Worthy Music Ministries Christmas Eve Concert @ Tacoma Rescue Mission

It was Christmas Eve 2009 that I first saw Dylan & Dulcinea Hatch hiding behind the Christmas Tree at the Tacoma Rescue Mission.  Well, they weren't hiding but it kinda' of looked like they were.  I was gearing up to begin recording my newest CD I'm Not Dead Yet and when I heard their harmonies I realized the purpose for being at the Mission that year was not just to sing.  It was to meet them and eventually record them singing backup on my CD.  Today, Dulcinea and Dylan, their grandparents Norma and Mike are like family and I'm proud to say I'm their friend.

Dulcinea and Dylan Hatch Christmas 2009

Every Christmas reminds me of all the Christmas' that came before it.  Some Christmas' there were tons of presents under the tree and stockings stuffed to their fullest.  Other Christmas' there have been no gifts at all but I was still blessed.

Jerry Corelli Christmas 1974

This year I was given the privilege, through Worthy Music Ministries, to once again sing at the Tacoma Rescue Mission for their Christmas Eve Dinner.  For some who may sing at Rescue Missions their thoughts may be, "There but the Grace of God go I."  When I sing there it's, "There for the Grace of God I've been."

Through Worthy Music Ministries I've ministered in song at the Tacoma Rescue Mission 7 times in 2010.  There hasn't been one time when at least 10 people have come up to me and thanked me for singing there, or told me that a particular song I wrote and sang meant something to them. 

I was surprised this year to see fewer people attending the dinner.  This Thanksgiving there were thousands who attended the dinner at the Tacoma Rescue Mission and for Christmas I don't think there were more than 300 who came through in the 3 hours they served dinner.  My hope is that many of those who didn't attend where able to spend Christmas with family or friends.

Dulcinea Hatch Christmas 2010

This year at the Tacoma Rescue Mission Dylan and Dulcinea Hatch, Chuck Worthy and myself were scheduled to sing Christmas songs throughout the dinner time.  We gave away about 100 CD's this time and I especially enjoyed relaxing and listening to Dylan and Dulcinea's two sets and Chuck Worthy's closing set.  Dylan, Dulcinea and Chuck seemed perfect in their delivery with special renditions of Christmas favorites.

Jerry Corelli Christmas 2010

Homelessness in America has grown considerably with so many losing their jobs and homes in these hard economic times.  We tend to think of the homeless as people with no goal or ambition in their lives.  Perhaps the word "lazy" also comes to mind.  There's no doubt that a few choose to be homeless, I know because I've met them when I was homeless.  However, that few is probably less than 1%.  I don't know what the percentage is for those who have mental or drug addiction issues, or issues dealing with self-esteem just trying to raise themselves up from the curb.  I do know that homelessness is a place most would rather not be if they had a choice.  Perhaps in a few weeks, months or in a year many who are homeless today will have more choices to make.  Perhaps a job will open up and they can make the choice to take it.  Perhaps they have a job but can't save enough to get into an apartment or rent a home.

 

My hope, my prayer is they will make a choice to follow Christ.  I can't guarantee that by choosing Christ they will no longer be homeless but I can guarantee that through Christ all of life's struggles and hardships are so much easier to bare.  I know because I've walked in their shoes.

Worthy Music Ministries Thanksgiving Concert @ Tacoma Rescue Mission

It would certainly be my prayer to walk into the Tacoma Rescue Mission and discover no one showed up for dinner because everyone had a place to go for Thanksgiving.  I wouldn't mind at all singing for just the staff but this time they had two large rooms with tables to hold the over 2000 meals they served this Thanksgiving.

This is my 101st post and National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week too.  

Over the course of the last week or so I've had people commenting on the fact I would on the Worthy Music Ministries' Showcase Stage at the Tacoma Rescue Mission on Thanksgiving Day.  They were all wonderful comments yet, to me, with a surprising theme.  Many of the comments I've received have mentioned the sacrifice made to minister and sing at the TRM than to be home with my family.

Sacrifice,what sacrifice?  Years ago I sat in that same Dinning Hall and enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner that more than warmed my body and soul.  Many people would look around at those eating a warm meal and see, through their eyes, the lowest of our society and say, "They need to get a job!", but not me.  I had a job and I had a car but that was pretty much it.  I worked nights loading trucks and for a time I just slept in my car, woke up and drove to a truck stop to eat breakfast and clean up.  And that was during the winter.  

Finally, one day I hear that a new Tacoma Rescue Mission building was built and they had more beds.  With the TRM there I was able to eat and not have to spend money at the truck stop.  I used to shower at the truck stop but that cost money too.  At the mission I could shower for free.  It didn't take that long and I was finally able to save enough money to get an apartment and "Get off the streets".

So for me it's no sacrifice when I sing at the Rescue Mission.  For me it's an honor to sing and minister to those who eat and volunteer there.   To me, it's like I'm singing for family.  I seem to share a bond with those at the mission because I've sat where they are sitting.  This Thanksgiving I felt so fortunate to sing there I decided to give away CD's to anyone who wanted one.  We ended up giving away 50!  I know we would have given away more but many people didn't know about the give away.

Dylan & Dulcinea Hatch

I'm not the only one to go to the mission and sing on Thanksgiving too.  Dylan and Dulcinea Hatch give their time and talent as well as do their grandparents' Mike and Norma.  Chuck and Linda Worthy of Worthy Music Ministries aren't there because they have to be either.  They are there because they want to minister to everyone at the mission.  At times it's frustrating and confusing because of miss-communication but it's always worth it for them in the end. 

Dylan & Dulcinea Hatch

As Dylan and Dulcinea sang I roamed the Dinning room to listen to sound levels.  Time after time I was stopped by someone enjoying their meal to tell me how much they enjoyed their music.  I can't tell you how many times I was asked if Dylan and Dulcinea have their own CD.

Dulcinea Hatch

Dylan Hatch

Jerry Corelli

Worthy Music Ministries has their own YouTube channel now, WorthyMusicMinistry, where you can listen to most all the songs we did at the mission.  In addition they have videos of other fine Northwest Artist that have appeared on the Worthy Music Ministries' Showcase Stage.

Jerry Corelli

Jerry Corelli

So, in response to the sacrifice.  How can I be sacrificing anything when I'm with family?  Dylan and Dulcinea, Mike and Norma, Chuck and Linda and my wife Liv, we're family.  The volunteers and those eating their meals, we're family.  So, on Thanksgiving 2010, I was with my family.

Worthy Music Ministries' Showcase Stage @ the Orting Pumpkin Fest

I wanted to get this in earlier than most to give everyone time to plan.  This is going to be a fun, fun, fun event so you won't want to miss it.  Anyone wanting to car pool there just leave a comment on this blog and we'll do our best to hook you up.

 

Orting Pumpkin Fest Features:

• Food & beverage booths with pumpkin specialties
• Art and Craft vendors
• Live entertainment (Bluegrass, Country & Kids)
• Antique tractor show
• Little Pumpkin Pals Parade, Sat. 10:30 AM
  (For kids in costume age 2 to 12)
• Carved Pumpkin Contest & Glow (Pumpkins lit at dusk)
• Fun Run, Saturday morning 8:00 to 10:00 AM
• Beer Garden featuring pumpkin beer
• Pumpkin Pyramid & Agriculture Display
• Car show and more!

Bring Your Appetite!
The Orting Pumpkin Fest is primarily a food festival featuring items on the menu with pumpkin as a main ingredient. A few examples are: pumpkin sloppy joe burgers and chili dogs, pumpkin milkshakes, pumpkin pie, brownies and cider, pumpkin spice cotton candy, pumpkin fudge, pumpkin smoothies, caramel apples, elephant ears with pumpkin butter, pumpkin pizza, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cheese cake, cream cheese pumpkin rolls, kettle corn, and more. Other good food will also be available too.
It is not all going to pumpkin flavored. Along with the great food is free entertainment on the Gazebo Stage and the Car Show Stage. A pumpkin pyramid will be located in the North Park, next to the car show.
Third Annual Pumpkin Glow!
Adults and kids can enter carved pumpkins for judging. A $3 entry donation is a fundraiser to support the event.
Bring your pumpkins to the City Park Gazebo by noon on Oct. 9th. People's Choice voting for prizes to the winning contestants. All pumpkins will be lit simultaneously at dusk on Saturday! Come and enjoy this impressive photo opportunity. (The above was taken from the Orting Pumpkin Fest web site please visit their website for more details)

Join me, Jerry Corelli, at the Worthy Music Ministries' Family Stage at the Gazebo, for the Annual Orting Pumpkin Fest.  Music starts at 10am and runs all day until 6pm.  There will be the Orting High School Choir, Saint Asylum, Foxley, Cantate Home School Choir, Swing Low, Tiger and Sydney Paulsen, Dylan and Dulcinea Hatch, the Lake Washington Singers, Jet Cities Chorus and Chasing Jane.  Now that's on Saturday the 9th.  I'll also be on stage Sunday too.

Sunday's line up will be Shanta Louise Band, Toyin Adekale, Chuck Worthy, Tiger and Sydeny Paulsen, Nate Pitocco, Craig and Emily Swanby and myself Jerry Corelli.

The Worthy Music Ministries' Family Stage at the Gazebo is the Green Octagon located on the left hand side of the map above.

This event is sponsored by the Tacoma Events Commission and Worthy Music Ministries.

Right after I sing at the Pumpkin Fest Sunday I'll be heading up to Monroe to minister to the Twin Rivers Unit for Prisoners For Christ Ministries.

Worthy Music Ministries' Concerts @ the Puyallup Fair & Tacoma Rescue Mission

Yes, that's a pumpkin.  It was carved outside the Education Building at the Puyallup Fair.  Friday evening I joined  Chuck Worthy, Eva Sabiniano and Lyte House on the Education Stage at the Puyallup Fair.

Photo by Linda Worthy

Lyte House was up first to give and deliver his message Face to Face.  Face to Face is a powerful song and more than well written about Christ's sacrifice on the Cross.  The song convicts you and makes you think twice about God's Love.  I know that to be true first hand because a vendor at the other end of the hall came down to complain to me about how loud the music was.  I turned the system down a bit but I don't really think it was too loud.  I think she didn't want to hear that she is, as we all are, sinful and need Christ in our lives.  I've seen her look over the years from many people and it was Lyte House's song that spoke to her heart about Christ's blood on the Cross and his Redeeming power.  In addition I noticed his parents attended and that makes my heart glad to see such support from a Christian Rap Artist's family. 

 Photo by Linda Worthy

Lyte House aka Matt Christensen has a new fan, me.

Photos by Linda Worthy

Next up was yours truly and I had fun.  Lately, at more secular venues, I've been starting off with Neil Diamond's "America".  I've been told forever that I sound like Neil so by singing "America" it tends to draw passers by who will see my wife taking pictures and say, "Does he know he sounds like Neil Diamond?"  By the time I ending my set the Puyallup Valley Community Band members were beginning to enter the stand area because they were up next after the Worthy Music Ministries Showcase.  Many of them, that I noticed, were my age or older so it did my heart good that they could hear "I'm Not Dead Yet".  I got a lot of thumbs up and smiles from many of them so I felt I ministered to who Christ intended me to minister to that night.

 Photo by Linda Worthy

Chuck Worthy was manning the sound board as I sang but he was up next.  So it was a privilege to be able to introduce him to the stage.  Usually he introduces everyone else but no one introduces him so I'm pleased I could.

 

Photos by Linda Worthy

Eva Sabiniano closed the evening for the Worthy Music Ministries' Showcase and with time remaining we got to hear a few more songs than she scheduled.  My favorite song by Eva is "Jump for Jesus".  It's a wonderful fun song that tells the listener if you love Jesus,..jump.  Personally, I can't help but jump when I hear the song.  Eva is a local Christian artist but she is also International and is performing in Germany, the Bahamas, Hongkong, Philippines and Indonesia.  You go girl and tell the world about Jesus.

Photo by Linda Worthy

Worthy Music Ministries' Showcase @ the Tacoma Rescue Mission

Saturday night was the Tacoma Rescue Mission and one of my favorite places to play.

This wallpaper picture tells of a time in Tacoma when times were tough, jobs were few and dignity was hard to come by when all you had was the Tacoma Rescue Mission.  But it was there then and it's still there today.

This is the view from the stage before food is served and I wish it didn't have to even one person in it but especially in these times it fills up quick.

The faces change and so does the style of clothing but the need is the same.

Faithful to the cause and mission of bringing Christian music to the Puget Sound area Chuck Worthy once again mans the sound system so G-Write and myself can minister in song.  Worthy Music Ministries could choose to book only big events and stages but they don't just book those.  They see everyone at the Tacoma Rescue Mission as being just as important and needing to hear the Gospel of Christ as someone buying a ticket.

If I look happy it's because I really am happy to be there.

Next up was the man G-Write himself.  I recently watched an old video of him dancing and I must say he had the moves.  He still likes to move on stage and is always fun to watch.

It's hard to get a picture of him in focus because he's always moving.  I finally got a video of G-Write and my favorite song he does called "I never knew ya".  The song talks about him growing up without a father and ties it in with knowing or not knowing God.

 

Worthy Music Ministries

Worthy Music Ministries Showcase @ the Puyallup Fair

Join Worthy Music Ministries at the Puyallup Fair Sept 10th & Sept 17th on the Education Stage in Building #17, the Pavilion, next to the Gold Gate entrance.

September 10 will feature Tiger & Sydney Paulsen, Dylan & Dulcinea Hatch, Alexa Ingraham & Kianna Cooley.

September 17 will feature Chuck Worthy, Eva Sabiniano, yours truly Jerry Corelli and Lyte House.

All artists will have CD's available so stop by and enjoy the fun, music and the Puyallup Fair.

Worthy Music Ministries Showcase @ Tacoma Rescue Mission

Saturday August 21st Worthy Music Ministries Showcase once again provided music at the Tacoma Rescue Mission, New Life Square.

Take a look at this video about the Tacoma Rescue Mission and how they're impacting the community.

I really must give Worthy Music Ministries a high five when it comes to their dedication to ministering at the Tacoma Rescue Mission.  This is an organization that produces top quality stage events at the Tacoma Freedom Fair, Seattle Center, Puyallup Fair, Orting Pumpkin Fest and the list goes on and on.  There's nothing in it for them except the sweat of bringing in all the equipment, setting it up and running it for an hour.  Then after a little less than an hour they tear it all down, pack it up, take it home, unload it again and store it for the next event.  In doing all that they receive no money.

Chuck Worthy started off the evening with 3 songs.  I recorded all of his songs but, because of where we had to position the camera, a gentleman sat down right in front of it and for Chuck's set we have a man eating, and trust me it's not pretty.  The video didn't turn out smooth, mellow and classy but his voice sure sounded that way.  When you're up there singing it's hard to tell if the 100 plus people are listening to you.  But the reality is that everyone enjoys the food and is blessed by the music.

By the time I got up to sing we had about 4 people in front of the camera eating.  Oh well that's what they were there to do.  Toward the end of my set everyone cleared the table and we got a clear shot of me singing "He's Alive" by Don Fransico.

Linda Worthy was able to get pictures without people in the pictures eating but again they came there to eat.

While Chuck dressed with class I put on a favorite T-shirt I like and jeans for the evening.  My wife was out of town so she wasn't there to say, "I don't think so!"  There was a moment, around the end of my set, when I thought I'd be seeing police and ambulances out the cafeteria windows again while I sang.  A gentleman in a wheelchair was attempting to cross the street but decided to turn back.  So, all in all, the evening went without a hitch.

For me singing at the Tacoma Rescue Mission never gives me a feeling of singing for a lower class of listeners.  I've had to sleep and eat at the Tacoma Rescue Mission and I thank God TRM was there for me.  It's not "There but the Grace of God go I", it's "There with the Grace of God I've been".