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This Issue: IBC Exuberant Sunday Morning Worship

R THE RHYTHM
AprilSpring 2012

A Publication of the Music ministry of Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, new Haven, CT

Vol 2, Issue 1

Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church Sunday Morning Worship

Gracing the corner of Chapel & Day streets in New Haven Connecticut is a great fortified brown-bricked structure with an eloquently designed marquee in front scrolling in bright red lettersImmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, Morning Worship 9:30a.m., Sunday School at 8:30a.m. The Revered Samuel T. Ross- Lee, Pastor. cians and choir to lower the music; she walks those aisles, admonishing and engaging the congregation in worship. . .the congregation joyously obliges! Following the Praise & Worship period, the opening scripture is read and the congregation responds, singing: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, its now and ever shall be, world without end. .Amen, Amen.

Mass Choir performs Roland Carters Lift Every Voice & Sing

Tuskegee Institute Choir from Alabama Performs at Immanuel

The 187 year-old church is the 2nd oldest African-American Baptist church in the city of New Haven. As you arrive, entering through the tinted, shiny glass double-doors, you can see the beauty of colorful hats, ushThen dressed in his purple robe with ers all appropriately uniformed complete gold trimming, the Pastor makes his with white gloves, staunched white shirts way off the podium, down to the floor and meticulous white dresses. saying; Children. . please come up for The podium is sufficiently adorned with a choir who is prepared and ready to worship. The Worship Leader takes a microphone in one hand and motions to the choir with the other hand for them to stand. She nods at the Praise Team as they position themselves and yes, worship begins. Good morning Immanuel! She exclaims, rest on your feet and lets go to God in prayer. After her prayer she always says. . .Oh Lord God, now saturate our souls with Your Spirit and illuminate our minds with Your mind, and inhabit the praises of Your people!

childrens church. The minister of music begins strumming Jesus Loves the Little Children on the organ, as the kids come tramping along from every side of the sanctuary to the front. Pastor

Noteworthy Events

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candidly engages them, as the congregation both looks and listens for their childlike, painfully honest responses. Who had a birthday this week? A little hand goes up. I did! As Pastor holds the mic to capture that little voice, you hear. .Its my grandmother, she turned eight (8) years old! The congregation explodes with laughter. The pastor peers at the congregation, unable Then, the band (drummer, organist, bass to keep from grinning himself. guitar and lead guitar) all unleash their pasAfter the children are off to childrens sion for worship through their instruments, church, the call is made for visitors: Do we as they minister with the choir and Praise have any visitors in the house this mornTeam to the congregation. ing? Visitors begin standing. They are given the welcome to Immanuel speech, The worship leader, not settling for the congregation to simply watch as though be- and then (this is my favorite part). . ing entertained, instead motions for both mu Immanuel, lets welcome our visitors!

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The band strikes up the music again, and the pastor and congregation sings. . Youre welcome in the place, and by Gods grace, we extend to you, our warm embrace. . to let you know, just how much, we really love you! Just open up your heart, and let the lovin start! Here in Gods family, your blessings full and free! Everybody is coming out from the pews and you see a myriad of people shaking hands, hugging, greeting each other with smiles and waving at someone else across the room. There is a definite noise surrounding the music, but it is a very joyful noise, accompanied by organized, delightful confusion. Its wonderful!
Once this has happened, the Pastor repositions himself at the podium, ready for the congregational hymn of the month. The Pastor is a conductor of sorts. With his maestro-like demeanor and a boastful, strong baritone voice, he leads the congregation in singing the hymn. The congregation (as well as the ensemble of hymn singers adorned with a purple stole around their necks) choir, director, band, all are fixed on the Pastor as he directs everyone. Its truly a sight to see! Each Sunday there is a Deacons Prayer and a chant in response to this prayer; then, the choir ministers its first selection. There is a corporate prayer afterward, often led by the pastor himself or an associate clergy. The offertory sentences are read, a prayer is given, then the choir renders a selection while the congregants bring the offerings joyously. A sermonic selection is ministered by the choir just before the preacher positions himself at the podium and finally, the moment weve all been waiting for. . . .the sermon. Pastors sermon is very often accented with his response to current events both politically and spiritually. He is not timid about his opinion -- on the contrary he is the epitome of confidence, as he exuberantly exposes any situation in the African-American community that undermines, or negatively impacts social and economic justice. Nearing the end of his sermon, as black preachers often do, he becomes very excited and animated. . of course, the congregation loves it and youll hear that Deacon

Mass Choir performs Roland Carters Lift Every Voice & Sing By Mrs. Linda Blackmon

The final Sunday of February 2012 would be exceptional for the Immanuel Baptist Church Mass Choir as the Negro National Anthem would sound different to IBC's congregation. Roland Carter's rendition of this song written by James Weldon Johnson places strong emphasis on our heritage. The words and the tone in which the song is delivered is rich with enthusiasm denoting the pain our ancestors endured while reminding us that we are where we are because of the sacrifices of our forefathers. It is that determination that continues to teach us that hope, faith and the love of our Father and his people will only make us stronger. IBC Mass Choir would meet for choir rehearsal to rehearse Roland Carter's arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing! Ms. Gayle Singleton approached the choir with reassurance and the confidence that the choir could pull it off and it would be fine. Members were not as confident, as the music appeared to be dancing along the page and keeping up was indeed a challenge. Nevertheless, the choir would follow Ms. Gayle's lead and work hard to deliver as requested. When Ms. Gayle came out with the keyboard, it was evident that this was really serious. The choir had to listen to the notes and follow along. Ms. Gayle demonstrated much patience and support and as she directed the choir; playing notes repeatedly; one section at a time, the song began to come together. With repetition, the IBC Mass choir were proven to be well on their way to deliver the message of hope, faith, determination, overcoming obstacles and a neverending drive to persevere.

saying excitedly . .THATS RIGHT PASTOR! THATS RIGHT! KA MAHWN PASTOR! KA MAHWN!! (Come on Pastor, Come on!)
Mrs. Gayle E. Acosta

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Minister of Music plays with conviction and passion!

As our Forefathers paved a way for us to "overcome", the Choir overcame the anxiety of singing Roland Carter's arrangement of The Negro National Anthem. Through Ms. Gayle, the choir demonstrated a readiness to continue under the director of our Pastor, Rev. Samuel T. Ross-Lee, as the foundation was laid. Rev. Ross-Lee worked with the choir and provided some singing techniques to enhance the quality of the voices. On the fourth Sunday, February 26, 2012 under the direction of Samuel T. Ross-Lee the IBC Mass Choir delivered! The song was not sung, it was ministered and to the point where one could actual visualize our forefathers, treading through the path of the blood of the slaughtered. This song is a reminder that what we perceive as obstacles or barriers, are only pathways to get closer to our Lord and that makes us a stronger people. IBC Choir, continue to sing "We have come, o we have come".............

. . . .with all of the energy that the choir pulled out of me this mornin, my, my, my!! I just have a few minutes left in me before I can no longer stand.

Other Noteworthy Events for this Issue

Vesper Servicebegan on January 29 and will occur on 5th Sundays at 6:00 PM! Nikia Mewbornassumed the role of Director of the Young Adult Choir! Jahmal MonkAssistant minister of Music at Varick AME Zion Church, New Haven, and our own Music Ministry Music Coordinator Gayle Singleton substituted for our vacationing Ministers of Music, William & Gayle Acosta, on Sunday, March 11! Resurrection Sundayall hands were on deck from all Music Ministry components as we began preparations for Easter Sunday morning, April 8! Seasoned Women of Godto present again in Dance ministry on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 13! Dr. James Abbingtonto come to Immanuel for the second year, for an awesome workshop, June 22-24!

The choir expresses their delight with an outburst of applause for our Pastor, who with energy and fervor conducted our Mass Choir, keeping them spirited as their voices rang out.

Page 4 IMMANUEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH MUSIC & WORSHIP MINISTRY

The Church where Christ is exalted and Culture is Remembered

hymns, The Anthem Contemporaries, The Spiritual: Giants, The Work Song and Fight Song, The Spiritual Contemporaries, Jazz and Gospel!

1324 Chapel Street New Haven, CT 06511

Phone: 203-777-8744 Fax: 203-785-8673 E-mail: Immanuel.mbchurch@yahoo.com

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The lady of the evening Ms. Amber Monroe with the support of the choir reminded us of our Father, as she sang Precious Lord. This was truly the highlight of the evening. The most impressive song was De Profundis, as they sang in French. Mr. Wayne A. Barr, the Music Director led this choir to multiple levels of music and his hands were the only instruOn Monday, March 5th, 2012 the Southern New ments as they followed him note for note just England Tuskegee Alumni Club & Southern Conwatching the movement of his hands. necticut State University Multicultural Center, in partnership with Immanuel Baptist Church sponThe Golden Voices redefined the meaning of sored the Tuskegee University Golden Voices. music as a universal language as they continue to This memorable event began with Ms. Pamela T. make history. This event surely enriched the lives Washington's introduction of the choir and the of all who attended through song and to end it with determination and commitment that this group of the Tuskegee school song written by Paul Lawrence young adults bring. Dunbar gave an everlasting picture of the history She had been a student at Tuskegee University that will forever be today. "Hehlehlooyah"! and as a young freshman she went through many road blocks to become a member of this choir. She Mrs. Linda Blackmon expressed the interest and drive she had when she The Rythm Editorial Staff joined this choir and expressed the importance of dedication and commitment. Thirty years later she continues to be proud to be a part of a history that Senior Editor denotes determination, commitment and patience. Minister William Acosta As she was proud to announce The Golden Voices, the audience waited with an urge to be fulfilled with Contributing Writers history, as our young reintroduced the audience Gayle E. Acosta to our heritage.

Linda Blackmon Nikia Mewborn Patricia Batts

As they were announced, they walked into the sanctuary with an eagerness to bring forth a lesson in song, worship, brotherhood and unity. They were poised, confident and smiled with an assurance that the audience was as ready to hear them as they were to deliver. They began with Roland M. Carters rendition of the Negro National Anthem; they sang familiar songs, yet introduced songs of the past, that were heard for the first time by some. They sang

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THE RHYTHYM is a quarterly publication of the Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church Music Ministry. To subscribe, please call (203) 540-5527 and leave your name and address, or your email address to have the newsletter emailed to you.

THE REVEREND SAMUEL T. ROSS-LEE, PASTOR

The Statement of Purpose

"This Church is an ever evolving community of Visionaries and Dreamers whose Disciples have been Called by God to live the lives we were created to live, Commanded by God to love beyond the limits of our prejudices, and Commissioned by God to serve!"