Mt. Bethel has a variety of Christmas music programs coming in the next month, and we hope you’ll come and enjoy them with us.
Carols for Christmas
- Sunday, December 7 — 4:00 & 6:30pm — Sanctuary
- Presented by Chancel Choir, One-A-Chord, Crossfire, iPraise, Handbells & Orchestra.
- Deborah V. Pierce, Conductor.
The Glory of Christmas
Objects in Christmas Are Closer Than They Appear
The Christmas County Spelling Bee
- Wednesday, December 17 — 6:30pm — Sanctuary
- The Musical is by our iPraise grades 2-5
- Prior to the Musical, we will feature weePraise Singers, 1st grade iPraise, Orff instruments, Chimes & Handbells
- Beth Irwin, Director of Children’s Choirs
Our music department has received a number of e-mails regarding the patriotic concert last week. Here are a few of them:
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I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thanks for such a moving and extremely well done performance Sunday evening! What a fitting and thoughtful tribute to our men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country. It also was nice to see the sanctuary so full. It was literally standing room only.
I wish I had been able to participate this year. Hopefully next year!
Kudos to everyone for the magnificent performance.
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WOW! What a wonderful concert. I do believe it was the best one ever! The time just flew by (and that is saying something). You had a great blend of old and new songs. I especially liked “In His Care-O”. I know it was one you had to convince the choir they would like and it was worth it!
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After the social tonight my husband and I were eating dinner at Tijuana Joes with some friends from church. I was still in my vest, and a family of three was eating at a table nearby; I had seen them in the Fellowship Hall after the concert. As they left, the mother stopped by to tell me what a wonderful concert it had been and they were so glad they came—–was it this good every year? Their daughter attends the Mt. Bethel Academy, and they attend Roswell UMC. And, as she put it, the Roswell UMC Patriotic Concert “didn’t compare to our concert”!!! She said she was glad she could hear the choir over the orchestra, that the balance was very good. Also that her father is the Minister of Music at a church and that it took a lot to impress him, but she thought he would really like a CD or DVD of our concert–was one going to be made that she could send to him?
So kudos to our Music Ministry Department and the wonderful leadership the two of you provide for our church and community. You never know who is going to be impressed when we use the talents the Lord has given us. Thank you both for all that you give of your time and your talents to our church.
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My son and I sat in a row full of Lutherans in the balcony who wished they could have such a wonderful choir. We ran into some Jewish friends at the Ice Cream Social who were very glad that they had been invited by a friend, as they so enjoyed your performance. As a veteran of Vietnam, I admit that I need to remember to bring a hankie as it is hard for me to stay dry eyed with the power of your performance. My hat is off and I salute you for your pride and dedication you voice for the cause of freedom. This is a very powerful ministry that I am happy my wife is part of.
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I’m proud of all our Mt. Bethel vets - and if I missed any who participated with this note, please forward this on to them. We had great choir participation, a solo by John Fraser (I prefer his rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” over Lee Greenwood singing it - who I heard in person last week); us old vets trying to look sharp representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force; Anthony Cunha looking sharp as a Marine, the only one who could actually pass for a fighting man these days, and doing a great job in the spotlight with his speaking part (glad you stood up for saying “I am a Marine”, instead of sticking to the script and saying Soldier). To our ushers who did their typical great job, to those who participated by wearing their uniform and sitting in the audience. Don Webster for twisting his son-in-law’s arm to get him to bring in the flag - a highlight to have a real active duty Soldier in our ranks.
All in all - I’m proud of you all - and our other vets who are making more people at Mt. Bethel appreciate the honor we vets feel for having served our country. As I’ve said often, it’s our job to teach others how to be patriotic and there’s no time better than the Patriotic Concert to do that. Thanks for stepping up to the challenge.
And thanks, Randy and Ira, for making this a regular event at Mt. Bethel. We must continue to work to make more of our fellow American citizens understand that “Freedom Is Not Free”. This concert does a great job in making that known. And I agree, Ira, God was helping you out when He introduced you to the guest conductor, he loved it and so did the audience.
I’ll be hitting the Roswell and Marietta National Cemetery Memorial Day events tomorrow, then I’ll relax and enjoy time with my Family. Hope you enjoy the rest of the long weekend.
Once again, I’m proud of all of you and appreciate all you do to teach others about the honor of being called a veteran. Keep up the great work!
