say "few".

However even the down parts were an instructional eye-opener of sorts.  It's easy to get locked into a range of vision that extends no farther than our own world.  Our own ups and downs seem like the only thing in the universe sometimes.  Being at the assembly showed several things:

1. We are way ahead of the program in terms of our priorities and the way we conduct our own meetings now, annual and council.  We made the right decision in making those changes and those decisions will now have to prove instructive to the larger synod body.
2. We are also way ahead--and very blessed--in the quality and variety of musical expression in our church.  We should give plenty of credit to Louise, Phyllis, Patrick, Jennifer, John, Rob, and other musicians for leading us to bold yet wonderful horizons.  Being at the assembly was like eating Saltine crackers musically when you're used to gourmet meals at home.  Nothing wrong with the Saltines...they tasted fine.  But after a while you go, "Is this all there is?"  We are downright spoiled here.
3. Most of the really inspirational success stories that people shared came from the same cloth as our best stories:  acts of service without thought of reward or growing "membership".  People are starting to catch on to the really holy ways of doing ministry.
4. I'm not trying to brag, but I think I need to give you perspective.  We heard multiple stories of churches that were ecstatic to get 40 people in worship and/or to get those people active in ministry.  We also heard stories of people lost and confused about the way forward, even some who are facing the idea of their parish closing soon because they don't have a single child among them.  Sometimes we take our church for granted.  Other times we're encouraged to look at things it isn't (or isn't yet) instead of celebrating what it is.  If nothing else this assembly was a huge referendum that we're not only on the right path, but may well be at the very tippy-top of small-town/rural churches in a vast geographical area.  That's not to say we're better than anyone else...especially not if some of those "anyone elses" are reading.  Very rarely do I find comparing churches helpful no matter what the measure.  Each congregation walks its own journey and there's goodness in each path.  I just know that sometimes we're tempted to view our church negatively by criteria in which we're actually doing comparatively well...VERY well, in fact.  That's not to my credit, but to yours.  The church you're helping to create is a serious and bright beacon on the hill...or in the Valley in the summer I guess.

Thanks to John, Patrick, Rosanna, Bertle, and Linda for helping lead worship while I was gone.  Lay leadership of worship is another wonderful feature to our church that I think could catch on with others eventually!  And thanks to all of you for helping make this church so special...far ahead of the curve in so many ways.

--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)

Music Night Tonight at 7 pm

Come see where the Spirit takes us tonight at 7 pm. Will it involve a vibrating air column, vocal chord, string, or drum head?

The Little Things

Do you know what song the Sunday School kids sang this morning?  I do!

Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see
for the Lord he wanted to see!

He looked up in the sycamore tree and he said, "You come down here!"
cuz I'm going to your house today, I'm going to your house today!

Actually, I don't think this is exactly how it goes.  You see, I didn't hear it firsthand.  I know the Sunday School students learned this song today because my little boy has been singing in non-stop all afternoon.  That makes sense, really.  It has everything he could ever want in a song:  tree climbing, giving orders, and someone coming over to the house to visit!

It just goes to show you, though, that the smallest things can make the biggest impression sometimes.  You never know who you're going to reach with little things you consider ordinary, like a song we've all probably heard a hundred times before.  That old song finds new meaning in the mouth of a five-year old who never realized that Bible stories were that exciting!

Don't neglect the little things in your faith life.  The simplest moments shared faithfully can make a huge difference!

--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)

Music Night, Tuesday at 7 pm at St. John's

What can you do with 11 inches of 1/2 inch diameter pipe and 6 holes? You can play 26 notes of the Western scale.

Come to this week's Music Night (Tuesday at 7 pm at St. John's) as we continue our musical journey playing 7 notes of the F major scale. If you don't have a penny whistle in the key of C, not to worry. Whistles will be provided.

Music Night on Tuesday, February 12th at 7 pm

The church council meeting has been rescheduled so we can have Music Night this Tuesday, February 12th at 7 pm.

Last week we worked on Come to Me, All Pilgrims Thirsty (hymn #777) using the penny whistle. Come and join us even if you do not have a penny whistle and I will give you one. We could also use a guitar or piano player to help us out.

Music Night is on for tonight

Regardless of what you may have read in this blog, Music Night IS happening tonight (Tuesday, February 5th). Patrick's council meeting is next Tuesday.

If you would like to attend Music Night and Tuesday doesn't fit into your schedule please let Patrick know. His schedule is pretty flexible. So is the what we do on Music Night. For example, playing some rock and roll would be fun.

Penny Whistles Have Arrived

This gives us another option for making music together at the weekly Music Night, Tuesdays at 7 pm.

Please share your ideas for a future Music Night.

Music Night Begins Tonight At 7pm

Our first weekly Music Night begins tonight at 7 pm. Patrick will be there ready to sing, play guitar, bass, drums, djembe, bongos, congas, penny whistle, and tambourine. Hopefully the snow storm will hold off until later in the evening.

Patrick will bring penny whistles to next week's Music Night so join us for some whistling. If you want to purchase your own whistle, make sure it is in the key of C. Whistles are available on the Internet from Amazon. Beginner models cost around $12.

Is Anybody Listening?

Listen to the Christmas 2012 Children's Choir.

In Praise of Musicians

If you've been with us through Lenten services I think you'll agree that the definitive feature of the season has been the music we've been blessed with.  I stand in awe of what our musicians have been able to accomplish.

People don't often realize it, but a ton of subtle things go into worship.  The physical dimensions of the space you're in matter.  The number of people filling that space matter.  The candles, colors, curtains, light, all of those matter.

Among all the things that enhance our worship experience, I'm hard-pressed to think of one with such positive potential as music.  The right song or hymn can set the mood, reinforce the message, transform an ordinary service into extraordinary.  Each Sunday we hope and pray that our hearts will be open as the Spirit comes among us.  Nothing opens those hearts as effortlessly as music does.  I could speak for half an hour about being prepared to hear the Word and that wouldn't have the same effect as one well-chosen song.

Anyone who has heard Jennifer Parkins sing during this Lenten season will agree with me, I'm sure.  I've been floored every time.  But that's just the tip of the iceberg.  Our children's choir...you can't see it but there have been 15-16 kids up in the balcony most of the time, like their own little section of our congregation.  Those voices have pulled us beyond the ordinary.  Phyllis Kanikkeberg and John Marone have added to the chorus, plus Emmy Parkins and a few others, all gifting us with their message.  Who could help but marvel at the ease with which Louise Marone switches from instrument to instrument, style to style, as we've asked of her.  That's not easy, you know!  Mary Stout as well...I'm in awe every time I hear her play because she's so sensitive in interpreting the pieces she does.  Patrick Adams has coordinated it all and jumped in on any instrument necessary, plus he chose a lot of this music personally.  True story:  I had no idea what this season was going to be about less than a week before it began.  Then I heard Patrick's choice of music and I understood that I didn't have to worry about it.  The songs would define the season.  All I had to do was pick up on their riff.

I can't even tell you what a gift that is.  Credit goes to the church too, for being willing to take chances and incorporate different styles of music and musicians.  I'm not sure that "People Get Ready" has ever been sung to inaugurate Lent at any church ever.  But how perfect was it...this announcement of change and struggle and anticipation?  It reminds me once again that we are blessed to say "YES!" here and what amazing fruits of God's Spirit we receive because we have the courage to do so.

Thank you to all the people who have shaped, practiced, and performed our music during this season.  And in that vein, you do NOT want to miss Easter!  Those who were here on Transfiguration Sunday (and remember the excellent music then) will note that the hymn selections are basically the same with a couple surprises thrown in, bookending our experience from mountaintop to mountaintop.  Hearing all those voices join in will be an incredible experience.

Take a minute to offer a prayer of gratitude for our musicians at church.  It's one of the most vibrant parts of our ministry and one of the most impactful as well.

--Pastor Dave (pastordave@geneseelutheranparish.org)

GLP Pipers First Session April 15th

Pipes for the GLP Pipers have been ordered and are on the way. Six penny whistles in the key of C will arrive in time for our first session after church on April 15th.

Join the GLP Pipers

Several people have expressed an interest in learning to play the Penny Whistle so I would like to form the GLP Pipers. The goal will be to learn to play Canticle of the Turning. I will provide Penny Whistles (in the key of C) for those who don't have one already. If you want to join the GLP Pipers talk with me after church.

Music in the Works

The church band is working on some great music to share with everyone. The wonderful singer and guitarist Eva Cassidy has inspired us with her heartfelt versions of People Get Ready and Wayfarin' Stranger. Tracy Chapman's song Save Us All is a lot of fun to play. It will make you tap your feet and slap your knee. The band gets to rock out with the song Everyone Needs a Little as sung by Kari Jobe.

If you would like to add your musical skills to the band, please join us at a rehearsal. We meet most Sundays during Fellowship Hour.

And the Beat Goes On

The music group will rehearsal at 9:20 am before Sunday service on December 11th. We will  be working on music for Advent and Christmas services. The group will also get together after Sunday service as needed.

Come join Louise, John, Jennifer, Rob, Chloe, Patrick, and Pastor Dave at the rehearsal. Help us add God's gift of music to our worship service by adding your voice to the group.