[From Canon Mark Laubach]
Dear Friends in the Diocese of Bethlehem and beyond
In days gone by, when people would visit in homes, a customary form of entertainment was to gather around a piano or pump organ and sing hymns. You didn’t have to always be perfectly in tune, and you didn’t have to listen to a sermon – you just sang and had fun doing it!In that same joyous spirit, on Saturday, September 26th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (35 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre – right across the street from Boscov’s) will open its doors to any and all who wish to come by for a good, old-fashioned “hymn sing” – with a twist. We’re calling it a “HYMN-A-THON”, as it will fill seven full hours with singing hymns, and will raise money to support Music from St. Stephen’s, our concert series and radio program.
Fear not, you don’t have to be here for all seven hours! But you’re
invited to come and sing (or even just sit and listen) for as long as
you can, and the longer you stay, the more you can get your sponsors to
contribute to our cause! If you have favorite hymns, you can request
them in return for a designated contribution (pay by the verse). And
for an extra contribution, you can even request a special organ piece
or improvisation based upon your chosen hymn! You’ll be able to choose
hymns from The Hymnal 1982, Wonder, Love & Praise, and Lift Every
Voice and Sing II.
Organists for the day will include St. Stephen’s Organist and Choirmaster, Canon Mark Laubach and Kevin O’Malia, formerly St. Stephen’s Organ Scholar and now Director of Music at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown, PA. Many visitors to St. Stephen’s have told us what a joy it is to sing hymns with our magnificent Berghaus organ and in our wonderfully resonant and reverberant nave. You can be sure there will be plenty of “spine-tingling” moments when we raise our voices with saints and angels and our grand pipe organ (or piano, if you wish!).
Come feed your soul, request your favorite hymns, and sing to your heart’s delight! Bring friends and family. Sponsor hymns in honor or in memory of loved ones or to commemorate special anniversaries or celebrations. Come at any time and stay till your heart and spirit (and ears) are full!
For sustenance and nourishment, refreshments will be available all day in the fellowship hall.
Hymn request forms will be available in advance and at the door. For more information, call St. Stephen’s Music Office at (570)825-6653 or send e-mail to mlaubach@ststephenswb.org.
I hope you can join us for all or part of the day!
Peace,
Canon Mark Laubach, Organist & Choirmaster
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Bethlehem
35 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701
Telephone: (570)825-6653
Fax: (570)825-0430
www.ststephenswb.org
Organists for the day will include St. Stephen’s Organist and Choirmaster, Canon Mark Laubach and Kevin O’Malia, formerly St. Stephen’s Organ Scholar and now Director of Music at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown, PA. Many visitors to St. Stephen’s have told us what a joy it is to sing hymns with our magnificent Berghaus organ and in our wonderfully resonant and reverberant nave. You can be sure there will be plenty of “spine-tingling” moments when we raise our voices with saints and angels and our grand pipe organ (or piano, if you wish!).
Come feed your soul, request your favorite hymns, and sing to your heart’s delight! Bring friends and family. Sponsor hymns in honor or in memory of loved ones or to commemorate special anniversaries or celebrations. Come at any time and stay till your heart and spirit (and ears) are full!
For sustenance and nourishment, refreshments will be available all day in the fellowship hall.
Hymn request forms will be available in advance and at the door. For more information, call St. Stephen’s Music Office at (570)825-6653 or send e-mail to mlaubach@ststephenswb.org.
I hope you can join us for all or part of the day!
Peace,
Canon Mark Laubach, Organist & Choirmaster
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Bethlehem
35 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701
Telephone: (570)825-6653
Fax: (570)825-0430
www.ststephenswb.org
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