Worship and the Arts
A St. John’s Christmas Festival: The Men’s Chorus is Back in Concert!
By Susan Shinn Turner They’re B-A-A-A-A-A-A-C-K!!! After a two-year hiatus, the St. John’s Men’s Chorus will present a Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 4 pm in the Sanctuary. “I knew we could do something,” says Deacon Rob Durocher, Minister of Music and the Arts. “If there were enough Men’s Chorus members interested, we…
Read More‘A rare treasure’ Rosemary Kinard to retire after 19 years at St. John’s
By Susan Shinn Turner The scene perfectly encapsulates what kind of relationship Rob Durocher and Rosemary Kinard have had. On communion Sundays, after the anthem is finished, the Doxology follows. If you watch closely, occasionally you’ll see Rosemary begin to play, while Rob finishes. How do they do that? “We trust each other,” says Rob.…
Read MoreWelcome Ricky Howsare, Contemporary Worship Leader
By Susan Shinn Turner St. John’s has welcomed Ricky Howsare as its new contemporary worship leader. He started work on July 6 and his first Sunday in worship was July 11. Ricky and his wife, Kimberly, are in the process of moving to Salisbury from Pennsylvania. Kimberly, a childcare provider, is taking care of selling…
Read MoreA Hymn for Trinity Sunday, May 30: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty (ELW #413)
By Rob Durocher Minister of Worship and the Arts, Deacon True story— MANY years ago, my brother Chris and I were sitting in church enjoying the congregation’s singing of the glorious hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy! We both did our best to sing along, young as we were (because back then it was cool to pretend…
Read MoreLeading from the Keys: Davis Brown Steps in as Interim Worship Leader
By Susan Shinn Turner Since mid-March, Davis Brown has been interim contemporary worship leader at 9:27 worship. If his name sounds familiar, it should. Davis is a longtime musician for both 9:27 worship (keyboard) and 11 am worship (percussion). “It’s going well,” he says of his new assignment. “I was honored to be considered for…
Read MoreThe Head that Once Was Crowned with Thorns – A Hymn for the Ascension of Our Lord
The head that once was crowned with thorns Is crowned with glory now; A royal diadem adorns the mighty victor’s brow. (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Hymn 432) On Thursday, May 13, the Christian Church celebrates the Ascension of our Lord forty days after Easter, a longstanding observation within the church’s Liturgical Year. In the Gospel of Luke…
Read MoreO Sacred Head Now Wounded- A Hymn for Holy Week
By Rob Durocher Minister of Worship and the Arts, Deacon (Evangelical Lutheran Worship #351) O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown; O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.…
Read MoreI Want Jesus to Walk With Me (ELW 325): A Song for Our Lenten Journey
By Rob Durocher Minister or Worship and the Arts, Deacon Deep from the history of the African American Spiritual comes a song without a known author or a known source for its tune and yet it is one of the most powerful songs of longing for a champion, a comforter, and a guide along the…
Read MoreBradley Chestnut Accepts New Call in Bluffton S.C.
By Susan Shinn Turner Bradley Chestnut, St. John’s contemporary worship leader since 2016, will become worship leader/pastor at Live Oak Church in Bluffton, SC, near Hilton Head. He starts March 15, and his last Sunday at St. John’s is March 14. “It’s stressful but exciting,” says Chestnut, a native of Myrtle Beach, S.C. “Caitlin and…
Read MoreO Come, All Ye Faithful: A Christmas Carol Reflection
By Rob Durocher Minister of Music and the Arts, Deacon I don’t know about you, but there is always something so incredibly triumphant and soul stirring when we all join together to sing the wonderful Christmas carol, O Come, All Ye Faithful at the beginning of each Christmas Eve service of worship! As far back…
Read More