November 2, 2023
Happy Thursday, everyone. Here’s what you need to know going into this weekend.
Coming Up
This Sunday
Scripture text: Ephesians 5:22-23
Sing Praise (O Holy God)
How Marvelous (I Stand Amazed in the Presence)
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
On That Day
Upcoming Songs:
November 12 - What It Means to Be Saved
November 19 - Psalm 121 (He Will Keep You)
December 10 - Christmas Worship service
Worship Ministry Spotlight
Dwight Turner
Choir member
Hometown:
Woodbridge, Virginia
Kids/pets?
Two adult children, three grandkids, and one spoiled dog
How long have you been at Stevens Street?
3 years
Favorite free time activity:
Going camping, and (now) playing/learning the piano
High school activities:
Baseball
Dream vacation spot:
River boat cruise in Alaska
Favorite breakfast cereal:
Lucky Charms
If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Piano. I’m learning… slowly.
Favorite thing about worship ministry:
The awesome people who are a part of it!
Notes
Last night, I mentioned Mr. Vic Speck’s passing (Betty’s Speck’s husband). Visitation will be at 1:00p Friday at Speck Funeral Home in Livingston, and the funeral service will be at 2:00p.
As we announced a couple weeks ago, please mark your calendar for a special worship ministry end-of-the-year banquet in the Fellowship Hall on Monday evening, December 18. I think this will be something different that we’ll all enjoy, getting to eat and fellowship together (and have a little fun, of course).
Special opportunity: Stevens Street has been asked to provide some Christmas carolers for the SCTE PBS broadcast during the Cookeville Christmas parade on Saturday, December 9. This would be a small group of choir members (8-10 people), who would appear periodically on the live broadcast, which lasts about two hours. I’d love to fill this request for them if we can—please let me know if you’d like to help!
Reminder: our Christmas worship service is Sunday evening, December 10. In addition to that evening, the only other extra time commitments for you will be two extended Wednesday rehearsals on November 29 and December 6. Please plan to stay until 8:00 on those two evenings.
Prayer Requests
Mat Napier (A/V team) and family, as they grieve the loss of Mat’s grandmother.
Betty Speck and family (soprano), as they grieve the loss of Mr. Vic.
Paige Gazaway (alto), as she cares for two parents with Alzheimer’s.
Reagan Bagci and family (Ali, Michelle).
David Barrett, former choir member (cancer).
Pastor Scott, as he prepares to preach the Word on Sunday.
Looking to pray something specific for our church? Pray Ephesians 3:16-19.
An Extra
Last night during choir rehearsal, we took a quick tour through the town of Music Nerd-dom, where I have been a resident for some time now. Choir, thank you for indulging me. Orchestra members, I wanted to make sure I didn’t leave you out of the fun, because this really applies most closely to you!
Did you know that to play/sing chords in tune, you need to make micro adjustments to your pitch based on how that pitch is used in the chord? Obviously, you cannot do this on piano or guitar (because the notes are fixed), but wind and string instruments can do this (even if you don’t realize you are doing it!)
Here is a quick explainer of pitch adjustments for just intonation (in contrast to equal temperament). I’m sorry that this comes from Ole Miss’s website (Mississippi State’s rival), but it’s the first one that popped up when I Googled it.
Notice, for instance, that when playing the third of a major triad, you should play around 14 cents flat, and if you are playing the third of a minor triad, you should play 16 cents sharp. Making these little adjustments is what gives a wind/string ensemble that little extra “something special” in their resonance and tuning. Strings make these little adjustments by moving their fingers, woodwinds can use alternate fingers and/or embouchure changes, and brass use tuning slides (so please make sure they move freely!).
Try it out sometime, especially when playing long notes.
I love what it says in this document that above all, you should trust your ear. Isn’t it amazing that God has designed us with this ability to detect and adjust pitch to work together with others, resulting in something harmoniously pleasing? I just think that is so cool.
Questions?
Respond to the worship ministry text on your phone, or use the form below.
Email Andy: ahammond@stevensstreet.org
Email April: alangford@stevensstreet.org