Tomorrow is going to be a big day for the Maney family. We get to hear for the first time the piece of music we commissioned in my mom’s memory. The First United Methodist Choir is excellent and they really cared about my mama, especially in her last years after dad died. I am grateful beyond my ability to express. It looks like the choir director, Paul Hoverman, has planned the music portion of worship to emphasize the idea that music should express the glory of God. That’ll preach.

And if this weren’t enough, the choir has asked my beloved bride to sing with them tomorrow. Way too cool.

From here:

First UM Choir to Premier New Anthem

The First United Methodist Church Senior Choir with director Paul Hoverman.

The First United Methodist Senior Choir of Van Wert will premier a new choral anthem in honor of the late Margaret Maney.

Marg, as she was fondly called, was a member of the choir and sang for many years in various women’s ensembles and played piano at the church and throughout the area.

Margaret and her husband, John, were owners of the Bootery, a longstanding shoe store on Main Street in Van Wert. They were well-respected business people in the community and at First United Methodist Church.

Because of her love for music, Marg’s son, Kevin Maney, donated money to the Senior Choir to have an anthem commissioned. The popular and respected composer, Craig Courtney, was chosen. “Longing to Draw Near” was recently written with the inscription, “In loving memory of Margaret Shaffer Maney for The First United Methodist Senior Choir, Van Wert, Ohio.”

This beautiful, flowing and melodic piece of music will be premiered at First United Methodist Church this Sunday [June 6, 2010] at the 10:45 a.m. service.

The public is invited to enjoy the premier of this new work, which has just been recently published by Beckenhorst Press of Columbus and can now be purchased and enjoyed by choirs and congregations throughout the world.