Pathway with Purpose

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Commitment Card

Music Ministry at FUMCR (4/13 bulletin insert)

Children's Ministries at FUMCR (4/6 bulletin insert)

Outreach at FUMCR (3/30 bulletin insert)

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Pathway with Purpose brochure

Stories from our Pathway

Questions and Answers

Campaign Leaders

Commitment Sunday, April 20, 2008

Music Ministry

Did You Know?

• Music is frequently listed as a reason for joining our church.
• Many people join the church after first being involved in the music program.
• Over 330 children and adults are involved in five voice and five hand bell choirs.
• Almost 400 choir robes, 10,000 pieces of music, and multiple musical instruments are stored in the music room.
• Our Chancel Choir has outgrown the existing music space, and children’s choirs do not have a room to robe, gather and rehearse when they perform in our Sunday morning services.

Since moving to our new campus, members of the Music Ministry have participated in numerous concerts and other special events in addition to providing the music for 4 services during Sunday morning worship. The events we have hosted and/or performed in brought the news of our church and God’s word to many outside of our church. Some of those special events included the First Inspiration Concert Series, Music Maker Summer Music Week, and special Advent, Christmas, and Holy Week services.

"Although I have sung with many different choirs and choral groups,the Chancel Choir at FUMCR is undoubtedly the best, both musically and socially, of any with whom I have served. Besides providing excellent music for services every Sunday and for special occasions, the Choir is one of the most caring, supporting groups in our church. Following a motorcycle accident involving a lengthy recovery, the Choir took care of me in so many ways. " (David Casteel )

"The sacred music program at 1st Richardson under the leadership of Mike and Mary Lightfoot, is incomparable in its diversity, depth and deliverance of the word of God. We are so fortunate to have this talented couple directing the many gifted musicians in our congregation. " (Leo and Barbara Eveleth, non choir member)

"Gene and I joined this church in 1960 and immediately became involved in the choir. Ida Kaufman was the director then. Good music drew us to this church, and good music has kept us here all these years." (Martha and Gene Aldridge, non-choir member)

"Working with the children’s choirs on Sunday afternoons was a real pleasure for me. It was thrilling to watch the children add their own interpretations of God’s word as they learned about the Bible and God’s love through the words to songs they sang." (Diane Grandey)

We are blessed to be involved with the Music Ministry of FUMCR. Because of the many dedicated and talented individuals who participate in our 10 choirs, we are able to offer meaningful and uplifting music to this congregation each and every Sunday. Music is a major part of worship and each person that is involved in this ministry easily receives as much as they give. Our choirs are spread all over the current facility,rehearsing in Sunday school rooms and the Family Life Center every week,due to the lack of space.We look forward to bringing all of our groups together under one roof, and most importantly, having a space large enough to hold our 135 voice Adult Choir.This is an exciting time for our church and we believe that major growth lies ahead for all of our choirs.

Mike and Mary Lightfoot
Director of Music and Organist