We at First Baptist are blessed with many who serve “heartily, as to the Lord.” It is evident in all the departments including the music department of our church that we have an exceptional band of willing participants. When I think of all the choir singers, accompanists, song leaders and hand bell ringers in our midst, that quality of serving the Lord “heartily” stands out in my mind.

So, thank you 9:30 church musicians for your loyalty and energetic spirit which you bring to all our rehearsals and presentations. What a blessing you are to our worshippers through the music you present. Thank you, thank you!

A big “Thank You” goes to the following servants who collaborated to bring a very meaningful devotional segment in place of the normal sermon to our 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 3, 2016:

Juanita Rapids – Congregational Hymn Sing

Rosemary Brauninger – Organ

Ray Hanson - Scripture  

Sierra Horsley – Flute solo

Congregation – The Lord’s Prayer

James Kaufman – Communion

Thank you for creating a very worshipful experience for our congregation. Requests have come in to hold more of this type of worship service occasionally throughout the year. This director appreciates your encouraging responses.

The Sisters of Sacred Song (SiSS) prepared and presented a beautiful number on Jan. 31st. The words and music are still ringing in the minds of many people. Some have told me that the choral numbers stay in their heads throughout the week. Now that’s the power of sacred music! What a blessing!!

In case you didn’t get to worship to the ladies number, here are some of the words to the song they sang. Perhaps the words alone will be a blessing to those who read this article:

“If you would my disciple be, Take up your cross & follow me,

If you would set the world aright,  Then walk with me and seek the light,

Where peace shall reign from shore to shore, And love will triumph evermore.

So come with me and find the way, It lies before us day by day,

And together we will bring in the Kingdom of the Lord.”

With words such as these matched with a memorable melody, it is easy to see why sacred music continues to bless our souls long after the presentation has ended.  Thank you SiSS for putting your heart and soul into that presentation.

Thank you male quartet for the beautiful number you sang on Feb. 21st, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee." The world would be a better place if we all followed even the first verse and chorus of that song everyday. Right? Here are those words: 

"I am weak but Thou art strong. Jesus, keep me from all wrong;

I'll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be."

Thank you, Baptist Belles, for your beautiful hand-bell number on Palm Sunday. The joy of ringing hand bells is quite unique and we have a very loyal group of ladies who enjoy practicing together in order to present such hymns as the one you heard on 3/20: "All Glory, Laud and Honor.”

Thank you, choir, for inspiring us with your anthem: "My Redeemer's Love" on Easter Sunday, 3/27! 

If you would like to participate in any one of our musical groups, please let this director know. We welcome all those who want to contribute their time and talent to our on-going musical groups at First Baptist whether it is on a part time basis or year around.

We will soon be focusing on our summer musical activities. Please come and join in with others who sing or play from their hearts to the Lord and discover the rich, spiritual rewards which arise from this type of involvement.  

“Sing”cerely, -Betty-