In every sense of the Word we are created to praise God. From ancient temple worship to modern contemporary worship, music has been the primary method through which gatherings of worshippers have expressed their faith in God. At Anderson Hills United Methodist Church we fully embrace traditional and contemporary styles of music and desire for everyone to sing joyfully in the presence of the Lord, God. These are the nurturing ministries of the church and they move us deeply into the arms of a loving God. Worship is not a mere hour on Sunday but rather the reflection of a changed lifestyle in response to God’ s overwhelming grace. To participate in these ministries is to be a servant leader in the house of our God.

HANDBELLS
Our church owns a six-octave set of Malmark handbells and a three-octave of Malmark handchimes. Handbells and handchimes are used in worship as a means to glorify God and to minister to the people through God’s gift of music. We currently have three handbell choirs serving in the church.

Asbury Ringers is for advanced adult handbell ringers. Rehearsals are Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 224, September-May. This handbell choir has participated in many previous Area V regional handbell festivals. Two times during the school year, the group travels outside the church to ring joyfully within our community.

Jubilee Ringers is our newly-formed beginner adult handbell choir. In this choir, we learn how to read music and fundamental handbell ringing techniques. Rehearsals are on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. in Room 224, September-May. No previous music experience is required.

Celebration Ringers is for middle and senior high school students. This is especially attractive for youth already involved in music through school. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. in Room 224, October-April. No previous music experience is required.

BRASS ENSEMBLES
Our church has two brass ensembles that participate in worship throughout the school year. Our adult brass group is the Sanctuary Brass. Rehearsals are Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel Parlor. On occasion, individuals or subgroups from the larger ensemble participate in worship. Our Youth Brass Ensemble is for youth in grades 9-12. Rehearsals are held Mondays at 6:15 p.m. in the Choir Room. Often times several non-members elect to participate in this ensemble. On occasion, both ensembles join together for larger brass needs. We welcome all who have a desire to serve to join us in our ministries.

PRESCHOOL CHOIR
Our Preschool Choir meets on Sunday mornings as part of our children’s education program. They sing at the 9:30 Powerhouse service and both 11:00 services throughout the school year. On occasion, they participate in the annual Family Advent drama presentation. Contact the Family Ministry department for additional information.

ELEMENTARY CHOIR
Our elementary choir is called Kidz Rock, and they have rehearsals on Sunday mornings in the education area. This is for children in grades 1-6. They sing at the 9:30 Powerhouse service and both 11:00 services throughout the school year. Contact the Family Ministry department for additional information.

YOUTH ENSEMBLE
Our Youth Ensemble is for vocalists and instrumentalists in grades 7-12. They rehearse on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. They sing at all services throughout the year and on occasion combine with the Chancel Choir for special worship presentations.

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP BANDS
The church has four contemporary worship ensembles.

Praise Band is the regular worship band for the 9:30 a.m. Powerhouse worship celebration. This group includes male and female vocalists, guitarists, percussionists, and keyboardist. Rehearsals are the first and third Sunday evenings of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Frequently, additional rehearsals occur on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings. The Praise Band presents more modern contemporary music.

Oliveyard Band is the regular worship band for the 11:00AM worship gathering in Fellowship Hall. In contrast to the Praise Band, this band presents a much more eclectic style of music. From week to week, the size of the band can alternate. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall throughout the year.

Under the direction of Dr. Randy Drosick, Jam for the Lamb is our teenage Praise Band. Jam is the first contemporary ensemble in our church history. Rehearsals are the second Sunday night of the month in Fellowship Hall at 7:30 p.m. Additional rehearsals are held frequently at the home of Dr. Drosick.

The Apostles are a contemporary Christian vocal ensemble. This group has a long history of presenting music outside the church for the community. Some musical knowledge is required to participate in this group. We place high value on the vocal blend of this ensemble.

Chancel Choir is the foundational group of the ministry of music as it is the only group that sings in worship year round. Rehearsals for the school year are held on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. During the summer, the choir arrives at 10:30AM to rehearse an anthem for the service that follows at 11:00 a.m. This group welcomes all adults college age or older. The Chancel Choir sings weekly at the 11 o’clock traditional service and for special services throughout the year. On occasion, special music with orchestra is presented for worship.

Men’s Quartet sings gospel-type music at various services throughout the year. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. Some previous part singing is required.

Women’s Ensemble – This is a four-part vocal ensemble that sings at various and special services throughout the year. Having a women’s ensemble is somewhat unique by today’s standards in churches. We are delighted to be able to continue this rich tradition in our music ministry. Contact HyeLan Pearce at the church for additional information.

Acolytes are older elementary children and youth who assist in the worship service by lighting candles, collection of offering plates and other liturgical acts that enhance our worship. Contact the Church Office for further information.

Visual Artists enhance the aesthetic appeal of our worship space by working with banners, altar paraments, candles and other visual needs. Often times this work occurs late in the week.

Altar Flowers may be purchased in memory or in honor of loved ones through the church office. Flowers can be placed on the altars of the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall or in the Garden Walk Hallway. Flowers that are not taken by the donors are given to area nursing homes. We suggest you place your orders several months in advance to secure the dates you request.

Fine Arts – This committee is charged with arranging and preserving the overall beauty of the church facility. They change the appearance of our artwork to reflect the current season. These workers create large-scale floral displays for Advent, Christmas and Easter. Your name must be submitted to the Lay Leadership Committee in order to be placed on this committee.

Ushers – These teams serve on a bimonthly basis and are critical in displaying the church’s hospitality. We require ushers to appear before the service begins as they assist the program and clergy staff in the functional needs of our corporate worship. Ushers are needed at all services of worship at Anderson Hills.

Worship Design Teams – It is the responsibility of the Worship Design teams to design, evaluate and organize all services of worship held at the church. The teams consist of staff and laity and try to create worship experiences that demonstrate the passion of our members to serve Christ. The teams meet weekly during the day.

Communion Stewards – These persons come to the church prior to communion Sundays to prepare the elements for the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month at the 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. traditional services and the 9:30 a.m. contemporary service. The 11:00 a.m. Oliveyard gathering often elects to celebrate communion on a more frequent basis.

Worship Bulletins – The Sunday bulletin includes the order of worship of the day and descriptions of the various ministries and activities that are occurring in the life of the church for that week. It is our hope that members and friends of the church read and pray for the events listed in the bulletin each week. Each and every event is an opportunity to connect someone to Jesus Christ.

Wedding Coordinators – It is the responsibility of the wedding coordinators to help plan, organize and oversee weddings that are held in our church. As soon as the wedding is confirmed with the church, a coordinator will be assigned to that wedding. The prospective bride and groom will need to arrange to meet with the wedding coordinator, the Director of Music and Worship, and the Anderson Hills UMC clergy that is assigned to this wedding.

Technical Worship Ministries – Individuals interested in serving the church in this ministry will be trained in lighting design, PowerPoint presentation, audio mixing and stage monitor mixing. Training is required to participate in this ministry.

Drama Ministry – Our church is blessed to have an active and growing drama ministry. Annually plays are presented in worship and on special occasions where drama is used to witness to the truth of God’s love for His people. We should remember that participation in this ministry does not necessarily require people to be actors. Costume and set designers, carpenters and craftsman all help create a great drama ministry.

Concert Series – Anderson Hills United Methodist Church has a long standing concert series through which local and regional artist, high schools and colleges, professional groups and traveling youth choirs are invited to present outstanding concerts that glorify God. These concerts are for everyone in the township who enjoys great moments of inspirational music.

WORSHIP ARTS PERSONNEL

Danny D. Stover, is the Director of Music and Worship/Organist for Anderson Hills United Methodist Church. He joined the program staff in 2000 as organist/assistant director of music. In January 2001 he was named interim director and in May of that year he was named director of music. Danny was promoted to the position of director of music & worship in April of 2004. Danny holds a Bachelor’s degree in organ performance from Henderson State University. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Nebraska in organ performance. He holds an earned Doctorate in Sacred Music from the University of Memphis. Dr. Stover has served churches in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Nebraska, Kentucky and Ohio during his twenty-one years as a professional church musician.

HyeLan Pearce, joined the program staff in 2004 as the Assistant Director of Traditional Music and serves as a conductor for many of our vocal and brass ensembles. She holds a Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Kentucky and is one of the finest pianists in the city of Cincinnati. HyeLan lives with her husband, Dan, and son, Matthew, in Northern Kentucky.

Kyle S. McCarty, joined the program staff as Director of Contemporary Worship in February, 2008.   Kyle grew up in the Wellston area and has been on staff at several churches in Ohio and Missouri, including World Harvest in Columbus.  Over the past 18 years, Kyle has traveled both nationally and internationally to minister through Word and song to congregations, dignitaries, presidents and heads of state, as well as praise and worship teams who desire an intimacy with God that goes behond the music to a place of continual relationship with the Father.  Collaborating with Gospel greats such as Andre Crouch, Charlie Peacock and Clint Brown, Kyle was part of Make Me Your Voice - a compilation CD to raise funds and awareness for the Christians in Sudan in conjunction with Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse.  Kyle has written and published over 100 praise and worship songs, and has produced and released 6 CD's.  His new release, I've Got A Praise, was released in 2006.  Besides leading the two contemporary services at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., he will also have oversight for Apostles, Youth Choir, Jam for the Lamb and the Drama Team.

Contact Dr. Danny Stover and Mrs. HyleLan Pearce at music@andersonhillsumc.org or call 513-231-4172, ext. 27

Contact Kyle McCarty at kmccarty@andersonhillsumc.org or call 513-231-4172, ext. 23.