Video - Born to Die

This video was recorded at the performance on Sunday.

As you listen, let the words grip your heart. 

Please note: Watching it on YouTube will enhance the quality of the video.

Just click the "Born to Die" title in the top corner.

Christmas Music

And she brought forth her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes 

and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7

Merry Christmas to the fans of the Shepardsville Team!

December. I love this time of year. Christmas lights and decorations start 

going up everywhere. A feeling of peacefulness and goodwill 

settles itself on the earth like a warm down comforter. 

This past weekend was pretty busy for all of us. The Team was invited to sing 

at two different churches including Bowne Mennonite Church, which just so 

happens to be the home church of one of our own, Deborah Teusink. 

Last week was spent practicing more than usual as we normally don't sing 

Christmas songs during the summer. 

After the kids from the church did a pageant, we got to sing for about half an hour. 

All the practicing paid off. (Great job, Team members!)

We have a sound man! Levi was a huge help by running the controls for us. 

He is a gifted pianist and was able to play keyboard on one of our songs.

Aaron Shell also added a nice touch to the performance by playing lead guitar. 

He took the spotlight for a few minutes and played an instrumental of "Silent Night." (See his video here) 

I thank God for letting me play and sing with such an awesome group as the 

Shepardsville Team. God has really blessed us. I look forward to many more 

years of singing with you all, God willing, even though some of us might go

 and others may come.

During this Christmas season, beyond all the tinsel and lights, let's remember Who it's all about and not forget to let Him in on all the celebrations. There's a really cool song that I heard on the radio recently that's called "Savior's Day." So instead of the regular "Merry Christmas and a happy New Year", I'll leave you with this:

Have a joyful SAVIOR'S day (and a great new year)    
                 In Christ, Julie Bontrager

This weekend

We have two performances coming up, and they're in two different areas 

of the state, so if you happen to be in Michigan, stop by for some Christmas music!

Saturday, December 17th - Farmington Hills, MI        

find more details here

Sunday, December 18th - Clarksville, MI

find more details here

Glory to God in the highest, 

and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

Luke 2:14

'Tis the season

Hey, everybody! Just tuning in to let you know we are still around!

Currently the Team is getting Christmas music together for a couple

 performances this month.  

We hope to see you again before the new year, so mark your calendars for 

Sunday, December 18th!

_ _ _

Giving thanks

Today, people around the world are expressing their thanks to God 

for the many blessings in each of their lives. 

But... what about tomorrow? 

How many will stop and think of the things that mean so much to them?

How many will say a simple "thank you" for an every day item?

What about a word of thanks for a strong, healthy body?

How about gratefulness that God is still lending you breath?

Why do people cease to thank God for the little details that He has

 chosen specifically to bless us with? 

Are you ungrateful? Is your attention so focused elsewhere that

you choose not to notice the blessings of the King of kings?

I hope across the world we will daily lift our voices in praise and 

thanksgiving, as Christ daily pours His love and care upon us.

In everything give thanks, for this is

 God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

                                                      1 Thessalonians 5:18

Last week in review

Hey everyone! How's it going? Last Thursday night 11/3/11 the Shepardsville 

Team had the privilege of going to the United Methodist Church of Maple Rapids, Michigan, to perform our second year at their annual thanksgiving dinner. 

And there was lots of excellent food afterwards! 

(turkey, taters, stuffing, and pie!) 

Can't beat that. Music and food! 

I also count it a great privilege to sing and play with a team that loves Jesus with all their hearts and wants to give Him all the glory.

Good job team! Can't wait till next time. See'ya!   -Jay

Maple Rapids

The Team will be playing at the Maple Rapids Methodist Church

 on Thursday, November 3rd. We want to invite each of you to come 

on over for their annual thanksgiving dinner. The food line and music 

goes on from 5-7pm. We can tell you the food is great, too!

Hope to see you there!

Now booking

for winter 2011/2012!

We would love to come visit you at your church or local event!

Did I mention we travel?

If you have a particular song you would like to hear, we enjoy learning new ones.

That is, as long as we have enough time to get to know it. :)

If you feel the Lord leading you in this direction,

and you find a date that works for you, we're only a phone call away!!

(989)834-2028

New video

It's here! The video you have all been waiting for.... All of us chin-waggers got together and roared for a while at an eating event. Take a sampling of the noise.
  

. . .

Please note: Watching it on YouTube will enhance the quality of the video.  

Just click the YouTube logo in the bottom corner.

Clare in review

Well, I can honestly say that the evening last week at the Clare Church of the Nazarene was a good one. But to leave it at that would put you in a place of curiosity. 

What exactly did they do there?

That's the job I have right now... to try and give you everything in a nutshell. Let's see....  

We sang.

It was fun.

. . .

But just fun isn't enough. If you're doing something just for the sake of having a good time, then you're really not getting much. As part of God's family, we get to have more than fun. And we did. 

Before we went on stage, Ralph spoke to the audience a bit. 

He talked about service. Exhorting us to help others. 

What captured my attention was when he mentioned calling on the sick, visiting the shut in and elderly. Now the people sitting out there were mostly retirees. 

That's what struck me. 

It doesn't matter what age you are or how many years difference there might be. 

What's important is that you care. 

How much do you care for the people that are hurting around you?

We were blessed by the warm welcome we received when we walked in (and again after we sang!). Thank you all for your kind hospitality. And to the church ladies for the work in preparing and serving the meal! What a buffet of choices!

                                                                    photography by Levi Hebert

And the sound man recorded the performance for us! Guess what that means? 

You'll get to hear what was happening onstage, too!

. . .

May each of you strive for God's best. 

Don't settle for anything less.

He's given everything for you. Will you give everything to Him?

               

                                                                              -Esther

From the editor

We are currently getting a post ready with footage from our 
recent performance in Clare, MI.

In a few short words, it was an amazing evening of singing and fellowship. 

God's hand was inside forming every detail. 
We were all blessed once again by His incredible grace.

We hope God touched each of you who were there as much as He did us!

 ...

Thanks for visiting! See you a little later this week!

Love is in the air...

(And you get to hear about it firsthand!)

...

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousnesss: and all these things shall be added unto you."  
~ Matthew 6:33

Martin: Well, um..... it all began back in June when the Lord showed me that Deborah was the one He'd chosen for me. I struggled a lot and fought at first but knew it was God's will. The moment I accepted His will and said yes to God, an overwhelming peace and joy filled my heart such as I have never felt before!

So, after much prayer, many confirmations, discussions with parents, I received permission from Deborah's dad, Morris, and as of August 7, 2011, we are now officially in a courtship. The Lord has been so wonderful in blessing us and He is always faithful! May God be Glorified!

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will 

and to do of His good pleasure." 

~ Philippians 2:13

Deborah: I guess I have known, as much as a girl can know, that Marty was the one for quite a few months. I just kept giving it to the Lord over and over and tried my hardest not to think on it much. I wasn't expecting that anything would happen for a good long time yet so I was completely shocked when he asked. I just had to take a couple days to process before I really had anything to say. Those next few days, and still since, I was just so overwhelmed with how AWESOME our GOD really is and how much HE really does care about us and our happiness. Jeremiah 29:11 is so true. I had no idea that I would feel the way I did and the happiness, joy, and peace that came with it all surpassed my highest expectations. There was also such a blessing with how it was so open before our parents and the Lord, and just letting God work out all the details in His perfect time before we let anyone else in on 'our secret'. Our Father truly is so good.

...

It has been an adjustment but oh, so good. We wouldn't trade it for anything! 

If you think about it, pray for us. We would appreciate it greatly!

"Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done,

and Thy thoughts which are to-us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in

order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, 

they are more than can be numbered." 

~ Psalms 40:5

The Power of Prayer

   In each day of a Christian's life, a battle rages. The heavenly realms are filled with the armies of God and of Satan, each doing the will of their master. Most of those battles are being fought over the souls of people on earth. God's angels fight to win a precious soul for the Kingdom; Satan's demons fight to gain a valuable soul to take with them to their destruction.

   We as believers face many choices every day. Choices of right or wrong, good or evil. If you stop to consider ALL the choices you make in your life every day, you will be overwhelmed. Little choices - what to wear, what to eat, where to sleep, what to drink - the list is endless. Medium choices - what to read, what to watch, where to go, how to act - the list goes on. Big choices - what to say, how to listen, what to spend your money on, who to spend your time with - you can think of many more! Huge choices - where to live, what church to attend, what mission field to pursue, who to marry - and many, many more. Some of these choices are far more important than others. Yet often we take more time thinking about the things of less importance than doing the things of greater importance. The thing is that we do it without realizing it. So, how do we as Christ's followers make choices that honor and glorify Him the most? We pray!

   When we pray, we establish a direct communion with God. When we pray, we tune into God's Spirit and He directs our steps in the way that is most honoring and glorifying to Himself. When we pray, a floodgate in heaven is opened for God to make the choices. When we pray for God to have His way, for His will to be done and not our own, the angels are given more power over the demons! When we pray, the power is yanked out of Satan's hands and put into God's hands where it belongs!! When we pray, the forces of heaven fight!!! So, pray, brothers and sisters, pray! Pray for God to take the reigns of life!! Pray for His will to be done!!! PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!! 

THEN, be willing to do.                                         

Photo Shoot

This afternoon the Team had the opportunity to get some pictures together. 

We had limited time between events, but the results are positive! 

                                                                                   photography by Patti Zimmerman

We'll reveal more in future posts, but here's one to whet your appetite.

Doesn't it look good?

P.S. Check out the new picture on "The Team" page up above!

Gospel Barn

On Sunday, August 7th, about 250-275 people headed out to Henry and Ida’s Gospel Barn for a fun-filled night of music and food. Along with several local bands, and the featured Jack Clarkson Band, guess who was there? None other than the Shepardsville Team!

Twice a year, on the first Sunday of June and August, Henry and Ida Bontrager open up their 60x80 pole-barn for a fundraiser to benefit various missions projects in Central America and other third-world countries. Several of their children play with the Team, so every year we have the opportunity to help with this outreach.


These bi-annual concerts are ones we always look forward to, and this August it was no different. In fact, we had even more reason to be excited than ever before, because it was the first concert that we could wear our new Team t-shirts!

   

We waited until right before we were ready to walk on stage to change into our shirts, so we could surprise the crowd. Many people return to these concerts every year, and they were as excited as we were about our new “look”! We also had our new business cards to give out, and we told them about the blog-spot and our Facebook fan page. 
So many changes have happened this summer!!

The last song we sang that night was “God is Good”, and it stood as a reminder of how truly good He is. This summer has been proof of that in our lives as a Team and individually. 

                                                                                     -Rose

Carson City

Come visit us in Carson City! The Team will be playing there Tuesday, August 9th, at 7:00 pm. The evening will consist of music as well as a message to encourage you in your walk with Christ. All are welcome!

Please pray for us as only about half the Team will be able to go on stage.

Upcoming Concert

The Shepardsville Team will be singing/playing, along with several other small, local bands at Henry and Ida's Gospel Barn on Sunday, August 7. The event will be held inside a 60X80 polebarn. It's an informal event starting at 6:00 pm. Be sure to bring your own chairs and an appetite. Food stands will be on the grounds, including Koegels hotdogs and soft serve ice-cream! All donations go to support God's Little Children Ministries (godslittlechildren.org).

Christmas in July

After music practice last Saturday, Esther, Rebekah, and Seth 

surprised the team with a Christmas in July celebration. 

The rest of the Team was waiting to dig into the pizza that was sitting 

on the table when they came in armed with gifts and cookies. 

The loot was handed out, each person wondering what could be in their package?

Unable to bear it much longer, they opened the gifts very quickly.

And the contents were revealed....

The new Team t-shirts! Most everyone knew they were coming, 

but somehow didn't realize the time had finally arrived.

Don't they look good?

Video

Here's a taste of the evening at Ola Camp last week. 

Can you tell we enjoy jamming instrumentals?

Welcome!

Thank you for checking out the progress on our new blog!
Unfortunately, we are so new that we don't have much more up than a simple profile message.
There is lots more to come, so...
Stay tune!