Good News - Mt. Gretna Tabernacle

Gretna
Good News
Mt. Gretna Bible Festival News
Fall 2008
From the Benches
Mt. Gretna
Bible Festival
2008 Year in Review
T
he Tabernacle is quiet now, resting, perhaps, after its busy summer. And for the
rest of us, after the stress and strain of a presidential campaign and election, we
may yearn to spend a few reflective moments on one of the now cooler benches, remembering the music, the preaching, the theater, and the fellowship.
And there is much to remember, beginning with the gentle jazz treatment
of traditional hymns by the Andy Roberts Quartet and Robin Work. From the
opening tune (“Climbing Jacob’s Ladder”) to the closing selection (“The Old
Rugged Cross”) the ensemble demonstrated once more the power of music in
worship.
Something new this year—two programs by the Seitz Puppets, co-sponsored by Chautauqua—provided lessons in citizenship and social behavior, delivered with humor and realism.
The “new” was followed by something “old:” the New Holland band. (They have
been coming to the Tabernacle for 15 years.) Directed by Kenneth Laudermilch this
versatile organization can, and did, move easily from “Lead On, O King Eternal” to a
Sousa march to LeRoy Anderson’s “Trumpet Lullaby” to a “Nocturne for Harp.” The
concluding portion of the program, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” (a truly moving
arrangement), the “Armed Services Medley” (with members and veterans standing for
their tunes), and the spectacular finale, “Stars and Stripes Forever” was an ideal blending of the patriotic worship experience.
On a quieter note, a Sunday night Hymn Sing, led by Darrell Woomer, with Rodney Shearer’s light and graceful elaborations of the tunes carried many of the audience back to the song services they once regularly attended. Darrell’s trenchant comments about composers and authors combined with Rodney’s magic at the keyboard
produced an evening of enlightened worship.
In a real change of pace, the drama team from Lititz United Methodist Church
presented what they facetiously titled “The Old Testament in 20 Minutes.” It was
a truly professional, “show must go on” performance despite the failure of electric
power and the consequent lack of lights. Besides being imbued with the determination to finish what they started, they apparently also believe in the Boy Scout motto
about being prepared. In short order they had generators humming, light and sound
systems working, and we were taken back to the days of Abraham and Moses.
see From the Benches on page 2
Gretna
Good News
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From the Benches continued
Mt. Gretna
Bible Festival
2008 Year in Review
Another group appearing in the Tabernacle for the first time, the Pennsylvania Flute
Choir, brought a sound never before heard here—20 flutes at four different pitches—and
demonstrated their adaptability with selections ranging from a Handel oratorio to some Russian folk songs to the Isaac Watts hymn, “My Shepherd Will Know Me.”
The selections chosen by the Flute Choir formed a perfect introduction to the services
of the following two weeks—the “core weeks” that are reminders of the original two week
campmeeting season.
The first Sunday morning worship service featured the preaching of former bishop Michael Sigman, who is now acting president of the Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown. His
message in the Tabernacle focused on reactions to adversity: “It can be adversarial, or, with
Christian faith, it can be simply, ‘what does it matter’”?
In the evening a group of area ministers who have formed a quartet (Steve Fikkert, Lamar
Dourte, Ron Ludwick, Bob Kettering and accompanist John Frye) provided music and the
spoken word in a very spirited Sunday evening worship service; the hymns brought
their own messages of reliance and praise—“Great Is The Faithfulness,” “He Watches Me,” “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. Bob Kettering’s words summed it
up: “It is not for us to know [the date of Jesus’ return]—wait, watch, prepare.”
The talented and very dedicated Marsch family from Lancaster led the worship
service for the second Sunday morning of the “core weeks.” The five girls in the family, accompanied by their mother at the piano, led the worship singing a wide range
of familiar and classical hymns, interspersed with individual witness statements. The
morning concluded with a service of Holy Communion.
Wednesday evening worship on this “middle week” brought the Bethany Gospel
Boys, a talented group of local gospel singers who had never appeared in the Tabernacle, to the Mt. Gretna Campmeeting grounds for an inspiring evening of familiar
gospel tunes, sung with great enthusiasm and harmony.
For the concluding Sunday, the Rev. Jim Myer, pastor of the White Oak Church
of the Brethren, preached on the theme of healing, noting that while Jesus preached
to crowds of people, it was individuals whom He healed. Using the story in John 5:216, Rev. Myer pointed out that Jesus selected one individual from the crowd around
the Beth-zatha pool, and that the man had been waiting
by the pool for 38 years.
The evening service on this Sunday was a tuneful one,
the music being supplied by a big band of professional
musicians, directed by Dr.Keith Wiley, who refers to the
group as “Jazz ministers—we provide a ministry of music.” The ministry this evening included both sacred and
secular songs, ranging from “Peace in the Valley” to “In
the Mood” and ending the service with a truly exciting
performance of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
see From the Benches on page 3
celebrating 116 years in the Grove
From the Benches continued
Picking the highlight of the 2008 Summer at the Tabernacle series is difficult and, in a
way, pointless. But this year will certainly be remembered for two programs related to a long
standing Bible Festival tradition. The first is the Massed Choir concert, directed by Pepper
Choplin. The second is closely related: the return performance of Joseph Martin, who directed the choir in 2007.
The 2008 Massed Choir, approximately 180 voices, not only filled the Tabernacle stage
area, it filled the auditorium with glorious sound as director Pepper Choplin took us musically through the church year. (It was reminiscent of old times to hear Handel’s “Hallelujah
Chorus” resounding through the Tabernacle again—in recognition of the Easter season.) A
short “Time with Pepper” towards the end of the evening was an engaging visit with a serious
but witty musician who demonstrated clearly that it can be fun to compose, conduct, sing
and listen to sacred music.
One week later, the bravura piano playing of Joseph Martin and the consummate singing of his wife, Sue, brought to the Tabernacle an outstanding mixture of “church” music
and “popular” music. Joe’s second visit was every bit as exciting and entertaining as his
first, and this time he did it with the piano and Sue’s marvelous voice.
We should point out that it was through the cooperation of Loser’s Music Store in Lebanon that both Pepper Choplin and Joe Martin were brought to the Tabernacle. Each of them
provided new directions to the choir program, and indeed, revitalized the concept. (For
more on the potential of cooperation with local businesses, see the story “A New Approach”
on page 6).
Three familiar musical groups rounded out this summer’s Tabernacle programs. The seventeenth Handbell Festival was held on Saturday evening, August 2. Directed this year by
Karen Buckwalter from Hanover, the program brought ringers from St Paul’s UMC in Elizabethtown, Hershey Assorted from First UMC, Hershey, the Psalm Ringers from Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church in Lebanon, and Ron Bellamy’s Mutt Choir from the Church of the Apostles, Lancaster. Concentrating on standard and classical sacred tunes, the ringers captivated
the congregation with the joy of their performance.
The Susquehanna Chorale, directed by Linda Tedford, showed their versatility and discipline as they ranged from the musical setting of Psalm 131 to the patter style of “Let Us Sing
To The Lord.” A selection of early American songs, a variety of folk songs, and three American spirituals, including a powerful rendition of “Deep River” kept the audience yearning for
more. The concluding selection, “My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord” could not have been
more appropriate for the Tabernacle setting.
As they have done for thirteen years, now, the Lancaster Brass
Quintet closed the summer season with a fresh mix of classical,
ragtime, jazz, and show tunes that created a kind of family reunion atmosphere. Whether it is the spiritual “Down By the Riverside” or a medley from “Les Miserables,” they take the audience
with them to the river or to the orchestra pit. What a warm and
friendly feeling these players create in the extended family that
surrounds them in the Tabernacle.
3
Partners in Ministry
Our thanks to those who
have become Partners in
our Ministry of providing a Christian spiritual
renewal in the unique
Tabernacle setting by
making specific contributions to Bible Festival
programs or to the
Friends of the Tabernacle.
(List complete through
October 24).
Contributors to Bible Festival
Programs are marked *.
Contributors to the Friends of
the Tabernacle are marked ^.
James & Carol Adams *^
Charles & Mary Adams *
Morris & Miriam Albertson*
Dolores Anderson ^
Jack & Jane Anderson ^
Larry & Beverly Aungst *^
B.F. & Lois Balmer *^
Dr. Robert & Jane Bauer *^
Kyleen Bender*
Elizabeth Berger *
Paul & Carol Boll^
Janet Borden * Frances Bova *^
Patrick & Dorothy Bowman ^
Kathryn Brehm ^
Majorie Browe *^
James & Sandra Brown*^
Rev. Percy Brown *^
Gretna
4
Partners in Ministry
Thomas & Mary Jo Brown *^
Fred & Ruth Buch *^
Edna Mae Budy*^
Russ & Cheryl Burke *
N.L & C.S. Campbell^
Voorhis & Mary Cantrell *^
Richard Cassel *
Michael & Katherine Chapman*
Gary & Linda Collins*
Gerald Collins ^
Barbara Coover*
Pauline Copp *
Rev. & Mrs. James Corbett *^
Ruth Deitrich *^
Evelyn Duncan*
Roberta Diehm*
Thomas & Janet Dunlevy ^
Dutch Valley Food Dist.^
Harvey & Esther Ebright *^
John & Nancy Early*^
Dwight & Brenda Eichelberger*^
Amy Elder*
Margaret Middleton Ellis *^
Ann Engle*^
Wesley & Martha Epler*
Theodore & Shirley Etter *
Charles D. Evans ^
Anna Foreman*
Robert & Eleanor Forney ^
Dolores M. Forsyth *
Henry & Sarah Funk *^
Edward & Paula Gahres ^
Myrtle Gardner*^
Richard & Patricia Gardner ^
William & Marianne Garrett *^
Bruce & Kathy Gettle*^
Karl & Linda Gettle *^
Milton & SaraAnne Gingrich *
Roy & Jeannine Gish ^
Herman & Reed Good *^
Elizabeth J. Greider*
Gerald P. Grill *^
Harvey & Marsha Haack ^
John G. Hagle ^
Larry & Sandra Hall *^
Barbara A. Harper ^
Greg & Lois Harris *
Pat Hartranft*^
Kenneth & Susan Haupt *^
Thomas & Kay Heberling ^
Fae Kopp Heckert ^
Thomas & Phyllis Herald *^
Mark & Susan Herr *
Earl & Rita Herting*
Kathleen Hetrick*^
Mary Hoffman ^
Daryl & Jimmy Hoffmaster*
Stan & Edie Hollinger *^
Lois & Constance Hopkins*^
James R. Hornafius ^
Nancy Hornberger *^
Mark J. Hostetter *
John & Susan Hoyt ^
Charles & Hilda Hughes*
Bill & Laverne Hyman *^
Regina Keller*
Jane H. Kline *
Marjorie Kolmus*
Arlene C. Knight *^
Paul & Claretta Kreamer ^
James & Linda Kreider ^
Dr. & Mrs. Gene Layser *
Katherine Leisure*
Mervin & Irene Lentz *^
Good News
Tabernacle Roof Fund
Sometime within the next five or six years the century old Tabernacle will need to have its
roof replaced, a fact of life that has been mentioned in several previous issues of Gretna’s Good
News. To prepare for this expense, the treasurer of the Tabernacle Association has established
a Tabernacle Roof Fund, and all contributions specifically marked for this fund are held in it.
The Tabernacle Association, as the principal user of the building, shares the cost of maintenance and upkeep with the Campmeeting Association and will be responsible for a portion
of the roof replacement cost. Contributions to the Roof Fund may be made at any time and
will be sincerely appreciated.
Program Support
In case you missed the constant reference to change that
has characterized some of the past issues of Gretna’s Good
News, you may have picked up some hints of changes yet to
come from some of the stories in this issue. Changing the
starting time for programs is one. The possibility of acquiring
some program sponsors from the business and commercial
community is another.
Support for the Bible Festival programs can take many forms; simply attending the programs in the Tabernacle and contributing generously when the collection basket comes by is
one very important way.
When contributions are made by check or with the “Friends of the Tabernacle” or “Bible
Festival” envelopes the contributor becomes a Partner in Ministry and his or her name will be
included in the Massed Choir bulletin and in the Fall newsletter.
Group support, in which a church congregation – or some group within the congregation – makes a contribution, offers a way to involve those who are interested and supportive
but may not be able to attend evening programs. The church’s name, or the group’s name will
be listed as a Partner in Ministry.
Prayer support is indispensable to the success of the Bible Festival programs. Pastors
are encouraged to include the Bible Festival in their meditations and congregational prayers,
and, of course, individual prayers may always be offered.
Financial support is obviously a necessity – the Bible Festival has no source of income
other than the free will offerings taken at Tabernacle programs and the contributions made by
our loyal Partners in Ministry. While it seems as though the number of unsolicited requests
from charitable organizations is expanding exponentially, the simple fact is that when the
Tabernacle needs a new roof, money must be available to pay for it. And financially supporting the Bible Festival has rewards in addition to the good feeling you get from assisting in
the continuation of a great tradition, you also get to enjoy the excellence of the Susquehanna
Chorale, the friendliness of the Lancaster Brass, the wit of Darrell Woomer and the musical
inspiration of Rodney Shearer. Financially and esthetically that seems like a good return on
your investment.
celebrating 116 years in the Grove
A Timely Change?
As this issue of Gretna’s Good News goes to press, the Program Committee is considering changing the starting time of
the evening programs from 7:30 to 7 p.m.
Experience with the children’s puppet programs, co-sponsored with Chautauqua this summer, starting at 7, indicated that
the earlier time was quite convenient for everyone and provided additional daylight for the
drive home. A final decision will be made in January. In the meantime, we invite comments
from our readers on the time change—or anything else you think the Program Committee
should know about.
Email comments should go to Don Zechman at don@MtGretnaTabernacle.org or to PO
Box 408, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064.
Program Notes
The Massed Choir concert this year was notable for several
things besides the quality of the singing and the vitality of conductor Pepper Choplin. With nearly 200 singers, the choir brought back
many memories of long past performances and certainly gave new
life to this traditional feature of Bible Festival programs.
Bulletins with information about the evening’s program may seem a minor item, but
they do help set the mood for the performance. Several people were heard to comment on
the quality and attractiveness of the Massed Choir bulletin which did indeed help establish
a sense of worshipful anticipation among the audience. A special note of appreciation goes
to Linda Eberly (who also designs our newsletters) for designing and formatting the bulletin and to Harry Batdorf and Bob Kettering, both of the Lititz Church of the Brethren, who
arranged for its production. Copy for the bulletin was provided by Don Zechman.
We are also appreciative of the bulletin for the Bell Choir Festival, provided by Bobbi
Schmidt, the spark plug behind the Festival and to St. Paul’s UMC of Elizabethtown.
In addition to providing program notes for their evening concert, the Susquehanna Chorale’s bulletin offers significant information about the Chorale as well as an opportunity to
win one of the group’s CDs.
Another note of interest is the slowly changing composition of the audience at the Tabernacle programs. In the beginning, most of the audience were the “Campmeeters” who were
spending their vacation attending the United Brethren campmeeting at Mt. Gretna. A century later, this is no longer true.
Audiences this summer were asked to indicate if they were first time visitors in the Tabernacle or if they were regular attenders. At several of the programs, the “first timers” were
a significant proportion of the audience, a fact that indicates the outreach efforts of the Program Committee are succeeding. This is certainly good news for all those who are working
and praying for the second century to be as successful as the first. The audience will be different, but the goal of Christian fellowship and spiritual renewal remains the same.
5
Partners in Ministry
S.M & R.L. Long*^
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Long *
Elinore Lynch *
Edward & Barbara Maley ^
Kathryn Margush*^
Rev. Jere Martin *^
Andrea Mathews^
Roy & Esther Mattis ^
Ruth & Samuel Maruca*
Tom & Carol Mayer *^
G.L. & C.A. McCall *
Alice McKeone^
Ted & Esther Mefford*
Tom & Marie Meredith*^
Betty J. Miller *^
James & Ellie Miller *
Marion Miller*^
Richard S. Miller *
Tracy R. Miller *
H.R. Mock*^
Mount Gretna Outdoor Art
Show*^
James & Janet Myer *
Douglas & Katherine Myers^
John & Patricia O’Neill*
Ruth Anne Otto *^
W. Jackson & Jean Otto *
Dolores Peffley*
Paul & Eula Perkins *
David & Elaine Pierce *^
Charles & Grace Potts ^
Louis Rathfon ^
Rev. John L. Rauch *
Evelyn Reese *^
Earnest & Alma Reisinger*
Lynn Reisinger ^
Dale & Dorothy Rider ^
Nancy & David Rogers*
Donald & Helen Rummel^
William & Gladys Sailer *
George D. Shaak ^
Rev. & Mrs. Paul Shaffer *^
Cynthia R. Sheaffer *
Betty Shelly*^
Joseph & Anne Shemeta *^
Melvin Shenk*
Thomas & Gretchen Sherk *
Gloria L. Simmers *^
Lester & Ruth Smeltz*^
Cynthia L. Smith *^
Zoe Smith *^
Rev. Bruce & Patrica Souders *^
Geoffrey & Joan Sowers*
David & Constance Steinke*^
Rev. Robert & Jean Stokes *
Arthur & Mary Jane St. Onte *^
Fern S. Wagner *^
William & Carol Warfel*
Robert & Mary Jane Wechter*^
Carl & Margaret Wenger*
Josiah & Beatrice Werner *^
D.E. White*^
Jackson & Yvonne Will^
William Wilson^
John & Florence Witmyer *^
Carolyn Wood ^
Jestena Yeagley *
Donald & Mary Yingst *
Don & Faye Zechman *^
M. Scott & Jane Zellers ^
Richard & Mary Zesiger ^
Gretna
6
Good News
A New Approach
Throughout its history, the Mt Gretna Bible Festival has successfully relied on the
financial support of its friends who attend the Tabernacle programs or are on its mailing
list. But, as readers of previous issues of Gretna Good News know, there have been many
changes in society and in the programs that have been presented in the Tabernacle. One of
the changes that creates some problems for the program planners is the increasing cost of
quality programs. But the planners are meeting the challenge, and are currently considering the possibility of obtaining some corporate sponsorship for at least some of the more
expensive programs.
Possibilities range from finding a single corporate sponsor for the artistic fee for someone like Elisabeth von Trapp to finding two, three, or four businesses or individuals willing to
share the fee. Appropriate recognition would be given to all such sponsors.
Obviously a great deal of planning and thought will be required before any potential sponsors are approached, and members of the program committee would like to hear any suggestions, comments, or reactions our readers may have. email your comments to Don Zechman
at Don@MtGretnaTabernacle.org , or mail them to PO Box 408, Mt Gretna, PA 17064. If you
have any connection or contacts with an organization that might be interested in sponsoring
or co-sponsoring one or more programs, please pass the information on to Don.
Corporate sponsorship for Tabernacle programs, while a new idea to most current friends
of the programs, is not really unique; after all, the East Pennsylvania Conference of the UB
church was the original Campmeeting sponsor. It is surely a sign of the times that the sponsorship being sought now is secular, but the spirit of the Festival remains Christian renewal
in the unique Tabernacle setting.
Mt. Gretna Bible Festival
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Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
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