Dear friends,

What a wonderful week-- we have three Wednesday nights in a row! : ) Before we get into the real reason I'm writing, here is a friendly reminder of our schedule for the week:

tonight (Thursday): meet in sanctuary at 7:15-- you will find your name there on a seat in the chancel (the four vocal parts have different colors to help you). We plan to finish around 9:00.

tomorrow night (Friday): we meet in chapel to warm-up. We will run through the program in order, beginning at 7:30 with our KEEP YOUR LAMPS processional.

Saturday: we rest our voices and practice at home.

Sunday: Whoever can come can sing DONA NOBIS PACEM and Rachmaninoff in the 10:30 service. Warm-up at 9:30.

Sunday afternoon: Let's do a concert! We will assemble in the chapel at 3:00 p.m. Concert begins at 4:00. Dinner is served afterwards for all who can stay.

*****

Last night, I mentioned Alice Parker's message that it's not what we sing, it's how we sing. I add a layer to that-- it's WHY we sing most of all. To illuminate the message, I'm going to let two of our choir members share with you.

This message came to me after I sent out the link of our singing of the MAGNIFICAT from Sunday's service. It comes from one of our youngest members, who, by the way, came to sing for Otis' memorial on Tuesday. He didn't even really know Otis, but he came to support those of you who did, to serve the community as part of the choir, and to celebrate the gifts that Otis gave that make First-Plymouth the church we love today. This kind of thinking and service inspires me! :

"It was moving to me to see the MAGNIFICAT even though I was there singing. I'm always amazed at God's continued love for us, and this song really hits at that in my heart - words and all!! As a side note - I heard an Abendmusik Christmas concert on NPR the other day, and I couldn't understand a word that was sung! I guess that comes across as a weird/negative statement, but what I mean to say is that I see what you and Jeremy are trying to say with our diction stuff. And I've been noticing things like that more and more as I listen to the radio, etc. I was telling Jeremy the other day, it's changed how I view pop music because I can tell a difference between singers who mean what they sing and those that don't. As a nonmusic major, I feel like I'm behind the curve on a lot of stuff, and so when I kind of get something, it excites or inspires me. This whole past semester, things you've talked about and taught us about music have really had an impact on me, not because I want to be some superstar singer someday - we both know that's not gonna happen. haha!! - but because I've really seen something new: the power of music. I know music can move people, but I couldn't tell you how big of an impact it has had on my own family. My parents are actually weighing the 400-mile travel to come to the concert on Sunday - not just because I'm singing in it, but actually, they both keep talking about how much they love the music! My mom says it always brings her to tears and fills her with peace and comfort. It's truly incredible because we aren't a big church-going family. I just had to share and thank you for everything you've done these last few months. You - and we as a choir - truly can't have ANY idea how monumental what we do is for other people. :) "

*****

This message came to me yesterday from one of our long-time devoted members whose presence and commitment is always an inspiration and gift:

I just finished watching the video of Otis' service that is posted online. I must say, that while I was not particularly fond of the Edmonds arrangement of Wondrous Love initially, the piece was just perfect in the context of the service. That, and the moving way in which we sang, changed my view of it substantially. Wondrous Love could be the concert theme, if not the title. After the service, Jim Keck told the choir that we had ministered to so many people this morning. It's easy for the choir to forget the real role it has to play under these circumstances, and indeed, each Sunday morning. Growing up in a Catholic school, we had the 7 corporal works of mercy drilled into our heads.

1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit those in prison
7. Bury the dead

I think that, as a choir, we have the opportunity to practice the spiritual equivalents each time we sing.

*****

As we approach the conclusion of our first major project together, I am thankful that even early in our relationship, I am starting to hear the HOW and the WHY. I look forward to sharing that with your families and friends and with a community that will be hear to experience hope, peace, joy, and love. Let every heart prepare him room, and Abendmusik Chorus SING!

TT