Music Ministry Update
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is hard to believe that just one month ago today was my first Sunday as Director of Worship and Music at Trinity. What a joy it has been to begin to get to know you and make music with you in this beloved community! And how I long, as I know you do, for our ministry of music together to flourish in its fulness with no need for pandemic precautions.
And yet, as Christians we dwell continually in the “already and not yet” of faith.
To congregational singing, being close together indoors, singing without masks, and so much more, we need to say “not yet,” so that we can love our neighbor, love our siblings in Christ most fully by refraining from some things in order to keep them as safe as possible.
Today, though, I’m delighted to dwell a bit more in the “already.”
Already, our music leaders are busy cultivating their gifts of music to offer them to God’s glory and the building up of the Body of Christ here at Trinity. On Thursday, September 9, our handbell choir and a combined singing choir from the Sanctuary Choir and the Spirit ensemble had their first regular rehearsals in many, many months. The handbell choir rehearsed indoors, masked and spaced as far as possible across the width of the sanctuary, and the singing choir rehearsed outdoors, also masked. We’re still discerning what will be our regular rehearsal schedule for now, so stay tuned for an invitation for you to join us if you haven’t already.
Learn more in this Musical Mondays video:
Already, we are planning to have a small group of singers sing an offertory this Sunday, September 19 (with a guest cellist!) and for the handbell choir to ring in worship on Sunday, October 3.
Already we are beginning to dream about and plan for different scenarios for the Advent and Christmas seasons, not knowing what the pandemic reality will bring, yet always trusting in God’s grace and goodness to make a way when there seems to be no way.
Already I’m getting to make music with our children through the Morning GATHER worship we’re trying outdoors on Sunday mornings following the 9:30am indoor worship service.
So let’s celebrate the already, even as we live in the not yet. As hymn 414,”Holy God, we praise your name,” says, “and from morn to set of sun through the church the song goes on.” God’s song goes on through us, both in the already, and in the not yet.
Oh, and speaking of celebrating, 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the installation of our Roderer pipe organ. That’s something to celebrate for sure. I hope to have an organ recital or some special event to celebrate this anniversary later this year.
In Christ’s Peace,
Beau Surratt
Director of Worship and Music