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http://www.fairpoint.net/~kkart/img/MusicNotes.jpg

 

“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.

 

The Choraliers partcipate in the Cantata.The Choir Loft and Altar area were filled to capacity with singers.Brent Harris and Joy Dougherty perform their duet, "Love's Pure Light".

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)

 

 

CHOIR ALERT:

Anyone interested in glorifying God with music and participating in one of our choirs, please contact our Director of Music, Brad Cressley.

 

 

LITURGISTS WANTED:

If you have a knack for public speaking and wish to participate in Zion's services, please consider becoming a Liturgist.  If you're interested, please contact the church office..

 

Question about this site?  Please contact ccmusic@ptd.net
Copyright © 2002-2009 Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton, PA. All rights reserved.

This page was last edited 08/30/2010