First Baptist Church Wimberley Music Ministry

I'll be Home for Christmas to be presented this weekend

It's finally here! Our church music and dramatic arts ministries, in conjunction with so many other wonderful people in the community are presenting "I'll Be Home For Christmas" this coming weekend. On Saturday, Dec. 12th, it will be at 7:30 pm, and on Sunday, Dec. 13th, it will be at 6:00 pm. This big band, 1940s era musical combines incredible harmonies, swing rhythms, and drama to tell the story of the faith of a family, as the nation is on the brink of WW II. Along with the family, everyone will discover that to find true hope and peace, we must look to the Prince of Peace who came to this earth as a baby, and yet a King! The musical is free and childcare is provided. 

Bells of Praise to play at EmilyAnn Theatre Saturday, Dec. 5th.

Bells of Praise, our handbells ensemble, will be joining the handbell choir from St. Paul Lutheran Church of Austin this coming Saturday evening, Dec. 5th, at EmilyAnn Theatre, as part of their Trail of Lights celebration. We will be on their big stage at 6:00 pm. So wrap up, be warm, and come out and enjoy some wonderful Christmas handbell music.

STOMP and Joyful Noise to present Christmas musical this coming Sunday, Dec. 6th

Come and enjoy STOMP's production of The Best Christmas Present Ever this coming Sunday, December 6th, at 6:00 pm. Our Pre-K and K choir, Joyful Noise, will open the concert with a very nice musical celebration of the birth of Christ.

Hill Country Community Band in Concert November 17th

We are very pleased to announce that the Hill Country Community Band will be in concert at our church on Tuesday evening, November 17th. It starts at 7:30 pm, and is a free concert. The band has been around since 1990, and is directed by Dr. Al Corley. Some very exciting music is in store for all who attend!

Starlight Symphony Orchestra to perform at FBC Wimberley this Saturday

The Starlight Symphony Orchestra is performing at our church on Saturday evening, October 17th, 7:30 pm. The program is the following:

• Overture: The Magic Flute K. 620 – Wolfgang A. Mozart
• Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93 – L. von Beethoven
• Three Dances – Tielmann Susato
• Serenade for Winds, Op. 7 – Richard Strauss
• Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34 – Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakof

Come out and enjoy a wonderful evening of classical music! The program is free and open to the public, with a suggested small donation at the door.

The Steel Magnolias to appear at FBC Wimberley in Concert

You'll love this group! For more information, check out their website at http://debbieddaniel.com/steelmags.html.

Auditions for the acting roles in Christmas presentation to be held Sept. 12-13

If you have the acting bug, you might want to consider auditioning for one of the roles in our annual Christmas production. This year's production is called I'll be home for Christmas. Here are the actors needed:

• Howard: Grandfather, wry, occasionally obstinate, but wise family patriarch.
• Norma: Sensible heroine who holds the home together, in spite of separation from husband.
• Angie: Impulsive, overly dramatic, but sensitive and loving younger sister.
• Mickey: Adventurous kid who always has his hands in something.
• Danny: Charming, but somewhat clumsy and hapless mailman
• Sid: Retired car salesman downstairs, the classic eccentric.
• Lil: No-nonsense building maintenance supervisor;
• Jerry Brainerd: The quintessential radio announcer
• Radio actors: 3 men and 3 women

Auditions will be on Saturday, September 12th, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm and Sunday, September 13th, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Call or email Dan Stephens, if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!

Welcome Josh Morgan to FBC Wimberley

Congratulations to Josh Morgan. He came in view of a call last Sunday to be our new contemporary worship leader and young adult minister. He comes with a lot of experience in leading worship and Bible studies to youth and college-aged students. In 2004, Josh began leading worship for the Baptist Student Ministry at Texas State. In 2006, he joined their staff full-time. Josh also volunteered at Oakwood Baptist Church in New Braunfels, serving as the student worship leader and high school Bible study leader. Be sure to welcome Josh and his wife Faith when you see them around the church. We're thankful to have them!

Sanctuary Choir to begin rehearsing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" August 26th

On August 26th, last Wednesday of the month, Dan plans on introducing one or two pieces from our Christmas Musical I’ll Be Home for Christmas during choir rehearsal. It’s at 6:30 p.m. in the choir/orchestra rehearsal room. Please come if you’re interested in being in one of the best Christmas musical dramas we’ve ever done here at FBC! As is our custom, this musical will feature choir, orchestra, and a drama. This year, the music and drama are interconnected, with dramatic scenes occurring between sets of music. Stay tuned for audition dates if you’re interested in playing one of the characters. Here’s a little more information about the production from the publisher’s website:

Set in late 1941, I'll Be Home for Christmas is the story of the faith of a family, and a nation on the brink of World War II, preparing to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Most of the action takes place in the main characters' home, with the choir providing music and drama as it is broadcast over the family radio. The music highlights the sounds of the '40s, including swing, lush ballads, and big band songs interspersed with reenactments of radio broadcasts during that time. Original music mixed with familiar Christmas favorites form the backdrop for this memorable dramatic musical.

The Cast of characters include:
• Howard: Grandfather, wry, occasionally obstinate, but wise family patriarch.
• Norma: Sensible heroine who holds the home together, in spite of separation from husband.
• Angie: Impulsive, overly dramatic, but sensitive and loving younger sister.
• Mickey: Adventurous kid who always has his hands in something.
• Danny: Charming, but somewhat clumsy and hapless mailman
• Sid: Retired car salesman downstairs, the classic eccentric.
• Lil: No-nonsense building maintenance supervisor;
• Jerry Brainerd: The quintessential radio announcer
• Radio actors: 3 men and 3 women
• Choir: Functions as three separate groups - a professional radio vocal group, a bad church choir, and a group of neighbors and friends.

PopZ

This morning I visited Al Brinkley (PopZ) and his family at the hospital. Al went home to be with the Lord about an hour after I left. He and his wife, Mary Helen (MomZ), have raised a family of singers. It was my pleasure to sing with them today--four sisters and a brother--as we all sang hymns and gospel songs together--in perfect harmony, I might add! I know Al was comforted by the singing. I told the family that every person in a hospital bed should be so blessed to have a family of wonderful singers who are singing songs about our heavenly home.

In my prayer with the family I said how truly blessed I was to sing and visit with this wonderful family. It really is true that when you seek to be a blessing to others, that you end up being the one who is blessed. And besides comfort and blessing, there was quite a bit of worship going on too.

PopZ was loved by so many people. Besides MomZ and the kids, their good friends, Ann and Betty were there. The room was filled with a lot of love and wonderful memories. I thank the Lord that I was there to share in this sacred moment. My prayers are with the family.

"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20).