Grit Rally 2007 St. Thomas More IUP – my thoughts
I guess for most people, they didn't even know that this event was even held this weekend. For those who don't know, JD Varner hosts this Men's fellowship event every year. I think this is either the 4th or 5th year. The event has taken place in various churches around Indiana County. It’s usually held on the first Saturday in May.
I've been a part of it for several years. JD asked that I lead worship for the event and I of course accepted.
As anyone knows, planning for events like this takes a great deal of time, teamwork, prayer, money and talent. I don't know much it actually cost to put on an event like this, but I know it does cost more than average. The event usually features Men of the area speaking and providing their testimonies about their faith. There is usually on Keynote speaker. Lou Teeper, Steve Wolfe and Jeff Smith spoke this year. They all gave excellent and heartfelt presentations.
Last year Gold Star Pastor James McCaulley spoke. He is the Pastor who lost his some in war last year. He name was Sergeant Randy McCaulley.
Over the years, young boys, teens, young adults, older adults and seniors have taken the time to share and spend that Saturday morning at the rally. By the way Girt is taken from the word Integrity. People always ask about that.
Anyways, one concern has always been the actual number of people in attendance. This year’s attendance was low. I did find that strange, because many know about the Grit Rally and are very supportive of having it. I know that weekends have become almost added work days for families. Also, lots of other events, benefits do happen to fall on the same days. This years events was matched with, Relay for Life and several IUP events.
This year’s event was special. Our Worship team consisted on several teenagers. Alex Pruszenski, 17 Nick Hudak, 13, Kaleb 15 and Lance Wolfe 13. Alex added the guitar, Nick sang a solo tune and backup vocals, Kaleb played the bass, and Lance played the saxophone.
When I contacted them about helping with worship they all said yes! They didn't hesitate, or ask questions. They all wanted to be a part of the event. Kaleb and Alex were in it last year and knew what to expect. Nick and Lance were new to performing at the event.
Unfortunately Alex wasn't able to stay to whole event. But he did make the effort and I was glad to see him there. He played for a short time but had to leave. I thank him for his desire and willingness to want to be there in the first place. He is a very talented singer songwriter and guitarist. You will be hearing more about him.
Kaleb who, 2 years ago, didn't play any instruments, played bass for the worship groups. Also the week before that Kaleb also played bass for the Men’s Retreat at Camp Mantowagon in Saxton PA. Kaleb’s dad said after the event “He (Kaleb) continues to amaze me!”. I agree with him 100%. He gets better and better every time he picks up the guitar, and you can see the confidence in his eyes. Last year he played on a few songs, this year, He was the lead bass player. One more thing.. I was told by his proud father that Kaleb has also played bass for the group Faithful Friends out of Homer City. You've never heard of the Faith Friends Quartet? Visit faithfulfriendsquartet.com When I first hear them, I tought that they were a singing group visiting from Nashville.
Nick had a lot of fun being in the worship group. He is 13 and his voice is still changing. When he gets excited, his voices really changes. The funny thing was, Nick wanted to sing "Long black train" It's a cool county song, but it's sung very low. So Nick has to really work to get his pitch right in order to sing the song. He practiced and practiced and when time came to sing the song, he nailed it. Everyone there was impressed. Dr. Tony Atwater was so impressed that he spent time with Nick and his father after the event. Way to go Nick.
Lance probably had one of the most difficult roles in the worship group. He has to learn a song he'd never heard of and had to learn it by ear. Now for us ear music learners, that's not hard at all. But Lance is classically trained and reads music. He's a real pro at it. Then after Lance transposed and learned the song, he had to play it with us. So basically we could only practice the song after Lance had figured it out. Talk about cutting it close. Anways, Lance came through with flying colors. He learned the song and had help with transposing it in his key. How cool was that? Then came the practice time with us seasoned musicians, It was really funny... we struggled and finally caught up to where Lance was at. Now you might ask, why choose a a song like that and go through all this?
Well, here's the answer. Below is the song and the words to it. Read it. Then you'll see why the song was chosen.
Carry You
Amy Grant
Lay down your burden
I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden
I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Cause I can walk on water
Calm a restless sea
I’ve done a thousand things you’ve never done
And I’m really watching
While you struggle on your own
Call my name, I’ll come
chorus
I give vision to the blind
I can raise the dead
I’ve seen the darker side of hell
And I’ve returned
I’ve seen those sleepless nights
And count every tear you cry
Some lessons hurt to learn
Chorus
It's a beautiful song and I wanted Lance to match his talents with it. He did an incredible job!
The worship music selected was inspired from my friends at the Nazarene church, Dave, Kevin and Rob. They had invited me a Chris Tomlin concert a several weeks ago and I've been a big fan ever since. Several of the songs featured during the event were written by Chris Tomin. Our last song was Amazing Grace.. With Chris's lyrics
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God my Savoir has ransomed me
and like the flood, His mercy reins
Unending love, Amazing Grace
(I got a chance to see him concert do this song..wow)
It was though His grace, that Kevin McCullough donated his time and energy to do the PowerPoint presentation for the worship event. He even brought all the equipment. How proud he was to see his son Kaleb playing bass with us, how proud we all were to have them both there...
Proud eyes looked upon these kids this day..!
Oh and Chuck Potthast.. not only did he sing and play of his own songs but ran the sound for the event. Did I mention he used his own equipment? Chuck has a DVD of his song come to the table, but for some reason he doesn't let anyone see it:) hum.....!
One other thing, Dominic joined us on stage to sing Shout to the Lord. That was neat...to have one of the Grit Rally planners up on stage praising God through song.
so I am thankful for the friendships, commitments and talents of all those involved. My task was to bring the worship team together and have them ready. By the grace of God I was able to do that.. and I need to tell you that I saw 3 or I should say 4 proud dads standing in amazement. Amazed at what God has done and continues to do, Amazed at the blessings that they have received and, Amazed at their children's involvement in the Men of Integrity Rally. If that doesn’t get your life going, then you need to just stay in bed; and of course tune on the radio and listen for the live broadcast 105.1FM
And finally. A great deal of good news happened at this event. Ask Lou Teeper. He'll tell you so...
Thanks, Lou, Steve, and Jeff for your words and insights. We heard you, they heard you and out there on the internet, they heard you as well.
Why would JD Varner continue to host a God centered, Men's Fellowship event in Indiana County? Should he?
God bless all.
Feel free to comment.
I've been a part of it for several years. JD asked that I lead worship for the event and I of course accepted.
As anyone knows, planning for events like this takes a great deal of time, teamwork, prayer, money and talent. I don't know much it actually cost to put on an event like this, but I know it does cost more than average. The event usually features Men of the area speaking and providing their testimonies about their faith. There is usually on Keynote speaker. Lou Teeper, Steve Wolfe and Jeff Smith spoke this year. They all gave excellent and heartfelt presentations.
Last year Gold Star Pastor James McCaulley spoke. He is the Pastor who lost his some in war last year. He name was Sergeant Randy McCaulley.
Over the years, young boys, teens, young adults, older adults and seniors have taken the time to share and spend that Saturday morning at the rally. By the way Girt is taken from the word Integrity. People always ask about that.
Anyways, one concern has always been the actual number of people in attendance. This year’s attendance was low. I did find that strange, because many know about the Grit Rally and are very supportive of having it. I know that weekends have become almost added work days for families. Also, lots of other events, benefits do happen to fall on the same days. This years events was matched with, Relay for Life and several IUP events.
This year’s event was special. Our Worship team consisted on several teenagers. Alex Pruszenski, 17 Nick Hudak, 13, Kaleb 15 and Lance Wolfe 13. Alex added the guitar, Nick sang a solo tune and backup vocals, Kaleb played the bass, and Lance played the saxophone.
When I contacted them about helping with worship they all said yes! They didn't hesitate, or ask questions. They all wanted to be a part of the event. Kaleb and Alex were in it last year and knew what to expect. Nick and Lance were new to performing at the event.
Unfortunately Alex wasn't able to stay to whole event. But he did make the effort and I was glad to see him there. He played for a short time but had to leave. I thank him for his desire and willingness to want to be there in the first place. He is a very talented singer songwriter and guitarist. You will be hearing more about him.
Kaleb who, 2 years ago, didn't play any instruments, played bass for the worship groups. Also the week before that Kaleb also played bass for the Men’s Retreat at Camp Mantowagon in Saxton PA. Kaleb’s dad said after the event “He (Kaleb) continues to amaze me!”. I agree with him 100%. He gets better and better every time he picks up the guitar, and you can see the confidence in his eyes. Last year he played on a few songs, this year, He was the lead bass player. One more thing.. I was told by his proud father that Kaleb has also played bass for the group Faithful Friends out of Homer City. You've never heard of the Faith Friends Quartet? Visit faithfulfriendsquartet.com When I first hear them, I tought that they were a singing group visiting from Nashville.
Nick had a lot of fun being in the worship group. He is 13 and his voice is still changing. When he gets excited, his voices really changes. The funny thing was, Nick wanted to sing "Long black train" It's a cool county song, but it's sung very low. So Nick has to really work to get his pitch right in order to sing the song. He practiced and practiced and when time came to sing the song, he nailed it. Everyone there was impressed. Dr. Tony Atwater was so impressed that he spent time with Nick and his father after the event. Way to go Nick.
Lance probably had one of the most difficult roles in the worship group. He has to learn a song he'd never heard of and had to learn it by ear. Now for us ear music learners, that's not hard at all. But Lance is classically trained and reads music. He's a real pro at it. Then after Lance transposed and learned the song, he had to play it with us. So basically we could only practice the song after Lance had figured it out. Talk about cutting it close. Anways, Lance came through with flying colors. He learned the song and had help with transposing it in his key. How cool was that? Then came the practice time with us seasoned musicians, It was really funny... we struggled and finally caught up to where Lance was at. Now you might ask, why choose a a song like that and go through all this?
Well, here's the answer. Below is the song and the words to it. Read it. Then you'll see why the song was chosen.
Carry You
Amy Grant
Lay down your burden
I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Lay down your burden
I will carry you
I will carry you my child, my child
Cause I can walk on water
Calm a restless sea
I’ve done a thousand things you’ve never done
And I’m really watching
While you struggle on your own
Call my name, I’ll come
chorus
I give vision to the blind
I can raise the dead
I’ve seen the darker side of hell
And I’ve returned
I’ve seen those sleepless nights
And count every tear you cry
Some lessons hurt to learn
Chorus
It's a beautiful song and I wanted Lance to match his talents with it. He did an incredible job!
The worship music selected was inspired from my friends at the Nazarene church, Dave, Kevin and Rob. They had invited me a Chris Tomlin concert a several weeks ago and I've been a big fan ever since. Several of the songs featured during the event were written by Chris Tomin. Our last song was Amazing Grace.. With Chris's lyrics
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God my Savoir has ransomed me
and like the flood, His mercy reins
Unending love, Amazing Grace
(I got a chance to see him concert do this song..wow)
It was though His grace, that Kevin McCullough donated his time and energy to do the PowerPoint presentation for the worship event. He even brought all the equipment. How proud he was to see his son Kaleb playing bass with us, how proud we all were to have them both there...
Proud eyes looked upon these kids this day..!
Oh and Chuck Potthast.. not only did he sing and play of his own songs but ran the sound for the event. Did I mention he used his own equipment? Chuck has a DVD of his song come to the table, but for some reason he doesn't let anyone see it:) hum.....!
One other thing, Dominic joined us on stage to sing Shout to the Lord. That was neat...to have one of the Grit Rally planners up on stage praising God through song.
so I am thankful for the friendships, commitments and talents of all those involved. My task was to bring the worship team together and have them ready. By the grace of God I was able to do that.. and I need to tell you that I saw 3 or I should say 4 proud dads standing in amazement. Amazed at what God has done and continues to do, Amazed at the blessings that they have received and, Amazed at their children's involvement in the Men of Integrity Rally. If that doesn’t get your life going, then you need to just stay in bed; and of course tune on the radio and listen for the live broadcast 105.1FM
And finally. A great deal of good news happened at this event. Ask Lou Teeper. He'll tell you so...
Thanks, Lou, Steve, and Jeff for your words and insights. We heard you, they heard you and out there on the internet, they heard you as well.
Why would JD Varner continue to host a God centered, Men's Fellowship event in Indiana County? Should he?
God bless all.
Feel free to comment.
posted by fanzo @ 5/08/2007
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home