Living Hope Banquet

Looking forward to a banquet coming up on October 25, 2011 at Shady Maple Restaurant. Information is posted on the flyer following:

Weekend in Indiana

The trip began at 3:00 am on Friday morning, August 5th.  Jason, then Brian, then Daryl took a turn driving. Click here to watch life unfold on the GOP bus!  This trip, Sheryl also helped out with the driving, and did a fantastic job. 

 One of the funnier moments was instructing Danny on driving the bus for the first time (as well as his first try at driving manual transmission.) Watch here for his successful second attempt! Nothing like learning to drive with a whole busload of people!

Working on "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" while en route.

Our first program was at the Simon J. Graber building, graciously hosted by Jason and Joanna Knepp and family!  They provided dinner and motel for us that evening, and the service was a blessing.

 The following day was jam-packed with fun activities with friends; going out for breakfast at Knepp Family Restaurant with Hank, Jason, Joanna, and daughter, Rachel; eating lunch with Nate and Rose Overholt and family at Jeremy and Vanita Sensenig’s from Fresh Start; and letting the children run off some energy.

Jeremy and Vanita Sensenig hosted us for a relaxing, enjoyable afternoon.

Nate and Rose blessed us with their family singing for us!

If they sing; WE sing!

 We drove about a 1/2 hour to the program that evening at Hillside Mennonite Church. It was the first time we were ever there, but we received a warm welcome, and it was great to meet more brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Marshall Fox and Jake Petersheim after a long day of PLAY!

Training him young (Daryl with youngest son, Darien)

Getting everyone ready for the program.

Sheryl setting up the CD rack.

The next morning we enjoyed a morning service at Fresh Start Chapel and a quick meal, then it was onto the bus for a 5 hour trip to our Sunday evening program.

Eldon and Audrey Miller and family hosted this evening at Salem, and had a meal for us immediately on arrival. We finally were able to do a Sunday evening program here, and they definitely had a good turnout!

They packed them in; filling the foyer, and overflowing into the fellowship hall where they piped the music into.

This time we spent Sunday night in Indiana, and tanked up on sleep for the ride home Monday, rather than travelling through the night. Each night we were so grateful to our hosting families, and blessed by your generous spirits! We couldn’t continue our ministry without you!

Denise, Brooklyn, Cristina (Eldon Miller's daughter, IN), and Sheryl

Our prayer and aim for this weekend was to focus on salvation.  We hope to plant the seed, or perhaps water it. It would be nice to “see the increase”, however, only God can know what was happening in people’s hearts. Only God can truly save the soul. We were blessed to have someone comment on our facebook page, “You guys were great tonight! But I think we should have rented a stadium for all the people… It’s so awesome to see God using you to encourage so many people. Thanks for your testimonies & the emphasis on salvation.”

Indiana–When and Where

A Day at the Park

Now this is what you’d call a really, truly “behind the scenes” post!  You wouldn’t normally see these guys behaving like this on the stage or in church, but what’s in the heart usually comes out sometime or other!

… and look at the next generation following in their fathers’ footsteps!

… and some more pictures of our families enjoying the day…

Dallas, Jason's son

Daryl, with his youngest son, Darien

clockwise (starting at far left): Denise, Whitney, Bryce, Brooklyn, Dallas

Brian, and wife, Sheryl

April 1 and May 1

On April 1st, the bus hit the road for the first weekend trip of the 2011 year.  Goshen, IN was our destination.  The families went along this time, except for Daryl’s family, who remained at home recovering from the flu.  Brian’s oldest daughters also stayed at home, but Jason’s whole family went.  Danny managed to bring his ENTIRE family on the trip, too!!

GOP-- on the road again! Miss Christina went along to visit her family.

Crowded.. but not as crowded as usual.

View from the road.

2011 was the first year the A Cappella Gospel Sing took place, but hopefully this will become an annual event. Ray Yutzy, of Sharon Bethel Quartet from Iowa, headed up the event, along with a committee of five men in the Goshen area. Ray did a phenomenal job of envisioning the weekend and helping it to run smoothly. Thanks, Ray!

Quartets, quintets, choirs, and family groups from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Canada, and more…

Followers Quartet

Garment of Praise

Greene Mountain Men’s Choir

Harmony Quartet

Harmony 5

Harmony 5 Generation 2

New Freedom Quartet

New Heights Quartet

The Harbor Lights

Higher Ground Quartet

The Living Faith Quartet

Sharon Bethel Quartet

Smucker Family

Many thanks to James Yoder, of Kalona, IA, who ran the sound and did a magnificent job! Also our appreciation goes to Fairhaven, for hosting the event at their church and to the Fairhaven/Woodlawn Youth for operating the food booth. 

Thanks to the Fairhaven congregation for their support!

Organization at this event was top-notch!

Yummy food whenever you wanted it.

Guy (Daryl's son), enjoying something from the food booth.

Near the dining area, each of the groups were able to set up a table to display their CDs and cassettes, and that is where we were able to meet friends and visit. 

CD tables

A highlight of the trip was being able to reach new people in the Goshen, IN area.  From  those we met, we received many encouraging words to go on singing. Thank you for that! We can go for quite a while on an encouraging word!

We also enjoyed meeting the other singing groups, and getting to know them. What a wonderful fellowship in working together to worship the Lord and bringing others a blessing!

The A Cappella Gospel Sing was Friday and Saturday, so on Sunday Garment of Praise sang at Blue River Church of the Brethren.

 

Nothing like a good climbing tree for boys with lots of energy!

Quartet Night at Bethany

Four quartets and yummy food make for a great night! On March 12, Saturday evening, Garment of Praise hosted a quartet night at Bethany Grace Fellowship in Terre Hill, PA. They invited Unshackled and Testify, both local groups, to join them in singing for the evening. The offering went toward sending the juniors and seniors of Fairview Christian School to Nicaragua on a missions trip in May.

Special highlight was three quartets singing together at the beginning and ending of the program.

Brian did a great job of organizing the event.

We had a small "band" accompanying the men on one song, "Wedding Music".

Bryce is learning to play bass guitar for the best teacher you could ask for--his dad!

Mr. Dave Nolt--our sound guy for the night, also teaches at Fairview Christian School.

The evening consisted of the groups singing together, then Testify, followed by Unshackled. The high school of Fairview Christian School sang “Alpha and Omega”, then Garment of Praise wrapped up the night. Another quartet from Tidings of Peace in York, PA, came and sang a few numbers also. 

After the program, there was a delicious dessert buffet in the basement.  The parents of the juniors and seniors donated a variety of yummy desserts for people to choose from. Everyone had fun picking out a little bit of different kinds. Wouldn’t it be great if this was after EVERY Garment of Praise program?!

A scrumptious rasberry, walnut, mousse delight!

Danish--made by Mrs. Martin, the monitor in the high school

Chocolate Fudge--created by the home ec students at the school

Lemon Meringue, Coconut Creme, Apple, Ground Cherry, Shoofly... just to name a few!Chocolate Mocha Torte... are you drooling yet?

And... last but not least, cute little whoopie pies!

 Thanks to all the moms, students, faculty, and quartets that made the night a success!  The students were able to raise what they were hoping, thanks to everyone who attended.  Every bit of help was appreciated!

Belleville Concert

We will be having a program in Belleville, PA with the Stutzman family this Sunday night, March 20. This was not listed on the original schedule, but is on now. If you need any more information or directions, contact Earl Yoder (814) 441-0357.

Quartets Night

Garment of Praise is hosting a quartets night in Terre Hill, PA at Bethany Grace Fellowship on March 12, 2011. Program will start at 7:00 pm and will feature:

UNSHACKLED

TESTIFY

GARMENT OF PRAISE

Come and enjoy an evening of good music and fellowship. Refreshments will be served afterwards. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Fairview Christian School Junior/Senior mission trip to Nicaragua.

Any questions: Fairview Christian School 610-372-8826

                                Brian Fox: 610-373-8202

Risser’s Mennonite Church

We haven’t had a program in quite a while, so it was great to hit the road again and SING!  We always have plenty of busyness going on without Garment of Praise programs, but we still miss it.   We’ve been working on getting a new sound system that works for us, and we’ve also been working on a couple new songs to add to our programs, and, eventually, record on our new CD. Our church, Fairview Mennonite Church, which we all attend, has been practicing weekly for a few chorus programs in the area–with Brian Fox directing most of the music. So, our plates are full… and overflowing!

Trying to get the new board to work for us

Now... which cord goes where?

It’s always good to get out and sing through the songs, and visit with our friends in churches.  Last Sunday night, February 27, we sang near Elizabethtown, PA, at Risser’s Mennonite Church.  We felt a little rough around the edges, but it definitely was fun to harmonize, praise God, and work together again! 

Risser's Mennonite Church

Brian--before the program

We sang "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" in the aisle again.

Daryl and Renita's baby, Darien (4 months) attended his first program!

We’re looking at getting busier in the next few months! We have some more Garment of Praise programs coming soon, but our church chorus, which we are all a part of, is doing a few programs in March and April also.

New Program Added

We did not have this program on the original schedule: Life Ministries Banquet at Shady Maple Banquet Facilities in New Holland on Monday evening, March 28, 2011.  Garment of Praise singing and appetizers will be at 6:00pm.  Dinner and program to follow. See more information following. Make sure to reserve a spot–we’ll see you there!

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