|
“Gift of Grace” was commissioned by our choir and our church as a way to honor well over 30 years of volunteer service by Monte Gillespie as our choir director. We chose a relatively local composer - Lee Dengler - gave him text from Ephesians 2 to work with - he turned it over to his wife, Susan Naus-Dengler, who wrote the text. Lee composed the music, and together they completed the anthem about four months ahead of schedule. It has been submitted to Shawnee Press for publication in 2009. The publisher asked Lee to write a solo instrumental part for the anthem, which suggests that the anthem has been well received at Shawnee Press. We anticipate that this anthem will be sung in churches all over the country.
The Denglers are on staff at Goshen College and at College Mennonite Church in Goshen. Their musical talents have blessed our community and the church in ways beyond measure.
Today we say thank you to Monte for the incredible number of hours he puts in year in and year out in selecting music that fits with the themes of our worship, is faithful to biblical themes, and is balanced in the variety of styles that comprise sacred choral music. Thank you as well to him for the rehearsals - good humor - alertness to trouble finding notes (”Let’s hear the tenors and basses on page 3 . . .”) and willingness to give us challenging music as well as music that reaches into our hearts.
In addition, our choir has not simply been a servant of our congregation. Over the years, we have sung at Dujari House, a retirement home and nursing facility for Roman Catholic brothers. We sang Christmas carols at Zooltide at Potawatomi Zoo. We have sung at Hamilton Grove Retirement Center, Saint Paul’s Retirement Center, and at our sister Covenant Church in Donaldson. Monte has stood before us, giving direction, in all of these places. We have also sung collaborative concerts with Vesper Chorale.
On behalf of the choir and the congregation, thank you, Monte. We present “Gift of Grace” to you and to the church at large. May God’s grace be proclaimed and received throughout the world.
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
|
