|
Happy Anniversary WHC Choir!
Easter 2004 marks the fourth anniversary of the WHC Choir, which was formed to allow more talented people with a heart for worship to participate on a regular basis. But what a blessing the last four years have been. We gave some of the current ministers a chance to “sound off!” about things that have been memorable over the last few years.
Tami Berreth, special education school teacher, St. Paul
How has being in the music ministry caused your faith to grow? I have learned that ministry can't always be driven by feelings. Often, it is done out of sheer obedience. Music often needs feelings behind it in order to be effective – and sometimes we don't feel like singing, depending on the circumstances of life. During these times, I have been opened up to express myself much more freely – and I am more readily able to release the emotion and praise that wells up in me when I think about the Lord.
How have relationships in the music ministry blessed you, challenged you, frustrated you? I have been very encouraged, supported and uplifted by my relationships in this ministry. I remember the visits at the hospital last spring and the cards of concern and lots and lots of prayer--- I was really blessed by that.
Has being in the music ministry changed your opinions of contemporary music/ secular music? I think I am more open to various styles of music, and I enjoy more styles now, as does the congregation. They have been really encouraged by our worship leading and the level of energy/excitement that they sense during worship.
How do you see your participation assisting to meeting the stated goals of the music ministry? I feel I am committed to the spiritual and practical goals of the ministry. I often solicit prayer for our ministry from those in my covenant community and have often asked people to visit Woodland on choir weekends. The music ministry has played a pivotal role in many people coming to Woodland and hearing the Gospel. I feel that choosing to worship, no matter what the circumstances or feelings you are experiencing, is very powerful.
Like a crashing wave, flowing over me….
Barbara Watson, interior designer consultant and homemaker, St. Paul
Being in the music ministry at WHC has enhanced the meaning of my worship time both in preparation for weekends of worship and the weekends of leading worship. I found that in spending that much time in worship, it has become a time of intense closeness to God. Along another avenue, being involved in the music ministry has given me a freedom in worship that I've never had before - freedom to move and be and adore and simply worship.
‘A Let the Redeemed of the LORD say so!
Julie Burkard, recovery nurse, Fridley
How did you initially get involved? Because WHC was so big, I knew I needed to get rooted in ministry or I would possibly get lost in the masses of people. I started immediately going through the covenant classes. Peggy Riley had encouraged me to enter into the prayer ministry... because we can always PRAY! Things seemed to flow right in line and it didn't take long before I was an Alter Minister. I've only been a true Christian a few years. I'm very passionate for the Lord and I've been like a sponge in the Word- but music is where my heart is at. It was what God used to get my attention finally on Him. I've been in the choir loft most my life, following my parents, so I just naturally was drawn to the choir here I think. I was on the waiting list till the beginning of this year....and now here I am!
How has being in the music ministry caused your faith to grow? Ohh, the words are so ministering and powerful to my soul. The healing, peace, comfort, encouragement, JOY....that washes over and through me...it stirs me to go deeper with Him.
What kind of sacrifices have you had to make as a result of your participation? Well, I work the evening shift, and I only get 4 days to request off a schedule. I juggle time quite a bit and cut back on picking up shifts. On the weekends I sing I don't listen to much other music other than my rehearsal music. People know I stay pretty close to home between Wednesday and Sunday and have to be good to my body, because I respect the honor to serve to the Church in this way!
How has being in the music ministry enhanced your own devotional worship style or abilities? ONE WORD: FREEDOM!!!
What does being part of this ministry team mean to you? Recently I had to have a rather sudden and unplanned knee surgery. Greg Wollan came by my side, helped lift me up in prayer and settle my spirit. He really help speak peace and comfort in my chaos. When I got back I was truly touched by everyone's love and support. Norm immediately came up to check things out - and it just reminded me that we really are family.
He’ll open up the windows of heaven and bless you more and more
Tonya Kronschnabel- homemaker and the choir’s newest mom, St. Paul
Is it scary to be in front of so many people? I love singing at Woodland Hills. I have been singing in a team and in the choir for about 4 1/2 years now. Recently I was reminded that what we do is all about God and not about us at all. I have often been asked if I am new to the church. I am blessed that people are worshiping and thinking of God and not looking at us. On the other hand, complete strangers have come up and asked when I had my baby as they feel like they know me. So it's all about Jesus. All we can do is invite people to worship, not get in the way of the Holy Spirit and how people react; what they notice and if they enter into the worship is God’s concern.
Now is the Time to Give Your Heart
Emilia Zellmer- direct marketing manager,Columbia Heights
Were you looking for something when you joined on? I felt a little lost when I first started attending WHC. I had been looking for a good church for about a year and had never experienced the true meaning of being real with God. I was tired of speaking the Christianese but not experiencing it. Through the teaching and worship time at WHC, I felt God healing me from some hurts, really speaking to me- and most of all, loving me for who I am.
It is hard to feel a sense of community in a church this large so I feel you have to be involved in something. I feel like I contribute something to the body of Christ through my service and that in turn I'm getting fed spiritually through the worship, teaching and people I serve with. I remember all the times at small team rehearsal, how we spent so much time sharing and praying that it barely left us time to rehearse. Time well spent! My small group has also formed from this ministry. I treasure the relationships and friendships I've made from this ministry and small group.
People have told me how blessed they are when I sing. I should tell them how much they bless me when I sing. I have a great view on that stage as I look out and see what God is doing as His spirit moves through the sanctuary. Hands lifted in praise, clapping & rejoicing, kneeling before God, smiling faces, tears pouring down or how humbled I become when I see the deaf singing with their hands. It literally moves me to tears at times. It blesses me to know that through the worship time, people are being changed. As we sacrifice our praise and bless God, he in turn blesses us.
As the ministry grows and as God takes us to new places, it can be challenging at times. New music, new rotations, new schedules, the commitment...Wouldn't it be nice if we could pull a Burger King and "have it our way"? It's about serving, sacrificing and giving your best for God. He is the potter and we are the clay. What a wonderful creation we can be when we allow Him, the artist, to continue working on us.
Jesus, Jesus is the Lamb
Bec Smith, media tracking service, Minneapolis
Being a part of the Woodland Hills Music Ministry program has strengthened me musically, spiritually and personally. I really get a lot out of the lyrics of the songs we perform each week; the words strengthen my faith and resonate in my heart for the next few weeks after the weekend I sing. Being in choir (along with also leading on a small team in the past) has been an invigorating and precious experience for me. It's been faith-building and character-building.
Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come.
Pam Solie, medical equipment certifications, Fridley
A lot of work…. Or a lot of fun? I think the main sacrifice revolves around the holiday weekends when we sing. I love singing on those weekends, but I also have two sides of my family living within an hour of me, and I end up having very busy and tiring weekends during the holidays. But, I love it and it's a small sacrifice.
What was your previous church experience regarding worship- has this been a style change for you? I grew up in a Pentecostal church, so had a huge appreciation of Gospel style music. But it seemed in the ‘80s the Pentecostal churches went through a phase where the music felt more like a "who-can-hold the-high-note-the-loudest-and-longest” contest and that didn't feel very worshipful to me. Additionally, my churches always had special music that was very much part of the service. I appreciated Woodland Hills musical approach, which was a nice variety of several styles of music and was all worship, rather than special music which felt like entertainment to me.
Has this ministry helped you get connected? I just love getting to know people in the church via choir. Prior to being part of the choir I didn't know very many people, but now I feel like I always see someone I know.
To the only God our Savior — be majesty dominion and power!
Bob & Brenda Duncan, pilot / marketing assistant, Apple Valley
We decided to join to get to know people and especially to be in ministry with our Daughter, Jenn who sings in the choir and leads worship on a small team. It is really fun to minister together as a family. Bob makes the biggest sacrifice. As a pilot with Northwest Airlines, he has only four "Must days off" when he bids his schedule for the month. He always puts the Weds, Sat, and Sun of choir as Must Days Off to make sure he can be here.
I think both Bob and I are much more "participatory" in Worship now, and connecting more with our Lord during worship. We've always liked contemporary, so we are thrilled to be free to indulge in it. We are older and used to be at a more stoic church and weren't used to being free to raise our hands and such- but now you can't stop us! Through our choir small groups we have opened up more about our faith and are blessed to be able to pray for and care for others.
You Are the Strength of my Life
Dan & Judy Jackson, Process Engineer / Nurse Practitioner, Oakdale
My whole worship experience has grown a ton since I started. I can see God and feel his presence when I worship — that was pretty rare before. I can almost sway with the beat now. Before I didn’t have a chance.
How do you juggle two full time jobs, raising a family, the choir, and children’s ministry?
Most weeks we end up bringing our children to practice instead of getting to stay at home and spend time with them; however, it has blessed us because they sing the choir songs and imitate Norm, Ruth, Greg or the band. They put on the choir CD and take turns leading. We’ve got pictures! It is developing them for future ministry, and they don’t even know it.
How has being in the music ministry enhanced your own devotional worship style or abilities? We home school our children, so we have worship time with choir songs--by singing, dancing or waving flags. What is so neat is the kids remind me when it's time for worship!
How have relationships in the music ministry blessed you, challenged you, frustrated you? More blessed than I could have imagined!!! My spouse is part of the choir and that has been another blessing. At our house we only listen to Christian music, and it just confirms over and over again what music I put in my soul, I reap. When the struggles of life hit, I usually have a choir song about Jesus in my heart, and I know He'll get me through.
The Almighty is here, removing doubt and fear…
Linda Peterson, registered nurse, St. Paul
With so many worship words in my brain I go through the day with them on my heart- and many times I get caught singing while at work and I don't even realize it. At Harding High School we were there at 6:30 a.m., and were done with equipment tear down at 1:00 p.m. or so. When I used to work in the ER, on the Sundays when I was a part of leading worship I would get to work at 3 physically exhausted but with praise on my heart . Those evenings at work I was always so much more joyful and would go through the shift humming and singing!
WHC and worship at my previous church? Big style change (Praise the LORD!!!). I need plenty of preparation for ministry. At least an hour a day, usually longer, depending on how well I know the music. That is just music prep. Not the spiritual prep. At times it is a challenge because I don't have the natural talent that many have, but I feel my voice is adequate and trainable. I am so blessed by the people I minister with.
JOY IS HERE -WAKE UP!!!
Doug Ward, university bookstore manager, Minneapolis
How has being in the music ministry caused your faith to grow? I don't know that my faith has been challenged by the worship, as much as the words that are in the songs. Sometimes we lead a song that circumstances don't always align with, such as "Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken." Well, in my life, in my shoes, sometimes I think that I have been forsaken, or my parents are walking through something, or whatever- and then a week later God has worked a miracle and turned evil for good. So sometimes I'm singing truth that goes beyond where I live- but I know it's truth, so it's easy to sing it without feeling like I don't personally believe it.
How has being in the music ministry enhanced your own devotional worship style or abilities? I've been involved in worship leading in churches for most of my adult life, and yet what we do at WHC has so much T.N.T. behind it. Sometimes during the services there is a sweet annointing that falls during the service, and I just wonder if the roof is going to come off the place one of these days. It's not just when everyone is "revved up" on some upbeat pop-Gospel tune. It goes much deeper than that. It's those times when I know why I do what I do, and I’m grateful to have an opportunity to serve.
What's been the funniest experience related to your service in the music ministry?
I remember having a worship service resume unexpectedly, and half of the team was out in the gathering area- and a few of us were actually IN THE BATHROOM. We just all started coming up to the stage, a little at a time, until all the band and singers (14 people) were in place right at the chorus- people thought we had planned it that way!
What was your previous church experience regarding worship- has this been a style change for you? I am constantly blessed by the emphasis of selflessness among each and every member of this team- from the singers to the band to the technical support crew. No one has a diva complex in operation, and we couldn’t do it without each one serving the Lord and the church. Glory and power is reserved for the Almighty. If that ever changes, we’re in big trouble.
compiled by Doug Ward
| 
