It is no exaggeration to say we live in troubled times.
Executives of huge corporations have been shown to have engaged in
enormous financial crimes; unemployment has been increasing as
millions of Americans have lost their jobs; the attacks of Sept. 11
have shown us how vulnerable the United States is to terrorism; and
President George W. Bush regularly warns us that war with Iraq is
likely. Who wouldn’t feel a bit of anxiety now?
It is no exaggeration to say we live in troubled times. Executives of huge corporations have been shown to have engaged in enormous financial crimes; unemployment has been increasing as millions of Americans have lost their jobs; the attacks of Sept. 11 have shown us how vulnerable the United States is to terrorism; and President George W. Bush regularly warns us that war with Iraq is likely. Who wouldn’t feel a bit of anxiety now?
Gilroy’s Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd will present an antidote for worry to South County residents: its 13th Annual Hymn Festival. The festival begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, 1735 Hecker Pass Highway.
The hymn festival’s theme is “Songs of Hope and Healing.” The musical pieces in the first half are intended to foster “getting to the quiet center.” The second half focuses on “hope that moves us toward peace.”
“Hymn festivals are an old Lutheran tradition,” said the Rev. Ron Koch, church pastor and also a talented musician. “The hymns shouldn’t be considered performances presented for an audience. They are an opportunity for the parish’s choir and other musicians to lead and encourage those gathered to participate in a musical experience which will lift the human spirit.”
Organist Zita Weyland will be at the keyboard of the church’s Laukhuff five-rank, 400-pipe organ built in Germany in 1962. Purchased from a Danville church, disassembled, and then reassembled in Gilroy, it was the dedication of this instrument in 1990 that served as the occasion for Good Shepherd’s first hymn festival.
In addition to the organ, instrumental music will be provided by violin, harp, piano, flute and handbells. A wide variety of hymns will be sung, from the ancient “Nunc Dimittis” to the traditional “O God Our Help in Ages Past” to the contemporary “O God You Name Us,” which was written by Koch and arranged by Weyland for the church’s 50th anniversary last year.
Planning for the festival began last summer, and the choir and musicians have been rehearsing since early September. The people of Good Shepherd invite all who would like a peaceful afternoon of inspirational music to join them. There is no admission charge, though a free-will offering will go toward the parish’s music program and to St. Joseph’s Family Center, Gilroy’s noted non-profit service agency for the needy. Free child care will be available, and refreshments will be available at a reception immediately after the festival in the adjacent parish hall.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church holds worship services at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by Sunday school and an adult forum at 11 a.m. Choirs for adults and children meet Wednesdays; the handbell choir meets on Thursday evenings. For more information call 842-2713.
