MUSIC

Music Ministries

First United Methodist Church

Bainbridge, Georgia

"Lord, We Lift Your Name On High!"

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NEWS and NOTES

Here are the upcoming events in the music ministries at First United Methodist Church…

MUSIC NOTES

CHANCEL CHOIR: Sings this Sunday, January 6^th, 11:00 AM Service. Meet for warm-ups at 10:30 AM. Regular rehearsals resume on Wednesday, January 9^th. We’ll start on our Lenten offerings.

YOUTH CHOIR: Rehearsals resume on Sunday, January 6^th, 4:30-5:30 PM. We will lead Vespers on Sunday, January 13^th, with a special welcome to Steven.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP ARTS, GRADES K-5: will begin work on our Spring musical, “Nic at Night”. You don’t want to miss being a part of this great musical. The Dress Rehearsals will be on March 8^th, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon and Sunday, March 16^th, 5:00 PM. The performance will be Sunday, March 16^th, 7;00 PM.
PRESCHOOL MUSIC AND ARTS: Resumes Wednesday, January 6^th, 6:25-7:25 PM.

Two Year Old Music Group: Meets from 5:45-6:05 PM on Wednesday, January 9^th.

HANDBELL ENSEMBLE: Rehearses at 6:30 PM on Monday, January 7^th.

HANDBELL CHOIR: Resumes rehearsals on Sunday, January 6^th, 5:45 PM. Winter Ring is February 22-23 with Donald Allured, clinician, at Faith Presbyterian in Tallahassee. Email Gaye to let her know if you will be able to attend.

HEAVENLY SUNLIGHT SINGERS: Will meet on Tuesday, January 8^th, 10:15 AM, in the Sunday School Building.

PROGRAMS

No matter what your age or level of ability, we have a place for you in our music ministry. Our music programs are listed below, but the opportunities for service go beyond just music; we also need organizers, publicity people, sound-system operators, choir-moms, dramatists, artists, dancers, carpenters, Arts/Bible story leaders, etc. Please let us know if you are interested.

Two Year Old Music Group

The two year-old music group meets on Wednesday evenings during the school year at 5:45 p.m., before our Christian Fellowship Dinners. They finish at 6:05, giving parents a chance to have their plates fixed.

The group is under the direction of Gaye Herndon. This group is a great ministry to these little ones and their parents.

Preschool Music and Arts Group (Ages 3 to not yet in K)

This group meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:25 p.m. after our Christian Fellowship Dinners. They are under the leadership of Stephany Herndon. They use the "God's Children Sing" curriculum as a basis. This group has sung for our Christmas Dinner Program and in the worship services. Parent volunteers lead the Arts/Bible story section that follows the music session.

Children's Worship Arts (K-5^th)

This program nurtures the talents of children so that they may use their talents in lifelong service to the Lord. Includes singing, signing, playing instruments (rhythm and pitched), liturgical dance, visual arts, and drama. They participate in worship regularly, present or participate in a special program during Christmas, and present a spring musical each year.

This talented group meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:25 after our Christian Fellowship Dinners.

Youth Choir/Vespers Leadership Team

Under the direction of Gaye Herndon, this dynamic group continues to grow. They meet at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. They sing often in morning Worship services and lead the twice monthly Sunday evening service of praise and prayer. This group also participates in the Music Ministry Christmas Concert, and had several members attend Music Camp last summer.

Handbell Choir

This fun-loving, dedicated group meets on Sunday evenings at 5:45 p.m. They play regularly in morning worship services. They annually attend handbell festivals.

This group has presented a spring concert, played for nearby churches, and accompanied our choirs at various times

They accept ringers of all skill levels (some musical knowledge is needed), and are under the direction of Gaye Herndon.

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

The Chancel Choir serves as the Worship Choir for the 11:00 a.m. service, and presents special concerts and programs during Advent and Lent.

Heavenly Sunlight Singers

The Heavenly Sunlight Singers is our Senior Adult musical group that meets in the Adult Sunday School building on Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m., under the leadership of Judith Maxwell, and accompanied by Gaye Herndon. They sing songs of our faith, old and new, and popular songs from the 20's to 90's.

They continue bi-monthly visits to lead sing-a-longs with residents of the nursing and personal care homes in our area. They have also sung in worship services, and presented programs for our Keenagers.

Special Ensembles

According to the specific talents within our music ministry, we regularly put together singing and instrumental ensembles. These groups meet at times convenient for the members. Anyone interested in small-group opportunities please let our Director of Music know.

STAFF

Gaye Herndon - Director of Music and Organist

Gaye Herndon is a seasoned church musician who grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and began her professional church music career at age 15. She studied piano performance and music education at Armstrong Atlantic State University, and served as organist at several United Methodist churches in Savannah, including Isle of Hope UMC.

After marrying Rick Herndon in 1981, the Herndon's moved to Stuart, Florida, and Gaye became Organist/Assistant Director of Music at First United Methodist Church, a church with a very large and diverse music ministry. Wanting to return to "the South", the Herndons accepted new jobs and moved to Tallahassee in 1991. Gaye has been Director of Music and Organist here at First Methodist since that time. The Lord has blessed Gaye with many opportunities to be in His service through music. She has taught school, private piano, and early childhood music classes. She has accompanied various choruses, choirs, soloists, instrumentalists, and ensembles. Gaye has also concertized as a solo artist and accompanist, conducted various choirs and ensembles, and even played in jazz bands and quintets.

In her "spare time" she is the mother of Stephany and Jaston, and enjoys catching big fish.

Volunteers

We couldn't enjoy the fine music program we have without the help each week of countless volunteers, some of whom are mentioned on this page. Thanks to each and every one of you for your help in making the music ministry at First United Methodist so special. Our volunteers include:

Sheila Lane - Accompanist for children, youth, and ensembles

Judith Maxwell - Heavenly Sunlight Singers leader

LINKS

Below are links to several musical pages that we have found interesting. Please let us know if you know of others.

United Methodist Hymns - Hymnsite.com - Hundreds of hymns

Hymns of the Wesley's - Most of John and Charles Wesley's hymns are found here

The Cyber Hymnal - Over 1500 Christian hymns and gospel songs

The Electronic Hymnal - Hymns, church music, and sacred songs

Christian Music Oasis - Contemporary Christian music

BOTCW Music - Best of the Christian Web music page - includes many links

E-mail our Director of Music here.

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UPDATED 6/20/07