Organ Dedication!

Organ Dedication with brass accompaniment, Adult Choir, Chimes, and congregational singing was held on Sunday, November 6, 2005.

Pipe organ Phase Two is complete.

Phase II, going from 750 pipes to 1300, was installed behind the grill cloth on the right hand side. These ranks provide some of the softer sounds used for accompanying soloists and choirs. They also allow for a more balanced sound throughout the sanctuary. The complete organ has 22 ranks of pipes. Phase II cost $63,000.

Pipe organ Phase One

August 22, 2004 was the first worship service in which the organ was played, adding even more beautiful music to our worship, and returning to the traditions so many of us were eager to renew. Check out the pictures. Whether or not you can tell the difference between the Flauten Principal and the Rohr Gedackt, or whether you know a Lieblich Gedackt from a Schalmei, just enjoy the music.

Phase One of the organ project concluded with installation of the first twelve ranks of pipes.

Construction on pipes, console, wind chests and more for the new pipe organ happened at Fenris Organ Company in Faribault. On January 17, 2004, the pipe organ committee traveled to the Fenris shop to see the progress.

Our Good Shepherd organ is unique in many ways, partly due to the use of many large wooden pipes in the pedal division. An instrument like this hasn't been built in the United States for over 20 years. Many of the pipes were rescued from First Baptist Church in Ames, Iowa, when their historic organ was dismantled for remodeling of the sanctuary. Reusing pipes saves us tens of thousands of dollars, while giving us a very rare and special instrument. This has sparked widespread interest among organ builders and professional musicians. Our new Good Shepherd organ was the feature story in the September, 2004, issue of The Diapason, a national magazine for organ enthusiasts.

The excellent design, with the help of the Council and congregation members, complements the front of the sanctuary. The large wooden pipes standing behind the large cross are painted to match the walls. Facade pipes (the ones we can see) flank the altar, about 15 feet up. These pipes are painted with a subdued metallic color, and framed in wood to match the rest of the sanctuary.

While the organ looks beautiful, the most important thing is how it supports energetic congregational singing and invigorates other music during our worship services. As Martin Luther said, "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world."

We celebrated the organ on December 18, 2004 with Brassworks and organ-music for the season with a sing-along as a benefit for Channel One!

If you want to learn more about the organ, you are welcome to join Cynthia on the organ bench during a service, or call Cynthia for a private lesson!

If you have questions, feel free to visit with one of the organ committee members: Mike Alcorn, Bruce Larson, Guy Havelick, Brenda Booth, Bob Enger or Cynthia McLaren.

SPRING FLING Concert and Auction

The Benefit Auction & Concert on March 20, 2004, for our pipe organ fund went really great. Over 80 baskets were donated; over $3,200 was raised. It was a real nice evening of fellowship and support as a congregation. Thanks to all of you who helped and donated and attended. Thanks to our musicians who brought their talented bands: Mark Manges in "Brassworks", and Steve Books and Mary Manges in "The Blue Sky Band".

Regular donations to the organ fund and the benefit concert raised more than enough to pay for phase one.

Bells and Whistles

Did you know ... this phrase originated with the salesmen of theater organs that produced the sounds of 100's of instruments, as in "this one has all the bells and whistles ..."

Check out Encyclopedia Organica to learn about organs.