Snowflake Concert (Bagpipes)

Yesterday was the 5th Annual Snowflake Concert put on by the Alaska Celtic Pipes and Drums. Each year people from around the Mat-Su Valley gather to watch the group of talented individuals that make up this group.

To make for a more pleasant and comfortable view experience each person is given a set of ear plugs along with the program. Upon entering the sanctuary you could see florescent orange earplugs poking out of each audience member.

Earplugs!

Scotty and mom, Jo, are all ready to watch dad and big brother Steven

The pipers entered with gusto as they marched downed the church aisle and paraded up to the front of the sanctuary. Even with ear plugs it was loud. The emcee said that is was comparable to sitting between two 747 engines. Although it was loud it was BEAUTIFUL! 

Anne's famous Scottish Shortbread-Lots of variety!

At intermission we broke for refreshments and Anne's famous Scottish Shortbread. Anne is a member of ORLC and her husband Gary is one of the main leaders of the Alaska Celtic Pipes and Drums. I have never seen such a variety of shortbread--actually I never knew there were different kinds. Anne baked raspberry, chocolate, lemon, vanilla, and cinnamon shortbread. I was blown away by the variety. Of course I'm partial to chocolate :)

After intermission the concert kicked back up-literally. In addition the the drum and pipers, the Irish Dance Academy of Alaska had several dance selections. I watched in awe as each dancer moved swiftly across the floor. The footwork was fast, yet flowing and several audience members stood along the side aisles in order to take in the intense leg and footwork. It was really a piece of art. The dancers were young. Not even out of high school, yet their agility and stamina was something of professional dancers.

Credit: IDAA Website

It was hard to capture a good picture without flash as they moved so quickly.

The evening was fun and contained over twenty selections. Highlights included the ever popular hymn Amazing Grace featuring soloist Steven Hobbs, one of the youth of ORLC! Also the youngest participant Ryan (at the tender age of 7) participated in the "Student's Salute". It was great. Other favorites was a bagpipe duet. Something i'd never seen in all the instruments that have played duets, a bagpipe duet was a first for me.

Yay Ryan!

The evening ended with perhaps the most popular bagpipe tune "Scotland the Brave" as the piper marched down the aisle as they did in the beginning. It gave me goosebumps and was a fantastic evening.

This is our excited face! Well done Steven!

Connections for the Future

How exciting it is to see something start small and grow. Excitement is the feeling I have as Our Redeemer Lutheran's contemporary worship service that we call "The Connections Service" is growing. When I first arrived at ORLC The Connections Service consisted of playing the contemporary songs on iTUNES while the congregation sang along. While this was not ideal, it was the only option the congregation had as musicians were limited.

I arrived June 1st, and by August I had began offering free guitar lessons to anyone interested. I had two student's initially both under the age of 12! I had one hour of lessons for each student every week. While I had these students it of course took time for them to learn the chords, songs, and strum patters. So in the meantime for each month I remained a one [wo]man band.

This month was very exciting as the music committee put together music folders that have the contemporary songs sheet music. This was a great idea that the music committee had, and we finally implemented it this month. One of the hardest hurdles for the congregation to overcome was the unfamiliarity of each new song, and that there was no music but just words on a screen. With the new music folders containing sheet music the congregation is now able to follow along better than words alone.

Assembling 80 music folders; a Saturday afternoon activity.

In addition to the music folders the leaders for the service now has a "Praise TEAM" (not me alone). This is most exciting as one of my guitar students, Stephanie, was able to join in leading worship. I was also blessed to have the very talented Johnny join me with his mad guitar skills. This month we also had Layne as the lead vocal!

The service went very well. Johnny does phenomenal guitar picking and "pick-ups" while Stephanie and I focus on solid strumming. We really enhance each other's playing and together just create a good music worship experience. With Layne leading vocals this allows for me and the other guitar player to focus on simply guitar which is a great relief of pressure to me.

Worship TEAM!

Stephanie & Layne: Like a pro!

I am glad to see that this service growing due in large part to the music committee's support and the congregation's patience. It would be fun to come back in a year or two to see what The Connections Service is like then.

This whole thing is like raising a baby. Starting with my guitar students and teaching them their first chords, to now leading worship right along side me. God is so good! I don't mean to sound Southern Baptist but I just am in such love, and have such a passion for ministry and looking to the future to empower others to lead ministry as well. It may not be Pentecost and I may not speak in tongues but I sure can proclaim to the rooftops the love Christ has for His Children of God and help those around me recognize their God-given gifts and abilities. I love this internship!