October-December 2015 - Vol. 1 - No. 9-11

Seasons Greetings one and all!!

The fall semester has flown by for children, young adults, adults and teachers; seasonal performances have begun and ended for music ensembles and churches alike; and fall weather is really trying to shift here in St. Louis. Within all these activities, “Theodore Talks” emerges after much delay. So, happy reading and Merry Christmas to all!

All things music and creative!

Greenleaf rehearsals began in August. I was thrilled to finally begin a season with a full group of sixteen members. Our program came together wonderfully for the holiday season, with some familiar tunes as well as a few new-to-the-group selections. We performed to sold-out crowds at the Eliot Chapel Renaissance Madrigal Theatre and Christmas Rout and presented our Christmas concert to a full house on Friday, December 11, 2015. If you are in the area, join us on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 7:30 pm for our annual Twelfth Night Madrigal Evening. For further updates and the like, visit the group's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenleaf-Singers/131953920169824) and our website (http://www.greenleafsingers.com). If you’d like to hear some of what we were working on as well as an interview I did promoting the Eliot gig and the Greenleaf Singers, check out the following article:
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/greenleaf-singers-and-not-ready-reformation-players-team-40th-annual-christmas-rout

For many of my church music colleagues, rehearsals and preparations have been going strong for a few months, especially over the past several weeks as our choirs, bell ensembles, instrumental groups, etc. have presented for multiple church festivals and as we gear up for all things Christmas related. The life of a church musician is never dull and without activity. I pray for blessings of health and NRG for all those devoted to planning, preparing, and rehearsing music and the like for worship and sacred celebrations.

Living Life to the +Plus!

This month’s tip for taking one simple step to harmonious health is all about remembering that we need to take care of our hearts by eating a variety of fruits and veggies every day:

Here is the fifth and final installment of the Five Principles of Living and
Passing on Faith:

Principle Five:  If we want Christian children and youth, we need Christian adults.
              Deuteronomy 11:1-3 - "You shall love the Lord your God, therefore, and
              keep His charge, His decrees, His ordinances, and His commandments
              always. Remember today that it was not your children (who have not
              known or seen the discipline of the Lord your God), but it is you who
              must acknowledge His greatness, His mighty hand and His outstretched
              arm, His signs and His deeds that He did..." 2 Timothy 1:5 - "I am
              reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your
              grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives
              in you."

              These two readings explain this principle simply and plainly. So, as we
              live out the first four principles, the fifth principle is inevitable.
              Through Christ who strengthens and guides us, all generations are
              equipped to live out the Christian faith in vibrancy each and every
              day.

If you know of anyone who would like to receive this newsletter, let me know and I can add their information to the list or you can send them to the contact/subscription page of my website: www.theodorejander.com/?page_id=40

Blessings to each of you!