This new volunteer position was created in late 2008 to be implemented in 2009 with Katie Berning taking on the duties of music coordinator.  Having one person maintain the music schedule will hopefully streamline the process of scheduling musical offerings.  Katie will maintain the performing dates/times of all out musical groups at Immanuel such as, but not limited to:  Choir, Proclamation Righers, Children's Bell Choir, Sunday School kids and individual/group musical offerings.  Katie will work closely with Pastor Mike and the musical groups to maintain the schedule and to offer assistance in selecting musical pieces to ensure the integrity of the musical selections are appropriate for the church season.  Anyone who would like to schedule an individual or group musical offering, please contact

Katie Berning 389-1887 or gkberning@msn.com

This team provides leadership for the Sunday 10:15 a.m. service.  The team includes vocal leaders, piano, guitar and percussion and other instruments as needed.  The music style is eclectric, drawing from tradition to gospel to contemporary services.

 

Lenten worship is held at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday evenings beginning with Ash Wednesday (February 25 in 2009) led by members of this worship team.  ELW setting for Evening Prayer and Holden Evening Prayer are used for these worship gatherings.

 

This worship team leads the Thursday 6:45 p.m. summer evening worship services held between Memorial Day and Labor Day Unfailing Light, a setting for evening worship and Holy Communion, is the resource for these worship gatherings.

 

Thank you to all who have shared your musical talents in leading worship.  We as a a congregation have been blessed by you.  Praise and thanks be to God for the gifts He has given these people and for their willingness to share those gifts.

Immanuel Choir sings the second and fourth Sundays of the month at the 8 a.m. service September through mid-May (subject to occasional variances).  The choir also sings for special services like Confirmation Sunday, Palm Sunday, Easter, Reformation Sunday and Lessons and Carols.  We are now averaging 35 members!  Welcome to all who have joined us this past year.  And there is always room for more!!

 

In 2008 God gave Immanuel's choir some unique opportunities.  This year's community Choir Festival was at St. Edward's Catholic Church and allowed us to sing a major work with the St. John's University Choir and Orchestra Axel Thielen.  He also led us in a workshop, which was a real opportunity for us to stretch musically.  Our choir members who participated really enjoyed it.  This festival once again supported the Princeton Pantry.

 

Lessons & Carols returned to a late afternoon Sunday service in 2008, as it was originally intended to be.  The candlelight was beautiful and gave a wonderful atmosphere for this special service.  Thanks to ALL the musicians, singers and readers who participated.

 

Immanuel is SO blessed with people who have musical talent and dedication!  Thanks you to Sondi Erickson and Jane Miller for their worship leadership and accompaniment for the choir.  Thanks also to the Proclamation Ringers for the many times the bell choir has played with choir, to Tony Smith for beautiful cello music, Kevin Worm-Beneke for his work on the trumpet and to Tanner Neubauer and Mitchell Wendorff for their percussion work.  All these different sounds give depth and beauty to the music the choir sings.  And again, Susan B., I cound not do it without you.

 

The most exciting news for choir is the Otto Bremer Foundation grant received in late 2008.  This $10,000 grant is funding composer George Mauer, who will be working with us throughout 2009 and into 2010 composing music for our choir, our bell choir and the 2009 community Choir Festival.  We look forward to hosting the Choir Festival in the fall of 2009 for which George Mauer will compose the central choral pieces.  What a unique opportunity!  Please watch the Epistle in the coming months for more information about these works in progress, as well as a notice of when George will be at Immanuel to talk with us about what a composer does and how a composer works!  We also will have an opportinity for anyone interested in trying their hand at writing some lyrics for George to work with this year!  Again - watch the Epistle for the notice!

 

Immanuel continues to be known for its music.  We are excited to choosing a piano for the sanctuary in 2009 - to find an instrument that will enhance our worship and choir for many years to come.  Part of the joy in making music is knowing that the music is meaningful to those who hear it.  Thank you all for your support of this ministry.  It takes great effort from many, many people.

Ringing bells continues to be a rewarding musical activity for Immanuel's younger children.  Practices are now held on Sunday mornings during the music portion of Sunday School to allow more children to participate.  This bell choir's musical offerings at worship services delight both paritcipant and listener alike.

Directors Vicky Anderson 389-2391 and Ann Saterbak 389-4908

Once again the Proclamation Ringers have had a productive year despite a change in personnel!!  We obtained a 3-octave set of hand chimes through generous donors.  This adds a new sound and gives us flexibility in our music.  We were grateful for the opportunity to participate in the 2008 community Choir Festival at St. Ed's.  We look forward to other such opportunities.  Thanks to all of you  for your continues support and appreciation.  Our goal is always to ring God's praise and enhance the worship experience.