Worship, Music and the Arts
It's been said that the Church kept the arts alive during the Medieval period. I would add that the arts have been returning the favor ever since! Artistic expression through music, visual arts and dance gives us avenues of connection with God, whose creative and re-creative power made us, lifts us up, and inspires us to live with both passion and compassion. We are in the process of building this program with opportunities for those of every age and level of ability. Come share, come learn, come express yourself artistically to keep our Church vibrantly alive.
Martin Morley
Director of Worship, Music and the Arts
925-283-3722 ext 222; martin@oslc.net
MISSION STATEMENT: WMA MINISTRY at Our Savior's
The mission of the Worship, Music and Arts Ministry is
1. to create worship experiences that begin with gracious hospitality and end with joyful challenge, encompassing
opportunities for listening, confessing, sharing, receiving comfort, and proclaiming the word in speech and
song.
2. to make worship a time in which persons of varied backgrounds and tastes are honored through the use of a
variety of musical, verbal and experiential means.
3. to develop spiritual, musical and artistic skills within the context of loving small groups, with opportunities for
all ages.
4. to offer musical and other artistic expressions to the surrounding community, embracing opportunities for both
service and sharing.
5. to do all this with the ultimate goal of helping persons make living, meaningful connections with God and with
each other, so that we can live in the richness of humanity demonstrated by the life of Christ.
(adopted by the WMA Ministry Team, October 2007)
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Worship
"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Jesus' words from the gospel of Matthew seem to say that, when we get together on Sunday morning, he's going to be there, too. What does this mean? It's a question that's hard to answer, but well worth exploring. That's why we keep getting together on Sunday mornings — to make that connection with the Holy and with each other in the name of the Holy. But in the midst of this mystery is a lot of work behind the scenes done by people who help us practice hospitality, proclaim good news, and participate in the feast. Can you help?
| WMA Ministry Team |
8-9 meetings per year |
Wednesdays 7:30-9:00 as called |
| The Worship, Music and Arts Ministry Team is comprised of members representative of people involved in WMA programs. They work to understand what worship is and how to make it a vibrant, relevant and empowering experience. They evaluate programs, set goals, celebrate victories, and keep lines of communication open with the congregation and within the department. Meetings are always open. Contact Martin Morley, 925-283-3722, martin@oslc.net. |
| Altar Guild |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| Altar Guild is a group of people who work behind the scenes to make sure some of the most beautiful and important parts of our worship run smoothly. They take care of all details regarding communion, baptisms, flowers, paraments, robes, candles and vestments. Please contact Martin Morley at the church. |
| Greeters |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| No one gets a second chance to make a first impression... this is true of churches as well as individuals. Greeters have the opportunity to make a great first impression for OSLC when visitors come. A smile, a handshake, directions to childcare...things that help a "newbie" feel at ease. Greeters also welcome our "regulars," reinforcing how good it is to come together as a church family. Sign up to be a greeter at your preferred service on your preferred dates (what a deal!) – on the bulletin board between the lounge and the side entrance to the sanctuary. |
| Lectors/Cantors/Liturgists |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| Leading worship is a holy art too important to be confined to the clergy! Our services are energized by worshipers hearing different voices from "up front" and by lay leaders who take their roles seriously enough to perform them with joy. Chanting, reading scripture, leading liturgy, guiding prayers and creeds... all are vital parts of our time together. Leaders inevitably find their own worship experience heightened. Training is available. Contact Martin Morley. |
| Communion Servers |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| What a wonderful privilege it is to be "waiters and waitresses" serving the Lord's supper of bread and wine to the rest of our church family! This simple but meaningful activity can be a real spiritual boost for families to do together as well as for individuals. Call the church office 925-283-3722 or email spirit@oslc.net to volunteer for this rewarding activity. |
| Soundboard Operators |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| Our soundboard is simple to operate but it's essential to have someone there to do it! This job requires people who are alert to what is happening in the service and can turn on or mute or modify microphones according to what is needed at any given moment. Please contact Russ Rackow, 925-934-5278, russr@astound.net, or Martin Morley at the church, to help. |
| Ushers |
Training available |
Sunday services as scheduled |
| Ushers orchestrate the logistics of our worship services, preparing the worship space and helping people have their best possible worship experience. Keeping the temperature set, passing out bulletins with a smile, finding seats for late-comers, gently directing communion participation and collecting the offering... very basic, but very essential duties. A great ministry area for those who like to actively participate in worship. To volunteer, contact Russ Rackow, 925-934-5278, russr@astound.net. |
Music
Music is a powerful way to worship. It's also a great learning tool: we understand our faith better by singing about what we believe. And making music together bonds people in community. Each one of our musical groups is a "family within the church family" where you will find wonderful friends and a rich, joyful way to deepen your faith—at any age. You are welcome to participate in our music program whether or not you are a member of OSLC.
| Jubilate |
Kindergarten through Grade 3 |
Thursdays 5:00-6:00, Rooms 217-218, beginning 9/11/2008 |
This choir introduces children to musical concepts and notation through singing and playing some great music. Our goal is to let children experience the joy in making music (hence our name, which means "shout for joy"). About once a month, we provide special music for one of the Sunday worship services.
Directors: ____________________and Ricci Jamgotchian (925-247-0789; riccijamgotchian@yahoo.com) |
| Grades 4-9+ |
Thursdays 5:00-6:00, Chapel, beginning 9/11/2008 |
This group sings in a wide variety of musical styles in 2 or 3 parts and shares music in worship about once a month. Youth in grades 9-12 are invited to make music either with this group or with one of our adult groups.
Directors: Martin Morley, 925-283-3722 x222, martin@oslc.net and Chris Hosley (925.947.6862; dhosley@astound.net) |
| Voices of Praise |
|
Thursdays 7:30-9:00, beginning August 28, 2008 (Sanctuary) |
This is a group of youth and adults, instrumentalists and singers who enjoy the more contemporary music used in the late Sunday service. We tend to get more out of worship because we've had a sneak preview of the music and themes that will be shared each week. It's a friendly, fun and spiritual group that supports each other in music and prayer... and is always eager to have new members join. Come see for yourself.
Director: Martin Morley, 925-283-3722 x222, martin@oslc.net |
NEW FOR 2008-2009: The Chancel Choir and Voices of Praise rehearsals overlap 7:30-8:00 for a time of musical skill sharpening, including sight reading and ear training, as well as rehearsal for Christmas Concert repertoire sung together.
| Chancel Choir |
|
Thursdays 6:30-8:00, beginning August 28, 2008 (Chapel/Sanctuary) |
This choral family of youth and adults sings anthems from classical, modern and gospel traditions and supports worship in the early Sunday service. Each spring we present a major work (in 2008, it was John Rutter's Requiem). We love new members - come to a rehearsal and audition us to see if we meet your standards!
Director: Martin Morley, 925-283-3722 x222, martin@oslc.net |
| Bellissimo |
|
Tuesdays 6:00-7:30 (Sanctuary) |
A handbell team of youth and adults with a passion for ringing. This group rings in services about once each month. Music reading ability is required. Fall rehearsals begin September 9, 2008.
Director: Martin Morley, 925-283-3722 x222, martin@oslc.net |
Special Musical Events
Our past seasons have included a broad variety of musical offerings: voice recitals, piano recitals, world premieres of commissioned music, various instrumentalists, major choral works, handbell soloists and ensembles, and holiday music. The 2008-2009 series is full of exciting, accesible, high quality performances. All concerts are wonderful for families but childcare is always provided.
Watch this space for more details as they become available!
Special Musical Events for 2008-2009
Voice Recital: STORY/SONG, featuring ANN MOSS, soprano
with Martin Morley, piano, and Asher Davison, clarinet
Saturday, October 4, 2008 7:00 PM
Our brilliant soprano soloist from OSLC’s 2008 Music in the Twentieth Century concert returns in a program of her own. Story/Song is an evening of music for voice, piano and clarinet ranging from Mozart to modern day. Highlighting the narrative role of song in the western classical tradition, Ms. Moss will be telling wonderful stories--set to music
by great composers. Selections will include The Shepherd on the Rock (Schubert), Nuvoletta (Barber),
the Bretano Lieder (R. Strauss) and premiere performances of music by Bay Area composers.
Voice Recital: DAVID AUERBACH, baritone
with William Ludtke, piano
Sunday, November 9, 2008 4:00 pm
Schumann’s haunting song cycle Dichterliebe, French chansons, operatic arias and American songs as only Aaron Copland, the quintessential American composer, could frame them. All this plus musical moments from Broadway!
OSLC favorite David Auerbach makes his triumphant return with his “other” accompanist.
OSLC CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sunday, December 7, 2008 4:00 pm
Choirs, handbells and congregational carol singing— nostalgic and fun, sometimes surprising and always family-oriented, followed by a glittering reception. Never an admission charge nor an offering taken – it’s our
Christmas gift to the community. A beautiful OSLC holiday tradition.
Piano Recital: MARTIN MORLEY
Saturday, January 31, 2009 7:00 PM
Our Director of Worship, Music and the Arts, formerly a touring pianist, shares a program of favorites,
including Beethoven’s well-known Pathetique Sonata, the ferocious Sonata no.3 by Prokofiev and
the exotically beautiful The White Peacock by American Impressionist Charles Tomlinson Griffes.
Bicentennial Concert: 1809-2009
MUSIC OF HAYDN AND MENDELSSOHN
Saturday, March 14, 2009 7:00 PM
Haydn, “The Father of the Symphony,” brought the forms of the classical era to full bloom.
The year he died, 1809, was also the birth year of Mendelssohn, the greatest musical prodigy since Mozart.
This program features the OSLC Chancel Choir and Bicentennial Singers joined by professional musical guests
in Haydn’s Mass in the Time of Anguish (Lord Nelson Mass) and selections from Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah.
FOUR HANDS, TWO PIANOS, ONE BRAIN:
The Duo Piano Wizardry of David Auerbach and Martin Morley
Saturday, April 18, 2009 7:00 pm
Our beautiful sanctuary piano will be paired with another grand piano hauled up from the parsonage for this
special “dueling keyboards” event. If you’ve ever seen the magnificent Labeque sisters perform…
well, never mind because David and Martin are different.
Fourth Annual CELEBRATION OF MUSIC CONCERT
Sunday, May 17, 2009 4:00 pm
We give thanks to God and to our congregation for their support of the music department by presenting
a program of our greatest hits from the past season, plus—as usual—a few fun surprises.
All musical groups share in this joyful concert.
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Other Arts
| Liturgical Art Group |
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Meetings as called |
What do you see when you enter a worship space? How is color used? Symbols? Light? What do the stained glass, paraments and banners say to you? Is it intimate sacred space? Is it foreboding holy ground? Does what you see comfort you, unsettle you, or both? Our Liturgical Art Group seeks ways to speak meaningfully through visual means—sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle. We want the sanctuary to reflect different seasons and different sentiments, to inspire and challenge worshipers by what they see as much as by what they hear or sing. Our members have gifts in interior design, in visual art, in sewing and crafting, in imagining potential and in standing on ladders! Is this a place where your passion lies?
Contact Martin Morley, 925-283-3722 x222, martin@oslc.net. |
| Liturgical Dance Troupe |
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| Would you be interested in expressing your worship through liturgical movement? No previous dance experience necessary. If you'd like to try this with other like-minded folk, contact Martin Morley, 925-283-3722 x222, martin@oslc.net. |
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