Music Ministry

Judy Dodd – Music Director

Phone: 770-422-4974, ext.1106

Choir Rehearsal Schedule:

The 8:30 Sunday morning Chapel choir rehearses at 4:30 pm. on Sunday afternoon

All other vocal choirs rehearse on Wednesday evenings at the following times:

• 6:00 p.m. - One Accord Rehearsal
  
• 6:15 p.m. - Cherubs, Kids of the Kingdom, Shining Through
  
• 7:00 p.m. - Adult Choir Rehearsal for the 11:00 Sunday Service (Nursery for 0-3 years)

Our Handbell Choir I rehearse on Monday 6:00-6:45

Our Handbell Choir II rehearse on Monday 7:00-7:45

Registration:

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join a choir. We always have room for more voices, and welcome anyone who desires to praise God in song. It’s a wonderful way to begin the New Year! Call Judy Dodd (770-422-4974, ext.1106) or just show up at a rehearsal!

From the Music Director...
By Judy Dodd

MCCS Hymn of the Month

Each year, our Midway Covenant Christian School features a Hymn of the Month, which is taught in all of our school’s music classes. The hymn for September is “I Sing the Almighty Power of God”, #119 in our Trinity Hymnal.
The text of this lovely hymn is by Isaac Watts, known as “The Father of English Hymnody”. Watts was born in Southhampton, England in 1674, a time when much persecution was inflicted on the English Dissenters. The Dissenters had split from the official state Anglican Church, and were known as the Free Churches. Many of these believers were imprisoned for their convictions, including Isaac Watts’ own father, who was in prison when Isaac was born.

Isaac was a precocious child, having learned the languages of Latin, Greek, French and Hebrew by the age of thirteen! As an adult, he was quite an intellectual, writing treatises and books on psychology, astronomy, logic and theology. However, it is for his hymns that he is best remembered today. He wrote over 600 hymns, including his collection entitled Hymns and Spiritual Songs, the first real hymnbook in the English language. Thirty-six hymns by Mr. Watts are included in the Trinity Hymnal, including some of our favorites: “ From All That Dwell below the Skies”, “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past”, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”, “Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed”, “Jesus Shall Reign”, and “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”. His most famous contribution to the Christmas Hymn genre is “Joy to the World”, set to music by Watts’ contemporary George Frederic Handel.

Watts had a soft place in his heart for children. He is considered the founder of children’s hymnody, writing a collection of hymns suitable for children, entitled Divine Songs for Children. “I Sing the Almighty Power of God” is from this collection.

Each month, Pastor Hall endeavors to include the MCCS Hymn of the Month in one of our services. I encourage you to sing this beautiful hymn at home with your family in preparation for singing in worship. Following is a list of the remaining MCCS Hymns for the school year 2007-2008:

October #580 Lead on, O King Eternal
November #715 Come, Ye Thankful People Come
December #223 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
January #137 Holy Bible, Book Divine
February#254 Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed
March #263 Lift High the Cross
April #649 More Love to Thee, O Christ
May #499 Rock of Ages

In His service,

Judy Dodd