Bell Choir

The Bell Choir will resume its rehearsals this coming Sunday, January 9, after the 10:30 service.

Bell Choir Schedule

Just a reminder.  The Bell Choir will rehearse after the 10:30 a.m. service this coming Sunday, Dec. 19.  We are playing at both the late evening Christmas Eve service on at the 10:30 a.m. service on December 26.

Bell Choir

Bell Choir rehearsals will resume on Sunday, August 10, after the 10:30 a.m. service.

No Bell Choir Rehearsal This Sunday

Two of our Bell Choir members are being confirmed this Sunday. Because of the reception for them after the service, the Bell Choir will not rehearse. Rehearsals will resume on Sunday, May 18. We will play at the 9:45 a.m. (summer schedule) service on June 1.

Congratulations Alexandra and Kristin!

A Message From Our Pastor - Advent and Christmas Events

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This weekend is the Fourth (and last) Sunday in Advent, and our worship theme centers around the proclamation Emmanuel – God is with us. The Gospel lesson is Matthew's account of the Christmas story, with the focus on Joseph as one who trusted God and "did the right thing." As we frantically prepare for the holiday, we are reminded to trust in God, and not in our own abilities, and do what is the right thing to do – always.

During the 10:30 worship Sunday, the Joyful Noise Children's Choir will present special music prior to the Children's Moment, and the Hand Bell Choir will present music during the offering.

Weekend Activities

Friday Spiritual Journey – 10:00 p.m. in the Parish House foyer around the fire place

Saturday Adopt-A-Family Delivery – 9:30 a.m. The Social Ministry Committee is coordinating this major project that will benefit many children and adults in the Miami Valley.

Saturday Worship – 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary

Sunday Worship – 8:15 a.m. in the sanctuary
Children's Choir Rehearsals – 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School – 9:15/9:30 a.m.
Worship – 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary
Sacred Harp Singers – 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Parish House Blue Room

CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE

3:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service, with pageant, carols, and celebration of Holy Communion .

10:00 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service, with candles, readings, carols, celebration of Holy Communion, and music presented by the Chancel Choir.


Special thanks to everyone who helped with the decorating in the sanctuary – it is beautiful. And special thanks to everyone who assisted in leading worship last weekend while Debby and I were in Chicago, especially Harriet Uphoff, Ginger and Dan Minneman, and Rachel Spry.

May God fill the remainder of this Advent season with hope, and bring joyous blessings to you all this Christmas!

In Christ's peace,
Gary

Thanks to "Eternal Peace" Participants

The "Eternal Peace" service last Sunday turned out wonderfully. It was a fitting commemoration of All Saints' Sunday. Thank you to everybody who participated - Chancel Choir members, guest choir members, instrumentalists, readers, Bell Choir members, and communion assistants. It's a real treat to be accompanied by a group of string and brass instruments, and the harp was beautiful.

A number of people also worked behind the scenes, and we also appreciate their work. Thanks to those who helped assemble bulletins, decorate the sanctuary, prepare and serve the reception, open and close the building, and (the least glamorous job) clean up.

Special thanks to Ginger Minneman, our Music Director and the Dirctor of the Chancel Choir. The service was Ginger's conception. She chose and arranged the sequence of all of the readings, hymns, and anthems. Her creativity and talents are greatly appreciated.

A Message From Our Pastor - Peace Kick-off; Fall Worship Schedule

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

"It was the one of the most peaceful experiences I've ever had."

That was the sentiment expressed by many who participated in the 24-hour Prayer Vigil for peace that began our GOD'S PEACE FLOWING THROUGH US festivities last weekend. Over 100 people (children, youth, and adults) from our community of faith (including visitors!) took turns praying in the chapel. They prayed for God's peace to fill the hearts of all people in the world; they prayed for you and me; they prayed that all might have enough for life to be good. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., they came throughout the day and night, with the last prayers offered at 9:00 a.m. Sunday. Some prayed silently, some spoke, some sang. Some lit candles (see picture on www.oursaviordayton.org). Some families "camped out" in the church (the welcome rain forced us inside), crawling out of their sleeping bags at all hours of the morning to take their turns; some dragged themselves out of their homes at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:30 a.m. to make their ways to the chapel.

Sunday continued with Rally Day and a visit from the Dayton International Peace Museum "Peace Mobile", followed by a message in worship from Steve Fryburg, director of the Peace Museum, and the return of our Chancel Choir (praise God!). Worship concluded with the choir and congregation recessing outside and about 20 adults and children carrying the Peace Pole from the sanctuary to its permanent site at the entrance to the cul-de-sac. Watch for pictures to be posted on the church website in the next week. If you took pictures of the day, we'd love for you to share them with the church office. If you have two or three, please email them to Terri Balsom; if you have more, could you please burn them onto a disc? Thanks!

During lunch (which, as several of us noticed, featured NO green jello salad dish!) our youth hosted a "Fair Trade Fair," offering for sale food and artisan items from around the world. T-shirts commemorating the weekend were also for sale. All these items will be available after worship for the next few weeks.

Special thanks to the members of the Peace Focus Team and church staff who engaged in the "behind-the-scenes" planning; to everyone who participated in the prayer vigil; to those who prepared the chapel for the vigil and the sanctuary for worship; to our chefs who grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and veggie burgers in the drenching humid morning, and to all who brought such wonderful food to share; to Kent Halverson and Ron Iverson for returning to the church to permanently "plant" the Peace Pole; and to all of you who participated in such a meaningful weekend. It was a great way to kickoff what we hope will be a multi-year ministry focus for the people of God in this small corner of God's kingdom.

THIS WEEKEND
WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGE!

This Sunday, we move to our fall, winter, and spring Sunday worship schedule: 8:15 and 10:30 a.m., with childrens' choirs at 9:00 a.m., and Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 and 9:30 a.m.

Saturday worship remains the same at 5:30 p.m.

CONGREGATION INFORMATION MEETING

Sunday, at 11:45 a.m., council will hold an HVAC project information meeting. Come and learn about the progress of the project; there will be opportunity for questions.

SEEKING BELL RINGERS

The Hand Bell Choir is seeking youth and adults interested in playing hand bells. The choir occasionally presents a special piece of music during worship; rehearsals are held in the sanctuary balcony immediately following the late worship service. Interested? Contact Richard Freudenberger or leave a comment on this posting.

May God breathe peace, hope and joy into your life this week, and may you be led to share those gifts with others throughout the week, and with your sisters and brothers in Christ this weekend in worship!

In Christ's peace,

Gary

Bell Choir - New Members Needed

Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, September 16, after the 10:30 a.m. service.

The Bell Choir needs some new members to help bolster the ranks.

You don't have to be an accomplished musician to join us. If you've ever sung in a choir, played an instrument, or otherwise had some exerience reading music, you'll pick up bells quickly. Joe Beal has volunteered to help with a "beginner's class" that will teach you the fundamentals, and when we merge the beginner's class into the choir, we can pair you up with an experienced ringer who will help you out.

The Bell Choir is open to youth and adults. It can be a family activity - we've had several pairings of children and parents/grandparents.

If you're interested, please speak to Dick Freudenberger or Ginger Minneman.

Bell Choir Needs New Members

It's hard to believe that it's already time to start thinking about the fall!

If you've ever thought about joining the handbell choir, please consider joining this year. Because of people moving and youth going away to college, we need new people to join us this year.

The handbell choir is intergenerational. It is made up of youth and adults. Some families have found it to be a great family experience - we've had parents play with their children, and grandparents play with their grandchildren.

You don't have to have any experience in ringing - if you have ever sung in a choir, taken lessons on an instrument, or you have other exposure to reading music, you can learn to ring handbells quickly. Joe Beal has volunteered to lead some introductory sessions for new ringers, and when you start playing with the whole group, we'll put you on one of the easier positions and assign a current member to help you out. Regular rehearsals are held each Sunday during the school year after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. We'll announce the beginning schedule once we find out who will be with us this year.

For more information, contact Dick Freudenberger or Ginger Minneman.

A Big Ending to the Choir Season

Yesterday was the end of the choir season, and all of the choirs participated in the service. Thank you to all of the choir members and their directors:

• Chancel Choir - Ginger Minneman, Director
• Sonshine Choir - Elizabeth Beal, Director (thanks to her husband Joe for substituting for Elizabeth, who was unable to attend yesterday)
• Joyful Noise Choir - Celeste Hoerner, Director
• Bell Choir - Richard Freudenberger, Director

Thanks also go to Sonia Davila for accompanying the Sonshine Choir and to Phil Hanna for singing a solo with them.

As always, we appreciate the talents of our organist, Rachel Spry.

Our music team is lead by Ginger Minneman as Music Director. Ginger's talent, creativity, cheerfulness and enthusiasm make her a joy to work with, and inspire us to keep pushing ourselves to grow as church musicians.

The choirs will resume in September. In the meantime, we look forward to hearing soloists and small groups singing and playing through the summer.

Choir Rehearsals on June 3

Choir rehearsal times for Sunday, June 3:

• 8:55 a.m. - Bell Choir
• 9:00 a.m. - Sonshine Choir
• 9:00 a.m. - Joyful Noise Choir
• 9:15 a.m. - Chancel Choir
• 9:45 a.m. - service begins

Bell Choir

Just a reminder that the Bell Choir will rehearse after the 10:30 a.m. service this coming Sunday, May 27, and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 31. We will play at the service on June 3.

Join Us for Easter

If you are looking for a church to attend in the Dayton Ohio area on Easter and would like take part in a service with a traditional liturgy and fine music, please join us at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior at 10:30 a.m. Details of the service:

Setting Four of the Service of Holy Communion from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (this setting is taken largely from Setting II in the Lutheran Book of Worship), festival version with brass and timpani.

Prelude - Prelude on Victimae Pascali, R. Spry
Entrance Hymn - Jesus Christ is Risen Today, ELW 365
Joyful Noise Children's Choir - That Easter Day With Joy was Bright
Sonshine and Joyful Noise Children's Choirs - Alleu!
Hymn of the Day - Alleluia! Jesus is Risen!, ELW 377
Offertory - Chancel Choir - My Master From a Garden Rose, E. Daley
Chancel Choir - Agnus Dei, from Solemn Mass, L. Vierne, sung in Latin
Music During Communion -

• Chancel Choir - Salvation is Created, P. Chesnokov
• Hymn - This Joyful Eastertide, ELW 391
• Bell Choir - Joyful Alleluia, C. Dobinsky
• Hymn - Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, ELW 392
• Hymn - Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness, ELW 488

Final Hymn - Thine is the Glory, ELW 376
Postlude - Toccata from Symphony V, C. M. Widor

There is an intergenerational Sunday School gathering before the service at 9:15 a.m. Please join us - visitors are always welcome, whether you live in town or are just passing through. Click here for a location map.

Pastor: Rev. Gary Eichhorn
Music Director and Director of the Chancel Choir: Ginger Minneman
Organist: Rachel Spry
Director of Sonshine Children's Choir: Elizabeth Beal
Director of Joyful Noise Children's Choir: Celeste Hoerner

Choir Rehearsal Times for Easter Sunday

A reminder for Easter: The Bell Choir meets to rehearse at 9:00 a.m. The Chancel Choir meets to rehearse at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will practice the anthems first, then work with the brass and timpani on the festival setting of the Communion service. The service starts at 10:30 a.m.

Bell Choir Rehearsals

The Bell Choir will have its normal rehearsal tomorrow (Palm Sunday) after the 10:30 a.m. service. On Easter, we will meet at 9:00 a.m., before the Chancel Choir rehearsal.

Reminders to the Bell Choir and the Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir is singing tomorrow at the 6:45 p.m. Ash Wednesday service. Warm up will be at 6:20 p.m.

The Bell Choir will resume rehearsals after the 10:30 a.m. service this coming Sunday, February 25.

Bell Choir

Due to the session after the 10:30 a.m. service this coming Sunday to introduce Setting Five from ELW, the Bell Choir will not meet. Rehearsals will resume on Sunday, February 25.

Bell Choir

The Bell Choir will not meet on February 4 or 11 because of the Annual Congregational Meeting and the Valentine brunch. Rehearsals will resume on February 18.

Chancel Choir and Bell Choir Schedules

Tonight is the special rehearsal and party for the Chancel Choir. The Chancel Choir will also have its regular Thursday night rehearsal this week. The Chancel Choir will NOT sing at the 10:30 AM service on Sunday, December 24. This service includes the children's Christmas Pageant. Normally, on the rare occasions when the Chancel Choir is not singing an anthem, we sit in the choir loft anyway to help lead worship. This Sunday, though, the chancel will be occupied with children who are participating in the Pageant, so the Chancel Choir will not be in the chancel.

Christmas Eve Schedule for the choirs:

Bell Choir rehearsal at 8:50 PM.
Chancel Choir rehearsal at 9:00 PM.
Bell Choir will play during the prelude time.
Service starts at 10:00 PM.