Music
Music helps to evoke and enhance worshippers' consciousness of the reality and grace of God. The voices of the children "making a joyful noise," the offerings of our youth and adult musicians, and the contemplative music from the piano and pipe organ all play a part in providing the music that is so integral to our worship experience. Congregational ensemble singing, the bell choir, the youth and adult chancel choir and soloists, the children's chorus, the women's vocal quartet, guest musicians such as high school trumpeters on Easter Sunday, and other instrumental solos add to the foundations of piano and pipe organ to make for a rich diversity of musical worship.
The chancel choir sings weekly during the Sunday morning worship from September through May. A very large repertoire of classic as well as more contemporary songs is enjoyed. Cantatas are offered in worship as highlights of the Lent and Advent seasons. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30.
The GPC bell choir involves ringers of all ages and skills in a lovely, fun, and accessible musical experience. The bell choir is active in Sunday morning worship on a monthly basis. Rehearsals are on Wednesday afternoons from 5:15 to 6:15.
The children's chorus sings occasionally in regular Sunday worship services as well as the Christmas Pageant and the Mother's Day service. Rehearsals are at various times of the year during the Kids on a Mission and Sunday School educational times on Sunday mornings.
Liturgical Arts
Liturgical arts engage the senses to enhance our encounter with God in worship. At GPC, this creative group uses the lectionary as the foundation for its liturgical art. Together, they read the scriptures for any given Sunday or Church Season and talk about how they react with their senses. None of the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell is excluded, although usually the reaction is visual. Ideas are brainstormed, and two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations are considererd. The aim is to illustrate the scriptures or present them symbolically or abstractly.
The group finds they work most effectively as a group. They enjoy inspiration, creativity, and fun from working together, a situation where quality is enhanced by quantity. Everyone who has creative ideas and feels moved to express his or her faith visually is welcome. Contact Chuck Niesen with questions, comments, or information about attending one of the Liturgical Arts work meetings.
Click here to view the Liturgical Arts Scrapbook |
