Monday
We begin our journey toward a new creation in Christ by grounding ourselves in the element of earth.
Earth in Scripture is never merely soil--it is the place where God forms, plants, uproots, restores, and creates anew. We must begin by remembering that we, too, are formed from the earth; and that in Christ, God put on the dust of humanity and became part of the earth, so that all Creation might be healed.
Earth
Monday Scriptures: Isaiah 64:1-4, 8 and Matthew 13:24-30
Everyone's first official stop on Monday is registration, where you will receive all of the resources needed for the week. Then it is off to the first choral reading session or handbell meet and greet, followed by orientation, another reading session, rehearsal groups, dinner, and then an incredible evening of worship.
Please note that the schedule shown for each day is preliminary and subject to change. More detailed information will be shared in coming weeks.
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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Registration in Bethea
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Check in for lodging at Lake Junaluska properties will not be available until 5:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
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Choral Reading Session I
2:00 p.m.
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Orientation I
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Choral Reading Session II
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Bell Reading I
3:00 p.m.
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Rehearsals
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Spiritual Renewal Session
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Youth - sign up for talent show right after rehearsal
Dinner
7:30 p.m.
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Worship
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Orientation II will take place immediately following worship.
Evening Prayer
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Our evening prayer service will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. This time is subject to change and will be announced at the close of worship.
Tuesday
We began our Advent journey rooted in the earth formed from holy soil and grounded in God’s creation. But the story of our faith doesn’t stay in the dust. The Scriptures remind us that it is the breath of God that make the stuff of earth come alive!
Today, we turn to the element of wind, the breath of the Spirit – the holy, unseen force that stirs life into motion and ushers in transformation.
Wind
Tuesday Scriptures: Isaiah 40:3-8 and Mark 1:1-8
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we come together for morning worship and then disperse to our selected rehearsal or focus groups. After breaking for lunch, the day's events resume with choral and handbell reading sessions, rehearsals, seminars, dinner, evening events – a youth talent show on Tuesday – and then finally, evening worship options.
Please note that the schedule shown for each day is preliminary and subject to change. More detailed information will be shared in coming weeks.
8:45 a.m.
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Morning Worship
10:15 a.m.
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Rehearsals
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Spiritual Renewal Session
12:15 p.m.
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Lunch
1:30 p.m.
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Rehearsals
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Spiritual Renewal Session
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Choral Reading Sessions III and IV
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Bell Reading II and III
2:30 p.m.
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Seminar I
3:30 p.m.
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Seminar II
4:30 p.m.
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Seminar III
Dinner
7:30 p.m.
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Youth Talent Show
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Our evening prayer service will begin thirty minutes after the close of tonight’s program
Wednesday
Today, our Advent journey flows into the element of water – the life-giving, life-transforming force that moves, heals, surprises, quenches…even makes waves.
Advent, like water, is full of movement: waves of hope and currents of change invite us to enter the ever flowing stream of the Spirit. From Mary’s song to John’s river, these waters remind us who we are and whose we are; the new creation God promises is already moving toward us… like a wave. We are invited to wade into the water, feel its power, and let the waves of God’s grace carry us into life renewed.
Water
Wednesday Scriptures: John 1:25-28 and Luke 1:46b-55
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we come together for morning worship and then disperse to our selected rehearsal or focus groups. After breaking for lunch, the day's events resume with choral and handbell reading sessions, rehearsals, seminars, dinner, evening events – an organ recital and music program on Wednesday – and then finally, evening worship options.
Please note that the schedule shown for each day is preliminary and subject to change. More detailed information will be shared in coming weeks.
8:45 a.m.
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Morning Worship
10:15 a.m.
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Rehearsals
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Spiritual Renewal Session
12:15 p.m.
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Lunch
1:30 p.m.
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Rehearsals
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Spiritual Renewal Session
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Choral Reading Sessions III and IV
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Bell Reading II and III
2:30 p.m.
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Seminar I
3:30 p.m.
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Seminar II
4:30 p.m.
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Seminar III
Dinner
7:30 p.m.
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Organ Recital and Music Program at Waynesville First United Methodist Church
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Our evening prayer service will begin thirty minutes after the close of tonight’s program
Thursday
A seed in the ground… a child in the womb…
a flame in the darkness…
These are all sparks of hope that start small and overtake us.
We have been on a journey: paying close attention to the earth, feeling the winds of change, troubling the waters with Mary and John the Baptist. And today, we meet a fiery messenger from God who gives a surprised young girl a message of hope. That announcement is like a spark that will become flame. Advent reminds us that hope often starts as a flicker, a seed, a tiny spark that challenges darkness and expands possibility.
Fire
Thursday Scriptures: Luke 1:26-38
Thursday is the culmination of our week's work. After morning worship, everyone returns to their rehearsal or renewal spaces to put the finishing touches on anthems, bell choir pieces, choreography, or concert selections. After lunch, the children's choirs will kick off a full day of performances which highlight everything learned throughout the week, and offer praise to the One who called us together as worship artists. The evening is brought to a close with evening prayer.
Please note that the schedule shown for each day is preliminary and subject to change. More detailed information will be shared in coming weeks.
8:45 a.m.
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Worship
10:15 a.m.
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Rehearsals
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Spiritual Renewal Session
12:00 p.m.
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Lunch
CONCERTS
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1:00 p.m.
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Children's Choir (Terrace Auditorium)
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2:15 p.m.
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Dance & Orchestra (Stuart)
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4:15 p.m.
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Handbells (Harrell)
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Dinner
7:30 p.m.
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Choral Choir - Adult, Young Adult, Senior High, Mid-High
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Evening worship will begin thirty minutes after the close of tonight’s program
Friday
Our time at the Lake concludes, and we are sent out into the world. But we gather one last time for worship; we gather at the threshold of a holy mystery: God’s coming into the world in the flesh, the birth of Christ, the Light of the World. Our Advent journey has led us through earth, wind, water, and fire – each element revealing God’s presence, God’s Spirit, and God’s call to be transformed. We leave this place remembering our call to be a new creation in Christ!
A New Creation
Friday Scriptures: Isaiah 43:18-19 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Friday's closing worship service sends participants off with a final reminder of what is possible when worship is done really well; and, as many have said in their evaluations, enough inspiration to get them through to next summer when we will be together again for worship, fellowship, and learning opportunities!
8:45 a.m.
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Closing Worship
Please keep in mind that this is our preliminary schedule for planning purposes. Times and content are subject to change if necessary. Please watch for more information in future emails, and for the official schedule to be released closer to our event! We're looking forward to seeing you at Music & Worship Arts Week!
Daily Worship
Daily worship at Music & Worship Arts Week has been carefully crafted by our Worship Design Team to not only offer deeply meaningful moments of praise, contemplation, preaching, and prayer; but also to inspire everyone in attendance by exemplifying what worship can look like when there is a specific vision for the service, and coordination and care for each detail and medium which helps bring our worship to life.
Reading Sessions
Our choral and handbell reading sessions, scheduled Monday through Wednesday, offer time for all participants – regardless of selected rehearsal group – to join together under the direction of well known composers and sacred music publishing representatives to sightread choral anthems or handbell choir selections. Your shared talent and passion makes these sessions a favorite part of our week together as they provide participants the opportunity to simply immerse themselves in the beauty of these worshipful compositions. They also offer an opportunity to become familiar with newly published pieces that can be purchased for the upcoming program year at the Beethoven & Company Store, offered on site at Music & Worship Arts Week!
Rehearsal Groups
Our rehearsal groups are broken down into worship areas of focus – choral (children, youth, adult, and an auditioned chamber choir), handbell, dance, and orchestra. Throughout the week, you will meet with others in your rehearsal group to prepare a repertoire that will be showcased on Thursday. These rehearsal groups offer the opportunity to learn from leaders renown for their mastery of their individual fields, as well as the ability to inspire the best from others as they hone their gifts.
Seminars
Seminars that span every worship arts focus area are offered throughout the week and tackle subjects that are pertinent in the world of worship arts both today and as we look to the future. During seminar blocks, opportunities are also offered for children, youth, and young adults to engage their energy and creative skills, and spend time getting to know one another better.