Oh, That We Were There

    On Sunday I was blessed to be able to lead my Women's Choir in song for the annual Christmas Song Service at our church. We met at 7:25 AM sharp to run through our songs one last time, but another group was practicing from the balcony, so we had to wait. While we waited I nervously shared with them a short devotion I had prepared earlier that morning. It went more or less like this...

Years ago I heard a sermon where the Pastor shared something his mom once told him. She said that the one place and time in the Bible she would have liked to have witnessed herself was that first Christmas night, on the hillside, with the shepherds. She wanted to see and hear the angels as they filled the skies, proclaiming the God News of the Savior’s birth.

Since then I've thought about what Biblical event I would most like to have been an eye-witness to. There are many, but the one that I come back to time and time again is that night in the upper room. After Jesus had washed the disciple’s feet, and after he had broken the bread and gave them the wine, and after he had prayed for them, Matthew tells us, “they sang a hymn.”

Can you imagine… singing a hymn with Jesus! It takes my breath away just to think about it.

What did he sound like? Was his voice deep and full, or soft and tender? Oh, that we were there! 

For years I wondered what song they sang together that last time. I supposed there was no way of knowing. But amazingly, about year ago, I found out!

The celebration of the Passover for the Jewish people is steeped in tradition and ceremony. It includes the singing of several Psalms. Psalm 113 and 114 were sung before the meal. And Psalms 115 to 118 were sung after the meal. The last song that Jesus sang with his disciples that night was most likely Psalm 118. The first verse of 118 is a familiar one:

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

This is how Psalm 118 ends:

²² The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone; (He's singing about himself here.) 
²³ the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

²⁵ Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
²⁷ The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Did you notice, the Psalm begins and ends with the same words, “His love endures forever?” What a comfort that is! We may not see Jesus with our eyes, but he is certainly here with us, in our hearts. 

So sing to him, and sing with him! Sing with joy, knowing that he will bless us, and be with us, and that his love for us endures forever.

It Makes a Mama Proud

Probably by now you've all seen the video I posted with my youngest son, Zack, jammin' on the drums in "Sing, Sing, Sing." If you didn't, here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUgeKRSne7w&feature=youtu.be

I smile every time I watch it.

Since I am an equal-opportunity mom, here's a video of my youngest daughter, Danica, who is now a college Freshman...soon to be Sophomore, singing "Tell My Ma." She is the one in the upper left-hand corner.





Last Sunday was Mother's Day.

My husband has been known to say on special days like these, "Every day is Mother's Day at our house."

This year, I think I'd have to agree with him. When I look at how great ALL of my kids have turned out I just have to say a prayer of thanks. These are 4 amazing people.

My oldest daughter, Mandie (or Amanda as she's known professionally) is one of the most successful 24-year-olds you'll ever meet. And soon, she and her equally amazing husband, will be buying their first home.

JJ, my oldest son, has faced all sorts of challenges this year, but honestly, I've never been more proud of him. He's one of the coolest, nicest, smartest people I know. I'm so happy to be his mom.

Danica, seen in the above video acting like a ditsy girl, is quite the opposite. She's clear-headed, down to earth, fearless, and faithful in all she does. I couldn't even begin to list all of her interests and accomplishments. But believe me, they are many.

Zack, my baby, isn't a baby any more. He's matured this year in every way possible. Everyday I see new ways in which he displays his growing dedication, intelligence and kindness. He really makes a mama proud.

They all do.

And ironically, it also makes a mama humble.

When I think about all the years I've been a mom I realize, I've made a lot of mistakes. More mistakes than I care to admit! But God is merciful. He's been there for my kids when I was clueless, and pulled them through more scrapes than I'll ever know.

And so I thank the LORD for giving me Amanda, Jonathan, Danica and Zachary. I'm both proud, and humbled, to be their mama.

Christmas Music 24/7

What’s your favorite Christmas Song?


Here’s another question for you...

What’s your dad’s favorite Christmas Song?

If you ask any of our kids that question they’ll know the answer. Jeff loves the tune, O Come O Come Emmanuel. I think he likes it because it’s based on an old Gregorian chant, and Jeff’s always been a fan of the Gregorian chant.

Next question...

What’s your mom’s favorite Christmas song?

If you ask my kids that, they aren’t likely to know. That’s because I don’t really have a favorite. I love them all! From The Bell that Couldn’t Jingle, to Gardner’s Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day I’ve never heard a Christmas Song I didn’t like. However, I will admit, I prefer Classical Christmas Music. It’s rich and bright, and usually tells the story of the real reason for the season, as they say.

If you’re not sure what I mean by Classical Christmas Music, (or if you’d love to hear some right now) I invite you to visit my favorite place for Christmas music, MPR’s online stream. Just copy and paste this link to your browser and it will take you to MPR's home page. Then click where it says "HOLIDAY CLASSICS" and you'll be enjoying Christmas Music with me in no time.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/cms/


Too much work?

Okay.

Then just listen to this one.

That Glorious Day - Amen!

NOTE: I refer to many wonderful individuals, events, etc in this week's blog. If you want to learn more, you'll find additional information about them at the end of this post.

There’s an episode of StarTrek – The Next Generation where Captain Picard and his crew get caught in a loop on the time-space continuum. Eventually they come to realize they have been reliving the same day over and over again…perhaps for years.

If I had to relive one day in my life over and over again, I’d hope it would be yesterday. What a glorious day that was!

I spent most of the day at our church, attending a Women’s Retreat. Our opening devotion was an hour long, but it was an hour of God’s Word, recited by Daniel Dexter from El Paso Texas (an amazing young man who brings God's Word to life with his amazing storytelling abilities), music led by my friend and Christian artist Susan Ann, and reflections by our own Pastor Sutton on our unchanging God in an ever changing world. It was an incredibly uplifting hour…and we were just getting started!

The rest of the morning and afternoon we listened with rapt attention to presenters who talked about their personal experiences and how God has guided them faithfully though this unpredictable life. A women, and former Mormon, spoke to us about her journey to the Lord. With tears in her eyes she explained how amazing it is to know Jesus as her Savior.

I heard Pastor Stelljes tell us how a scary looking man he met one day as he was going door to door looking for prospects, not only took the time to talk to him, but eventually became one of his mission congregation’s most enthusiastic and vocal members, happy to share his story of the lifesaving power of God’s Word in his life.

We were all moved as we heard the amazing love story of two Christians on opposite ends of the globe, who came together through an internet dating service. To ponder all God can do, even in today’s mixed up world, once again moved us to tears and awe-filled wonder.

Best of all, I was able to attend this retreat with my mom, and several other woman who hold a special place in my heart. My time visiting with them during our delicious lunch and between speakers was also a delight.

After the retreat I only had an hour to go home, say Good-bye to Mom, and grab a quick snack before heading out to my next event, a singing clinic with the United Voices of Praise Gospel Choir.

I knew they would teach us a song to sing with them in their concert that evening. I did not know we would be asked to learn the song without music and by heart! I hadn’t learned a song that way since I was a kid singing songs my mom taught me. If it hadn’t been for the peace still lingering in my heart from the retreat, I think I would have become extremely frustrated, but soon I began to feel the beat, and the harmonies, and in less than a half hour I was standing, swaying, singing and clapping my hands with a huge smile on my face. Amen!

The evening ended with the concert, and what a concert it was! We Minnesota Lutherans aren’t in the habit of shouting, swaying and clapping our praise, but we learned quickly. What a joy to stand among my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and sing “Jesus made the difference!” and mean it with all my heart and soul! Again I say, Amen!

And here’s the neatest thing. One day, when God brings me home, I'll be able to celebrate His power and sing His praises day after day after day, to all eternity. That’s a loop in the time-space continuum I can’t wait to hop aboard.

I'll met you there!

Here's a very poor quality video clip from the concert. To see a better version look at my last footnote. Anyways, that's Mark Jeske from "Time of Grace" on the piano. Who knew he could play like that! You'll also notice the sound is a bit off. Sorry about that. Just think of it as another glitch in the time-space continuum.

Daniel Dexter: www.word4wordgospel.com

Susan Ann: www.susanann.net

Pastor Mark Jeske and Time of Grace: www.timeofgrace.org

To view the entire concert go to: www.mlc-wels.edu/home
Then click on "MLC TV" in the upper right-hand corner.
Then scroll down until you find the box labeled "St. Marcus' United Voices of Praise 11-19-11."
The 3 songs we got to do with the choir are found at 30:15, 52:45, and 55:10.
The last one is my favorite. It was the easiest to sing, and it was acapella.

Hallelujah!

I have always loved to sing. Walking home from school, doing chores around the farm, listening to LP’s on the living room floor… I spent my childhood singing my heart out.

As soon as I was old enough, I joined any and every choir I could. I was voted most dedicated choir member in high school, and was our college choir’s alto section leader.

Singing was my life. Still, I was not offended or surprised when my college voice instructor told me, “You do not have a soloist’s voice.” I knew my voice was made for singing in a choir, and that suited me just fine. I’ll never forget the first time I felt the joy of singing faith-centered music hand-in-hand with faith-filled brothers and sisters in Christ in the Bethany Lutheran College Choir. It wasn’t just notes. It was so much more. A prayer. A holy offering to the Lord. A taste of heaven. The ultimate.

Or was it?

One day during rehearsal for a small singing group I was in, our director made this statement: “Someday each of you will most likely direct a church choir.” I do not remember why he said it, or what he said next. All I remember thinking was, “Really! Direct? Me? What would that be like? To stand in front of a group of singers, and not join them in song, but lead them in song?” I wasn’t sure, but I wanted to find out.

But how could I? I wasn’t a music major. I wasn’t an anything major. Bethany was a two-year college in those days, and I ended up graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. You can’t do much with an Associate of Arts degree, so I got married. Then came baby number one, followed by baby number two, and babies number three and four. But even through those Mommy years, I still sang in church choirs. And that dream of one day directing never left me.

Then came the summer of 1997. Our church choir director was stepping down, and I knew they were looking for his replacement. Was this my chance? Was I ready? I didn’t know. So I asked the one who knows everything. I got down on my knees and prayed, and prayed, and prayed. I prayed so much I wondered if God was sick of me. But then I remembered the parable of the persistent neighbor (See Luke 11:5-8) and I prayed some more.

Perhaps you’re wondering why I didn’t just call the Pastor and tell him I wanted to direct. Well, I thought about it. Believe me. But I figured if God thought it was time, he’d make it happen. And you know what, he didn’t. The elders asked someone else to do it. That was hard, but looking back, I thank and praise him for that. I would have made a mess of things there. I can see that now.

Fast-forward to 2009. My friend Ron was director of the Southwest Area Lutheran Chorale, and was looking for another person to share those duties. Again, I went to the Lord in prayer. Is this my time? Then one Sunday morning, I went up to Ron and asked him. “I don’t know if this is a crazy idea, but do you think I could try directing this year, just a few songs?”

“I don’t think that’s crazy at all,” he replied, and I my heart rejoiced.

The following spring I directed 3 songs for the Chorale. The experience was about twice as hard as I thought it would be, and about 10 times as wonderful!

This year I’m directing the Chorale again. I have pretty much the second half the concert, 7 songs. Those 7 songs are twice as hard as the 3 I did last year, but I think I’m enjoying it 100 times as much. I’m less nervous this year, and better able to listen to what’s going on, and discern what needs to be done to get the best out of “my” choir. I wouldn’t say I’m an excellent director, but I’m getting there.

I also think the Chorale is getting used to me, and trusting me more, and that’s huge. I have a book called “A Novice’s Guide to Directing the Church Choir.” In it, the author talks about building a “rapport” with your choir. I think that’s just a fancy word for them getting used to you. Trust me, I know my personality takes some getting used to! But God has blessed me with this opportunity to do what I love in service to him and his people. I’m humbled, honored, and thrilled beyond words. And I’m so, so, grateful to the members of the Chorale for coming to practices, taking my direction, and especially for encouraging me along the way. You guys are the best!

And now I’d like to invite you to come to our concerts this Sunday, April 10^th. I’ve posted the times and locations below, but get this - You don’t even have to fill your gas tanks to join us! Our concert at 7:00 pm is being live streamed from the St. John’s, Sleepy Eye website. Just go to this site www.stjohnsse.com and click on the live worship link.

I hope you can make it, if not physically, then on-line. Join with us as we sing God’s praise, Hallelujah!

IMPORTANT NOTE: I’ve written a lot in this blog about me and my journey from singer, to choir-member, to director. But I hope you see the bigger picture here. It’s not about me. It’s about what God has done for me. Not only has he adopted me into the family of believers and filled my heart with joy, he’s letting me use the gifts he has given me to express that joy in song, along with my brothers and sisters in Christ. What a blessing that is!

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Another huge blessing to the Chorale, and both Jim and me, is our very gifted and dedicated accompanist. This is her third year playing piano for the Chorale, and she does an amazing job! She comes to every rehearsal, and puts in hours and hours of practicing at home as well to get ready for these concerts. She is a special gal, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my baby number three. Thanks, Danica! We couldn’t do it without you!

ONE LAST NOTE: When we were selecting our songs for this year’s concert, I kept bumping into the Hallelujah Chorus. I heard it on the radio, on the internet. It was everywhere. I took it as a sign from above, and suggested we add it to our list. No one voted it down, so it’s the last song I direct, our big finish. The only thing more moving to me than singing that piece, is directing it.

Hallelujah! And he shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!

Southwest Area Lutheran Chorale Concerts

April 10, 2011

Zion Lutheran in Morton, MN 2:30 pm

St. John Lutheran in Sleepy Eye, MN 7:00 pm

My Story About Mr. B

This past Sunday we had our first rehearsal for the Southwest Area Lutheran Chorale, or swalc as I like to call it. It went pretty well, but I’ve no doubt my directing style was a bit of a shock to the new comers. Unlike most church choir directors, I try not to take too much time hammering out individual parts. I like to jump right in and focus on technique as soon as possible. I learned this from a certain person we shall call “Mr. B.”

Mr. B directs the church choir where I am currently a member. Through the years I’ve sung in many church choirs, most of which had very small and (no offense) weak choirs with directors whose main goal was to get through a piece from start to finish without losing anyone along the way.

Then we moved to New Ulm – the hub of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. New Ulm has two very large WELS churches, a WELS grade school, a WELS High School, and is also the home to our WELS college of ministry. Consequently, this town is populated in large part by professors, teachers, and preachers as well as a great many children of professors, teachers, and preachers.

It didn’t take me long to see that the ethical, intellectual, and musical standard here is far higher than anywhere else I have ever lived. I’m not bragging. I’m just telling it as I see it. New Ulm people are amazingly talented.

Nowhere was this more evident to me than in the church choir. On Christmas morning, for example, our choir opened the service with an acapella offering of Bach’s Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light. It was done beautifully, in perfect pitch and with the appropriate phrasing, dynamics, and tone. And we only practiced it once – once! But my story happened a few months before that. My story took place during my first three practices in Mr. B’s choir.

Practice Number One – Getting to Know Mr. B.

The first thing I noticed in Practice Number One is that Mr. B doesn’t have an accompanist. Not for rehearsals anyway. He turns the piano so it’s no more than three feet away from the front row of the choir, and directs from there, peering at us over the top of his music. The second thing I noticed is that Mr. B is a very passionate person. You don’t just sing songs when you’re in Mr. B’s choir. You tell the story of your faith. He’s not afraid to tell you what the words mean to him, and encourages his choir to think about the meaning behind the words they are singing.

So far, I was loving this choir. I enjoyed moving from piece to piece, basically sight-reading our way through the fall selections. But when we came to a section I was having trouble with, I didn’t dare raise my hand to ask for help. No one else was asking to have their part played. I certainly wasn’t going to be the first.

When the rehearsal ended, and we all began to disperse, I was eager to talk to someone and share my first impressions. The only person I really knew well enough was Connie. “That was amazing!” I told her as we exited the building. “This is so different than what I’m used to.” Then I told her about my hesitation to ask to have a part played.

“Oh, no,” Connie told me. “You can ask him to play a part. That’s no problem.”

I wondered.

Practice Number Two – Request Denied

Practice Number Two was a lot like Practice Number One. We went through one song after the other, never bothering to take any parts individually. And then, who should raise her hand, but my friend Connie. “Could you play the alto line on the top of page 3?” Connie asked. “I’m having a little trouble with that part.”

And what do you think Mr. B did?

He paused for just a moment and then said, “Nah. You’ll get it,” and continued on with practice. It was all I could do to keep from jumping up and shouting, “I told you!”

But that’s not the end of my story. There’s more.

Practice Number Three – The Apology

By Practice Number Three I felt I was pretty well used to this choir and its passionate director. I didn’t expect any more major surprises. But I was wrong. About five minutes into our third rehearsal Mr. B stopped to make this unexpected statement: “Last week Connie asked to hear her part, and I didn’t do it. I wasn’t trying to be mean. I just knew that she’d get it eventually. And she did.”

I often wondered if Connie talked to Mr. B between Practice Number Two and Practice Number Three. All I know is Mr. B played parts more frequently after that. But I understand where he was coming from. Mr. B had every confidence in his choir and their abilities. He knew they were fully capable of learning their parts and trusted them to do so. It’s not a bad attitude for a choir director to take.

And now, five years later, I guess I’m sort of the same way. But I’ll make no apologies. Pounding out parts is no fun. Not for the voice that’s going through it, and certainly not for everyone else in the choir. And with an above-average choir, like my beloved swalc, it’s just not always necessary. You people can read music. You’ll get it.

That’s my philosophy anyway. And I know at least one other director agrees with me.

Still, I don’t take it quite to the extreme that Mr. B did in those first three practices. I’ll certainly play parts if someone asks to hear them. It’s only right. But I wonder what it would be like, if one day someone asked to hear their part, and I would do like Mr. B… pause for a moment and say, “Nah. You’ll get it!” just to see what would happen. No, I’d better not. I think the choir likes me. I’d like to keep it that way.