A Note From the Choir Director
By Marvin Marx, Music Director
The time goes by so fast, sometimes too fast. We were just finishing the music for the Christmas season, and then the Lenten season was at our door. This year, it arrived so early, with Easter being celebrated on March 23rd (my mother's birthday). As I think back over the past seasons, our choir has been able to continue to bring new and old uplifting music to the worship experience. Now, we are almost at the end of our choir season, which we have decided will conclude on the first Sunday in June. Then, during the summer, we will continue to have special music with soloists, duos, trios, and combinations of things that will add to the worship experience. Our last Sunday of this season will be very special. You won't want to miss it! We plan on starting the service with a spcial Call to Worship, the old faithful song, "Shall We Gather At the River." Several months ago, we sang this at the beginning of each service. This one is a favorite and a wonderful way to start the Worship Service. Our anthem for this day will be the new song, "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." The choir has sung this before, but this time will be accompanied by the new "guitar choir." The Offertory for this day will be the old spiritual, "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands." The choir, accompanied by the guitar choir, will sing this Offertory and the congregation will not be able to just sit and listen, but be compelled to sing along. The closing hymn will be the favorite, "Amazing Grace," which will be accompanied by the guitar choir and may just wind up being a capella. We will close the service by singing one of our long-time favorites, "God Be With You Til We Meet Again." This is a most fitting song to end the service and our choir season. I want to say a special thanks to the very loyal choir members who are there almost every Sunday, without fail, Marilyn and Bill Anderson and Richard Winkelman. They are the most dedicated and faithful choir members and when you watch and listen to them sing, you can tell they are singing from the heart. Richard Tank is another faithful choir member who has become a student of the guitar. Over the past several months, he has become an accomplished beginner. The guitar is not an easy instrument to play. Learning guitar takes time, patience and practice, practice and more practice and Richard has made the commitment to become a wonderful guitar player. Over time, we expect to hear wonderful music coming form the guitar played by Richard. Another faithful member is Claire Schwerman, who not only brings her voice and loves to harmonize, but also takes great care to make sure the altar has beautiful flowers for the worship service. Thanks to our newest choir member, Barbara Rupholdt, who has brought a special uplifiting spirit to our group. She is also in the guitar choir and is making progress with her new guitar. It is wonderful having her be part of our group. God has blessed us by bringing her and her voice and spritit to Bethany. Whenever she walks past you, she is always singing something, sometimes she doesn't know what she is singing and she will hum several notes. Then usually, I can tell what song or hymn she is humming. It is a real treat to have someone who is like me and always has a song in their head. Also a special thanks to the sometimes choir members. Gary Johnson is always another wonderful voice when he is in town and available. Albert Anderson, another old-time faithful member joins us when he is in town. Finally, Leila Raab, who joined us several months ago, was with us during the Easter season. It was great to have her back and we certainly enjoy having her return when she can. We sure miss her. The choir will enjoy having the summer off. There were one or two years when we decided not to take the summer off, but this year, it was decided to take a break. The plan then, is to return the Sunday after labor Day. I am sitting here writing about Labor Day, but before you know it, time goes by so fast!