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Congregation
Cherub Choir Kids of His Kingdom Chancel Choir |
Hand Bell Choir
Steadfast (Praise Band) Music Director, Donna Nilsson Organist, George Ingram |
At Christmas, we feel special blessings when worship includes old favorites such as "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and "Joy to the World." At Easter, we feel blessed as we experience "Christ Arose," "He Lives," and other stirring musical proclamations. During communion, hymns enhance the atmosphere of worship as we give careful thought to each musical message. Throughout the year, heartfelt singing from the congregation creates a sense of connection to God as well as a sense of community with other members. New hymns and old hymns are expressions of faith. They help adults and children learn and rehearse essential truths. Their poetic nature makes the messages easy to remember. Hymn composers carefully write within a range of notes which the average voice can sing comfortably without being too high or too low. Personal memories are often associated with hymns. One woman said her favorite hymn brings back the smell of church suppers! Another said she remembers her uncle's voice when singing that marvelous hymn, "How Great Thou Art." As we sing "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," we can recall the love and personality of members who passed away and the promise from the keeper of eternal gladness. When we sing with strong feelings for the words, the congregation's music ministry continues a legacy that only requires a willing and worshipful heart!
Expressions of a variety of religious feelings are found in the hymnal. The topic for each hymn is printed at the bottom of each page. Some songs are in more than one category. In the back of the hymnal, we
find the "Topical Index of Hymns" to help us find just the right little sermon set to music for our current needs. Here are just a few examples with special memories.
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Praise
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Baptism
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| Claudia Theise who directs our Cherub Choir could probably teach us all a lot about music and singing in a group. She could explain music as the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity.
Claudia could have done this with her Cherub Choir members. But, in all probability, she didn't! What she probably did was to stand her Cherubs together and tell them to follow her as closely as possible and sing joyfully and have fun. They practiced every week until they learned the words and they performed during worship in the sanctuary before the congregation. In a very short time, they overcame any shyness they had standing before a crowd of adults, and they sang with child-like enthusiasm and eagerness because they were having fun. When a group of children is singing, no one is noticing one voice that may be flat, or one that stands out from the others. A glance at the faces of parents and other adults during the performance reveals faces glowing with joy and appreciation. At the conclusion of their singing, the aura of gladness and delight is felt by all those present. It has been for everyone a good part of the experience of worship. We thank God for Claudia and her Cherub Choir! An article from the Church Newsletter |
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This talented group of children sings, plays hand chimes, and performs in plays. The group of K-5th graders are welcomed additions to the worship service. The congregation and the children are blessed by the experiences.
Kids of His Kingdom practice in the bell choir room on the 2nd floor on Sunday mornings between 9:30 and 10:00 under the dedicated direction of Donna Nilsson. Several times during the year, the Brunswick First church family is blessed by their superb performances. They cleverly present heart warming messages in their carefully selected Christmas programs. These are marvelous highlights in the activities of the Advent Season. Their Christmas Program in 2007, "Not a Creature was Stirring," was a witty combination of fact and fancy with a strong Biblical message which was presented from the viewpoint of the church mice. It had a memorable impact like a fable. The charming costumes, delightful acting, outstanding directing, and special lighting effects kept the audience spell-bound. Their Christmas Program in 2008, "Once Upon A Christmas Light," was the story of how the star was chosen to shine over the manger. The costuming for the children was expertly done with each performer dressed as a golden star with only the face showing. At the appropriate time in the rapid moving play, the lights were suddenly dimmed and each star began twinkling with Christmas lights all around its points as the children moved rhythmically about the stage. |
 The Chancel Choir was saluted in the July 2008 edition of the FUMC Newsletter.
It was a dark and stormy night. The TV held out its enticing hand. The sofa gave a come hither look and I glanced at my watch, hoping to find a quick solution to my dilemma. The hour was drawing near. But, I rationalized: I've been there once already this weekand last week 5 days in a row! Surely I'm due a night off. There must be a limit to commitment. Again, the answer was negative. My place was there with them. They depend on me. My skills are special. I knew that becoming a member of this group put me into a special category. With that membership came all the privileges and responsibilities. But, ah! the rewards! To be lifted to heights of thought and emotion beyond the realm of daily life; to soar on melodies richer than my talent could create! Of course, the answer was apparent. Dash to my car and get with it! And hurry! I need the first minutes of our work session to put my mind and body in rhythm with the task. Yes, I am eager to be here - sharing with other committed Christians our special ministry. Who am I? Oh, yes, I'm a member of the Chancel Choir. Some of the choir members feel something they call a “Holy Aura” that comes over them when they respond well to Donna’s directions. Others give all the credit to God. The congregation is always blessed! Hand Bell Choir Some members of the Chancel Choir are also in the Hand Bell Choir. The music of the Hand Bell Choir is a special blessing. With the direction of Donna Nilsson, the anthems of the heavenly hand bells are inspiring. Sometimes a few bell ringers join the Chancel Choir to add an exciting element to anthems or hymns. The Hand Bell Choir has a special awareness of timing and how to handle the bells. The congregation appreciates the joyous tones in their well-rehearsed selections such as "When the Roll is Called up Yonder" or "The Holy City." |
 First United Methodist Church has an outreach contemporary music worship service every Sunday from 9:00 to 9:45 am in The Annex. The Steadfast Praise Band leads musical Christian worship songs before and after Pastor Richard's sermons. The Praise Band is made up of volunteer vocalists, guitarists, drummers, and keyboardists, and soundboard operators who meet weekly in the evening to pray together and practice the musical worship songs. On occasion, the Praise Band has assisted leading worship in the 11:00 a.m. service to the delight of the congregation and Praise Band alike. Sometimes, members of the Fiesta Band from the Hispanic ministry join us. Various members of the Praise Band have come and gone, while the Ratcliffe family has "steadfastly" performed the multiple and complex duties required to organize and continue to operate the contemporary outreach service. Prayers as well as alter calls with individual prayer or a prayer team are offered at the service. This is a great service to attend for those who enjoy Christian radio and like to worship in the realm of musical and vocal expression. Written by Iris Scheff |
Donna Nilsson became Music Director of Brunswick First in 1994. She has broadened the music ministry by organizing Children’s Choirs and the Children and Youth Chimes in addition to directing the Chancel Choir and Adult Handbell Choir. Donna’s facial expressions encourage and reward the dedication of choir members especially at the end of a song when she subtly gives the OK sign with a gleam in her eyes as she mouths, “Very good!” Her talents include playing the organ and piano. She and Claudia Theise have performed inspiring duets. Donna is resourceful in finding excellent guest musicians for the worship services and for family night suppers.
She has a BA in music from Georgia Southern College in Statesboro and a Masters in Music from University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Donna teaches piano students of all ages in mastering the art and the magic of playing the piano. She spent 35 years as Professor of Music Appreciation at Brunswick College.
Under her leadership, music is a vital part of the worship experience. She works closely with the pastor to select the music - from the prelude to the postlude - that supports the scriptural text and topic chosen for each sermon. She calls on her extensive musical background to alert us to specific aspects of the music each week. Here are items from The Music Box in two editions of the weekly bulletin which is mailed to members’ homes.
Many children miss the religious significance of hymns because of vocabulary. For example, some have sung "bringing in the sheets" instead of "bringing in the sheaves!" Have they ever seen a sheave? They miss the poetic nature in "This is My Father’s World" by thinking that "music of the spheres" refers musical instruments rather than to round objects such as the moon, stars, and earth itself. How often do we sense what the composers felt when they wrote "This is My Father’s World," "Jesus my Lord," "Be Still and Know," and other hymns? Internet searches bring up many sources of free lyrics of hymns. Here are two popular ones.
We thank God for giving us music as a marvelous part of worship and an exciting part of our entire lives. We also thank Him for gifted persons like Donna Nilsson for bringing it into our lives so wondrously each week! |
George Ingram has been in music ministry most of his life. He has been the organist/pianist for Brunswick First for many years now. In 1998, he enjoyed the new Allen Organ console that was tied in with the original Moller pipe organ.
He continues to make a strong contribution to the Sunday morning worship services with a clever variety of approaches designed to give drama and create joy for those in worship. Working closely with the music director and her selection of hymns and special music, George expertly mixes in his unique style of accompaniment and support to please the professional requirements of them both. Then, he tries to do those extra things in hymn singing to keep the focus of the congregation on the words and their message. When he “opens up” the sound chambers during a rousing hymn the results can be seen on the faces of worshipers. The hymn words are powerful! The hearts beat a bit faster! And a worshipful atmosphere has been established for the people to await the message from the pulpit. George Ingram is in service in many other places also. He plays for the Together Sunday School Class every Sunday. He plays many times for the early service at Lovely Lane Chapel on the campus of Epworth By the Sea. He always has a wedding on his appointment calendar, and he plays for many of our memorial services. We thank God for this gifted and gentle musician! Article from the church’s Newsletter |
God speaks to us through the melodies and messages of music in times of sorrow or joy, despair or hope, loneliness or fellowship, drifting or devotion, hurting or healing. At unexpected times, God suddenly sends a tune and then the words.
We respond with comfort, inspiration, appreciation, and praise.
