(Note: Since I was asked to submit my devotional to the newsletter, I have attempted to transcribe it to the best of my ability. Please forgive any discrepancies.)

Over the past several years serving as an officer and most recently as Choir President, I have had the unique opportunity to see the behind the scenes workings of this great choir. I am very thankful for what this choir represents to me personally and the community as a whole. One of our church mottos is to support RUMC with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. And, once again this choir seems to set the bar.

1. PRAYERS:
-We have a whole committee dedicated to Membership Care that ensures we have private and public prayer networks uplifting not only our own members but other individuals outside our group.
-We support our members not only with prayers and concerns but with food, flowers, gifts, cards, transportation, and prayer pagers.
-We pray collectively at every rehearsal and prior to each service.

2. PRESENCE:
-The members of this choir are faithfully here week after week (often more than two times per week).
-We are consistently at extra events such as concerts, projects (like the choir room painting), taste of RUMC gatherings, outreach nursing home singing, and Christmas caroling.

3. GIFTS:
-Everyone in this group has been given a beautiful gift from God and has chosen to use that gift to His glory. It is not just choir members singing -it is Michael or John conducting, Tom or Kim playing, staff or officers leading, and much more. It is amazing! We have been blessed with so many various gifts in this group.
-Additionally, we gave financially to Thanksgiving families (food), Christmas families (toys and food), NFCC, RUMC members in need, members in the military, and the church building itself.

4. SERVICE:
-We serve weekly via rehearsals, services, committees, or special events.
-We are choir members, officers, and staff leaders. Even when life is so busy and pulling us in various directions, the members of this choir have made a choice to make this choir a priority.
-Weekly, we are a visual reminder to the congregation about what it means to serve faithfully.

5. WITNESS:
-The words we sing week after week in our anthems are a sermon on their own.
-In all that we do, we proclaim the glory of God, and what could be a more glorious witness!

Thank you for upholding your commitments to our choir, church, and Lord. This choir is beautiful and fruitful because of its faithful members. It has been a blessing to be a part of this gift.

Let us pray.

Thank you God for the gifts of music, leadership, and devotion that you have bestowed on each member of our choir. May we continue to serve you with all of our hearts and minds every day. Continue to bless the gifts we give back to you and to the community. Thank you for the fellowship and blessings this choir brings to each of us and to so many other individuals. May we always be a beacon of your glory. In thy holy name, Amen.