There are 2 tickets available for the Luther Choir concert on Saturday, March 28th @ Bethany Lutheran in Elkhorn @ 7:30pm, if anyone is interested.  Dr. Dale Orton has already purchased several others & just wanted to make them available to anyone in Choir.  Please email Dr. Orton if you would like to go @ edours2@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

*On Christmas Eve, 12/24, please arrive promptly @ 1:45pm in the Sanctuary (Worship Team will arrive @ 1:30pm).  The services are @ 3,4:30 & 6pm. You will sing for all of them.

                -Colors are Olive & Cranberry (everyone did great last week with those colors… just make sure to stay away from bright red & green)

*Christmas Eve Rehearsal – Tuesday, December 23^rd, 7:30-9pm in the Sanctuary.  Please be there!! J

*I will be putting a sign-up sheet in the Choir Room for the next couple of weeks for Christmas Eve.  If anyone is able to bring snack type items (crackers/cheese/fruit/veggies/etc.) on Christmas Eve, that would be awesome!

Well I suppose we all knew this would happen. It turns out that pastor Sean does indeed want to sing Messiah Has Come in the early service. That means we will all need to be there bright and early at 7:00 on Sunday Morning. Remember, we don't often get to sing a special - especially not one that highlights the choir - so please be flexible. Personally, I think it is a blessing to be able to do it one more time :)  I know Pastor Sean will appreciate it. If you cannot come to the early service (or any of the 3 Sunday services) please let me know. You can email me at mkruger@cfwebtools.com.

(psst... there will be food!)

We will rehearse at our  regular time on Wednesday. During that rehearsal we will be singing at least part of the time in the sanctuary.  We will also be rehearsing on Thursday, Dec 20, at 7:30 in the sanctuary. Please make plans to attend both rehearsals. They will both be very important.

Remember, we are doing "Messiah Has Come" on Sunday. Listen to the MP3 (on the playlist) a few times and work on your memorization.

Finally, remember to let us know if you will not be attending 1 or more of the Christmas Eve services.  We need to make sure we are "fully staffed" for that event.

Important Update

We have an important change for Sunday. Since we are introducing "Speechless" we will be singing in all three services (8:00am, 9:30am and 11:30am). That means we need to be at the church and ready for a sound check bright and early at 7:00am. The good news is that we will be able to work on our staging in advance and figure out where everyone should stand. There will also be a lite breakfast served after that first service. Also note that there is no child care in the first service.

One other item of interest. Instead of singing "Speechless" on each Sunday up until Christmas, we will be singing it just this week (Dec 2nd) and at the Christmas Eve service. See you all bright and early on Sunday :)

Additional Notes

For those of you that have been asking - I added "Messiah Has Come" to the playlist so you can give it a listen. Remember, our approach to the song will be quite different. When you listen to the music try to imagine our terrific worship band instead of the orchestra. The final result will be pumped up and more energetic. I also put a new song called "The Glory of it All" on the play list (both the MP3 and the lead sheet). As of this moment we will definitely be doning that one on Sunday.

Notes on the Upcoming Christmas Season

• We will be doing "Speechless" on Sunday. We sing the end of phrase on the chours as we practiced, plus we take the song to the end with "We stand in awe of your..."
• We will probably do Messiah has come on Dec. 16th if we decide it is ready. If not we will be doing it on the 23rd. You might also expect this song to show up on Christmas eve. I don't know that for sure but sometimes the Choir repeats a Christmas special during the Christmas eve service. In any case that leaves us with 2 more practices. In the last half of the last practice we will be singing from memory so come prepared.
• There may be an "extra" Thursday night rehersal some time in Dec. (there often is) - so be prepared for that as well.
• We will be singing "Speechless" again at the Christmas Eve Service.

I love the Christmas season and I have not posted a devotional for a while, but I have one you should really enjoy coming soon so stay tuned!

I have updated the playlist with the songs from the new season. If you can't remember the password to get in email me at mkruger@cfwebtools.com and I will fill you in. It was great to meet all of you Wed. I am already looking forward to this coming week. Now where did I put that left over cake......

*If you can't view the video, read the extended entry of Sean's video message... everything included!  You will find this in the announcements section, and then click on "show extended entry."

Sean is holding "mass choir auditions" this Saturday. This does not mean we are supplementing the local archdiocese choir - it just means that he wants a chance to listen to individuals in a group setting. He has requested that all current and potential choir members come to the audition (whether you are a veteran or a newcomer). I'm sure he will appreciate it if we bring some of our choir community spirit and controlled mayhem to the audition so that newcomers will know what we are all about. See you there!

• Saturday, September 8th
• 9:30am to 12:00pm
• Choir Room

*Please call Anna Marie if you won't be able to make it @ 330.5724 x.3392, thanks!

The Trinity Worship Choir has been invited to participate in a mass choir as a part of a prayer rally. The rally will be for the upcoming Luis Palau heartland festival. For those of you blessed enough to be a part of the benefit for the open door mission in Bellevue, you already know that such a choir can be a wonderful experience. Here are the details:

• When - Sunday June 3rd from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
• Where - Creighton University Soccer Field, 19th and California

• You Are Good
• Let the Praises Ring
• How Great is Our God
• Friend of God
• Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord
• Doxology
• Kindness
• Agnus Dei
• I Am Free

The playlist is updated with the latest music and MP3s. The 2 new choir songs are there as well. Remember this week we are wearing red, white and pink in honor of what my daughter refers to as "singles awareness day" (aka Valentines Day). Guys if you don't have pink trying washing a white shirt with your husker sweatshirt. Black is also acceptable.

Send Me Those Pics

Our choir directory photo gallery is starting to come to life. So far I have an alto (Micah) a soprano (Deanna) and a Tenor (myself).  I also have a picture of a cow from a bass, so I guess if we don't mind the mooing we have a quartet. As for the rest of you, don't be shy! Send those pictures to me at mkruger@cfwebtools.com.  Won't it be nice to know all our choir members names without asking?

Our choir directory photo gallery is starting to come to life. So far I have an alto (Micah) a soprano (Deanna) and a Tenor (myself).  I also have a picture of a cow from a bass, so I guess if we don't mind the mooing we have a quartet. As for the rest of you, don't be shy! Send those pictures to me at mkruger@cfwebtools.com.  Won't it be nice to know all our choir members names without asking?

Our own Sean Keith is a rising star on the indie heaven music charts.  You can help!  Just click on this link to Indie Heaven and find Sean's song "communication"  (currently at number 20).  Click on it and you will hear it playing. At the top you will see a picutre of Sean and next to it you will see a message that says "rate this song" above a series of stars. Click on the stars to vote. The star furthest to the right would be the highest rating. You might have to click twice - once to "activate the control" and again to vote.

If your vote is successfully recorded you will see a faded yellow message that says something like "thank you for your vote". I know Sean appreciates your help in getting the word out about the music that God has given him.

We are trying to make our website more of a point of contact. Make sure and check the site each week. I will try to post an informative note between Sun and Wed that includes anything we might need to know. There are a couple of  "regular features" on the site as well.

There is a rehearsal schedule posted on the left and also under on the schedule link. Performances will also appear on the schedule. There is a "song list" posted on left hand side under the rehearsal schedule. Finally, when we have words, chord sheets or MP3's to post we will put them in the "playlist" (the link is on the left). Email Anna Marie or myself if you do not know the password to view the playlist. 

The song "Majesty" is new and you can find both the MP3 and the words on the playlist.

This week our colors are "pot luck" - meaning anything nice and not too garish. If you have to ask you should probably pick something else (ha). Remember we are focusing on unity and "singing a new song".  Keep praying that God will knit us together as one voice.

Reports from Ali's concert were fabulous.  Thanks to all who attended!  Ali has been a tremendous blessing to our choir and our church. Make sure and let her know you appreciate her.

Mark your calendars for Ali Lawler's concert coming up on Jan. 12th. She will be singing and playing songs she's written (with a band) throughout her internship this past year. I know you have all appreciated Ali's spirit and her beautiful voice. We'd love for as many of you as possible to be there! You'll be hearing about it in the bulletin and receiving a postcard with all the details this week.

Here are the details:

• Date: Friday, Jan. 12th
• Time: 7:00pm
• Place: Trinity Church Rm.239 There is no cost to attend the event.

   

Make sure and check the Choir Calendar for rehearsals and special events. There are 2 items to note:

• There are No Rehearsals on December 27th or January 3rd. Our next regular rehearsal will be January 10th.
• We will with the worship team at the 9:30 and 11:30 services as usual on New Years Even (Dec. 31) and January 7th.

Here are some notes from Anna Mari on the services this weekend.

• No Wednesday Night Rehearsal (12/20). See the calendar for a complete list.
• Rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service is on Thursday Night 12/21 @ 7:00 pm. No need to dress up for that rehearsal but if you have questions about your outfit feel free to bring it and ask Sean.
• There will be no morning services on Sunday 12/24.
• Christmas Eve services are at 3:00, 4:30, and 6:00 pm.
• Please be at the church at 2:00 for warm ups and preparation.

Remember we are wearing black or red shirts (with white as a possible accent color) and black pants or skirt. The song list for the service is as follows:

• O Come all Ye Faithful (P. Dave Collins on the Organ)
• Angels from the Realms of Glory
• Angels We have heard on high
• O Holy Night

The choir is singing both "Halleluih" and "And the Glory of the Lord" in each of the three services.

Ruth Denzler had an intense trip to Siberia. The highlight of the trip was praying with an indigenous family for salvation. In addition she rode on a reindeer sled, in a modified russian tank and she even got to eat Reindeer (taste like chicken I hear). Check out Ruths Picture Gallery from the trip. We all prayed for her, so we all have a part in what God was able to do half way around the world. In the words of Hugh Neutron, "Now ya gotta admit that's pretty neat..."

If you haven't joined the forum yet you are missing out on some interesting information. Here's what we've learned so far from the 34 members who have joined. Some of them are secretive and mischievous. Almost all of them like coffee or tea drinks loaded with sugar and cream from a famous and ubiquitous establishment.  Everyone wants a retreat.  Madconductor really is mad – but in a good and slightly maniacal way not an angry way. Many of us shop at Wal-mart and Sams.  Finally, one of us is a miner prophet  presumably in search of a mine. If you are confused check out community news and find out what all the hullabaloo is about.

You might be one of those folks who reads the conversation but doesn’t post. In Netiquette terms we call that a lurker. Don’t be a lurker. Make a single post – even if it’s just to say howdy.  See you all on Sunday in your best pinks, reds and blacks.

Hey - it's almost been a week and we have already met many new friends. Thanks to everyone who has signed up and added their best, whooish "We are here" to the community forum (with apologies to Dr. Suess).  Please remember to check the prayer forum. Not only will we have an opportunity to bear each others burdens in Christ, but we will also see how God is moving and answering our prayers. Keep in mind those in our group preparing to go overseas to share God's love abroad. They are part of us, and we get a tremendous opportunity to participate with them in through prayer. See you at rehearsal.