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Worship
Highlights from 2019
WORSHIP
ONE SUNDAY BECOMES SERVICES WITH IN ATTENDANCE 30,692 127
In the 22nd chapter of the book of Matthew, we are given the greatest commandment. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Worship, Mission and Education is how we live out this call.
Week in and week out we gather as God's church at Pinnacle to conduct worship in a variety of services. In addition to our outstanding weekly Sunday services, we also offered creative, diverse, and engaging vesper services during the Lenten and Advent season. Offerings included The Holden Prayer Service, a contemporary band, Pinnacle musical ensembles, visual artists, and instrumentation. More than 270 attended the Good Friday evening service, where the Chancel Choir presented Return to Me, a musical setting of the Stations of the Cross. Also during Easter and in conjunction with Earth Week, our Spiritual Arts group created and installed a Chihuly inspired chandelier made of 3,000 plastic water bottles entitled "Caring for Creation". The project raised awareness to the use of plastics in our world and the lack of adequate recycling. The project was recognized by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, when in August members of the committee were presented the Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) Cooper Award.
As in each year, preaching continues to draw members and visitors to worship at Pinnacle—one word becoming the poetry of praise. Alongside the steady preaching of our Pastor, Wes Avram, in 2019 we continued to welcome Allen Hilton as a
regular guest preacher and our Fran Park Memorial Preacher, Bishop William Willimon, in recognition of our 30th anniversary as a congregation and our Pastor’s tenth anniversary at Pinnacle. Additional preachers included pastors Kelsy Brown, Mike Hegeman, Frank Harmon, Scott Fischer and Pam Fischer. We also welcomed several members of the church into our pulpits on Sundays and seasonal vespers services.
Prior to Easter, Pinnacle held its fifth annual Blessing of the Animals. More than 60 pets and their people gathered in our beautiful Chapel Garden to remember and celebrate the unique relationship humans share with animals.
Twenty-six years after entering seminary, Dr. Michael Hegeman was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in October. Members and friends gathered to rejoice with Mike who has shared with us his love for scripture, theology and music for over ten years.
Celebration of Christmas saw high number of attendees. "Through the Eyes" told the Christmas story through the eyes of the traditional Biblical characters in new and creative ways!
Worship, Music, and the Arts was restructured with committee chairs for Liturgical Arts, Visual Arts, Spiritual Arts, and the Concert Series. A new art gallery installation has been a vibrant addition to the Sanctuary hallway. Look for rotating installations in the future! Additions and enhancements to Sanctuary adornments by way of paraments and new Advent/Christmas decorations have added fresh, colorful expressions of faith.
With the youngest among us, worship takes the form of a monthly chapel time called “Little Lambs”. A collaboration between the Preschool and Children’s Ministry brings together students and their teachers to hear about Jesus’ love and grace for all.
In January we welcomed Dr. Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler as our Associate Director of Ministries in Music and Arts/Organist. Members and guests have been inspired, touched and delighted with the myriad of musical expressions provided by the Chancel Choir, Pinnacle Pealers, children and youth ensembles, soloists, including the rich voices of our own David Allen and Melissa Trafficante and the artistry of Dr. Kubiaczyk-Adler, which was also featured in three concert series performances; Phantom of the Organ, Discovering Poland and Celebration of Christmas.
The Pinnacle Concert Series also welcomed NAU's Shrine of the Ages Choir, Deux Voix organ and trumpet duo, Phat Pack, December '63: Jersey Boys tribute band and the world-renown True Concord Voices.
Early in the year, the Concert Series sponsored an art show, featuring the work of 15 senior adults. Each participant showcased 2-3 works in varied media, including oil paintings and watercolors, works in acrylic, photography, wood carving, and felt. Michael Hegeman composed a suite of Baroque dances to accompany the art show, with church members Chip and Marti King playing bassoon and piano. About 100 people attended the afternoon event in late January.
