Worship and the Arts Ministry

Worship and the Arts Team (WAT) - The primary responsibility of this team is to evaluate, plan and implement the worship ministries of our congregation including, but not limited to: weekly worship service(s), festival and occasional worship services, recruiting and scheduling of worship volunteers, maintaining worship supplies, etc. Also includes oversight of worship staff. This team should also help develop a program to introduce the new ELCA worship resources
Communicator.

1. FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE
   Our church worship schedule will be as follows:
   Worship Service     9:30 AM
   Sunday School,     10:30 AM will resume in FALL
   
   Summer Worship Our sanctuary is not air-conditioned and can get very warm in the summer time. On those Sundays when the outside temperature is projected to be above 80 degrees, worship will be held in the air conditioned Cross Room (Porter Street entrance). A phone message will be left by 8:30 a.m. each Sunday (847-623-1197) to indicate where the service is located. Those who might have difficulty walking up stairs to the Cross Room may use the chair lift available at the Porter Street entrance
2. Join Bell Choir and Vocal Choir!
   A new music season will restart in FALL, and you can be a part of this! Bell Choir resumed under the direction of Lea Langhoff. Choir practice resumed under the direction of Josh Langhoff. We hope to see you there!
3. Notes from Josh
   

   This newsletter article is mostly a thank you note. Lea and I are blessed to work with a congregation that places such a high value on music and shows appreciation so openly. Thank you all for making our music ministry such a happy one!
   
   On June 1, our "Music Appreciation Sunday," we saw an example of the depth and variety of praise we're capable of offering. But all year long, we've had the opportunity to worship with the gifts of the Praise Dance Group, vocal and instrumental soloists, the Praise Band, and the choirs, both vocal and handbell. In addition, Pastor Rich has shown unending support for Trinity's music programs, and he and Betty originated and championed the idea of having a "Music Appreciation Sunday." Betty's flawless work as choir librarian enables me to stay at least somewhat organized, and Judy's immense skill in creating bulletins enables all of us to worship together confidently. So thanks to all of you!
   
   Since I work most regularly with the choir, I'd like to add a special note of thanks for all they do. Their time commitment is considerable, as is the time commitment of those in the handbell choir. The choir puts up, at times, with my tendency to procrastinate and rush through things. I occasionally detect skeptical looks when I say things like "That's good for now!" or "We don't really need to go through that again" or "This will be FINE." But despite this occasional skepticism, the choir sings remarkably well. On June 1, I was especially proud of the way they sang "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" a capella from memory, and of their fine performance of the extremely tricky "Oh, Clap Your Hands." Lea and the handbell choir, too, continue to work up an immense amount of music every year and pull it off with aplomb. Thanks!
   
   During the summer the choirs stop rehearsing, and there's more room in our services for special soloists or ensembles. If you would like to perform something specific, or cantor the verses of a psalm or hymn, or if you'd like to perform but you need musical suggestions, or even if you just have an idea for special service music we could all sing together, please let me or Pastor Rich know! Praise and worship are God's gifts for all of us, and I value the participation of each person at Trinity. For your participation especially, I thank you.

4. JOIN THE CHURCH CHOIR!
   The brilliant Christian psychiatrist, Dr. Walter Menninger, said that singing in a church choir was very helpful to him. After an exhausting day at work, he found it inspirational and soothing to go to choir practice at his church. The music enabled him to put the stress of his day behind him, get in touch with something beautiful and holy, and end the day relaxed and uplifted.
   Ask a choir member what singing in a choir does for him or her. It's very likely that you'll find he or she gets great joy in serving the Lord through singing. And remember, also, there is wonderful fellowship among choir members. Singing in a choir is a good way to make new friends. Try it.
   TRINITY'S CHOIR PRACTICE WILL RESTART, IN FALL on THURSDAYS 8 PM UNDER THE DIRECTION OF JOSH LANGHOFF. NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME!
5. WANTED MORE BELL CHOIR MEMBERS!
   Bell Choir PRACTICE WILL RESTART, IN FALL on THURSDAYS 7 PM under the direction of Lea Langhoff. NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!