Fee Fee Baptist Church

Tag: Music

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 6

    Multigenerational Choir

    Let’s have a multigenerational choir here at Fee Fee. Recently, churches have begun looking for opportunities for children, youth, adults and seniors to minister together.

    Think about the value of blending multiple timbres into one homogeneous sound. This is a perfect picture of the body of Christ. An intergenerational music ministry allows everyone the opportunity to participate – no matter the individual skill level. It reflects the age diversity already present. It involves the youngest and oldest pooling their voices together.

    Young people bring excitement and a contagious enthusiasm. Older members contribute a wealth of knowledge. Therefore, they can benefit from each other. Unity in purpose and musical unity are key. It’s a win – win situation!

    The choir must work together to overcome personal music preferences and traditions to be effective worship leaders.

    Here is a scripture that applies so well to the workings of an intergenerational choir:

    Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians church urged them (us) “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the Lord of peace,” (Ephesians 41:3 ESV).

    We can learn more than music from a choir experience.

    Hannah’s Song (Mother’s Prayer)

    As we have been reading in 1 Samuel, I was really taken by Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving. In coming across this rendition of Hannah’s song, I thought its beauty along with the dramatization was worth sharing: https://bit.ly/3ifg3bS

  • Music Musings – Vol. 62, No. 3

    Ronna’s February Playlist

    As you may have expected, it is time for our February Playlist. You guessed it! These songs are centered on the theme of love and relationships. Please enjoy this listening experience as you consider love for God and also for the special people in your life. The link for the February Playlist can be found here: https://bit.ly/3ISPcgW.

    1. My God is Known by Love – The Clark Family
    2. Meant to Be– J.J. Heller
    3. Lovin’ Me – Jonathan McReynolds
    4. Remind Me Who I Am – Jason Gray
    5. Good Day for Marrying You – Dave Barnes
    6. Lemonade – Chris Rice
    7. Your Love – David Phelps
    8. Beautiful – MercyMe
    9. I Stand Amazed – Steph MacLeod
    10. Jesus Loves Even Me – Cedarmont Kids
    11. O Love That Will Not Let Me Go – Sam Robson
    12. What Is This Thing Called Love? – Delirious?
    13. Out of Hiding – Steffany Gretzinger
    14. Till I Found You – Phil Wickham
    15. Your Love Changes Everything – United Pursuit (ft. Brock Human)
    16. I Won’t Let You Go – Jon Foreman (ft. Lauren Daigle)

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 24

    New Keyboard

    We acknowledge the wonderful new keyboard purchased with generous funds given in memory of Marci Gholami. This instrument will greatly enhance our worship music. It features flexibility to customize sounds, action, and depth of tone second to none. We are very grateful for this generous gift commemorating the memory of Marci.

    Save the Date

    Holiday calendars fill up these days with all kinds of celebrations. Be sure to include our Christmas presentations here at Fee Fee in your date book.  We will present NOEL: Night of Everlasting Love on Saturday, December 18 and again on Sunday, December 19, both at 3:00p.m. Both performances will present the traditional story of the Nativity with beautiful Christmas classics and pageantry. Invite your friends and neighbors to hear the Gospel story.

    Another opportunity to celebrate Jesus this season, is at our special 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, filled with traditional music and the Gospel story.

    Greeters and Ushers Needed

    We will need greeters and ushers for the Christmas presentations on December 18 and 19. This is a wonderful opportunity to greet our guests with a smile and hearty welcome! Greeters and ushers would need to be available by at least 2:30 p.m. Please contact tara@feefeebc.org if you are available to help.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 18

    Are you ready for our September Playlist?

    Well, I hope so, because I have found some terrific music for your listening pleasure! This month you have the benefit of hearing two pieces by my favorite singer, David Phelps. I will begin and end with his music, for he is in a category all his own.

    Simply David Phelps

    Brethren, We Have Met to Worship

    David Phelps

     

    Christian Country

    No Turning Back

    Tommy Brandt

     

    A Capella Gospel

    I’ll Meet You in the Morning

    Jehovah Shalom A capella

     

    Multi-National Classical Crossover

    Amazing Grace

    Il Divo

     

    Indie Worship

    And Can it Be (Die for Me)

    Daniel Dorfsmith

     

    Up-and-Coming Christian Artist

    Dare to Believe

    Efralot

     

    Southern Gospel

    How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

    Gaither Vocal Band

     

    Contemporary Worship

    Jireh

    Elevation Worship and Maverick City

     

    Contemporary Christian

    Rebuilder

    Carrollton

     

    Indie Rock

    Seasons

    NEEDTOBREATHE

     

    Contemporary Christian

    Ruins

    Mandisa

     

    David Phelps – Just Wow!  In a class by himself!

    I Have Nothing

    David Phelps

     

    As always, this list reflects many different styles. They may not ALL be to your liking, but I’m certain many of them will bring you joy. Until next time! Here is the link for Ronna’s September 2021 Playlist:

    https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpdd9NDp5H-VBX-CHttCySjAX0EWhNsYt&feature=share

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 9

    First Concert of the Season is Approaching

    Our Summer Concerts are at our doorstep and the first one is set to go on Sunday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. We will feature music missionary Ken Davidson. Ken currently works at a Chinese university where he oversees a music degree including music technology and recording arts.

    In addition to music missions, Ken is a worship leader, audio engineer, and videographer. Ken is co-founder of Heart Sounds International, which exists to encourage the development of worship music through training native musicians in cultures where Christ followers are restricted or even persecuted.

    Please reserve seats for this May 16 concert, and all upcoming concerts, on our website: https://feefeebc.org/summerconcert/. This is a free event, but reservations are necessary for attending this event. There will be an opportunity to give a love offering and to purchase CDs of the music of various cultures. Please invite friends and other acquaintances to attend this event.

    A Biblical Example of Music Ministry

    1 Samuel 16:21-23 tells the story. David walked bravely carrying his primitive stringed instrument into a place of darkness inhabited by King Saul. Saul was willing to try anything to free himself from the depths of depression that plagued him. As the story unfolds, we find that David’s music touched this tormented man. Saul was relieved as the evil presence departed from him. David’s music not only provided relief, but also brought love from this man for the young shepherd boy whose music had touched his soul.

    When you sing beautifully, or less beautifully, you are making melody in your heart to the Lord. So, sing out to bring joy to the hosts of heaven.

    Christ provides soul music for us. He will fill you with a life free of depression and despair. We, His sheep, need the music of His voice. Let’s rejoice in God together.

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 3

    Hymns Written During Past Pandemics – Part II

    By Dr. Julie Barrier, Crosswalk.com

    We are not alone in our distress. Godly men and women throughout the ages praised God in the midst of disease and disaster.  Many great hymns of praise have been written by Christians during plagues throughout church history.

    One of these hymns is Now Thank We All Our God, composed in 1636 by pastor Martin Rinckart. Eilenberg, Germany, his tiny hometown, was ravaged by the Thirty Years War. The Swedish army set siege around the city wall.  War refugees seeking safety overran the crowded town. Soon after, the Bubonic plague erupted there and almost 5,000 people perished within a year. Rinckart was the only pastor left alive to bury the dead. He often performed 40-50 funerals per day, including the burial of his own wife. In the midst of such pestilence and heartbreak, Rindkart wrote:

    “Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things

    has done, in Whom this world rejoices. Who from our mother’s arms has blessed us

    on our way with countless gifts of love and still is ours today!”

    Come to Your Temple Here on Earth, composed by pastor Paul Gerhardt, was written about the same time as Rinckart. Europe was besieged with war and plague, yet these words of assurance came to this beloved pastor’s heart:

    “Arise and make an end of all heartache and our pain; Your wandering flock at last recall

    and grant them joy again. To peace and wealth the land restore, wasted with fire or plague

    or sword, Come to Your ruined churches, Lord, and bid them bloom once more.”

    Isaac Watts wrote When We Are raised from Deep Distress during the London cholera outbreak in 1666. Cholera outbreaks were prevalent in various parts of the British Empire, including parts of Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. In 1854, 23,000 people died from cholera in Great Britain. Here are Watts’ lyrics inspired by Psalm 89 and 90.

    “Pains of the flesh seek to abuse our minds with slavish fears; Our days are past and we shall

    lose the remnant of our years. Jehovah speaks the healing word and no disease withstands;

    fevers and plagues obey the Lord and fly at His command!”

    This great Congregational minister wrote 750 hymns!  Watts always found a reason to praise God.

    Virtual Choir Project

    Rehearsal recordings are finished and ready for you to download along with copies of the sheet music. Please contact Tara (Tara@feefeebc.org) to let us know you can participate. When you give her your contact information, you will be included in all informational emails. If you do not have a way to print the music you may pick up a copy of the choral sheet on the table by office entrance.

    Again, you do not need to be a current choir member to take part in this project. There is no age limitation. In fact, a multigenerational choir would be ideal!

    Please consider joining in this project. We have made it easier than ever!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 61, No. 1

    The Ease of Virtual Choir

    We are learning how to make participation in the virtual choir more accessible for everyone. One of the biggest hesitations for many has simply been the recording aspect. Our own Andrea Jennings has made this an easier process by setting up appointments and recording your session for you. Now when you record you do not feel you are singing alone! Instead, it will sound like you are singing with a choir. We have also started using accompaniment tracks where we can highlight different vocal lines – soprano, alto, tenor and bass. So, learning your part is a snap! Thanks to Vance for engineering this process. I will also make myself available to assist you in learning the music.

    For our next project we will sing a beautiful piece that our choir has sung a few times. The piece is entitled This Must Be Grace, and at one point incorporates the old hymn Grace That is Greater Than All Our Sin.

    It is hoped in addition to our regular choir members we can expand this project to include younger singers and those less young (multi-generational) who have not in the past committed to the regular choir rehearsals but would be willing to take the opportunity to lend their voice to this short term project. If you have EVER sung or NEVER sung in a choir, come give this a try. You may be surprised at your own talent for singing! Stay tuned for more specific information.

    Do NOT Hide Your Talent!

    Sharing our talents with others can create more lasting fulfillment. It is actually a win-win situation. We get to exercise our talent and others receive a blessing.

    Do you sing? Do you play an instrument? Would you like to be part of an ensemble (vocal or instrumental)? Would you like to lead an ensemble of any kind? Please tell us about your talents or talents of a friend so we can provide opportunities for you to bless others. All ages and levels of performance welcome! We need you. Please send information to Ronna@feefeebc.org.

    “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 24

    Christmas Program 2020

    Our Christmas program will look a little different this year, but will nonetheless, still capture the joys of our Savior’s birth. No doubt you will enjoy a mini movie by our kids and will agree that there is stardom in their future. Many thanks to Vance Stewart and Justin Flack who have used their uniquely creative skills to produce the Christmas Nativity story as told by our wonderful kids.

    Following the children’s Nativity will be our musical, Christmas, Night of Angels, told from the viewpoint of Mary and Joseph as they remember the events leading to the miraculous birth of Jesus, our Savior. The music will be presented by our virtual Christmas choir and live ensembles. You may view this program live or online.  If attending in person you will need to go to our website to get a free ticket for performances on Saturday, December 19 or Sunday, December 20, both at 3:00 p.m.  We hope you will plan to celebrate with us!

    The Animals of the Nativity

    The animals of the Nativity have been featured in various poems and songs. One of the most famous poems/songs starring the Christmas animals is a carol entitled The Friendly Beasts.  The text of the piece focuses on the humble contributions of the stable animals assumed present at the birth of Christ. It is sung from the perspective of the donkey who lovingly carried Mary on her long journey to Bethlehem, the cow who donated the manger in which Christ lay, the sheep who gave up his wool for the swaddling clothes, and the dove who gently sang the Christ child to sleep on the night of His birth. Each verse begins with the refrain “I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown,” or “I, said the sheep with the curly horn,” and the carol’s last verse runs as follows:

    Thus every beast by some glad spell,

    in the stable dark was glad to tell

    Of the gift he gave Emmanuel.

    The gift he gave Emmanuel.

    Another poem that gives perspective from the eyes of the animals is The Nativity by C.S. Lewis. Lewis cites the various virtues of the animals in response to the presence of the Christ child – wishing to be able to respond to Christ’s presence with the virtues which symbolically belong to these same animals.

    Among the oxen (like an ox I’m slow)

    I see a glory in the stable grow

    Which, with the ox’s dullness might at length

    Give me an ox’s strength.

    Among the asses (stubborn I as they)

    I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;

    So may my beastlike folly learn at least

    The patience of a beast.

    Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)

    I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;

    Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence

    Some woolly innocence!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 22

    God’s People – Musicians

    “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts,” (Colossians 3:16).

    God loves music! Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people are often found singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

    Psalm 150 invites us to celebrate life’s trials and triumphs by making music. There were many musicians at work throughout Scripture. Some were professional musicians hired to lead worship at the temple. Others simply played instruments to bring joy into the lives of the people listening. Music was used to celebrate special religious festivals and to announce important news. Music brought joy at wedding feasts and soothed mourners at funerals. And we all remember the story of David playing music to calm angry King Saul. Music is used to bring hope through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

    Psalms of Hope:

    “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways,” (Psalm 91:11).

    “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more,” (Psalm 17:14).

    Hymn of hope

    Ponder on this song and make it your own testimony in tough times:

    The Solid Rock (originally titled The Immutable Basis of a Sinner’s Hope)

    My HOPE is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

    I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

     On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

     When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;

    In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

     On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

    Spiritual Song of Hope:

    My Hope is in You by Third Day

    My hope is in You.

    Show me Your way

    Guide me in truth

    In all my days.

    My hope is You

    Oh, Lord

    The theme of hope is easy to find in all genres of Christian music. Music taps into the depths of our souls and helps us express the wide range of our emotions. Thank God for music!

  • Music Musings – Vol. 60, No. 21

    The Power of Music

    “And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him,” (2 Kings 3:14-15).

    Three kings came to the prophet Elisha asking for God’s help and guidance. Their armies were stuck in the dry desert, facing a thirsty death before they ever got to battle. Elisha had no respect for the kings of Israel, but because of the presence of Jehoshaphat, he agreed to seek God for their need.

    When Elisha sought God for a prophetic word to speak to the three kings, he said, “now bring me a musician.” It was remarkable that when Elisha wanted to become more sensitive to the leading and speaking of the Holy Spirit, he asked for the service of a musician.

    We know that Elisha was annoyed when the king of Israel first approached him on this matter (2 Kings 3:13). Perhaps this troubled his mind and spirit, and he needed some calm awareness of the potential of music. He sought to spiritually build up himself through “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” (Colossians 3:16).

    We don’t know the name of the musician, but when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha and he prophesied, bringing a promise of deliverance to the three kings. The musician probably never thought that God would use his music to bring a great spiritual and military victory. Yet the musician did what he could do and God used it, and in at least a small way it helped to change history.

    Our God is a singing God who loves music, (Zephaniah 3:17). We are made in God’s image, so we have a natural attraction to music. We can do ourselves much spiritual good by listening to God-honoring music and by worshiping Him in song. Make use of this great, wonderful, God-given spiritual resource.