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In the liturgical calendar, the season of Easter has just ended. Pentecost follows, then Trinity Sunday, then ordinary time. This lasts until Christ the King or the Reign of Christ Sunday, which falls on November 23. Then comes the beginning of the liturgical year, Advent. This Sunday is Pentecost! Worship will begin with youth and acolytes carrying banners of red, yellow, and orange (flame colors) in a processional of banners. If you can possibly wear solid colors – such as dresses, pants, or shirts - that would be great. It always looks beautiful from my viewpoint in the loft. The choir will also wear these colors and sing “Holy Spirit” by Katie Torwald for the processional and “Listen to the Rustle of a Mighty Wind” by Buryl Red for the offertory anthem. It’s a big Sunday as our church officers are installed, acolytes are recognized, and the palms from Holy Week are burned in the front driveway after worship.
Moving on through June, the 15th will feature Jim Bishop leading our singing. Jim led singing in the Britt Sunday School class for many years. Some of the members were former Baptists, so a lot of these songs were in the Baptist hymnal that they grew up with. The Chancel Ensemble will be there to play “Just a Closer Walk With Thee,” “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” and “On to Victory!” The choir is singing a medley of gospel songs in a piece called “Heaven,” which was brought to my attention by Karleen Thompson. Rev. Jim Jackson will be preaching, which will complete the group with people who used to be Baptists!
On June 22, the choir will sing “God’s Grace is So Amazing” by Mark Hayes. Rev. Laurie Bentley will be in the pulpit and, hopefully, the choir as well! Finishing up the month, June 29 will be the last Sunday for the choir until mid-August. They will be singing a beautiful version of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” by Eric Nelson. We will have a guest cellist, Lindsay Luppino, and flutist, Lindsey Holland, playing with us on that anthem. Pastor Rachel will be back from vacation and preaching on that Sunday. Between June 22 and 29, several members of the music staff and choir will attend the Montreat Worship and Music Conference. Laurie Bentley, Amy Bishop, Ed Jackson, Mark Lochstampfor, Suzanne and Hal Morrison, and Anne Marie Stirewalt will be attending. Some will leave immediately after church on the 22nd, so if we run past you out the door, you will know why.
Looking ahead to July 6, Stacy Quiros, clarinetist, will be back with us this summer! She is always so gracious and shares her talents with us whenever she is in town. The rest of July will feature soloists and groups of our musicians! More on that when WORSHIP & MUSIC NOTES returns.
Lastly, it is always a great sorrow when the choir loses a member because they had to move away or due to death. Marcia Dobbin was a bright light in the back row soprano section for years – she moved to Florida for a while and then happily came back to us at SSPC. Her talent, big and beautiful voice, sparkling personality, sense of humor, and colorful clothes and jewelry will be missed by all of us. Her service will be held in the sanctuary this Friday, June 6, at 2:30 – there will be a variety of music, including our choir and musicians from out of town. You are encouraged to wear bright colors and/or match your handbag and shoes and wear lots of jewelry in her honor. God Bless Marcia and her family as they say goodbye.
Love & Gratitude,
Rhonda Hambright
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