Worship and Music Committee

Committee function

This committee shall assist the Council in seeing that the Services of God’s house are conducted regularly in accordance with the liturgy of the ELCA.  The committee must make sure that competent ushers are recruited and trained, that hymnals and other devotional materials are provided and properly cared for.  This committee shall supervise and strive to advance the welfare and effective service of the choirs, and maintain music instruments.  In consultation with the pastor(s), the organist and the choir director(s), it shall furnish music supplies appropriate for use in the worship of this congregation of the ELCA.

2007-2008 Co-Chairs:  Billie Thompson, Joyce Weise

From the June 2006 Bethlehem Star

The Education Task Force met in April and will finalize their ideas for education and Sunday services at an early June meeting, before presenting them at the June Council meeting. Seven people were in attendance, plus both ministers. They also discussed a new summer service schedule to start early June.

* The ushers and greeters have been combined into the Hospitality Team and their responsibilities have been re-aligned. Pastor Jean will have a training session for all Hospitality Team volunteers and Lectors, Saturday, June 3. The Altar Guild

is now under the direction of Kate Holtfreter. Linda Davis and Tom Stokes have been presented contracts for part-time employment (vs, contracted employees) with Bethlehem.

From the July 2006 Bethlehem Star

Assisting Ministers are needed at the Saturday eveniing and early Sunday morning services. Have you had a stiring within, wondering about serving in this way? Speak with an assisting minister or one of the pastors or call Deb Long in the church office. Training is available.

From the September 2006 Bethlehem Star

The Worship/Music Committee is working to increase praise music at the 9:15 service, in particular. The group is interested in YOUR ideas/suggestions about praise music awould like your input.

From the October 2006 Bethlehem Star

The Worship & Music Committee will meet each month on the second Tuesday at 6:30pm. New members are welcome!

Choirs have begun rehearsals.

Parish Choir under the direction of Tom Stokes,

Handbell Choir is directed by Cindy Monroe.

Tom Stokes offers an activity/choir time for Confirmation students as a part of their Wednesday evening; he also meets with interested students Sunday morning for a Youth Choir.

Ninth grade students will be Confirmed October 29 during the 915 service. The Guitar Group will help lead worship.

Guitar lessons are being offered to Confirmation students at 5 pm Wednesdays. Dan Palmer from the MusIc FACTORY is teaching students music they will play at a Sunday morning worship; students pay a fee for the lessons.

The current worship schedule includes a praise service Saturday at 7pm; Sunday mornings, a traditional service (using LBW Setting Two) at 8:00, a family service with praise music at 9:15 and a blended service with traditional and contemporary components (using LBW Setting Two) at 11:00.

Large print worship folders and headphones are available.

The committee is looking at budget items for the coming year.

Patti Friedli, Chair

From the December 2006 Bethlehem Star

At the November meeting the committee addressed several items: a request from the choir to have garments or stoles for holiday wear; request has been passed to the quilting group.

Hospitality training took place, with good attendance from adults and confirmation students.

A seminar about the new hymnal (ELW) was attended in Gaylord by Patti Friedli, Marilyn Dork. Deb Mikko, Billie Thompson & Cheryl Leider. We are not going to order the new hymnals; perhaps audio visual equipment may be more cost effective in the long run.

Billie Thompson will lead the Sunday School children in a Christmas performance Dec 17 at 9:15.

All choirs continue to rehearse and plan for performances. Tom Stokes will lead the youth choir at 11 :00, Dec 17; Christmas at Bethlehem is planned for 5 pm that day.

On Qct. 29, the 9th grade class was confirmed. The students baked bread that was used in Communion. The students would like their group pic- ture displayed, along with those of previous classes.

The group also discussed various letters to the committees regarding improvements and brainstormed long range needs and goals to be pre- sented to the Executive Committee as requested.

The worship schedule for the Christmas weekend was decided.

From the Februrary 2007 Bethlehem Star

This committee (chaired by Patti Friedli) welcomes new members! The group meets at 6:30 pm, the second Tues- day of each month; if you are interested, please contact Patti at 941-7416. The group welcomes ideas and suggestions to enhance worship

The committee discussed the many volunteer areas connected with worship: hospitality, assisting ministers, le- tors, altar guild, choirs, acolytes, bulletin assemblers, spe- cia! musicians, song leaders-the list is long!

Cindy Monroe has planned guitar services for the first weekend of each month; possibly more. Corey Hughes meets with several confirmation students, Wednesday evening before class, to play guitar. We will probably see these students play at worship in the future.

The committee is pursuing the use of choir robes and the possibility of the choir singing at different parts of the lit urgy.