Psalms 144:9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery [and] an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Psalms 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Prepared for: Pastor & First Lady BoatnerDate: January 27, 2011Prepared By: Sister Loretta Graves, President, Choir Director

Sister Nicole Dews, Vice President, Choir DirectorSister Bernadetta Willis, Choir Director

The Bethlehem Inspirational Choir

Table of ContentsIntroduction.................................................................................................................................................3

Purpose.......................................................................................................................................................3

Goals and Objectives...................................................................................................................................3

Choir Conduct..............................................................................................................................................4

Choir Calendar/Events.................................................................................................................................4

Choir Membership.......................................................................................................................................4

Choir Rehearsal...........................................................................................................................................5

Rehearsal Oder of Service........................................................................................................................5

Choir Uniform..............................................................................................................................................6

Choir Finance...............................................................................................................................................6

Choir Repertoire..........................................................................................................................................6

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IntroductionThe Bethlehem COGIC Inspiration Choir is a group of saved, sanctified, and anointed individuals who have come together to praise and magnify the Lord through song. As a group of believers, the choir works diligently to perfect their gifts of song and musical talents. Each year the choir will experience new opportunities to participate in ministry through song for the purpose of fostering growth on both the individual and group levels. As we embrace the vision of the Bethlehem COGIC and we stand ready to connect with the congregation, the local community, and the ministry fellowship circle as directed by our Pastor.

PurposeThe purpose of this document is to detail the approach the choir president and staff will take to ensure the spiritual effectiveness of the Bethlehem COGIC Choir and that a spirit of excellence is maintained in everything we do in the year 2011.

Goals and ObjectivesThe main goal of the choir is to provide ministry service on Sunday mornings in the form of vocal support during Praise and Worship, inspirational selections, and sermonic selections before the Word of God is presented. We acknowledge that our success in this endeavor is directly related to our personal relationship with God, our loyalty to the ministry and the morale of the choir members. We will strive to engage every choir member as we experience the joy of ministering through song ad music as well as improve our attitude and seriousness required to assist the Pastor in the overall ministry at Bethlehem COGIC.

all choir members on time for Sunday morning worship encourage payment of choir dues develop song leaders learn more sermonic selections revive older songs raise money for choir robes learn one (1) new song a month perfect song presentation increase district choir participation increase state choir participation

Choir ConductMembership in the choir requires the same conduct and behavior as would a member of the ministerial staff. It is a call to ministry that each person must answer for themselves before joining the choir. Every

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Sunday the choir is viewed by the entire congregation throughout the service and is expected to conduct themselves in a professional, Holy and sanctified manner. All members are expected to arrive on time for service, actively participate in singing, clapping, praising God, and supporting the Pastor during all services.

Choir Calendar/EventsThe choir is required to be at all Sunday morning worship services unless they are excused by the choir president or the Pastor. The choir is also required to be at various District and State Departmental services which are indicated on the Church Calendar. Choir members will be notified by the choir president or vice president of an additional ministry services required.

Date EventMay 2011 Spring MusicalOctober 2011 Fall MusicalWhen deemed necessary Musical Boot CampAs Approved by Pastor All Other Calendar Events

Choir MembershipMembership in the Bethlehem COGIC requires a saved and sanctified life, a desire to sing, willingness to obey leadership, and dedication to rehearsals. Each member will participate in an assessment that will determine the best place for their voice to be used. Members are also asked to commit to the supporting the Pastor and other areas of the Bethlehem COGIC as directed by the choir president. During active membership each individual voice will be trained to sing as one voice setting the tone of worship services and ultimately the atmosphere before the Word of God is rendered. The following listing includes all current and active choir members.

# Name Section Assignmentn/a Pastor Eric V. Boatner, Pastor Tenorn/a Sister Stephanie Boatner, First Lady Alto1 Sister Loretta Graves, President, Director Alto2 Sister Nicole Dews, Vice President Alto3 Sister Bernadetta Willis, Director Alto4 Brother Keith Thomas, Musician Keyboard Tenor5 Brother Corey Dews, Musician Saxophone Tenor6 Brother Victor Tisby, Musician Drummer Tenor7 Brother Earl Ransom, Musician Bass Tenor8 Sister Shirlene Ransom Alto9 Sister LaQuinda Jackson Alto

10 Sister Denise Walker Alto11 Sister Tasha Thomas Alto12 Sister Brittany Woodard Alto13 Sister Vernetta Woodard Alto

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# Name Section Assignment14 Sister Tashanique Johnson Alto15 Sister Janie Woodard Tenor16 Brother Eric Miles Tenor17 Sister Veronica Dixson Tenor18 Sister Darnisha Ellis Tenor19 Brother Zachary Thompson Tenor20 Sister LaDawn Baker Soprano21 Sister LaShunda Manuel Soprano22 Sister LaShell Harvey Soprano23 Sister Michelle Walker Soprano24 Sister KayLee Baker Soprano25 Sister T’Amber Ellis Soprano

Choir RehearsalChoir rehearsals are held every Wednesday following the Mid-Week Hour of Power unless members are otherwise notified by the choir president or the Pastor. Choir rehearsal provides a consistent opportunity for the choir to determine selections for worship services, learn new songs, and sharpen the singing and musical abilities of each member. The following outline provides the order of rehearsal followed each week.

Rehearsal Oder of ServiceBefore entering the choir stand:

1. Devotiona. Congregational Songb. Prayer c. Scripture

Enter the choir stand2. Warm Up

a. Sing a song with difficult inflection harmony and breathing requirementsb. Do breathing, voice, and tone drills

3. Practice Sunday Selectionsa. Inspirational Selectionb. Sermonic Selection

4. Choir Businessa. Announcements of Future plansb. Collection of Choir Duesc. Misc.

5. Introduction and practice of new materiala. Provide song lyrics and musicb. Teach song words and/or harmonyc. Practice songs to review issues recognized last Sunday

6. Review Sunday Selections

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Choir UniformThe choir currently utilizes the private wardrobe of each choir member. This year the choir will consider purchasing robes to make the choir uniform consistent with our goal of operating in a spirit of excellence. For example, as each individual is able the choir is asked to dress in the following manner as directed by the choir president.

Event/Day UniformFirst Sunday All black or black bottom and white topSecond Sunday No Uniform RequiredThird Sunday No Uniform RequiredFourth Sunday No Uniform RequiredFifth Sunday Women – All white

Men – White top and black bottomPastor & Wife Anniversary Anniversary ColorsBionic Women’s Day Conference ColorsChristmas Sunday RedEaster Sunday No Uniform RequiredAs Directed Blue Jean and Black

Black and Hot PinkShades of BrownBlack and PurpleBrown and Yellow

Choir FinanceThe choir requests regular monthly dues of $12,a bi-annual contribution of $50 for the spring concert, and $100 for the fall concert from each choir member. At this time we do not have full participation on this request. With full participation from all choir members the choir has a significant budget from which it will be able to contribute to the financial needs of the church as well as to the District and State Music Departmental reports. The following table details the potential income and known choir expenses currently authorized by the Pastor.

Choir RepertoireThe choir renders various selections on a weekly basis including praise, inspirational, and sermonic songs. Over the years the choir has built a repertoire of songs preferred by the Pastor and First Lady. It is our goal to learn one (1) new song a month and continue to perfect our ministry presentation. The following list displays our current repertoire and includes the leader, director and the key in which it is sung. This listing will continue to grow as the choir grows in its ability to minister through song.

Songs Leader Director KeyBlessing Me Better Than That Sis L Graves Sis B WillisEmmanuel Sis L Graves C to

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Songs Leader Director KeyC #

Encourage Yourself Sis. M. Walker Sis. B. WillisEvery Chance I Get Everybody Clap Your Hands Every day with Jesus EbEverything Will Be Alright AbFaithful Sis. L. Graves Sis. L Graves BbFavor Sis L Jackson Sis B WillisGod is An Awesome God EbGod is My Everything Sis. L. Graves EbGod Will Be Right There God’s Will AbGot What I Needed N/A Various AbHallelujah, Hallelujah Bro CJ Dews Sis L GravesHe Lifted Me F #He Made The Difference AbHe’s Done Enough Sis B Willis Sis L GravesHealed N/A Sis. L. Graves AbHoly, Holy, Holy Are You Lord EbHosanna Sis T Ellis Sis L GravesI Believe Just What He Said AbI Came To Lift Him Up Sis S Ransom EI Need Your Spirit CI Will Bless the Lord (by Byron Cage) F #I Will Bless The Lord At All Times, He’s Good Sis. L. Graves I Won’t Complain If I Be Lifted Up In Your Favor (Turn it Around) It’s Not Over Sis. L. Graves I’ve Got A Reason Sis. L. Graves C #Jesus Promised (He’ll Take Care of Me) Sis. L. Graves Keep on Making a Way Sis. L. Graves AbLet Us All Go Back AbLiberty AbLift Him Up (We’ve Come to Clap our Hands…) Lord, I Wanna Know Ya EbMighty Long Way BbNever Gonna Let You Go FNobody But You Lord C #Not About Us Sis B Willis Now Is the Time Patiently Waiting Ab

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Songs Leader Director KeyPraise Him Ab

Search Me Lord Sis L GravesSis S Ransom Sis B Willis

Sending Up Our Praises Sis T Ellis Sis L Graves FSo Good BbSuddenly Sis M Walker Sis L Graves AbTake Me Back The Blood Still Works N/A Sis B WillisThe Light Sis T Ellis Sis L Graves The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow C #There's No God Like Our God Sis N Dews Sis L Graves Wanna Go Higher FWorship Christ C #What A Wonderful Child, Jesus Sis V Dixon Sis L GravesWhose Report (will you believe) Sis L Manuel Sis L Graves SLOW SONGS (Suggested Sermonic Selections) Leader Be Blessed N/A Sis L Graves BbConstantly EbCreated for Worship

EverythingSis L Jackson

Sis T Ellis Sis L Graves EbGrateful Sis L Graves Sis B Willis AbI Need You To Survive N/A Sis L Graves C #I'm Encouraged EbI'm Still Here EbJesus, I Love You Lord, Do It Bro C Dews Sis L Graves AbMore Than Anything My Worship is For Real AbNever Leave You Alone N/A No Greater Love (Easter) AbOh, The Blood, Saving Blood Sis L Graves C #Something About the Name Jesus The Blood We Worship You (In Spirit and In Truth) Bb

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