|
“Notes” from the
Director of Music
Dear
Zion:
It
truly feels like summer just started yesterday but the fact that the days
are getting shorter and the hustle and bustle of a new school year tells me
that it is in fact in its final days. As summer is my favorite season if
the year, it is difficult to let it go. However, the excitement of a new
year of choirs at Zion makes it a little easier to handle.
I have
been listening to and looking through new anthems for this year and have
been pleased with a lot of new uplifting songs that are available. Although
it is quite premature, I am also excited about the new Christmas music. I’m
also excited about starting this year’s Christmas Cantata. Zion’s chancel
choir is once again holding its annual Roast Beef Dinner on October 9th
to raise funds for this cantata. More information will follow on this
event!
Choir
rehearsals will start on Wednesday, September 8th at 7:30 PM in
Fellowship Hall. Senior Bell choir will begin on September 15th
at 6:30 PM. We, as always, are looking for new voices to join our group!
Please note that no experience is necessary! If you haven’t sung in a choir
setting before, we will help you out and you’ll be singing your heart out in
no time. The ability to read music is a plus for senior bell choir, but is
not a necessity. Please contact me at (610)392-1810 if you are interested
in joining and we will make a folder for you and fit you for your choir
gown! Remember that being a member of choir has many advantages including
not having to worry about what you wear to church because it’s under the
gown!!
We
will begin Junior Choir and Junior Bell Choir on Monday, September 20th.
Bell choir begins at 2:30 and Junior Choir begins at 3:30! We will be
looking for new members of this group as well. Children who will be in 2nd
grade or older will be welcome to join the Choraliers and grades 5 and up
will be eligible for Junior Bell Choir. This is a great time for children
to get involved at Zion! We focus on teaching the children to sing in
unison and harmonies but focus heavily on having FUN.
Musically yours,
Brad
"iT'S aLL aBOUT THE
WORDS"
It seems everyone these days has a
"catch phrase". My wife, Beth's most current one is "It's all about
the words". As she listens to her favorite songs, she always says,
"it's all about the words." I'm sure this is a bone of contention
between musicians and lyricists, but she has a point. Monthly I will
be posting a music link that I agree is "all about the words."
This one comes directly from Beth,
herself. It's amazing that not being able to say anything about God
sums up how amazing he truly is...
I just don't have the words to say, cause
words only get in my way
I must apologize, I have the hardest time
Finding something to define a God that I can't define
And even if I could, it would take way too long
If all I've got's a 3 minute song
Josh Wilson- 3 Minute
Song
The following article appeared in the
Times News. The headline lists 200 in attendance but our ushers
counted 397 people! Thank you to all who participated, helped in any
way or attended!
Event attracts about 200 people at Zion
United Church of Christ
By RON GOWER rgower@tnonline.com
Singers from 16 churches took part in what has become an annual event in
Lehighton: a Christmas Cantata.
The program was held in Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton, with an
estimated 200 people attending.
Besides the 16 churches, also represented were members of Zion Opera
Workshop, a non-denominational group which has been in existence for decades
and puts on annual musical at Zion Church.
Backing the Cantata was a 22-member Zion Festival Orchestra under the
direction of Bradley R. Cressley. Cressley also was director for the
Cantata, which was started a number of years ago by his father-in-law, Paul
R. Smith.
Narrators were Doc Holiday and Kathy Long.
Rev. Allen L. Heckman, pastor of the church, presented the call to
worship, telling the audience members, "We come from different backgrounds,
different experiences, and yet we long for the One who will bring peace and
hope."
He added, "Fear and jealousy cannot be barriers to our faith."
Among the soloists in the Cantata were Robert Fatzinger, who did the
number "Be Born In Me," and Joy Dougherty and Brent Harris, who sang "Love's
Pure Light."
During the prelude, Kenneth Leffler performed a clarinet piece, "All is
Calm."
Churches which took part in the program were:
Lehighton - All Saints Episcopal Church, Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints, First Presbyterian Church, Grace Evangelical Lutheran
Church, St. John's Church, Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Trinity
Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Zion United Church of Christ.
Ashfield - Dinkey Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Bowmanstown - Emmanuel United Church of Christ.
Northampton - Hope Lutheran Church.
Poconos - Life Church.
Trachsville - Jerusalem United Church of Christ.
Franklin Township - St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Summit Hill - St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
The Zion Choraliers also took part.
  
CHOIR
BANQUET
On Sunday, May 31st,
the Zion UCC Choir celebrated with their annual banquet. Thanks to the
hard work of Cindy-Lou Heiser, the members enjoyed a DELICIOUS meal and a
great time of fun and fellowship. The dining room was transformed into
a beautiful banquet hall with lovely place settings, chafing dishes, a salad
bar and flowers. Anna-Marie Roth provided flowers for all who attended
and as is usual, with this hard working group, they even had fun with
the clean-up!
Here are some photos
from the event! Click on the photo to enlarge!
   
Photo 1: Tammy Green, Shannon Frycklund and
Olivia Photo 2: Linn Smith, Delores Solt, Lora and Dave Krum
with Dylan and Brent Harris. Photo 3: The Tables
Photo 4: THE FOOD!!!!!
   
Photo 5: Organist, Cindy Mack talks
with Helen Frey and Dolly Sywenki as Martha Cox looks on. Photo 6: Kaitlin (let me hide
my phone for this picture) Green and Mom, Tammy. Photo 7: The
Buffingtons; Brenda, Bryan, Elizabeth and Abigail. Photo 8: The
Wentzes (Jim and Shirley)
   
Photo 9: Helen Frey and Dolly Sywenki
Photo 10: Cindy-Lou Heiser "putting it all together"
Photo 11: Cole, Brandon and Cobe doing what they do best...Video
Games! Photo 12: Our cake, complete with edible music
   
Photo 13: Banquet planner
extrordanaire, Cindy-Lou Heiser Photo 14: Anna-Marie Roth
and Linn Smith. Photo 15: Another table picture
Photo 16: Members Missy Zellner and Laura Cressley
   
Photo 17: Missy Zellner, Laura
Cressley and Kelsey Gerber Photo 18: Our #1 GREETER,
Delores "Gram" Solt, congratulates new confirmand, Noah Schoch
Photo 19: "Gram" Trying to avoid a picture Photo 20:
Delores Solt and Dolly Sywenki
For those of you who attended and avoided
pictures...WE WILL GET YOU SOMETIME WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT!!
ZION UNITED CHURCH OF
CHRIST MUSIC DEPARTMENT
  
Since 1964, the husband and wife team of Paul
and Linn Smith have worked tirelessly as Choir Director and Organist to make
the music program what it is today. Zion's Choir Boasts nearly 40
members. Our church is blessed with various musical groups including
The Zion Chancel Choir, The Choraliers (our junior choir), The Senior Bell
Choir, The Junior Bell Choir, The Zion Woodwind Ensemble as well as various
other small group and solo instrumentalist.
In the fall of 2008, Paul and Linn Smith retired from
their positions of Choir Director and Organist and their contributions will
be sorely missed.
Currently, the music department is under the
direction of Brad Cressley. Cindy Mack is Zion's organist. If
interested in joining one of Zion's choirs please contact Brad Cressley at
ccmusic@ptd.net for more information.
The music
department is always working hard to supplement the worship at Zion U.C.C. with
meaningful and uplifting music! Join us on a Sunday morning to
see it for yourself! You won't be disappointed!
Bradly R. Cressley, Director of Music
Cindy Mack, Organist
Paul R. Smith, Director (Retired) Linnea O. Smith, Organist
(Retired) |
