THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 6, 2017 RICKY'S COMMUNICATION FROM YOUR CHOIR PRESIDENT PRAYER LIST FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS SANCTUARY CHOIR REHEARSAL –FEBRUARY 8 ANNOUNCEMENTS MUSIC FOR SUNDAY

RICKY'S COMMUNICATION You may not believe it, but when I was a young man I had a lot of hair. It not only covered my head but also my forehead and ears and hung over my neck to my shoulders. I guess you could say that I used to wear a mop! As the years have come

and gone my choices in how I wore my hair have greatly slimmed until finally – my choice was “little or none”. I have always chosen “little” but last Friday the choice was made for me………NONE! I went into a hair cutting place (I refuse to

say aloud that I got my hair cut in a hair salon) where the young hairdresser escorted me to my seat. I should have had sense

enough to suspect this would not turn out well when I saw that she did not understand that earrings were made for ears……..because she had earrings pierced everywhere but her ears. Don’t get me wrong! I am not making judgment on her

choice of earring placement – only thinking that confusion may have been a part of her work philosophy. She asked me what I wanted done to my hair. I must have not been very clear. She began with her clippers on the back of my head and as

she moved around to the side of my head…………my eyes grew bigger and bigger…….for behold, what little hair I had had……..it was falling to the floor! I suddenly felt weak (I was having a Samson moment). I should have checked to see if

her name was Delilah! I took a deep breath…..and then I took another one! What else could I do? I thanked the young lady and paid for my haircut (or should I say, I paid for my buzzing).

I have thought and thought about a spiritual lesson in this, but for the life of me, I can’t find one. However, I do believe it

when scripture tells us in Proverbs 17 that “ a merry heart doeth good like a medicine”. When my grandchildren heard about their “Papa’s” loss of hair they laughed and laughed. When they saw my picture, they laughed even harder. I am so

glad I could make my grandkids laugh. See, there is reason in most everything. Anybody want to recommend a good barber? I am in the hunt for one for when my hair grows out in several months!

We had a good officers meeting this past Sunday! I am grateful to Bev Pitts and the entire choir council for their

conversation and input as we discussed things related to the ministry of the choir. In this e-mail you will see in Bev’s report some of the response to our discussion and some of the plans developing in the coming days.

This Sunday we will share together in taking the Lord’s Supper. This is always such an intimate time in the life of God’s church as we focus on the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. I am grateful that music can play such an important role in such an

observance. Every song we share Sunday should help us to remember His body broken for us and His blood shed for us. Scripture admonishes us that we are take communion very seriously and very soberly. I look forward to my first

communion with my new church family.

I look forward to loving God with you, and before you, and through you. Looking forward to seeing all of you in rehearsal Wednesday night.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Psalm 40:3

Have a great week!

Ricky Clark Minister of Music First Baptist Church 621 E. 12th Avenue Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101 270-842-0331 rclark@firstbaptistbg.org

FROM YOUR CHOIR PRESIDENT

The Sanctuary Choir Council (officers, social coordinators, and section leaders) met on Sunday, Feb 5. The following actions were taken:

1. The council voted to add two (2) choir librarians to the council to assist the music secretary with the music library and weekly rehearsal folder organization. The choir librarians will assist/coordinate, but may also ask choir members to help with these duties (many hands make light work) in case they are unavailable for specific dates.

2. The choir council also voted to help the Celebrate Recovery ministry once per quarter. Choir members will be asked to provide and/or serve meals. We would like for one person to serve as coordinator within the choir to work with Joyce & Joe Light, church-wide CR Coordinators. Duties would entail coordinating food choices with Joyce to provide variety, and also to ask for 6-7 volunteers to serve the meal. The dates are: May 2, August 1, and October 24, 2017.

3. The choir council voted to have choir fellowships away from the choir suite area (can be in the church or away from the church) on a quarterly basis. The rationale for this action is so the choir members may get to know choir members in other sections; and to interact with each other to have a more cohesive unit and to build stronger relationships within the choir.

The choir council recognized Ricky and Joyce for the new organizational system of placing rehearsal music and the current Sunday’s music in rehearsal folders. In doing so, they have streamlined the need for “hunting for music” and rehearsal time has been utilized more effectively.

It’s very important that section leaders note who is absent each week, and to contact the person or persons who may not be in attendance for several weeks.

Recruitment of new choir members is very important. Discussion followed about seeking out new persons to join the choir – remember, just tell folks “Choir is fun!”

Beverly Pitts Choir President

REMEMBER IN PRAYER

Megan Paulsen – (daughter of Vickie Elrod) – having brain surgery Feb.14 in Knoxville Fred Miller – in the death of his mother, Virginia Keltner, who died Tuesday, January 31 – No Visitation currently scheduled – Possible brief memorial service sometime soon Laura Kramer – severe pain from old injury of a broken ankle Joe Gentry – (husband of Vivian Gentry) – continuing dialysis – pray for Vivian and Joe as they travel next week to Florida Norene Breeding – (mother of Debbie Belcher) – went home Wednesday, February 1

Clyde Coatney – (brother-in-law of Barry Brown) –Louisville – making progress but very slowly Bobbye Hooks – (mother of Lisa Young) – Louisville Warner Williams – (brother of Joe Williams) – surgery earlier in January Karen Shaneyfelt – Eye surgery, January 30, for a torn retina Elva Gwin -

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 2 Bob McDaniel 21 Darlene Redmon 23 Nancy Ham

SANCTUARY CHOIR REHEARSAL – FEBRUARY 8

One Song For the Beauty of the Earth Sanctus Sing and Be Not Silent All Because of the Wonderful Cross Then Sings My Soul To God Be the Glory When I Survey the Wondrous Cross My Worth Is Not in What I Own I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) Behold the Lamb (The Communion Hymn) Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) I Hear A Voice A-Prayin’ The Old Rugged Cross Give Me Jesus Empty Now The Power of the Cross Make a Joyful Noise

ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. I AM CONFERENCES – The first of our “I AM” Conferences is this Sunday, February 12, in the Social Center and is titled “I Am Worship.” The focus for this conference deals with worship and the use of our spiritual gifts. Immediately following the morning worship service we will gather in the Social Center for lunch and then share together around the tables in discovering our gifts and how best to use them. Please sign up for lunch and for childcare if you need that. You will find registration forms on Joyce’s desk just outside the choir room and can sign up Wednesday night. We need you there!

2. CONTINUE TO NEED SOME SANCTUARY CHOIR MUSIC LIBRARIANS – Several of you have helped us in the past few weeks. Anyone else want to join in? Contact Joyce if you can contribute an hour or so Wednesday morning to help get the choir’s music in order for Wednesday rehearsal? We could use your help. Thanks in advance for your willingness. 3. FRIDAY, APRIL 14 and SUNDAY, APRIL 16 – Be Sure To Have Those Dates Set Aside In Your Calendar as Critical Leadership Dates for the Choir – April 14 is Good Friday and we will be leading in the evening service that night – April 16 is Easter Sunday. Let’s plan on singing with 75 both of those dates as we focus on the sacrifice of the cross and the celebration of the resurrection! We will be singing several songs as a part of the Good Friday service and plan to use orchestra. It will be a very meaningful part of our Holy Week focus! 4. REMEMBER TO SIGN OUT WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO BE OUT OF THE CHOIR ON A SUNDAY OR WEDNESDAY. It helps us be prepared. 5. FORMS YOU MAY NEED – When there are publications or information sheets you need, you will most likely find them on Joyce’s desk – things like the Wednesday Prayer Sheet, or I AM Conference forms, or KEEP IN CONTACT forms, etc. So……..help yourself!

MUSIC FOR SUNDAY Prelude – Andrea Scripture Reading- John 19 – Ricky Clark When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – Congregation, Choir and Helen Motter-violin – Andrea and Nathaniel Welcome & Prayer – Mike Lemon Believer’s Baptism – Annie, Landon, and Chloe Sweeney My Worth Is Not in What I Own – Congregation and Choir – Andrea and Nathaniel I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous) – Congregation, Choir, violin, John Beach-acoustic guitar, Caleb Dotson-bass guitar - Andrea and Nathaniel Behold the Lamb (The Communion Hymn) – Choir – Andrea and Nathaniel LORD’S SUPPER God of Grace – Beverly Pitts-solo, violin – Andrea Hallelujah! What a Savior! – Helen Motter-violin, Andrea Nance-piano Invitation – My Jesus, I Love Thee – Congregation and Choir – Andrea and Nathaniel Postlude - Nathaniel