Bethel University’s award winning Renaissance Quartet is coming to Quail Springs Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the QSBC Worship Center.  The group’s appearance is free and open to the public.

     The group took top honors this past September at the 2009 National Quartet Convention – gospel music’s largest annual event. They bested 41 other quartets to win the convention’s group talent contest, and they were the only group composed of full-time college students.

     Director Matthew Holt, who is a former member of the well-known gospel group the Perrys, pointed out the magnitude of the Renaissance Quartet’s experience.

     “There were thousands of people at this convention who have spent their entire lives hoping to sing on the quartet convention stage,” Holt said. “As the winners of the competition, the Renaissance Quartet made it to the main stage and sang to an audience of 23,000.”

     Currently, the group also has released its debut CD, and one song on it, “Givin’ in to Givin’ Up,”  has already spent some time in heavy rotation on 93.1 WWGM out of Jackson, Tenn., one of the biggest radio stations in gospel music.

     As the winners of the Quartet Convention talent show, the group will also head back to the studio courtesy of Cross and Crown Music to record another album.

    The group is composed of Dustin Doyle of Chalybeate, Ky., Blaine Sumler of Lexington, Tenn., Anna Pirtle of Bolivar, Tenn., and Josh Murrell of Paris, Tenn. They are accompanied by director Holt and by students Adam Catt of Bowling Green, Ky., and Roger Morris of McKenzie, Tenn.

     Bethel University’s Renaissance Quartet is a component of Renaissance, the Bethel Performing Arts Experience, which encompasses vocal talent, instrumental talent and dramatic talent. Serving as ambassadors of Bethel University, Renaissance performs a wide range of musical styles and inspires its audiences to praise God. Renaissance has wowed audiences across the nation and even abroad.

     Those interested in being a part of Bethel University’s Renaissance program can call 731-352-6414 for more information.

It’s Time for . . .

(Musical & More!)

What is it?
M & M is the night when we listen to our Spring Musical and then take a trip somewhere where we can just relax and have some fun!

When is it?
Friday, January 29, 5:30-9:00 p.m.

Where is it?
We will meet in the youth building at 5:30 for dinner then listen to the musical.  At 6:45 we will leave the church for Dodgeball Party Zone (14713 Bristol Park Blvd, Edmond) where we will have a blast playing dodgeball from 7:15-9:00. Parents will need to pick children up at 9:00 from the Dodgeball Party Zone.

How can I sign up?
Call Cindy Wallace at the church music office (755-9240) or e-mail her at cwallace@qsbc.org. You also need to fill out the dodgeball waiver and return it with $5.00 on or before January 29.

I hope to see all of you there. It promises to be a ROCKIN’ good time!!

What a wonderful reminder from Dr. Bobby Kelly last week about the importance of not only being prepared for the return of Christ, but living each day alert and mindful that it could happen any day.  It brought to mind a journal entry of mine dated May 13, 2006; a portion of which I’d like to share with you:

Our strategy must be…hope in the return of Christ and life in view of that eternal perspective.  When our view is eternal our understanding will change:

• Our view of God will increase–His Sovereignty, His Majesty, His authority, His purpose, etc.
• Our view of ourselves will change–our needs, our desires, our goals, etc.
• Our view of our stewardship will change–accountability, responsibility, etc.
• It will change the choices we make with our time and our resources
• It will change how we live and think

When our view is eternal, it will change the now.  We will understand the abundant life.  Jesus said, “This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent–Jesus Christ.”  (John 17:3)

I don’t know about you, but I was powerfully reminded of these truths each night of the January Bible Study.  What a blessed time in God’s Word with God’s people!  I pray that as our choir and orchestra rehearsals resume this week, what we have learned will bear fruit in our lives and make us a powerful force in God’s Kingdom as we lead in worship week by week and build up the body of Christ.

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.  When the Messiah, who is your life, is reavealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4)

…set your hope completely on the grace to be brought ot you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:13)