On Sunday, August 27 you are invited to our final summer concert to benefit PACEM (People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry). The concert will take place in the Sanctuary at 4:00 pm followed by ice cream in the courtyard. Soprano Megan Sharp, with Jonathan Schakel on piano, will present a program entitled, “Songs My Father Taught Me,” featuring songs by Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, Gabriel Fauré, Joaquín Rodrigo, and folk songs arranged by Benjamin Britten. Megan’s late father, Stuart Sharp, was a professor of voice at Hope College and her first voice teacher. This program is a tribute to his guidance and great love of art songs.
Music Notes-July 23, 2017
The offertory this week is an arrangement by Bill Boyd, for tuba and piano, of the hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” This tune, now generally known by the name, “Nettleton,” has origins in the early nineteenth-century American folk-hymn tradition. The melody was widespread, appearing in many variations, including versions in duple as well as triple meter, and with many different names, the earliest of which include “Hallelujah,” “Sinner’s Call,” and “Good Shepherd.” While it appeared with several other texts, the tune was most often matched with Robert Robinson’s 1758 text, “Come Thou fount of every blessing.”
Who’s made in the image?
We had an amazing Westminster Musical Week preparing In the Image by Mark Burrows. Westminster folks of all ages, including several out-of-town grandchildren, came together for dinner each evening, sang, played games, prayed, painted and created. This list of participants includes those who prepared meals, lead rehearsals, created sets and props, coached speakers, and lead crafts. Those who had speaking parts and played in the band have been indicate behind their name. A project of this magnitude takes many hands, and we give thanks for all of those who took part.
Anne Andrews
Diane Ballister
Winston Barham
Bob Bedford
Faith Andrews Bedford
Betty Blackburn
Tom Bloom
Diana Brawley
Lydia Brawley-Magee, Artsy
Nathaniel Brawley-Magee
Elizabeth-Latta Brother
Carolyn Brown
Anne Clements, Literalist 1
Lynne Clements
Martha Craddock
Margaret Anne Doran, Poet
Judy Dunscomb
Dana Eastman
Annabelle Garth, Dancer
Eden Garth
Melanie Garth
Peter Garth
Tina Goode
Aaron Heflin, MUCK 2
Hayden Heflin
Beth Hochstetler
Carolyn Kelly
Barb Mann
Beth Nissen
Dana Patek
Leah Patek, violin
Jake Paulson, percussion
Joey Paulson, percussion
Nancy Paulson
Lila Peck
Will Peck
Jane Edmister Penner, Craftsy
Dick Redding
Elijah Redding
Jonathan Schakel, piano
Paul Schakel, MUCK 1
Megan Sharp
Anna Smith, Drummer
Aurelie Spencer
Wyatt Spencer, Wow
Kaitlyn Spitzer
George Stetkevych, Sleepy
Robert Stetkevych, Literalist 2
Andrew Stetkevych, You Know
Nancy Takahashi, bass
Charlotte Thomasclarke
Ellen Thomasclarke
Emily Thomasclarke, Catalyst
Dee Weikle
Ellie Weikle, Environmentalist
Lynanne Wilson
Debbie Wolfe
Music Notes-July 16, 2017
This week is musical week! A large group of talented performers and back-stage magicians are working hard to prepare In the Image, a musical by Texas composer Mark Burrows, for worship this Sunday. As the composer explains, “In the Image features a group of people who have just experienced the story of the Creation. And now they’re starting to wonder what it really means to be created in the image of God. Through humorous, earnest exploration, they discover that being created in the image of God isn’t about physical appearance. It’s about creativity, faithfulness, responsibility, community, and the ability to find the good in things.” The musical features a choir, soloists, actors, violin, bass, percussion and keyboard and is great fun for everyone. We hope you enjoy it.
Music Notes-July 9, 2017
This week our pick-up choir will sing an anthem by English composer Alan Smith, a setting of the text, “Like the murmur of the dove’s song.” Written by Carl Daw, an Episcopal priest and hymn writer, the poem takes its inspiration from a book by Louis Evely, in which Evely argues that the Holy Spirit is portrayed as a dove not because of its shape or ability to fly, but because of the moaning sound of its call. Romans 8:26, for example, describes the Spirit interceding “with inexpressible groaning.” The hymn is found in many English-language hymnals and has also been translated into Spanish.