June 2004

Music Column

Looking back all the way to the year 2000, I’ve seen how God has blessed our church.  I still remember the days when praise team with only four persons and its percussions played on a keyboard, Sunday worship attendance fluctuated with low numbers, and it was difficult to learn two-part music with the very few members that did participate in choir.  Those were some trying and tough years.

But look how far we’ve come as a church today.  Year 2005, we’ve got a praise band consisting of anywhere between 14-18 gifted musicians weekly.  And the choir has never sounded better with its committed and talented 18-20 individuals.  The fellowship too – what incredible, godly and wonderful fellowship and relationships we have built with one another within the last two years.  These past two years have definitely been a delightful and a pleasant experience for me as a music director, and how grateful I am to God for His goodness.

We are, however, at another turning-point and transitioning time this summer.  Many of our vocalists and musicians from the second service choir will be leaving due to vocational reasons.  Because of this, our music ministries will be in great need – in need of individuals to step up to the plate, to use their gifts, to carry on the baton, to take on a new challenge and to serve.

I found this quote on a bookmark I had:  “God gave music to lift your soul into His presence - to release the praise in your heart helping you rejoice in your salvation.  He gave music as a way for you to intimately commune with Him.  For even God sang on the day you were born again.”  (“He will rejoice over you with singing” – Zep. 3:17)

Music is a universal language and is a powerful tool for ministry.  Through music, we are able to minister and reach out to people of all kinds - the children, adults, elderly, and those who do not know Christ yet.  And one of the most wonderful ways to participate in a church ministry is through the choir.  We would love to have your participation and have you join the adult choir, for we are called to use our gifts to serve the Lord.

As it is stated in Matthew 20: 28 “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – the church needs you to participate and serve in its ministries.  Let us take this opportunity and learn to be like Christ.  Choir is not only a place where we learn how to sing, but it is also a place where we have great times of fellowship with other brothers and sisters – we sing, we laugh, we enjoy newfound friendships, and we learn to grow with one another through serving.  

Please pray and consider this wonderful opportunity to serve in the choir/music ministry starting in Fall 2005.  Let us continue to do the good work that the Lord has bestowed upon us.  And to summarize it all, I leave you with these last words:

“Worship God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind.  Give Him your talents, dreams and desires, and as you serve you will know fulfillment, peace and joy, that only comes through relationship with Jesus Christ.  Live to worship Him.”

Joanna Chu