We actually started our year by using the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book at the first and last services and taking a Praise Team to First Presbyterian Church here in Oak Ridge. The Presbyterians wanted to experience contemporary music in their existing service. We were asked because of the music that was played during our first annual music festival.  We were flattered and honored to provide this ministry for them.

At this time, Grace has many musical groups which are three praise teams:  “Amazing Grace,” “Fourth Sunday,” and “One80”.  These groups lead music at the 9:30 worship service.  Chancel Choir sings at the 11:15, “Break of Day” helps with the music at the 8:30 service and sometimes provides special music; Ringspiration has managed to play almost once a month and sporadically in the summertime.  Grace Notes is our youth choir that sings before the meals during Grace Prime Time. All of these groups rehearse at least once a month and some of them rehearse every week.  Break of Day rehearses year round.  My goal was to have a flute choir that would rehearse and play throughout the year. There, however, is not enough of me to go around when it comes to rehearsing, so the flutes have been put on the back burner for the time being.  They will return on occasion. I will also be starting a bell choir for the younger generation as 2008 progresses.

Planning and executing our Second Annual Music Festival was a great experience!  Oak Valley Baptist and Kern United Methodist were both invited to join us on the second Sunday of November. It was a wonderful afternoon of musical praise which we will continue to do next year.

The first Sunday of December we hosted a “Messiah Sing-Along” which brought in several area churches. Cathy Whitten accompanied on the organ and I on the piano. Kevin Miller from Kern was our director for the afternoon.  We will be doing this again next year.

Our year will end with the usual beautiful music and services of Christmas Eve and our Sunday of lessons and Carols.

Music also comes to us from outside sources. In June, we hosted a high school bell choir from Portland, Oregon. In November, we hosted “New Dawn” which is a musical group from “Youth Encounter” located in Minnesota. A huge thank you to those who hosted members of those groups.

Other responsibilities throughout the year were organizing music for weddings and funerals, Lenten and Advent Services.  In May, “Grace’s Greatest” allowed me to take them on a tour of our new worship book for their program. I had a hand in putting together the program for the Ulster Project which was held here in July, and I am also responsible for putting the noon praise and prayer service together.

As far as Synod responsibilities go, I am on the Reference and Counsel Committee which reviews resolutions that are brought before the assembly at Synod Assembly.  The meetings usually involve a conference call and meetings during the Assembly.  I was also the accompanist for the closing worship service at Assembly this past year.

The highlight of my year was being allowed to attend the ELCA Worship Jubilee in Chicago in August. We learned many valuable things about the worship book and how others are using it as well as sharing with others how it is being used in our church.  It is always exciting to get to meet new people and reacquaint with others.  Thank you very much for the opportunity to grow!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cathy Whitten for all that she does in a year’s time!  She constantly rehearses; she’s an excellent accompanist and does so willingly. We are very blessed and fortunate to have her as our organist!