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The Celebration Choir is the largest and primary music group at Christ Community Church of Laguna Hills. Although we sing, we are not principally a group of singers and musicians. We are first brothers and sisters in Christ, gifted musically, using these gifts to lead others in worship and proclaiming the Gospel. We do this to give thanks for what God has done for us.
When does the Celebration Choir meet?
Our ministry begins with each other, once a week on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. These rehearsals are where we learn the music that will communicate God's truth to us and to those for whom we sing. They are times to come together trying to internalize the truths contained in the songs. It's also a place where we can share what is going on in each others lives, nurturing relationships as we grow together.
When does the Celebration Choir perform?
From rehearsal, our ministry spreads out to the rest of the congregation of Christ Community Church of Laguna Hills as we feed them in song and lead them in worship normally twice a month. Because music always adds an element of celebration, we perform numerous times during Christmas, Easter, and other special times and occasions.
Is being apart of the Celebration Choir a big commitment?
It may not seem like it, but all of this performing and rehearsing is a lot of fun. Through it all, we are constantly surprised by the joy described by the Lord in Luke 6:38: "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Objectives of the Celebration Choir Ministry
The Celebration Choir is a ministry of music to the Lord and to His saints. As a group of singers and musicians we are striving to reach the following objectives:
- To provide strong music leadership for our corporate times of worship, special functions and special events such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- To develop the spiritual gifts and instill eternal Christian character qualities within the members of the ministry.
- To provide opportunities for as many people as possible to participate in the presentation of music for the edification of the Lord and His saints.
- To be eclectic in our use of musical styles in order to minister to a wide spectrum of ages and cultural groups. Seasonal concerts are presented to give our church body an opportunity to invite friends to Christ Community Church of Laguna Hills in a setting other than Sunday mornings.
- To train those who are gifted with musical talents to do the work of the ministry as it applies to music.
Principles of the Celebration Choir
Faithfulness
Part of the Celebration Choir’s experience is learning to be faithful. Although we strive in excellence to make good music unto the Lord, we primarily have eternal goals in mind. Faithfulness is an eternal character quality that God Himself demonstrates to us. "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High;to declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning and Thy faithfulness by night" (Psalm 92:1).
Faithfulness is characteristic of God. When God says He is going to do something, He does it. 1 John 1:9 further illustrates this:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Certainly God is faithful to cleanse us from our sins. He is faithful!
Faithfulness is also one of the marks of a good servant. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the servants who were faithful to wisely invest what the master entrusted to them were rewarded.
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness" (Matthew 25:21).
With God as our example and our helper, let us strive to be faithful in the following specific areas:
Rehearsal and Performance Attendance
"As each one has received a special gift; employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10).
"We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle
When a rehearsal is missed, several things happen. First, the group suffers. The Holy Spirit has given each one of us special and unique gifts that contribute to the success of the Celebration Choir and to the body of Christ in general. When you are missing, the members of the Celebration Choir miss your spiritual gifts. You may be the one with the gift of encouragement that will minister to someone who is needy.
When you miss a rehearsal you also slow the group's musical progress down. Each time we have to go over and rehearse parts for those who were missing means less time to rehearse new music that we can present to the Lord and to the body.
Our desire is to nurture excellence, which comes from the discipline of good habits. Being at rehearsal each week is a good habit. Make a habit of helping to keep the rhythm of rehearsal going. Make a habit of trying to memorize the music quickly. Make a habit of praying for our times together. Make a habit of getting to know those who are new to the group.
Within a larger group like the Celebration Choir, love does not just happen; it must be nurtured by each and every person. Make a habit of love. Invite someone that you don't know well out to lunch after church on Sunday or coffee after rehearsal.
If you do have to miss (as we all do from time to time), please call the church office at 586-6850 and let Kami Green, our music ministry assistant know. She'll gladly relay the messages each week to the director.
Being On Time
"Let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner" (1 Corinthians 14:40).
In order for a group as large as the Celebration Choir to run smoothly, being on time, starting on time, and finishing on time is a must! All of us can grow in this area. Take this matter of promptness unto the Lord and be faithfully on time, Sunday mornings (8:00 am) and Wednesday nights (7:15 pm).
Prayer
"I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all" (Philippians 1:3-4).
We are much more than a mere choir; we are children of the Heavenly Father. We are spiritual beings that will live for eternity. We do battle in places that are unseen by earthly eyes. Let's be faithful to pray for each other, as we minister together, and that God would use our music. Don't get up off of your knees too quickly.
Rehearsal Helps...
Although a high commitment ministry like the Celebration Choir can require some self-discipline, it also brings great rewards. Learning the music is one of those areas that require some work outside of rehearsal. To facilitate this we have made CD’s of each voice part (soprano I & II, alto I & II, tenor, baritone, and bass).
The second area that will help you is to start your "Sabbath" on Saturday evening by choosing the clothes you will wear to minister to the Lord and His people. Our clothing should be modest, clean, neatly pressed, and (if applicable) tucked in. If a man wears a tie, it should extend about an inch below the belt. Shoes should be polished. Somehow our clothing and grooming should prepare us for doing something "special." These clothes are not necessarily what we would wear everyday. This is biblical.
When celebrating the return of the ark to Jerusalem, King David and the singers were "clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and as were the singers, and Kenaniah, who was in charge of the singing of the choirs. David also wore a linen ephod..." (1 Chronicles 15:27). Worship is "special," so what you wear as you lead should be "special."
Because of those who are scent sensitive, please refrain from wearing heavy perfumes and colognes at rehearsals as well as performances.
If you love to sing and desire to use your musical gifts to edify and encourage the body of Christ, then come join the Celebration Choir, a body of believers who love to sing to the glory of God the Father through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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