Worship and Creative Arts
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The Chancel Choir
leads worship during
Traditional Services and
sing in a wide variety of
musical genres. The
choir members also
minister through
cantatas, special music,
and smaller ensembles.
The Worship Team
leads worship during
Contemporary Services
and is composed of
singers, piano, guitar,
bass, drums, electric
guitar, and keyboard.
The Technology Team
incorporates sound
engineering, video and
slide projection, and
video recording during
worship services.
Every June Centenary's Chancel Choir recess for the summer and start up again at the
end of August. This year, shortly after their autumn restart, they sought out someone to
replace departing Director, Mary Ann Vlach, and they found me. I was truly amazed at
how kindhearted they are. When I had my first chance to conduct Chancel Choir, I was
surprised how relaxed I felt, without a trace of nervousness. This generous, loving choir
was connected with me even before I raised my hands to give the first entrance. They
were quietly saying, "Don't be nervous, even though it's your first time with us. We're right
here with you." It was the kind of connection I would expect from my family.
In fact, we are family. We sing together, laugh together, and eat together. We do make
mistakes in rehearsal, but then we fix it together too. We help each other out, read God's
Word and pray together.
Many conductors strive for their ensembles' enthusiasm and effort. With Chancel Choir,
it is unnecessary for me to go through that. We are not all about the music. We are all
about opening up people's hearts so they can hear God's Word clearly. We are all about
praising the Lord while we open our mouths. We are all about singing through our
hearts more than singing by our talents. We hold intense rehearsals every Thursday to
make beautiful sounds of music; however, our musicianship is a secondary target when
it comes to worship. When we focus on praising God with all our hearts, that beautiful
sound is already there, and we testify to it every Sunday
I believe that I am truly blessed by Chancel Choir. I am learning more than ever at each
rehearsal with them. I feel God's presence in my life through them. I am so grateful that
God has given me such a blessed opportunity to glorify His name with Chancel Choir.
Yohan Partan, Director of Chancel Choir
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