A light snow in the area means that schools are opening 2 hours late - so the VIPs are all getting a chance to sleep in today! Hooray! That will (hopefully) yield good results for tonight's rehearsal with the orchestra.
The VIPs are a usually-energetic-and-cheerful bunch but they walked into rehearsal on Monday night looking... well, not energetic or cheerful! - The result of the first day back to school after a 2-week break. By the time they made it to VIP rehearsal, I think many of them were feeling the effects of getting up at 5-something-AM and trudging through their school day.
But, as they are known to do, VIP worked to overcome the exhaustion and general ick of the moment. We talked about the fact that despite what our cultural calendar says, there are (technically) 12 days of Christmas and on Monday, January 3 - it was STILL Christmas! As we work to present an Epiphany Concert, we have a responsibility to carry the light of Christmas into the dark of winter. That's not always easy to do, but that's the charge before us.
As we rehearsed the beautiful, "In the Bleak Midwinter" the phrases and the imagery were so appropriate. This familiar carol took on new meaning...
Earth stood still as iron, water like a stone (because it's so cold that the earth and water have all FROZEN)
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow (need I say more?)
The rich harmonies in this piece give way to a powerful unison section as the choir sings: What can I give him? Poor as I am...
There are times when giving is pretty easy - when we're well-rested, healthy, happy... when our hearts are full of joy and when it feels good to give.
But we're not called to give only when it's easy. We're called to give when the dark night falls too early and the winter wind whips, and we're tired and getting over a cold, and our "to do" list has reached epic lengths. Somehow, in all of that, we need to find a way to give our best to God. Can you imagine the world if God only gave when it was easy for him?
VIP heard that message on Monday night and they sang the powerful last verse of "In the Bleak Midwinter," you could hear new, determined resolve in their voices:
What can I give him? Poor as I am.
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet, what can I give him? Give to him my heart.
Voices In Praise will sing this piece and many more in concert on Sunday, Janury 10 at 4pm and 7pm at Friendship United Methodist Church. We'd love to see you there!
Welcome! Voices In Praise exists for the glory of God and in service to others. As the youth choir of Friendship United Methodist Church, the group is open to all youth in grades 6 -12 who have a desire to sing and a willingness to make the commitment to the group. Singers are not required to be a member of the church or to have any background in singing. Our doors are open to everyone!
The choir rehearses on Mondays. Girls rehearse from 6:30pm – 8pm; Guys rehearse from 7pm – 8:30pm.
New singers are welcome any time. Feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at 301-728-1748 with questions!
The choir rehearses on Mondays. Girls rehearse from 6:30pm – 8pm; Guys rehearse from 7pm – 8:30pm.New singers are welcome any time. Feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at 301-728-1748 with questions!