After the Concert .... It's PARTY time!

Hello everybody! How are you doing? So... I want to do a "Christmas Concert 2014" Re-cap

As you know we were rehearsing our Christmas songs since... when? August, I think? and it was a blast! Just like last year, this year we had our Choir Retreat at a Hotel to dedicate a full day to practicing our Christmas songs back in September... which... I had to miss because we (my family and I) were out of town. I heard it was great though, which made me even sadder to have missed it.

I must admit there were times I felt like the songs were "never going to come together"... But then again I thought back to previous concerts and how God always came through and it all worked out every single time!


This year wasn't the exception... God was glorified as we worshiped, we all lifted our voices in unison (and parts ... -you know what I mean- ) and exalted the One who is worthy of all praise! We did work hard for it... don't take me wrong... but at the moment of the concert it was about HIM and HIM only! and I think that is what made it all ... perfect!

The beautiful ladies from Point of Grace did a beautiful, beautiful job! They were so kind and nice to work with (although we, the choir, only rehearsed with them for like 30 minutes right before the concert), their voices are beautiful and they are so natural and laid back ... it was all so easy!

And all the production and work behind it all... the media, decorations, the lyrics on the screens, the live streaming, every camera, every light, THE SNOW ...

everything... was just amazing! It all came together in perfect harmony! It was beautiful!

And now... guess what we're thinking about? Easter! YES! Already!!! If you are in a choir... allow me to ask... what are your favorite Easter Songs? Do you know of a specific Easter program (for a choir) that you love?? Just wondering... (and kind of fishing for some ideas!) ... But... Before we get into all that work we will have a great Christmas Party (12/17)... with lots of food but most importantly... it will be a time when we can all just have the fellowship that we don't always have the opportunity to enjoy during our rehearsals because of the time limitations... After our Christmas Party we will have a nice "Christmas break" so we can come back all ready on Jan 4th to our usual places... to keep singing and to start 2015 in worship!!!

So... there you have it... that's how our concert went and those are the things ahead of us... Looking forward to hearing from you... please leave a comment... I LOVE THOSE!

Paloma.

Digging Deep ... Finding Him!

Good day everybody! I am sooo excited! Our Christmas concert is upon us and even when we're still working on the parts of the songs, etc... I know it's all going to come together... We all just need to get at it and listen/listen/listen to our songs! Praise God for resources like the Planning Center Online where our Choir is registered and we have access to amazing resources, including all of our music for our different services and for our special events, etc.... I love it because I get to listen to great music and my girls learn the songs too! It really helps "create an atmosphere of worship" in my home when we're playing all those beautiful songs of Praise!

During yesterday's rehearsal I could feel that many of us were tired, for a period of time I actually couldn't make myself stop yawning! I don't know what was wrong with me! But... then we all shook it off as we focused (not without help and a few nudges) on the things we were singing and particularly WHO is our reason to sing. It's impossible not to find the energy to sing with everything we have ... and even feel strength where there seems to be none... He is worthy!

Our Worship Pastor begged asked us all to "Dig Deep Inside of us" and give a good last push through the last songs of the rehearsal... and it was even mentioned how we would find the energy "on the concert day" once it's all put together... the orchestra, the soloists, everything... it's true! It has happened before  but at the same time... that phrase "Dig Deep" stuck with me... and made me think... if we start digging... what will we find? I think we would all find Jesus... because He lives in us... so if He lives within us... as we are "digging inside our tired selves" then we can find the joy, the peace, the love, the strength to give Him more than our flesh is willing to give... more than our throats seem to be able to sing! Yes... it is absolutely normal to be tired... the disciples fell asleep time after time when Jesus wanted them to pray... it is only human to lose strength... but how wonderful that His Spirit lives inside of us and we can go beyond what our flesh wants and we can offer him that sweet sacrifice of worship, something that actually "costs us" and not just what we feel comfortable with doing.

I absolutely love the orchestra and the music... I love the lights and "dressing up" for our event, the Bible talks about praising Him with instruments and I love it... but above it all.. He is our motivation to sing and we can sing just as passionately with or without those wonderful things... I've shared with some people before about one of the "most memorable times of worship" in my life... and it was when, in a church I used to attend in Mexico, we lost electric power... we had great instruments and great musicians, beautiful voices singing in the microphones and all of a sudden, in an evening service, we were left in the dark, everything was off and we didn't skip a beat... there were no "gasps" or people running around when the electricity was off (I don't remember the exact reason why this happened, if it was an electric problem or just the entire block lost power) what I remember is that there were just worshipers singing to the One and True God... with all we had... yes, we loved our instruments in that church... yes... we loved the lights (my pastor was pretty peculiar about excellence in those areas) and yet... when it was all gone... our hearts were still making music! Just for Him! Nobody moved... nothing could interrupt our worship... and that is something I will always remember... so... yes... when the time comes... we will all enjoy having the orchestra, the excitement of the people ready for the concert, the lights and Christmas decorations... but dig deep and find HIM... dig deep and find Jesus... I know He is your motivation too....

Dig deep today and reflect on what He's done... who He is... think of the times when things weren't going well and still there was an inexplicable joy that made you want jump up and down regardless of it all! If possible... would you share with us a "memorable worship time" you've experienced? Think back to a place where you just surrendered your heart to Him and lifted your voice without thinking of anything else but giving Him your all... I'd love to read your story and worship with you!

"Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls— 
 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills." - Habakkuk 3:17-19