The Holy Comforter Carillon: Many folks have asked why the bell tower has fallen silent. Back in October the entire compass of the keyboard mysteriously stopped functioning. In the past we have been plagued by lightning strikes. The tower acts almost as a lightning rod. At this point we are contacting the technicians in Ohio. Hopefully, the issue can be rectified in the not too distant future.

Music Week for Adults and Youth July 7-13, 2013 (Sunday - Saturday)

A week of music, worship, and fellowship in the midst of God’s Creation A wonderful week of singing, worshiping, learning, and music making awaits you at Lutheridge this summer. Sacred music in the midst of God’s creation and Christian Community!! Choral, organ, handbells, recorders, and instrumental music... all led by excellent clinicians! Whether you are a director of church music or you enjoy singing in a choir (or both), you will find this week to be one of refreshment and learning. The week is highlighted by a HymnFest and Friday concert. The week is led by gifted clinicians from around the country. 

KidzCamp provides fun and music for children under age seven while their parents have sessions. KidzCamp campers who are old enough will combine with First Camp for music instruction and a closing concert. 
Adult choir and handbells will be featured in closing worship at 7:30PM on Friday. NOTE: Children and youth (grades 1-12) also have a full schedule of camp and music activities available during this week.
Friday Concerts
First Camp and KidzCamp Concert: Friday, July 12th at 11:30AM (Bischoff) Youth Concert: Friday, July 12th at 2:15PM (Faith Center)
Closing Worship: Adult Choir & Handbells Friday, July 12th at 7:30PM (Whisnant Chapel)

For more details go to www.llmi.net/youth/MusicWeek

On May 12 we honored Don Robinson for his 60 years of singing in our church choir. Wow, since 1953; and still the youthful tenor! That is quite a feat that one does not come across every day. As is inscribed on the plaque: “Don, you are a blessing to this choir and our congregation.”

South Point High School (150 students) visited Holy Comforter this Spring as part of their geometry/architectural class. I told them a bit of history regarding the building and pipe organ. Comments regarding my knowledge of geometry did not take long at all. I did state that if I could pass the course, anyone could! They were a great group. At the conclusion I played a demonstration of pipe organ capabilities. Pulling out all the stops brought thunderous applause. Young folks like it loud!


During May we hosted 50 architects from Raleigh/ Durham on a bus tour. They were touring modernis- tic homes in the Charlotte/Metro Region. Of course our church house came up. A very kind and com- plementary group of folks who were very impressed with our facility. They loved the worship space, pipe organ, and stained glass windows. May we always be grateful for the blessings we have to worship in such a beautiful structure.

As mentioned in previous articles, we will be making improvements to our worship center this summer. Anonymous donations will allow us to include up- grading in lighting, chancel space, choir area, and carillon. The sanctuary committee is working on getting bids/pricing for these projects. Soon we will all be seeing and hearing the difference!

The choirs of Holy Comforter are now on much needed siesta with regard to evening rehearsals. The church choir will continue to gather each Sun- day at 10:10 am to prepare for worship. The choir and congregation is reminded that Holy Comforter is open for worship every Sunday, regardless of the weather or school calendar.

Personal words of thanks to the members of the children’s ensemble and their drivers; not least of which are Maria Carr, Beth Brittain, and all the mom and dad support. This group has been very faith- ful and has demonstrated a willingness to serve in this ministry. We have heard them ring and sing over the past year. We would like to consider tak- ing this group to Lutheridge for a day tour. Shirley & Tommy Causby have volunteered to host lunch at their home at Lutheridge. Pastor John and Liz, who live there on the grounds, volunteered to assist with the tour. The challenge, when?

Currently we are trying to compile a master email list for the children’s ensemble family. Folks, give me your email addresses, even if you know I have it. If your child has not participated in the past, we invite that to change. Let me know if you would allow your child to become a part of this growing ministry. We do more than just sing. This is our future teen/youth group!

Greg Cline, Music Director 

Thanks to the members of the church choir who continually lead our services of worship throughout the hot days of the summer. Speak-ing of hot...we invite all cold natured Lutherans to sit in the balcony this summer. The air condi-tioning system for our 40-foot ceiling was not the best design in the 1950’s. Thus we some-times must chill extra degrees to be able for the choir to survive. 

We have signed a contract to repair the Caril-lon. The electrical system on the tower ren-dered the bells inoperable in October 2012. It will take a few months before the work can be completed. We hope to rededicate the Carillon by late summer. These repairs are being com-pleted thanks to an anonymous benefactor. 

At some point during the summer we hope to replace flooring in the chancel and choir areas. When these projects are being done we may need to relocate to the fellowship hall for a Sun-day. We will keep the congregation informed of our progress. These Sanctuary enhancements are also a gift from Holy Comforter benefactors. We are a very blessed congregation in so many ways. Those desiring to make gifts to Holy Comforter through living wills, stocks, life insur-ance, or other venues may speak with a mem-ber of church council or staff. There are many areas of ministerial need inside and outside our church walls. 

Greg Cline and Elizabeth Bruchon will be representing Holy Comforter during music week at Lutheridge. There are activities for hundreds of participants of all ages. 

Campers and clinicians from many states, as well as other countries, participate in worship, instrumental, vocal, and spiritual growth op-portunities. Thursday, July 11 a hymn festival is featured in Hendersonville. Friday, July 12 there are concerts literally all day long with closing worship/festival concert in the chapel on the summit of Lutheridge mountain. Any folks desiring to attend any of these events, contact Greg Cline. 

Greg Cline, Music Director