First Semi-Annual Music Retreat a Success!

The Music Ministry Team enjoyed its First Semi-Annual Retreat as they prepared music for upcoming Sundays and, especially for Easter Sunday! All of the musical choirs and ensembles will be singing for both Easter services in identical services at 9:30 and 11:30. As more than 30 musicians and singers fill the chancel with praise and joyful singing, identical services with the theme of "He Is Risen" will lift up the Good News at Joy. Thank you to all the Joy musicians who gave up their Saturday to participate in the retreat. It gave everyone a chance to see the part of the music ministry that they don't regularly get to observe. A special thank you to our accompanist, Kim Baker, who faithfully played throughout the entire retreat and Terri Rawlings who ran the sound board for the day. Also a big thank you to all the wonderful cooks who prepared such a fabulous pot luck luncheon. Thank you to Kraig Evans who built us the new riser that we now need!

You are invited to join this exciting ministry. Welcome to Karen Jackson who joined Sing for Joy last night. We are thrilled to be making room for more and more musicians in both services.

Don't forget the special opportunity to hear Marsha Stevens-Pino in both morning services on Palm Sunday, April 5th, and in a full concert at 6:00 p.m. There will be a fellowship in the courtyard following the concert where you can meet and greet Marsha and Cindy. May you all enjoy the blessings of a heart that sings!

Momentum in the Music at Joy

It is amazing to watch the music ministry take off at Joy in ways we never even thought of a year ago. As I approach my first anniversary here at Joy, I am grateful to report that we now have 18 loyal and dedicated members in the Joy Celebration Choir and 12 enthusiastic and committed members in Sing for Joy. Women of Spirit now has 15 women singing for special occasions and is considering becoming an ensemble that sings on a more regular basis. We have a soloist or special music most Sundays and are always looking for more of you who wish to sing or play. Joy Music now has its own blogspot to keep you informed and Rev. Carol has begun a blog for folks who are interested in discussing more deeply aspects of music, worship, theology, and social justice issues. See the link on the right column of this blog.

And what is the best news of all? We have plenty of room for you to join us! We're building new risers for the 9:30 service and getting additional microphones for the 11:30 service. We're exploring new music and new ways of being in worship. God is moving in a mighty way in the music ministry at Joy and we hope that you will want to become a part of God's plan for music at Joy. Come, join us as we seek God's will and gratefully dedicate our gifts and talents to bring honor and praise to the Giver of all of Life's music. May you all enjoy the blessings of a heart that sings!

Now is the time to join Music at JOY

Each week we have new members join the Music Ministry Team and we are thrilled to say welcome! We're glad you are here with us. Welcome to Katrina who joined Sing for Joy, our dynamic praise and worship team. We're building new risers to accomodate more singers in the Joy Celebration Choir, so we're making room for YOU! We have several new members in Women of Spirit as well, so we're just growing all over the place.

Next Saturday, March 21st, we will have our first Music Ministry retreat. See the schedule in the announcement above. Here's the schedule in another format: If you are in the Joy Celebration Choir (9:30 Choir) or interested in joining, you should plan on being here from 9:00 -1:30. If you are in Sing for Joy (11:30 Praise Team), you should plan on being here from 11:00-3:00. If you are in Women of Spirit only (our women's ensemble) please plan on being here from 11:00-1:45. We'll all eat lunch together and share in fellowship and discussion about the role and future of the music ministry here at Joy! If you are ready to explore where you fit in to all the fun, come and join us for the day.

Children of Joy, our children's ministry, is also preparing a song for Easter Sunday. You won't want to miss the blessing of hearing our children sing!

I don't know about you but I can hardly wait to see where the exciting ministry is going to continue to take us. God has richly blessed us with voices, musicians, and talent galore...come be a part of giving that blessing back in worship and praise. May you all enjoy the blessings of a heart that sings. Rev. Carol

Joy Celebration Choir Seeking New Members

We added another new member to the Joy Celebration Choir this week! Welcome Ruth--we're glad to have you singing with us! As those of you at the 9:30 service have noticed, the Joy Celebration Choir is growing and growing--so fast that we are in the midst of planning for more risers. And we couldn't be happier. Won't you think about joining us as we prepare for Palm Sunday and Easter? The music is fun to sing and you just can't beat the fellowship. If you are looking for another family to call your own and you like to sing--come join us. The rehearsal schedule is posted above.

Women of Spirit is also seeking additional members to sing for Easter and on a more regular basis. If you are a woman who loves to sing and can commit to occasional practices, think about joining this group of vibrant and blessed women. Rehearsals for Easter are Saturday 3/14@ 1:30, Thursday 3/19 6:30 pm, Saturday 3/21 (mass rehearsal); Thursday 4/02 6:30 pm last time before Easter. CD's are available from Rev. Carol or Phyllis for you to rehearse.

Don't forget the Music Ministry Retreat on Saturday 3/21. Schedule is Joy Celebration Choir 9:00-11:00; Mass Choir rehearsal 11:00-12:30; Lunch 12:30-1:15, Women of Spirit--1:15-1:45; Sing for Joy 1:45-3:00. Lunch will be potluck--bring something easy for about 15 folks. It will be a good time for all. Have a great week!