The Bold and the Beautiful (January 7, 2017)
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On January 7, 2017, eight beautiful women boldly faced snowy weather and slippery roads to meet together for the monthly women's breakfast at a local diner. All women are welcome at the monthly breakfasts, which provide Christian fellowship. They are organized by Home League Secretary Linda Gaskins
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Nursing Home Christmas Visitation (Sunday December 18, 2016)
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Twenty-five people from our corps participated in visitation to more than 900 residents of three nursing homes, some delivering a gift of socks to each while others played in brass ensembles or sang Christmas carols in the hall of each unit. We even had our own Santa Claus as a part of the visitation team. This Sunday's League of Mercy visitation was a part of our corps bandsmen's and songsters' commitment, and so the majority of visitors were members of the songster brigade and band with good help from our corps officers and additional corps volunteers. Many, including the musicians, personally greeted individual residents. The visitors divided into two separate groups to cover one of the largest nursing facilities in the country, each with a brass ensemble, singers, and gift distributors. Afterwards, the groups went separate ways to minister at two smaller facilities. (Photos are of one of the groups.)
During this three-hour ministry, the nursing home residents welcomed us and gave us a sense that we were doing something valuable - that with our coming, light shined more brightly in their worlds, if only for just a few minutes. Here is a note a resident scribbled on lined notebook paper and handed to one of us before we left his floor: "To The Salvation Army: "Thank you!" (again!) I just want to thank you for celebrating Christmas with us (like you do every year)! Signed, - Unit 41 resident." (Name deleted for privacy purposes.) Major Linda Jones, Major Hyangmi (Koo) Lee, and Nancy Niven visited five additional nursing homes on other days. |
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Advent Worship Service (Sunday December 18, 2016)
The spirit of Christmas filled our worship. It was found in the Christmas carols sung by the congregation, including the carol contained in the praise and worship singing led by Samuel Alvarez. It was found in special Christmas music presentations, including the organ preliminary and offertory, played by Lois Rader. The band contributed to the spirit with its preliminary march, "The Spirit of Christmas" (P. Cook, trans. T. Mack), its meditative selection, "Greensleeves" (words: "What Child is This?") (trad. English folk song, arr. W. Himes), and its contemporary rhythmic postlude, "Come Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" (trad. English carol, arr. E. Mylechreest). The songsters contributed to the spirit by presenting two selections: The first, "Sweet Chiming Bells" (verses C. Wesley, chorus anon.; music anon.) was complete with the ringing of bells thanks to Samuel Alvarez and Dorothy Mason. The second, "Joyous Christmas Day" (verses J. Montgomery, chorus T. Mack; music T. Mack) included a guest songster, Mack's six-year-old granddaughter, Sofia Galarza, for whom he originally wrote the chorus. Charlie Knickerbocker and Heidi Ocasio contributed to the spirit through their lovely vocal duet, "Mary, Did You Know?" (lyrics M. Lowry; music B. Greene). Cathy Terino and Anthony Lagos contributed as they conducted the advent wreath ceremony, centered on the lighting of the third candle. Certainly Dorothy Mason contributed as she made surprise presentations to corps music leaders who had worked with and influenced her late husband, Vincent Mason. Her words of gratitude for fellow soldiers fostered a sense of corps unity as she gave B/M Gordon Ward, organist and pianist Lois Rader, and S/L Tom Mack lovely wreaths, one to each. Handmade by a relative, each is comprised of pages of Christmas sheet music that had been a part of Vince's treasured music collection and is embellished with a jeweled Christian symbol in the center.
All was to reinforce the message of the responsive Scripture reading led by Lt. Luis Ocasio, much of which was a translation of prophesies of the coming Messiah found in Isaiah 9 and 11. All was to encourage a sense of personal connection with God during the prayer time led by Major Sangjung Lee. All was to support the sermon, "Mary Visits Elizabeth," based on Luke 1:39-45, given by Major Linda Jones, who preached in all advent season worship services.
All was to reinforce the message of the responsive Scripture reading led by Lt. Luis Ocasio, much of which was a translation of prophesies of the coming Messiah found in Isaiah 9 and 11. All was to encourage a sense of personal connection with God during the prayer time led by Major Sangjung Lee. All was to support the sermon, "Mary Visits Elizabeth," based on Luke 1:39-45, given by Major Linda Jones, who preached in all advent season worship services.
Home League Special Guest (December 8, 2016)
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The Home League is a group of women who meet weekly at the corps for worship, fellowship, service and educational programs. (All women are welcome.) Oxana O'Gara, who enjoyed an eductional tour of Israel in September 2016, gave a special educational presentation at the December 8, 2016 Home League meeting. Her topic was "The Holy Land". She presented a complete program, which included a quiz about Israel with prizes; show and tell objects such as the Israeli flag and a colorful chart depicting the Hebrew alphabet, writing direction, and oft-used phrases; a digital photo slideshow of pictures taken during her trip; applicable Bible verses; and falafel with tahini sauce, an Israeli national food, for a taste treat.
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Beautiful Christmas Tea (December 7, 2016)
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Ten happy women, members of the Women's Book Fellowship, enjoyed a lovely Christmas Tea given by Linda Ward on December 7, 2016. The women laughed and cried as they shared personal Christmas memories, read the Christmas story from the Bible, and sang a carol in the warm setting of Linda's living room, beautifully adorned for the Christmas season. After enjoying Christmas desserts and English tea (of course), each was sent home with a box of goodies that reflected Linda's special touch. (Members of this group are women who attend the book discussion meetings at Linda's home.)
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Christmas Worship Hanging of the Greens (Sunday December 4, 2016)
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The annual "Hanging of the Greens" took place at the end of the first Christmas worship service. As the band played "Angels We Have Heard on High (arr. Himes), our corps children, in procession, carried 16 full poinsettias, some larger than themselves, down the aisle to the front of the chapel, where they were placed before the platform. Next, while the congregation sang carols, about 15 of our men brought smiles to our faces as, in a very interesting manner, they hung garlands along the sides of the chapel. "Will they or won't they" is always the question during the hanging of the garlands. In the end, they always do. Soon the band was playing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" (Himes), and members of the congregation, one by one, were placing ornaments on the Christmas tree. The tree dressing continued as the songsters sang "Christmas Echo Hymn" (trans. T. Baker/anon). The final touch came during the singing of "O Christmas Tree", when five of our girls, ages 4-6, moved to to the secret electric switch behind the tree, flipped it, and all the lights on the tree and garlands came to life. Following the choral benediction, the band played a happy Christmas march, "The Spirit of Christmas" (P. Cook, trans. T. Mack).
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Music Sunday Worship (Sunday November 13, 2016)
A time of joy!!! beginning with the band preliminary, "Sing and Make Music in Your Heart to the Lord." The YP singing company continued the spirit as they sang the call to worship, presenting "Bless the Lord" and "More Than Conquerors" to recorded accompaniment. They sang with strength, were well disciplined, and had a pleasant sound. Even the youngest, age 6, watched the leader, Chris Ward, and sang all the words from memory. If you didn't feel compelled to clap to the beat of the congregational song, "Make the World with Music Sing," you hadn't arrived in the chapel yet. The band, led by B/M Chris Ward, played the moving selection, "The Prayer" (Foster, Sager, Testa, Renis, arr. ), which features the plea, "I pray you'll be our eyes/and watch us where we go/and help us to be wise/in times when we don't know./Let this be our prayer/when we lose our way./Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace/to a place where we'll be safe." The praise and worship team, Samuel Alvarez (leader, vocals, piano), Heidi Ocasio and Charlie Knickerbocker (vocals), and Seth Ditmer (percussion), led the singing of "Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and Earth," and "Lord, I Need You".
The songsters, led by S/L Tom Mack, sang "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" (Parker/Clarke arr. Ballantine) before scripture was read. Major Doug Jones's sermon, "All Surpassing Power," was based on 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. He said that we carry the gospel of Christ, the treasure of light and grace, within us, mere jars of clay, weak and inclined toward failure. God knows what we are like and chooses us as His vessels to show that the all-surpassing power we can rely on is from Him and not from us. God never fails us. His all-surpassing power is sufficient for us when we have faith and trust in Him. Therefore, we don't give up and surrender our faith when pressed by difficulties, as we often are.
At meeting's end, the songsters sang "Banners and Bonnets", Meredith Willson's (writer of the Broadway musical, "The Music Man") lively, marching song honoring The Salvation Army. The band played Edward Mylechreest's "Risen Conquering Son", an exciting piece with Celtic rhythms. The band concluded the worship with a joyful postlude march, "Joyful Intercessors" (Mackereth). One of its featured songs is, "Joy, joy, joy! There is joy in The Salvation Army".
The songsters, led by S/L Tom Mack, sang "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" (Parker/Clarke arr. Ballantine) before scripture was read. Major Doug Jones's sermon, "All Surpassing Power," was based on 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. He said that we carry the gospel of Christ, the treasure of light and grace, within us, mere jars of clay, weak and inclined toward failure. God knows what we are like and chooses us as His vessels to show that the all-surpassing power we can rely on is from Him and not from us. God never fails us. His all-surpassing power is sufficient for us when we have faith and trust in Him. Therefore, we don't give up and surrender our faith when pressed by difficulties, as we often are.
At meeting's end, the songsters sang "Banners and Bonnets", Meredith Willson's (writer of the Broadway musical, "The Music Man") lively, marching song honoring The Salvation Army. The band played Edward Mylechreest's "Risen Conquering Son", an exciting piece with Celtic rhythms. The band concluded the worship with a joyful postlude march, "Joyful Intercessors" (Mackereth). One of its featured songs is, "Joy, joy, joy! There is joy in The Salvation Army".
Pot Luck Dinner Corps Family Fellowship (October 30, 2016)
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On Sunday, October 30, 2016, 75 people enjoyed fellowship with each other and a delicious meal cooked by no others than themselves. Arriving at the dessert table was like arriving at a bakery. The varied sweets were of such a number that they overflowed onto a cart.
Corps custodian Richard and four soldiers had transformed the gym into a dining room the previous day, covering the tables with tablecloths and decorative items blazing with the yellows, golds, and oranges of fall. Thank you to the home league members and Major Hyangmi Koo (Lee) who put their own hunger needs on hold as they served at the banquet table and to the many people who cleaned up. Thank you to Lt. Luis Ocasio for his preparations, to corps custodial engineer Elias for his post-dinner help and, as always, to Elzo, who was the first in the kitchen and dining area, working diligently on behalf of diners, and the last out. |
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The Salvation Army Nassau County Advisory Board Annual Volunteer Dinner
(October 19, 2016)
This event was held at Westbury Manor. Participants included Advisory Board Volunteer Dinner Committee Chairman Myla Borucke, Majors Doug and Linda Jones, and Star Lake Camp Executive Director Greg Tuck, who was guest speaker. A brass sextet was comprised of Hempstead Citadel bandsmen Gordon and Chris Ward, Charlie Knickerbocker, and Tom and Pat Mack, and Freeport corps bandsman Martin.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dr. Arthur J. Venezia, a retired superintendent of schools in Port Jervis and, later, Wantagh. He is a former Salvation Army Nassau County Advisory Board chairman and has given 50 years of volunteer service as a bell-ringer. His response expressed his deep appreciation for the Army's caring service to people, which has moved him to voluntarily assist the Army across the years. Three volunteer bell-ringer groups were recognized. A Volunteer Group of the Year Award was given to an additional group, the Butler family. The Butler parents and their children, now teenagers, play musical instruments and have given many years of volunteer service as a family band at Christmas kettles. Special guest Greg Tuck gave a well received, heart-touching speech about various areas of Army service, both in Nassau County and beyond. It included several stories of personal experiences in South Africa and Southwest Ohio. The brass sextet played prelude and postlude items, presented two musical tributes to award winners, and accompanied singing of the National Anthem. The photo is of the sextet.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dr. Arthur J. Venezia, a retired superintendent of schools in Port Jervis and, later, Wantagh. He is a former Salvation Army Nassau County Advisory Board chairman and has given 50 years of volunteer service as a bell-ringer. His response expressed his deep appreciation for the Army's caring service to people, which has moved him to voluntarily assist the Army across the years. Three volunteer bell-ringer groups were recognized. A Volunteer Group of the Year Award was given to an additional group, the Butler family. The Butler parents and their children, now teenagers, play musical instruments and have given many years of volunteer service as a family band at Christmas kettles. Special guest Greg Tuck gave a well received, heart-touching speech about various areas of Army service, both in Nassau County and beyond. It included several stories of personal experiences in South Africa and Southwest Ohio. The brass sextet played prelude and postlude items, presented two musical tributes to award winners, and accompanied singing of the National Anthem. The photo is of the sextet.
Dedication of Madelyn Rose Ward (Sunday Worship October 2, 2016)
Blessings were abundant during our Sunday, October 2, 2016 worship service as worshipers, including several visitors filled our chapel. Included among them were Commissioners Robert and Alice Watson from Clearwater, FL, Majors Steve and Carol Ditmer from Hartford, CT, and other Ditmer and Ward family members from the New Jersey-New York area. They were present for the public dedication of Chris and Meghan Ward's three-month-old daughter, Madelyn Rose. Herb Rader and Tom Mack served as flag bearers as Major Steve Ditmer conducted the meaningful, heart-felt dedication service and Commissioner Robert Watson offered the dedicatory prayer. Madelyn quietly enjoyed the ceremony while her 21-month-old sister, Olivia, provided a speck of spontaneous entertainment. We were blessed by Gordon Ward's offering of a dedicatory cornet solo, "They Shall be Mine," (piano accompanist: Stephen Ditmer), which reverently presents William Cushing's familiar hymn, "When He Cometh". Additional music selections included a meeting preliminary item, "By His Hand" (T. Mack), and offertory, the hymn tune setting, "Redeemer's Love" (Goffin), both presented by the band, and a songster presentation, "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" (Parker/Clarke, arr. Ballantine) (piano accompanist: Lois Rader). Major Doug Jones's sermon, "Chosen Vessels," based on II Timothy 2:19-26, spoke of us as vessels that must be Holy so that God can use us to do His work and to bring Him glory.
9/11/16 - Outreach Sunday/Casual Sunday/Sneaker Sunday
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We wore casual clothing to our worship service because Sunday school and a cookout were planned immediately after we worshiped together in the chapel. Sunday school was held on the corps lawn beside the chapel, and the cookout serving tables were under a canopy at the community center entrance. Anyone who wanted to attend any of these events was welcome.
Lois Rader led Sunday school with the assistance of others. She led singing and accompanied the singing on her keyboard. Using flannelgraph, she told the biblical story of Jacob and his son Joseph and his brothers. Afterwards, the children donned costumes and acted out the story as it was narrated. The cookout included hamburgers, hot dogs, and their fixin's, chips, funnel cakes, and drinks. |
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Summer day camp & Vacation Bible School
HEMPSTEAD CITADEL SONGSTER LEADER
HONORED AT PROFILE NIGHT PROGRAM
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Hempstead Citadel Songster Leader Tom Mack was honored at The Salvation Army GNY Division's 37th Profile Night program on April 10, 2016. All of the music in the program was his - whether compositions or arrangements or transcriptions. Because most of his music has been written for corps groups, including children's groups, rather than for highly skilled music groups, the brass and vocal groups and soloists presenting his music during the program were from GNY corps. The larger groups were as follows: Spring Valley & Hempstead Citadel senior bands combined, Hempstead Citadel senior songsters, Queens Temple youth band, White Plains corps youth chorus, and Westbury corps timbrels. A cornet trio, euphonium solo, and tuba (or lower brass) quartet played more advanced music. The final program item was presented by a vocal soloist, the band, and the congregation. If you care to hear any of the program, watch the video next to this text (program begins at about 14.30 minutes into the video).
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Charlie an Award Winner
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Hempstead Citadel is proud of Charlie Knickerbocker, who received the 2nd place vocal award at the USA Eastern Territorial Star Search Talent Display in Hershey, Pa., on June 11th. Competitors were Eastern Territorial young people who had been named 1st place winners of their 2016 divisional Star Search vocal competitions. We are more proud of him for his faithfulness as a Christian, Hempstead Citadel soldier, bandsman, songster, and praise band member.
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March 2014
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SPECIAL GUESTs: CAPTAINs MARtin & Leanne CORDNERCaptains Martin and Leanne Cordner from the United Kingdom joined the Hempstead Citadel family on Sunday March 2, 2014 as part of their brief journey to the New York City area for The Salvation Army Greater New York's 35th Annual Profile Night which, later that evening, highlighted the music of Captain Martin Cordner.
Hempstead Citadel's music forces presented a number of items either written by Cordner or featured in one of Cordner's compositions. Captain Martin Cordner offered his testimony that morning, and his wife Leanne presented the sermon based on the following words to the song "Before the Throne of God Above": Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart. I know that while in Heaven He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart. Click here to listen to audio of the Holiness Meeting. In the evening, a number of our congregants participated in the festival at the Centennial Memorial Temple, including Gordon Ward, Christopher Ward, Meghan Ward, Brad Foreman, Charlie Knickerbocker, Melody Knickerbocker, Sarah Rader, Leah Rader, Jelani Weekes, and Stephen Ditmer (technical support). If you were not able to attend the festival, the entire program is available here. To learn more about Captain Martin Cordner, please visit his website cordnermusic.com and follow him on Twitter @mncordner. |
