Help wanted:   Clio Bethany United Methodist church is seeking an accompanist for our 10:30 worship.  Applicants should be able to play piano, keyboard, or organ and:

– be able to confidently accompany congregational singing, and provide connectional accompaniment to the various aspects of congregational worship

– be familiar with both traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs

– be flexible and capable to adapt on short notice

– provide prelude, offertory, postlude, and background music as needed

– be available for special services during Advent and Lent.

Interested candidates should contact Pastor LuAnn Rourke via email at pastorluann@gmail.com for more information, or call the church office at 810-686-5151 and ask for Pastor LuAnn

You are invited to attend the Flint Concert Band performance in the sanctuary on February 11th at 7:00pm.  Following the concert, join the musicians in the Fellowship Hall for punch and cookies.  Bethany UMC member, Harold Gross, is also a member of the Flint Concert Band. You might recognize Harold as he can be seen at the front of the church playing his flugelhorn most Sunday mornings during worship.  During the Flint Concert Band performance, Harold will play the trumpet. Harold shared this history of Flint Concert Band. There is no charge to attend the concert, so mark your calendars and plan on coming out to Bethany UMC to listen to the band.

Flint Concert Band History

The Flint Concert Band was founded in 1948 by Gerret Ebmeyer and several other local musicians.

After then first concert in 1949 the band played regularly at Flint Central High School auditorium for 20 years. Mr. Ebmeyer conducted through 1974.

Other conductors have been Frank Tamburrino, Barry Wentz, Ken Duquaine, Mel Kerannen, Mike Wolfe and currently Bruce Nieuwenhuis. . The band’s members come from all walks of life, and membership is open to all.

The Flint Concert Band plays six to ten concerts each season at various churches, civic events, and assisted living centers.

Conductor Bruce Nieuwenhuis

Bruce Nieuwenhuis, is a retired band director from Swartz Creek High School

He has conducted 12 musicals with the Clio Cast and Crew,  and was conductor of  Christmas At Whiting for three years. In addition to the FCB, he also conducted the Genesee Wind Symphony for 18 years, the Genesee Valley Concert Band [summers]  for 12 years, and the Fenton First Presbyterian Church Choirs.

He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has degrees from Calvin College and The University of Michigan

Just a reminder that the Flint Concert Band will be performing in our sanctuary on Thursday, December 17th at 7:00pm. Cookies will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Come & listen to Flint’s oldest concert band play Christmas favorites.

What are your favorite Christmas Carols to sing or play?  Share in the comments!