Year: 2009

It was good to be out singing again this Sunday. We took the bus, and the families, except for Brian’s three girls. Daryl had a pretty bad cold, but God kept him singing, and the program went well.

We left at 6:30 am from the church parking lot.  The trip was a little foggy, and some of the children continued sleeping for the 2 hour ride there.

Stony Run Mission Church had Sunday School first, then Garment of Praise had the worship service.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy the service, with hearty “Amen”s and hand-clapping! That helps feed singers early on a Sunday morning! We enjoyed visiting with the congregation, and their pastor, Nick Smith, his wife, and new little baby boy. Nick, and his cousin, Jim Bob, had picked up some GOP music at Weaver’s Store, then had come to a Transport for Christ Banquet 2 years ago. It was good to get to their church for the long-awaited program.

The afternoon was spent at a park nearby where the children could run and play in the beautiful sunshine that day.

The evening service was at Crossroads Mennonite Church, just a few miles up the road.  It was good to reconnect with friends from there, and nearby churches. Daryl was able to sing through the whole program, but his voice was almost gone when they finished.  Thank God for always giving strength when it’s needed!

It was a good day in all. A milestone was kind of reached; the first program after the Fox’s sister, Diane, had graduated to Heaven.  Our hearts pull more towards our heavenly home, and “Wish You Were Here” just seemed a little dearer, as well as “The First Look” and “Going Home”.  It was good to have Jeff, Diane’s husband, and Brandon, her son, at our program Sunday night.  Please continue to keep them all in your prayers.

Last year and this year, the Garment of Praise had the privilege of singing at Shady Maple for Living Hope’s Banquet. We also shared the evening with Good News from Myerstown, PA. Their band is talented; playing an array of instruments–and singing A Cappella some of the time. They sang one of Trulan Martin’s songs he had written, a “yodelling song” by Lewis Nolt, and other great tunes.

Garment of Praise sang some new songs not on CD’s, including “I’m Free”, “Gloryland”, “I Have Not Forgotten”, and “Is That Footsteps That I Hear?”  For that last song, Brian called Good News up on the platform to back us up with a band! They had a lot of fun with that! Check out that video, too.

It was a great evening with food, music, and fellowship! Living Hope is doing an awesome work over in Ghana; we were so blessed by their testimony in their slide presentation. May the work continue and grow! We were happy to be part of the evening.

This trip was intended to be an all-day bus trip to Maryland, but some of the children were sick, and Brian’s wife, Sheryl, was helping with our church’s fellowship meal, so only the 4 guys drove down in a van.

They left at 7:00 am and sang at New Life Mennonite Church in the morning.  The church provided a meal for the guys, and there they met 2 gentlemen who used to sing in a quartet. They sang a song together, and enjoyed visiting. See the video with these two older guys!

–usually Brian is nowhere to be seen during clean-up!

In the evening, the guys drove over to Goshen Mennonite, Lee Mummau’s church. They always love that church, with the cemetery out back, outhouse, slave balcony inside, and warm memories.

What an evening of inspiration, worship, and fellowship! Five men’s groups from PA; plus a few group members from South Carolina and Virginia came together to make an evening of unforgettable music.

All these men have a love for singing, as well as a desire to worship the Lord. Each group had about ten minutes of song and testimony individually, then after the final group, all the men joined in a mass men’s choir directed by Earl Fox.

The audience filled the Ephrata Business Center, and some came from quite a distance (friends from WV were in attendance). An offering was taken up for Life Ministries, and was MC’ed by Glenn Hoover.

Earl Fox Five–This in not an official name, but here they are–Earl Fox, son, 2 sons-in-law, and Mike Hertzler

The Joyful Men Chorus from Bowmansville Mennonite Church

Unified Quartet–young guys from Lancaster, PA area

4 Ever Won don’t sing together anymore, but got together to sing this evening. Its been a few years that Randy Petersheim has been gone overseas, but Jason Fox, from the Garment of Praise, filled in the baritone part.

Not sure if these guy’s have an official name, but they are known to us at Fairview as ‘Wes Weaver’s Quartet’. Its not a quartet at present, since Wes moved out to ID, but they did a great job anyway.

Brian Fox, tenor from Garment of Praise, filled in some bass on 2 songs. (The bass singing wasn’t as bad as it sounds…)

Garment of Praise sang four songs; “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, “I’m Free”, “Where His Grace Begins”, and “Gloryland”.

These last two songs were very meaningful, as the Fox brothers, and the rest of us, have sister Diane on our minds. (Diane’s first grandchild, a girl, “Diane”, made her appearance the night before. )

“By the Way”–this quartet was formed when the members went to SMBI together. The members are kind of spread out (one member from South Carolina, one from Virginia, the other two from Pennsylvania), but they sing together every chance they get. They held a program at SMBI the night before, and were greatly enjoyed by the audience at Quartet Fest.

They have a CD available at Gladsongs.com, as well as group member, Peter Byler has an album of self-written songs, “Oh, LORD, Hear!” A very good listen!

“It Is Well”, “We’ll Be There”, and others were sung by the mass men’s choir as a grand finale.

Marcus Fox, previous baritone singer of Garment of Praise, was ordained a minister of Fairview Mennonite Church on October 11, 2009.  Marcus was the deacon since August, 2003.  He joins the ministry team with his father, Jay Fox, and Ted Steinruck, the assistant pastor. God’s blessings to you, Marcus, as you follow His leading!

Garment of Praise, plus a few Fox family members, went up 2 1/2 hours north of Reading to visit Diane Bigger (the oldest Fox sister). Diane was sent home from the hospital the first week of August (see Brian’s post “The Last Ride Home“).  The family has been visiting her as often as possible, but this was the first the Garment of Praise was able to get up there to sing to her. What a memorable concert it was!

Other family on Jeff’s side were there, and everyone enjoyed the program/practice, although many tears shed by all. The guys took requests, sang some songs that they love, fun songs, meaningful songs, songs about heaven.  “Where His Grace Begins”, “Going Home”, and “The First Look” were very touching. Diane’s testimony is shining brightly in these last hours.

All of us were able to witness her love for Jesus, her desire to go on to meet her Saviour, and her trust in God to keep her family in His hands. It was hard to pull away and go home. God be with you, Diane, and your family.

SPECIAL SIDE NOTE: Diane’s daughter, Annette gave birth to a little baby girl that they named Diane on Saturday night. So Grandma Diane was able to hold her first grandchild…which was very special!