Dilemma in Music Ministry

In church music, we basically live from Sunday to Sunday, and, in my case, Wednesday to Wednesday for rehearsals. There is the planning and preparing of worship experiences and the planning and preparing of the rehearsals for those worship experiences. The normal challenges are "what are we going to sing" and "how many choir members will be there."

This week presented another challenge - a dilemma.

Our organist had already requested time off this weekend so that she could celebrate her 50th Wedding Anniversary away with her husband. (OK, everyone together: "Congratulations!")

So, our pianist/keyboardist had been preparing for weeks to be the sole accompanist by practicing on the organ. She had also been practicing to accompany the choral anthem which is normally done by our organist (although usually on the piano) who is our paid accompanist.

This past Wednesday, when I went into their rehearsal time, I discovered that her niece by marriage had been placed on life support and her death was imminent. All of a sudden her, and our, weekend plans were in limbo.

Later, in choir rehearsal, our pianist came in to rehearse the anthem with the choir and told us that she had received word of her niece's death - now, I had a dilemma.

Our organist and I began to discuss varying solutions: call churches in the area, call the state convention office, call the colleges/universities in our area, etc. We decided to wait until Thursday and see what the plans and arrangements were going to be.

Thursday is my day off, so Thursday morning I began to complete my personal agenda items including a much needed haircut.

As I left the stylist's home/shop, my phone rang. It was our pianist. Although the funeral arrangements were not complete, she in consultation with her sister and her daughter was already en route. Her plans were to be with the family until Friday evening when she and her daughter would began the return trip home which would be completed Saturday afternoon. So, she would be here for the services and the anthem. (Here you should sense a great sigh of relief on my part.) The dilemma was resolved.

However, it does beg the question of what would I do if a similar scenario should present itself again. Plan B also needs a plan C.

Here in conclusion, we can find a lesson of trust - trust in God. Our anthem for this Sunday is:

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And be of good courage for He is your guide.
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord;
And rejoice for the vict'ry is yours.
("Be Strong in the Lord" by Linda Lee Johnson and Tom Fettke; (c) Copyright 1979 by Main Stream Music.)

Blessings,
Richard

Twelve Days

It bothers me that the world has highjacked Christmas. The celebration begins earlier and earlier each year. When I was younger, the lights did not come on and the Christmas music didn't start until after Thanksgiving. This year, I think I heard some in the stores before Halloween.

Before Christmas is Advent, and it is NOT a time of celebration. Advent is a time for contemplation; a time to prepare our hearts; a time to look forward to the blessings that God offers through His Son.

Then on Christmas there is the announcement that Christ has been born - we have a Savior, Emmanuel, God with us, and the celebration begins. And...there are set aside twelve days of celebration. Unfortunately again, the world has pooped us out on celebration. We are ready to pull down the decorations as soon as the presents are open. We are ready for the music that we have heard everywhere to be gone as we rush back to our everyday lives.

We have celebrated during the time of preparation, and now the only contemplation we have is how to lose the weight we've gained from the partying and how to pay the bills from the presents.

Would that the people of God could take back this celebration of ours from a world that has abused it so.

So, with that, I wish you a very Merry 5th Day of Christmas (did you get your golden rings). May your celebration continue! Remember Epiphany is coming - and for that event, we who are gentile believers have a lot to celebrate - God's light is revealed to us, bringing salvation, not to the Jews only, but to all the world! Hallelujah!

Richard

Sharing the Light

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King!"

So begin the Christmas Eve service at First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Georgia after a 30 minute prelude time and some brief housekeeping items (how to hold candles, etc.).

Then the reading of John 1:1-5 by the McNally family: the Word became flesh...He is the Light. The lighting of the "Christ" candle - the white candle - representing His coming in purity, love, and light.

"Away in a Manger" - that's where the Light of the world lay that first Christmas night.

Luke 2:1-20 gave us the story of that evening.

Thank you Steven Hix and Renee Ansley for sharing the message that God became man, sacred became secular, God's love is revealed in our love, incarnation, the Light entering our darkness to shine in our hearts: "Lo, how a rose e'er blooming" with "The Rose."

Communion/the Lord's Supper/even Eucharist (a term very unfamiliar to most Baptists, but it is a great thanksgiving). The Light became flesh and dwelt among us. He grew and lived and loved and shared and taught and died for our sins. Thanks be to God!

Then the invitation to those baptized in the past year to come forward and lead in the candle lighting portion of the service - lighting their candles from the Christ candle - light received. Then they went to light the candles of others...sharing the Light of Christ in representative fashion. Then those who received shared. May we share not only the candle light but the Light of Christ in the coming year with those who do not know, who have not heard.

"Silent Night! Holy Night!"

Amen!

May your day of nativity celebration have been blessed and may your coming year find you in the midst of God's love and light!

Blessings,
Richard

Pageant of the Holy Nativity

First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Georgia presented The Pageant of the Holy Nativity this past Sunday evening, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. This tradition began in 1946 and is under the leadership of a very capable Pageant Committee.

This year is my second year to attend, however, as the choral director (also for the second year), I have to honestly say that I have never seen the pageant. The reason, of course, is that the choir is positioned in the baptistry, which in our church is off to the side, behind a stand of trees that grows miraculously the week before the pageant and disappear the following week.

However, judging from the responses of the people, this year was a highlight and a blessing to many. I am especially grateful to those who gave of their time and effort to stand in the baptistry for almost an hour and do an outstanding job of presenting the music for the pageant.

The following musicians were a part of this year's wonderful choir: Renee Ansley*, Charlene Barber, Darryl Bradley, Gwen Brooks, Gerald Clark, Allie DeNovo, Mary Donahue*, Claire Guined, Jim Hix*, Steven Hix*, Steve Kinney*, Bonnie Meaders, Scott Piotrowski*, Penny Waters, and John White. As always it would be impossible to make this presentation without the leadership and musical skills of the choir organizer and organist, Glenda Tolbert. Thanks so much to all!

May your Christ birth season be highly blessed,
Richard

Fantastic!

Fantastic Music

Just a brief note to say what a fantastic job the Adult Choir of First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Georgia did with their Christmas music this year.

The program started with a great presentation by our preschool Tiny Tunes Choir led by Mrs. Claire Guined and Miss Marie Barnwell. This was followed by a wonderful presentation by the Children's Choir. Both groups had a great attendance and sang with strong voices very well.

Then the Adult Choir presented a variety of styles highlighting the truths of the Christmas season and their director was/is very proud of them.

Fantastic Food and Fellowship

Tonight, the First Baptist Church of Jefferson held their annual Christmas Banquet. This year it was located in the Jefferson High School Cafeteria.

The food was top-notch and prepared and catered by Mrs. L'Resu Thompson, one of our own who also did a fantastic job with the Thanksgiving meal. (If your church or group is in need of a caterer, I highly recommend L'Resu, and if you contact me, I will try to get you in touch with her.)

The entertainment for this year's festivities was provided by our Music Department. The Tiny Tunes (see above) gave a good showing and sang well and this Children's Choir Director is so very proud of the 3 members of the Children's Choir who were present for the banquet and bravely got up and did an outstanding job on one of their Christmas songs. An adult ensemble followed this with Chuck Bridwell's humorous adaptation of Jingle Bells and the Nutcracker Suite entitled "The Nutcracker Jingles."

So far, the Christmas season at First Baptist has gotten off to a fantastic start. Next in our seasonal line-up is the traditional, historical, annual presentation of the Christmas story in The Pageant of the Holy Nativity which will be this coming Sunday evening in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church at 7:00 p.m.

May God bless as we recall the truth of the season that God became man so that through His death we could have eternal life. Now that really is...

FANTASTIC!!

Blessings,
Richard

An FBCJ Christmas

Today is the first day of December and already Christmas is in the air.

Yesterday, November 30, began our traditional observance of Advent. The theme of the day was "Hope."

This coming Sunday, December 7, in addition to being the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we will offer our Christmas music ministry presentation. This is "new" (how can I say that as this is only my 2nd Advent/Christmas season at First Baptist?). Instead of a morning presentation on different Sundays for the children and the adults, we will be offering one early evening of Christmas music involving 3 of our choirs.

The program, which we have entitled, "The Carol...For God So Loved," will begin at 5 p.m. It will feature a few songs from our preschool choir, The Tiny Tunes, and a couple of songs from our Children's Choir. Then our Adult Choir will make their annual presentation - see the details below on this program presentation. Please note that the 5 o'clock hour will allow everyone to invite guests even from other church fellowships in our area who will begin their services at a later time.

The following Sunday, December 14, will feature the annual presentation of The Pageant of the Holy Nativity at 7 p.m. This is a special tradition for the people of Jefferson, Jackson County, and the surrounding area.

In between these 2 events will be the Christmas banquest on Wednesday, December 10. I mention this meal in this post because the program will feature tidbits from the Music Ministry. Besides a couple of familiar Christmas carols, there will be brief presentations by the Tiny Tunes, the Children's Choir, and an adult ensemble.

Besides the weekly observance of Advent, the church will host it's annual Christmas Eve service - a brief but highly meaningful service (I'm told as I have not had opportunity yet to attend one) to bring a focus to the true meaning of the holiday with a Communion service being the focal point of the event.

I hope that the reader will avail himself/herself of the opportunities of the season to be involved in the music and messages as we share the good news that Christ was born to save sinners such as you and I.

Notes on the Adult Christmas Music Presentation

Adoration - a beautiful a cappella call to worship our Savior.

He Is Born - based on the traditional Il Est Ne this lively arrangement by Barry Talley will set a tone of celebration.

Let Carols Ring - a Swedish Christmas Carol setting by Charles Black calls for singing and caroling to celebrate Christ's birth.

In the Bleak Midwinter - the Christina Rossetti/Gustav Holst piece arranged by Jerry DePuit, reminds us that Christ comes to save us in the midst of our winter of sin, and that the gift He requires of us is our heart.

Angels' Carol - by John Rutter, reminds us that Christ came to bring peace, joy, love, light, and hope. We join the angels in singing, "Gloria in excelsis Deo!"

God So Loved - Claire Cloninger and Robert Sterling call to mind the text of John 3:16 as they state God's great love that caused Him to dwell among us.

Just Beyond the Manger - Joseph Martin carries the theme further by reminding us that as we look just beyond the manger, we will see the cross - the tree that is not decorated with red and gold, but upon which He hung the Brightest Star of all.

Some Children See Him - this Wihla Hutson/Alfred Burt song arranged by Jay Rouse reminds us that the Christ child is not for me and mine, but has come to all the peoples of the world (our mission responsibility comes to mind) and that each of us regardless of color or race must lay aside eartly things and bring to Him the offering of our heart as a true act of worship.

For Unto Us a Child is Born and Hallelujah - these choruses from Messiah by G.F. Handel will not only bring a focus to the close of our presentation, but will also bring forth celebration in our hearts as we go forth from worship to proclaim to our world that the Christ child has been born. Hallelujah!

Blessings,
Richard

Today I Went to Church

Today, I went to church.
It was harder
than I imagined.

I listened,
but her voice
was silent.

I tried to sing,
but only managed
tears.

Were you there
when they laid Him
in the tomb...

No,
but I stood
at my beloveds grave.

Were you there
when He rose up
from the grave...

No,
but through Him
I know hope.

In Christ,
Richard

Memorial Service

First, thank you to all who have prayed, who have sent cards, who have called, who have given gifts, including that of time.

Thank you to those who came and stood in line to honor the memory of Donna and show your support. Thank you to those who attended the memorial (funeral) service honoring her life and legacy.

The service was a wonderful time of inspiration and encouragement to me and a time of worship for all who could sense the hand of God at work.

First was the processional "The Strife Is O'er" played gloriously on the organ.

Then there were the hymns "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and "My Savior First of All" sung by the congregation.

Dr. Jim Nelson, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Toccoa, Georgia comforted us with scripture upon scripture and a time of prayer. Later in the service, his message was one of hope and blessing. (Thank you Jim!)

We were honored to have some of the men of the Sons of Jubal (the Georgia Baptist Convention Men's Chorus) who gave up their Saturday afternoon to drive all the way to Toccoa to sing two of Donna's favorite songs from their repertoire, "Because of Love" and "Untitled Hymn."

After Jim's message, there was only one soloist who could sing at Donna's service. Thank you to my brother-in-law, Kenny, for working so hard to get her solo, "Amazing Grace" from a concert we did a few years ago onto a CD so that she could sing and close the service. It was amazing in itself when everyone in the congregation stood and joined their voices with hers to sing "When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing His praise than when we first begun."

After such an amazing service, we were escorted out to the majestic greatness of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" once again played on the marvelous pipe organ at First Baptist.

Blessing and honor and glory to Him Who sits on the throne and unto the Lamb. 25 years of marriage cut so short by Donna's untimely death, yet God still shows Himself faithful.

On my other blog, Richard's Ramblings, I just described my sense of being lonely. However, I am not alone.

Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift!

Richard Dickson

Deny Himself

I've been thinking about this topic since the Lenten season when our church theme was basically the text of Matthew 16:24.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

"That's just the way God made me."

"My personality is a bulldog and that's just the way I respond when attacked."

"I just can't worship with that kind of music."
(Variations on this come from all sides of the music style spectrum.)

So often it appears that when we read "deny himself" we normally put something at the end:

- deny himself candy
- deny himself another helping of food
- deny himself a hot shower
(just fill in the blank: deny himself ___________)

However, the phrase just says, "Deny himself." Somehow I believe this means to deny himself himself.

For example, I am basically a shy person. This means that in a social situation I prefer to be off by myself in a corner somewhere - that is my comfort zone.

Unfortunately for me (myself, that is), God has called me into ministry - a public ministry - the ministry of music, with pastoral responsibilities. Hey, the shy guy has to get up in front of hundreds of people and lead in worship. Wow!

It is not enough for me to say, "but I'm a shy person and I can't do that." I have to respond to God's call and deny myself to be who Christ wants me to be. It becomes...

- a denial of who I am,
- a denial of me,
- a denial of my wants,
- a denial of my desires,
- a denial of my personality.

In effect, it a becoming less of who I am and becoming more of who Jesus is - conformity to His image, His personality, His very likeness.

So once again, it's not about me...
it's all about HIM!

Your preferences - be like Jesus!
Your personality - be like Jesus!

Then Jesus said, If you will come after me, deny yourself...

Blessings,
Richard

Live It Out Loud

This Sunday, June 22, the sermon that will be presented by Dr. Appleton at First Baptist Church of Jefferson, GA is entitled "The Will to Confess." The scripture passage for this sermon is Luke 18:35-19:10, the stories of the blind man at Jericho and Zacchaeus. The correlated reading for earlier in the service is 1 John 1:7: "if we walk in the light as He is in the light..."

Before I spoke with Dr. Appleton about the direction of the sermon, I noticed that both men spoke up (confession). The blind man had to tell Jesus what he wanted: "I want to see." Zacchaeus told Jesus what he would do. Both were commended by Jesus: "your faith has saved you" and "today salvation has come."

In the first instance, Jesus knew what the blind man needed, but suppose he had just mumbled or been so in awe that he couldn't speak. What if he had decided he didn't like being in the center of the crowd or had just asked for a blessing? (As I was writing, I almost wrote "just asked for an autograph" - how 20th century!)

No the man spoke up - he confessed his need, and Jesus in mercy granted sight.

Zacchaeus had Jesus invite Himself home for lunch. Of course, He knew that Zacc was interested because of the trouble he went to just to see Jesus. Being in the presence of Jesus caused Zacc to know and understand the error of his way resulting in his great confession of intention.

So how should we "walk in the light, as He is in the light"? To follow the example of these men, it means to speak up about our need for what Christ has to offer and then to speak up about the changes that Christ has made in our lives.

Dr. Appleton's comment on the sermon direction: Will to put yourself in a position so that Jesus can do His thing. (At least my paraphrase.)

* * * * * * *

This Sunday, we will let the children from Vacation Bible School sing a couple of their songs in the 10:50 a.m. service. One of these has a great message and actually could fit the topic of the day: "Let My Actions Match My Passion."

Our songs will reflect our recognition of Christ's ability ("Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus" and "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" - the choir sings "This Is the Day" by Warren Angell and Rose Marie Cooper), as well as the work He has done in our lives ("He Lifted Me" and "I Will Sing of My Redeemer"). We respond to God's call with "Just As I Am, O Lamb of God, I Come."

Walking in the Light ...

Let's just Live It Out Loud (in word and deed)!!

Blessings,
Richard

Father's Day

May I first remind the reader, that to me, Father's Day is not about being a father as much as having a father - and that makes it a celebration for everyone: man, woman, boy, or girl because we all have one.

(At this point, I take personal privilege and say to my dad, "Happy Father's Day! I love youl! Thank you for your sacrifices all through the years of my life, as well as your love and support. May God continue to bless you and mother.")

Now I do realize that some do not have good fathers. I remember many years ago after a sermon as a guest preacher in a former church, that a man approached me with the pain his wife felt because of an abusive father. I recognize that this is painful to the heart of God as it blasphemes the nature that He has chosen to identify Himself.

Thankfully for the fatherless, and for those who have father's who do not deserve respect, we all do have a Father - He who is the Perfect Father: loving, kind, merciful, and full of grace while also exercising discipline toward His children out of His great love for us.

So at this point, I thankfully wish our God and Father, a Happy Father's Day!

-------

This Sunday at First Baptist Church of Jefferson, Georgia, we will celebrate not just the gift of father's, but the Father of us all, and recognize that we have a responsibility to follow the example of our godly ancestors as well as provide a godly example for those who come after us. Rev. Bruce Fields, Associate Minister at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Georgia will preach on "What's a Father to Do?" using the text of Ephesians 6:1-4. May God have His way with each of us as we seek to follow our Lord's perfect example.

Blessing,
Richard