Musical Throwdown

Hi, folks. Not sure where my manners have been lately, but here's the deal. From what I can understand, there will be no practice this week. However, you are playing songs that are familiar by now (Bonnie, can you fill in what they are? Thanks). Also, Good Shepherd Idol is coming up, and the acts are pouring in. Did you know that we're looking at a couple of acts from Grace and Elwood? If not, please do add them in, as they would like to be involved. Lots of acts, which is good news.

Also, my sermon theme for next Sunday: As you may (or may not) know, we're looking at Luke 13:1-9, where Jesus talks about the fig tree that does not bear fruit. I'll be talking about the way in which people persuade one another (parents with "just two more bites", kids with "Just five more minutes") and talk about the mercy of God through the gardener: "Let it alone this year until I fertilize it, then if it doesn't bear fruit next year, cut it down. Come on, just one more year..."

Of Polka Praise and Good Shepherd Idol

Hi, guys.

As you are doubtlessly aware by now, plans for Good Shepherd Idol are blazing ahead. This is good. What is less than good is that, due to freak coincidence, Polka Praise is happening on that same very night that we'd planned to have Good Shepherd Idol. After some discussion, Bonnie and I agreed that we were far more likely to get a good turnout if we rescheduled, plus, that would ensure that the Polka Praise people were free to perform at the Good Shepherd Idol competition. It's a win-win!

With that out of the way, we have music coming up for this Sunday. I would like to take this opportunity to be the first to volunteer to play for it. I'm ready, willing and able, so let me know what we'll be playing, and I'll be at practice. (If you would rather I worked the sound board, I can handle that too. I've got all kinds of talents).

VJ.

February 11th?

Hi, folks. Nice to see so many of you there this last Sunday, and again, my apologies about anything that might have been a disaster with the sound board. Possibly all of it. Be that as it may, I am much more comfortable with it now, and can easily run it the next time I'm not preaching, or whatever. Be that as it may, the next Sunday is already creeping up on us, and I'm greatly looking forward to it (because my vicarage supervisor from the seminary will be here, to watch me preach, and to grade me. Yipes!)

Be that as it may, we are approaching music time once more. As you may (or may not) know, I will be preaching on Jeremiah 17:5-8, about planting ourselves in the desert when we have the opportunity to be planted by a stream. I'm kinda thinking about using a clip from star wars, but I don't really know how I'm going to manage doing it. We'll see.

Practice time....any thoughts? I'm open to suggestions. I'm also open to suggestions about Good Shepherd Idol. I'll be promoting the business out of it this Sunday, but how many confirmed acts do we have ? I'll be there for one, at least, and I know the Ulrich boys have something worked out. Is there anything else? Let me know what you know about, and if there's anyone I should be targeting for an act. Whatever I can do to make it work, y'know?


God bless your week, and thanks to Nadine for all her playing thus far. In case you hadn't heard, Nadine is departing from Good Shepherd, to pursue church elsewhere. Not sure where just yet, but she'll let us know.

Vicar Jim.

Take a breather, folks.

Okay, it's official. There will be no contemporary music this week. Bev and I have just called up our organists from our various resources, and they will be taking over this week. Since we have so many people who are going to be away this Sunday (not just the ones mentioned earlier, but also the Vuksics, etc), there just isn't the manpower to get it going for this Sunday.


Be that as it may, I think we're still on for next Sunday. Once again, let the group know what you're able to do for this Sunday. Thanks so much. God bless.

Hot rockin' guitar music

Well, hello all.

I was happy to attend the practice of the contemporary music group last night, and was happy to hear how much it rocked the block. Seriously. Now that we've got this week worked out, it is time to turn our attention towards next week, to see exactly what we can work with. As you know, Bonnie, Matt, Nadine and myself will all be gone, so we're looking to have a guitar-heavy group for next Sunday. If you are a guitarist, singer, or a drummer (Rick, you rock), please post here with your willingness to be involved for this coming Sunday. We're doing well, folks. Let's keep the momentum.


Vicar Jim.


Psalm 147: Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God. How pleasant and fitting to praise him!

First Post, up and running.

Hi, crew. Vicar Jim here. As you may or may not be aware, the contemporary worship service is going to be undergoing some significant changes. We've had certain people resign, and we have certain people who want to make a more visible contribution. Well, the more things change, and so on.

Having said that, there has been a movement afoot to have information flow a little bit more freely than it has otherwise been doing, and so I've set up this blog as a stopgap solution for the meantime. There may be other solutions down the road, but this one will do for now. Feel free to post here, and to have a discussion that will be visible to everyone as you debate exactly what you feel like doing with the music.


Now that's out of the way, let me get down to business.

First things first, there will be contemporary music practice this Thursday at 6:00...I think. I have the day right, just a little iffy on the time. If you are available, please consider making an appearance.

Secondly, as you may or may not know, next Sunday (not this coming one, the one after that), Bonnie, Nadine and myself (along with several others) will be away at breakforth. This means that without Bonnie, there will be no keboard playing. If there are other instrument players who would like to play for that Sunday, please post here, or give me a call, and let me know what you can do. Bonnie can then pick music that will be fitting for no keyboards.

If I've forgotten anything, don't hesitate to let me know. Check this space early, and check this space often, and let's keep the lines of communication as open as possible as we move through this transitional phase in our worship life.




Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands. Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.