Welcome!
Upcoming Rehearsals
Next rehearsal is:
Wednesday, Oct 22nd from 6:00 – 8:30pm in the Sanctuary
Weekly Choir Update
- Oct 19th Morning Worship Music
- Call to Worship
- Chamber Choir
- Anthem:
- Here Comes Moses – with Kids choir
- Hymns:
- I Am Thine O Lord – Hymnal pg# 419 vs. 1-3
- Take My Life and Let It Be – Hymnal pg# 399
- Call Times:
- 7:15 a.m. – Chamber Choir – Sound check at 7:20am
- 7:20 a.m. – Choir
- Call to Worship
- What to be working on for the next rehearsal:
- General anthems:
- That’s My King
- Fly Away
- O Praise Him, Alleluia!
- O For a Heart to Praise My God
- Christmas anthems:
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- In Bethlehem
- Noel
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- General anthems:
- New Information:
- Rehearsal update:
- Starting Wednesday, Oct 29th we will be extending Christmas Rehearsals and shortening up our General Music rehearsals
- Christmas music: 6-7:30pm
- General music: 7:30-8:30pm
- Starting Wednesday, Oct 29th we will be extending Christmas Rehearsals and shortening up our General Music rehearsals
- Jazz Choir and Sectionals starts next week! (There is a new Jazz Tab with that information)
- See below for the schedules on both of these things.
- Please see the Jazz tab for more information.
- Mission Bags project:
- There are extra bags in the closet across from the choir room if you need more.
- Christmas Party
- Our Christmas Party is on Thursday, December 18th from 6-8pm in the Fellowship Hall.
- the format will be similar to last year.
- dinner and gift exchange
- the format will be similar to last year.
- Our Christmas Party is on Thursday, December 18th from 6-8pm in the Fellowship Hall.
- NEW Choir Bible Study starting, Wed Oct 15th @ noon in the Choir suite:
- Have the Welcome (from the workbook) and Chapters 1-3 (from the book) read for the first session. [the Note from Max and the How to Use sections are also interesting reading as well]
- The study is a 6-week study by Max Lucado on end times: “What Happens Next Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video: A Traveler’s Guide through the End of This Age“.
- You need the book and the study guide
- Amazon link to buy the book:
- You need the book and the study guide
- Christmas Sectionals:
- Christmas Concert order is below – next to the anthem schedule.
- JAZZ CHOIR starting back up!
- on Sunday, December 21st, for all 3 Sanctuary services, we will be doing another Jazz band/choir Sunday.
- Jazz choir rehearsals will be starting back on Monday, Oct 20th from 7-8pm in the choir suite.
- Rehearsal dates:
- Oct. 20
- Oct 27
- Nov 3
- Nov 10
- Nov 17
- Nov 24
- Dec 1
- Rehearsal dates:
- Let me know if you are interested in joining. It is a ton of fun!
- Rehearsal update:
- BLUE BLESSINGS BAG STORIES!
- Next week I will have a section for the stories we will collect on these bags.
- Older Information:
- CHOIR Protocols:
- We have had some issues of late with people coming in very late for the 11am service and not being in their seats and ready to sing before worship starts.
- If you are late, please do not enter the choir loft when something is happening in worship, like the another group leading worship or hymns being sung. It is disrupts worship for those leading and for those who are participating.
- Please wait in the wings and enter when the choir stands to sing for the hymns or the anthem.
- Please always check this site so you are prepared for Sunday morning on what we are singing.
- Also, please remember to not wear perfumes, colognes or any flowery scented lotions when you are in the choir loft. We have had allergic reactions becuase we tend to forget about that when getting ready to leave the house.
- We have had some issues of late with people coming in very late for the 11am service and not being in their seats and ready to sing before worship starts.
- CHOIR Protocols:
Prayer Requests
10/13
Patty – Tom was unreachable today and was found on the floor and he is refusing ambulance
Michelle – Monty leaves Tuesday morning and Adam leaves on the 21st
Maxine – best friend, Barbara, from high school is not doing well. Loss of memory and ability to speak
Jeff – Brother-in-law had heart attack yesterday, in hospital now. In a lot of pain, working to manage blood pressure and pain
Carolyn is doing well – feet are doing well. She’s in PT now – looking to come back to choir soon!
Praying the peace in Gaza holds
Donna Coty – having surgery on Friday for brain tumor
Darlene – life has been hard but God has been good. Feels like she’s coming out of a really hard time.
Candice – appointment with ophthalmologist on the 30th – prayers for no more double vision
Selena and Lori – weddings this week!
Planning Center Links
SoundCloud Links
Link to access SoundCloud link or access on soundcloud.com (You do NOT need to sign in or create an account to listen just download the app onto your device or access online.)
Anthem Schedule
October 19th –
Here Comes Moses – with Children’s choir
October 26th –
That’s My King – with Orchestra
November 2nd –
Fly Away
November 9th –
O Praise Him, Alleluia! -with orchestra
November 16th –
O For a Heart to Praise My God
November 23rd –
Praise – with Orchestra
November 30th – 1st Sunday of Advent
Advent of My Heart
December 7th –
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – with Children’s choir
December 14th – Morning
Sing of a Merry Christmas – with Orchestra
December 21st – Jazz Sunday
MAIN CHOIR OFF – JAZZ CHOIR AND JAZZ BAND
December 24th – Christmas Eve Worship services
Selections from the Christmas concert
Christmas Concert Order:
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Advent of My Heart
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Angels (Glory to God)
- In Bethlehem
- Sing of a Merry Christmas
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Noel
Upcoming Calendar Dates
- Rehearsal Date Information:
- Wednesday, Oct 15th rehearsal will be moved to Monday the 13th from 7-8:30pm in the choir suite.
- Christmas Concert rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, Sept 24th
- Christmas Music rehearsal: 6-7:00pm
- Regular Music rehearsal 7:00 – 8:30pm
- Christmas Concert information:
- Christmas Concert, Sunday December 14th @ 4pm & 6pm
- Call time is 1:45pm
- Big Rehearsals:
- Tech Rehearsal with all groups – Sunday, December 7th @ 2-5pm
- Dress Rehearsal with all groups – Wednesday, December 10th @ 6-9pm
- Christmas Concert, Sunday December 14th @ 4pm & 6pm
Getting to know our choir members
Link to the choir member information spreadsheet: Link
This week’s choir member highlight is Shelly Elbert
Shelly recently joined the Chancel Choir but you all know her from the orchestra and the flute choir. She began playing the flute in fourth grade. She was a military dependent so the family moved a lot, but flute was a staple. She didn’t sing until her senior year in the choir at school. She also played piccolo during the marching season. Multi-talented as are all our orchestra members!
Shelly is married to Tim, her high school sweetheart, who she met in band. They have been together for 40 years and have three sons. Jason (and Jennifer), who have two children – Blakely and Brooklyn; Ryan (and Tori), and Tyler.
The Elberts have been in the area since 1988. Shelly is a tennis player with the Top Spins and also likes to play bridge. She also likes to have fun. One of the things she had fun with was as the Children’s Supervisor for Bible Study Fellowship with pre-schoolers.
Her favorite Bible verse is Psalms 46:10 and loves Christmas songs all year round!!
We are so blessed to have Shelly and her talents in choir, flute choir, and the orchestra!!
This week’s choir member highlight is Renee Johnson
Renee Johnson was born and raised in Pennsylvania. At church, she sang in the children’s and adult choir. She also sang in her high school chorus. No matter where she lived, she always sang in a church choir.
When she graduated, she joined the Marine Corps. Being stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC., there she worked as an administration clerk.
She married a Marine from Alabama. They have 2 sons. Steven, a 26 year Vet, USN. He lives in Jacksonville, FL and works for NorthThrope, Grumman. And Charlie is a Flight RN with Life Saver Air Rescue, in Auburn, AL. She has 5 grandchildren
Renee retired after 30 years from General Electric Crop in Decatur, AL and with her husband moved to Defuniak Springs. Last year they moved to Niceville and she joined Crosspoint Church and is now singing 1st Tenor in our choir. Renee also volunteers at the Bargain Box. She enjoys being a Watercolorist, reading and quilting.
One of her favorite songs is: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”
We are so happy to welcome Renee to our choir!!
This week’s choir member highlight is Wes Turner
Wes is one of our new basses. He was born in Roanoke, VA. He began his singing career at the young age of about 8 singing with his church choir. That has been his venue of choice most of his life. And now we are blessed to have him singing bass in our church choir!
We graduated from the Air Force Academy. He spent 20 years in the Air Force and flew the F-15. He currently works for Boeing.
He has been married to Chelsey for 11 years. They have 4 children: Penelope, Axel, Sabrina, & Harrison. Raising four children doesn’t leave much time for hobbies but he does find time to work out, run and lift some weights. If he is really lucky, he finds time to make bread.
One of his favorite songs is “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.”
Welcome Wes! We’re glad to have you singing with us!!
This week’s choir member highlight is Reneé Gutierrez
Renee is in the soprano section of our choir. She was born in Galveston, Texas, but moved to Niceville at age 2. She’s been here ever since. She graduated from Niceville High School. Her first outing as a soloist was at age 5 at the Rocky Bayou Kindergarten graduation ceremony. She sang with the Youth Choir at church and recently sang a solo with our choir. We are grateful she is sharing her talent with us! (And is one of the ones helping to lower the average age of our choir members.)
Renee has 2 children. Bianca and Topher. She has a varied work history. She’s worked in a few restaurants and worked her way up to General Manager of Hungry Howie’s in Niceville. She likes to experiment with new dishes. Too bad Hungry Howie’s is a corporate entity or she may have transformed their menu with her experiments in the oven. Renee now works at Super Cuts in Niceville. She has found her calling and loves cutting hair. She also has earned a Cosmetology license.
According to Renee, God is always there and holding us up. She likes the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar tried to force them to worship his gods and threatened to throw them into the blazing furnace. But their answer was Daniel 3:17-18, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even it he does not, we want you to know, 0 king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
This week’s choir member highlight is Maxine Spence
Maxine was born in California and grew up in Pensacola, Florida. After the death of her father her mom, who was from Pensacola, moved them back to Florida. She began singing at an early age-—5! She sang in high school and the Pensacola Christian Chorus, Christian High Singers, and Sugar Beach Acapella Chorus and for many years was a baritone in barbershop quartets. She is one of our faithful and wonderful altos. She plays a little piano and the recorder.Maxine attended the University of West Florida and majored in medical laboratory technology and criminal justice forensic studies. She spent six years in the Air Force. She was a radio maintenance tech stationed at Upper Heyford AFB in England. She spent time in Hahn, Germany before ending her career at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma.
Maxine has been married to Walter Spence for 22 years. She has a son, Richard, and a stepdaughter, Vicki. She and Walt have an affinity for birds and bird photography. And are both very good at it! She works as the treasurer of Spence Brothers Properties.
She likes Roman 12:2 bible verse among many others.
Two of her favorite hymns are The Old Rugged Cross, and O Holy Night.
This week’s choir member highlight is John Pruitt
John was born in Terre Haute, Indiana and attended Indiana University in Bloomington, majoring in Education. He attended college on an ROTC scholarship and joined the Air Force after graduation. He was in the Air Force for 28 1/2 years.
While in high school John sang with the chorus, played the trumpet in the band and was the drum major. One of his favorite musical memories was singing with his sisters. They put him on a chair when he was little, turned on the radio and while they washed and dried and he rinsed, they all sang together!
John is lucky enough to be married to the lovely Martha. They have three young ad Its. Joshua is a senior at FSU, Elizabeth is a sophomore. The oldest, Emily is married with a daughter Avery and a son Atticus.
After retiring from the AF, John worked as a contractor on base. He’s retired from that and now volunteers at the Hurlburt Thrift Shop. He began singing with the Crosspoint Choir in the bass section about 14 years ago when he joined to sing One Christmas concert. He has graced us with a number of solos over the years and we are grateful to him for sharing his talent.
A favorite hymn is Amazing Grace.Favorite Bible verse: John 3:16
This week’s choir member highlight is Leak (Leroy) Thornal
Col (Ret) Leroy Thornal was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1930 during the Depression.
His first professional singing job was at age 10. He got 10 cents for singing in his Uncle Russ’ talent show.
Leroy joined the National Guard in Charleston, SC when he was 16. After just over a year he joined the regular Air Force as an enlisted man for three years, nine months and 17 days. He attended the University of South Carolina on the Korean GI Bill and received a BS in Civil Engineering. He got an MS from Troy University. He became a fighter pilot and flew the T37, T29, T28, T33 and the F4 Phantom. His career included flying in the Korean War and 100 missions over North Vietnam. One of his favorite memories was being an Air Force Escort Officer that picked up POW’s in Hanoi and brought them home. He told one friend’s wife he would bring hers home and he did!
Leroy is married to Joyce and their children are Lana, Mike, Kris, and Wes. They have 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
In addtion to singing in our bass section for many years, he has written 5 songs: Faith of a Child, The Lord Has My Soul In His Hands, Salvation Train Leaves at Midnight, This I Believe, and Little Babe from Bethlehem. He sings them all a capella. Not bad for a gentleman who does not read music!
Leroy is partial to Proverbs 3, 5, & 6. One of his favorite songs is The Canticle of Praise that the Chancel Choir has performed a number of times.
Upcoming Rehearsal
Sunday, Oct 19th @ 9:50am
Call time for Sunday is 7:10 a.m.
Chamber Choir Update
- For your information:
- This will be a shortened rehearsal, but hopefully is the last one in a while.
- Anthems to be working on for rehearsals:
- Sun of My Soul
- Let There Be Light
- focusing on:
- ms. 22 – 28
- ms. 34 – 45
- ms. 56 – 58 (if time)
- focusing on:
- I Wonder as I Wander
SoundCloud Links
Link to access SoundCloud link or access on soundcloud.com (You do NOT need to sign in or create an account to listen just download the app on to your device or access online.)
Anthem Schedule
October 19th
Nearer, My God to Thee
November 16th
Sun of My Soul
December 14th
One of the Christmas songs
Upcoming Calendar Dates
Upcoming Rehearsal
Next rehearsal is Monday, Oct 13th 5:30pm – 6:45pm
Handbell Update
- Upcoming information:
- Christmas Concert & rehearsal information is below in the important calendar dates as well.
Planning Center Links
SoundCloud Link
Anthem Schedule
Oct 12th
1. Fanfare of the Faithful – SMALL HANDBELL ENSEMBLE WITH PIANO FOR PRELUDE
Nov 16th
1. Echoes from a Weary World
Nov 30th (beginning of Advent)
1. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
December 14th – Christmas Concerts at 4pm & 6pm
1. Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
2. God Rest Ye, Swingin’ Gentlefolk!
Upcoming Calendar Dates
- Christmas Concert Information:
- Concert is on Sunday, December 14th @ 4pm & 6pm
- Big Rehearsals:
- Tech Rehearsal with all groups – Sunday, December 7th @ 2-5pm
- Dress Rehearsal with all groups – Wednesday, December 10th @ 6-9pm
Upcoming Rehearsal
Next orchestra rehearsal, Sunday, Oct 19th at 12:15pm
Orchestra Update
- Upcoming information:
- Rehearsal information:
- We will rehearse in the Sanctuary on the Sunday’s we play in worship.
- Christmas Concert schedule is down below. Please make sure you have these dates on your calendar.
- Rehearsal information:
- Christmas Concert Order:
- Christmas Festival
- The Hope of Christmas
- O Come, All Ye Faithful
- Advent of My Heart
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Angels (Glory to God)
- In Bethlehem
- Sing of a Merry Christmas
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Noel
- Jazz Band (NEW Jazz Tab for updated information)
- Jazz band rehearsals for the Sunday before Christmas, December 21st will start on Sunday, Oct 26th from 1:45-2:45pm following orchestra rehearsal.
- What to be working on for upcoming rehearsal:
- For Rehearsal:
- For Rehearsal:
- Revelation Song
- That’s My King
- The Hope of Christmas
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- Noel – run through
- For Rehearsal:
- For Rehearsal:
SoundCloud Links
Link to access SoundCloud link or access on soundcloud.com (You do NOT need to sign in or create an account to listen just download the app on to your device or access online.)
Anthem Schedule
October 26th
1. Revelation Song with Holy, Holy, Holy – orchestra only
2. That’s My King – with choir
November 9th
1. O Praise Him, Alleluia! – with choir
November 23rd
1. God of Our Fathers with Faith of Our Fathers – orchestra only
2. Praise – with choir
December 14th (Morning)
1. The Hope of Christmas – Orchestra only
2. Noel – with choir
December 14th (Christmas Concert)
1. The Hope of Christmas – Orchestra only
2. A Christmas Festival – Orchestra Only
3. O Come, All Ye Faithful – with choir
4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – with choir
5. Angels (Glory to God) – with choir and kids
6. Sing a Merry Christmas – with choir
7. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – with choir and Kids
8. Noel – with Choir
December 24th (Christmas Eve Worship services)
Upcoming Calendar Dates
- Christmas Concert Information:
- Concert is Sunday December 14th @ 4pm & 6pm
- Big Rehearsals:
- Tech Rehearsal with all groups – Sunday, December 7th @ 2-5pm
- Dress Rehearsal with all groups – Wednesday, December 10th @ 6-9pm
Upcoming Rehearsals
Jazz Choir rehearsal is: Monday, Oct 20th from 7-8pm in the Choir Suite
Jazz Band rehearsal is: Sunday, Oct 26th from 1:45-2:45pm in the Sanctuary
Update
- Jazz Sunday information:
- Sunday, Dec. 21st for all 3 Sanctuary services
- Jazz Anthems:
- Deck the Halls – Jazz band only
- Congregation songs:
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – Choir and Band
- What Child Is This – Choir and Band
- Joy to the World – Choir and Band
- Messiah Medley – Choir and Band without Congregation
- JAZZ CHOIR rehearsals:
- on Sunday, December 21st, for all 3 Sanctuary services, we will be doing another Jazz band/choir Sunday.
- Jazz choir rehearsals will be starting back on Monday, Oct 20th from 7-8pm in the choir suite.
- Rehearsal dates:
- Oct. 20
- Oct 27
- Nov 3
- Nov 10
- Nov 17
- Nov 24
- Dec 1
- Rehearsal dates:
- JAZZ BAND rehearsals:
- Sundays from 1:45-2:45pm
- Oct 26th
- Nov 2nd
- Nov 9th
- Nov 16th
- Nov 23rd
- Nov 30th
- Sundays from 1:45-2:45pm
- Jazz Choir Part Dominant mp’3:
- I will work on getting those done next week and will create the SoundCloud links for them when they are finished.
Planning Center Links
- Jazz Sunday link. (PDF’s and mp3’s)
SoundCloud Links
Link to access SoundCloud link or access on soundcloud.com (You do NOT need to sign in or create an account to listen just download the app onto your device or access online.)