Quartet Fest, Ephrata, PA - October 18, 2009

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 - The New Pastor

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!

Marcus & Vonda and Family

Singing for Diane Bigger

Jeff & Diane and Family

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!

Diane is the one in the middle (black dress)

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.

GOP Singing For Diane

More singing by GOP

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!

A New Baby Arrived!

New Baby Arrives! Jason and Denise were happy to welcome Dallas Grant Fox into their family on September 1st, 2009 at 7:28 am.

He weighed in at 8lbs 12oz and looks like his Daddy! Mom and baby came home from the hospital the next day, and are doing fine!

Jason stayed home an extra 2 days while the GOP went out to Holmes County for the Haiti Relief Auction, but then drove out for the Sunday programs.

Thank God for a healthy baby boy!

Pictures will follow….

Brian Straining For The High Note

Looks like Brian is Straining For the High Note Again....well, at least it looks like him.

The guys couldn’t resist taking a picture with this gentleman outside one of the little Berlin shops.  Brian tries hard for those high endings… here he wasn’t making a sound though.

Holmes County

Friday morning, September 4th, we headed for Holmes County, OH, with the Garment of Praise for 3 programs. The bus was a little fuller than usual with Marcus and his family joining us to help fill the vacancy from Jason staying home with his wife and new baby.

The Bed & Breakfast Where We Stayed For The Weekend

The travelling was uneventful and we arrived at the Townhouse Bed and Breakfast, where we unpacked and got ready to head over to the auction for the Friday evening program. The guys warmed up a little in the big tent; Brian and Daryl with their usual parts, Marcus returning to baritone, and Danny filling in the bass. It went okay–one amusing part was Brian singing Jason’ bass solo on “Where His Grace Begins” and then jumping back up to tenor for the chorus, dropping down for the bass run, hopping back up to the tenor for the finish of the chorus.  I think we were all grateful to hear Jason sing that one the next time.

We Always Enjoy Java Jo's

Hitting the coffee house late Friday night after the children are in bed.

We walked around Berlin to get breakfast Saturday morning–what a pile of children were on this trip. Made for some fun…and chaotic times!

Breakfast At the Homestead Restaurant

Homestead Restaurant for a great buffet Saturday morning!

A practice without Jason

Setting up on Saturday morning for our next program to be on Sunday morning. Jason says, “That’s what you call ‘air bass’”.

At The Haiti Relief Auction

Enjoyed the auction for a few hours Saturday afternoon, to bid on a few things, and visit with friends.

Basketball at Joe Miller's House

Joe and Rhoda Miller, our good friends, always have us over for supper…and the guys have to get in their half-court basketball game! Jason drove out with daughter, Molly, to help sing on Sunday! It was good to see him join the group again.

The Bus vs. The John Deere

Now there’s a pretty picture; John Deere and GOP bus! Joe took us on a hay ride around the area for some beautiful views!

4 Little Kiddos...ready for the trip

Headed for Sharon Conservative Mennonite Church.  We attended Sunday School with the church people, then the guys shared the morning message in song, then we enjoyed a good fellowship meal with their congregation, and some visitors–a lot of our German Baptist friends were there.

Chrissy's new friend

Joe and Rhoda came to the last program–their Brianna made good friends with our Chrissy.

The Quartet of 5....er, something like that.

Even though Jason was there to sing for most of the program, Marcus filled in Danny’s part for some of the program, and all five of them sang “One Fine Day” for a grand finale.

Garment Of Praise #10

Garment Of Praise - Summer 2009

Garment Of Praise #9

Garment Of Praise - Summer 2009

Garment Of Praise #8

Garment Of Praise - Summer 2009

Garment Of Praise #7

Garment Of Praise - Summer 2009

« Previous Page — Next Page »