The Blue Ridge Children’s Choir will be performing Celeste Clydesale’s Acorns to Oaks as our spring musical, tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 10, 2011. This fun-to-sing musical teaches children about growing in Christ from acorns to mighty oaks of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:3 – “So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”)

As the children help Mr. MacDonald with his harvest, he teaches them the parable of the seed and the sower. When they’re visited by some mischievous crows and rumor weeds, they begin to understand that the best way to produce the fruit God desires in their lives is to plant their roots firmly in God’s Word.

All children ages 7 to 13 (as of January 1, 2011) are welcome to join the choir for this production. The musical contains 10 songs which the entire choir will be performing together with no auditions necessary. There will be auditions for speaking roles and solos, tentatively scheduled for March 30 and April 3. Every child in choir is welcome to audition.

Keep reading for complete details and how to participate! (more…)

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Dear Fathers,

Imagine your son or daughter in 30 or 40 years. What one phrase would sum up everything that you hope for in the life and character of your son or daughter? (more…)

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I was recently inspired by an article I read by a well-known pastor and his wife on parenting and the Sunday morning church service. In the article, they shared a vision for making the Sunday morning service meaningful for children rather than just an experience to be endured. They gave many practical tips to help parents mentor their children into a richer understanding of the service.

One of the ideas they shared was for parents to encourage their children to take notes during the sermon.  My first thought was how hard this would be for my kids  (who are ages seven, nine, and ten) because it’s hard enough for me! But I decided to give it a try. I gave them some basic instructions and encouragement and we tried it out. (more…)

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I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Wednesday morning men’s small group at Jon Tigges’s home where we are going through “The Quest for Authentic Manhood” by Robert Lewis. The format is watching a presentation by Lewis on DVD and then discussing the material among the men present.

Side note: “The Quest for Authentic Manhood” and getting together with other men has been a fantastic time and if you can work it into your schedule I encourage you to make a commitment to it. I hope to see you there!

Something that struck me this morning that I wanted to share are five things Lewis listed as being what every son wants and needs from his father. This aspect is just part of his larger point which I won’t share here but the points on fathering sons was excellent.

Got a son? Read on …

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The 2008-2009 choir season is shaping up to be a very exciting year! We already have three very special events lined up for the fall: a performance at the Emancipation Day Celebration on September 20, a mini-musical in October, and the Christmas Play put on by the church in honor of the Town of Purcellville’s Centennial celebration. In addition to these special events, we will continue to perform in the worship service. Because our first performance is just around the corner, choir rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, August 27 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m

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Pretty cute: (more…)

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