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Sheetrock
Completed
In Vancouver Mouse!
‘P ortland Mass Choir
In the 25th chapter of Matthew,
Christ says that the person who is
faithful with small things shall one
day be entrusted with much. That
scripture could find no better illus
tration than the Portland Mass Choir.
The choir’s debut release. It’s Jesus,
is proof-positive that single-minded
purpose and devotion to the Lord
indeed yields great returns.
With a sound that is both cut
ting-edge contemporary, yet still
firmly rooted in tradition, the Port
land Mass Choir is creating its own,
unique definition of Gospel music.
The title song from It’s Jesus begins
as a soul-stirring ballad before slid-
ing into a smooth urban groove. It
also makes a simple but powerful
statement that sums up the choir’s
$ message and mission.
“Our choir is made up of people
of all denominations, races and back
grounds,” says co-founder and con
ductor, Ray Tellis, “but Christ is the
common bond that brings us together
and makes us strong. We live the life
we sing about, and if it’s not about
Him, it’s not worth doing.”
Among numerous stand-outs,
“Deliverance” showcases both the
Portland Mass Choir's jazzier and
traditional side. “Lord We Praise
You” is a dramatic, heartrending song
of worship, and “Come and Go” is a
joyful, uptempo invitation to lift up
the name of the Lord.
“All of our songs are message
songs," explains Ray, “and all of
them point directly to Him.”
While the choir members share
a common focus and purpose, the
Portland Mass Choir is also the real
ization of a personal dream held by
Ray almost from the day he was bom.
“When I was two weeks old, my
pastor laid hands on me and said that
TZtf
God was going to anoint me to play
music,” says Ray. “And I’ve been
doing it almost ever since.”
Ray was raised in a devout Chris
tian home, surrounded by older broth
ers and sisters who alI sang and played
music around the house and in the
church choir. By age four, Ray was
playing the piano. He was that choir’s
accompanist at age 12, and its con
ductor by the time he was 15.
While the adult choir was ini
tially skeptical of the leadership o f an
adolescent, Ray’s dedication and
abundant talents prevailed, and he
was soon accepted and respected in
his new role, where he remained for
a number of years.
Having been born with a natural
gift, Ray received his only formal
musical training in his middle and
high school bands, playing the trum
pet, though he had an innate ability to
make music on any instrument he
spent enough time to become famil
iar with.
After high school, Ray spent
more than a decade working in the
Portland transportation system, all
the while remaining active in music,
taking on duties as choir director and
worsh ip leader at several churches in
the Portland area.
As Ray filled his days with dual
careers in the workaday world as
well as the church, he also harbored
a vision of greater things, playing
keyboards and arranging on a cus
tom album project in early 1983 that
pulled together many of Portland’s
finest Gospel talents and become the
seed of the Portland Mass Choir.
Ray’s wife, Ada Tellis, was also
born into a musical family and sang
in church and professionally since
early childhood. Now a singer and
songwriter in Portland Mass, it was
Ada who took Ray’s ideas for a choir
and began organizing them into real
ity.
In March of 1993, Portland Mass
Choir’s first workshop was kicked
off by Donald Taylor, director o f the
renowned L.A. Mass Choir. Ada’s
advertising, promotion and public
service announcements brought out
a large, multi-cultural group of peo
ple which, by Apri I o f that same year,
had evolved into the Portland Mass
Choir. Ada brought to the choir a
desire to see the Body of Christ come
together in one mind and one accord,
not only as Gospel singers, but as
Christians who sing the gospel mes
sage o f Jesus Christ.
Ray is currently the worship
pastor at Portland’s New Beginnings
Christian Center, where his wifejoins
him on the music praise team. Ray
and Ada have watched as the dream
of a community mass choir has taken
on a life far beyond their original
expectations.
“The choir became something
more than we had anticipated,” says
Ada, “but in our spirits, we felt right
because we could sense the Lord at
work in it.
So many times, as Christians,
we try to be approved by man, but it’s
really all about Christ. God is not
looking for superstars, or men that
other men will follow. He wants the
praise that’s due Him, and that’s the
realization around which Portland
Mass Choir was formed.”
“ Presentation and professional
ism are important parts of what we
do,” Ray concludes, “but we really
are groom ed tow ards m inistry.
What ’s a song without a soul? What
good is it if people aren’t saved?
That’s the whole purpose of Portland
Mass Choir.”
Thanks to apprentices from
Willamette Carpentry Training Cen
ter, and the Coordinator, Ron Hansen,
the sheetrock work is completed on
the Vancouver House. Taping has
begun, with sanding and other finish
work remaining to be done. Wil
lamette Carpentry Training Center is
part of Carpenters’ Local, #2154.
Much o f the insulation has been
installed in the Gantenbein House. It
was expected to have been finished
before now, but Site-Superintendent
Bruce Edman has been working alone
most of the time. If sabigjobforone
man, even a dedicated man I ike Bruce.
He is thankful for those who come by
to help, even for a little while, like
Bill Kennington. from Central Bible
Church, who lends his experienced
skills whenever he can. Also, Jim
Spinks, from Good Shepherd Church,
brought a friend and spent a Saturday
afternoon working at the site.
Different kinds of help are need
ed. For instance. Rev. James Coleman
has offered to run some of the neces
sary errands that otherwise would
take Bruce away from the site, and
now that there has been a generous
planting o f new shrubbery, supplied
by Superior Landscaping, Inc., some
one is needed to take care of the
watering.
Trop het's Mohammed Last Sermon
(This sermon was delivered on
the 9th day ofDhul Hijjah 10 A H. in
the Valley O f Mount Arafat)
“O People, lend me an attentive
ear, for I know not whether, after this
year, I shall ever be amongst you
again. Therefore listen to what I am
saying to you very careful ly and T ake
These Words To Those Who Could
Not Be Present Here Today.
> O People, just as you regard this
month, this day, this city as Sacred,
So regard the life and property of
$very Muslim as a sacred trust. Re
turn the goods entrusted to you to
their rightful owners. Hurt no one so
that no one may hurt you. Remember
that you will indeed meet your Lord,
and that He will indeed reckon your
deeds. Allah has forbidden you to
take usuary (Interest), therefor all
Interest obligation shall henceforth
be waived.
•
Beware of Satan, for the safety
o f your religion. He has lost all hope
that he will ever be able to lead you
astray in big things, so beware of
following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have
certain rights with regards to your to others again; and may the last ones
women, but they also have rights understand my words better than
over you. If they abide by your right those who listen to me directly. Be
then to them belongs the right to be my witness O Allah, that I have con
fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat veyed Your message to Your peo
your women well and be kind to them ple.”
For Information about Islam, call
for they are your partners and com
mitted helpers. And it is your right 246-0813
that they do not make friends with
any one of whom you do not ap
prove, as we as never to commit
adultery.
O People, listen to me in earnest,
worship Allah, say your five daily
R E C O R D I
prayers (Salah), fast duringthe month
The Bible:
It’s Always Relevant
(NU) - “Head of Christ,” a paint
ing by American artist Warner Sail-
man has been reproduced more than
500 million times since 1940. It is
suggested that people respond to this
painting because it portrays an ac
cessible and reassuring Jesus. As the
Bible reminds us, “Jesus Christ nev
er changes. He is the same yester
day, today and forever.” For infor
mation on the work and programs of
the American Bible Society, write
ABS, 1865 Broadway, New York,
NY 10023. (News USA)
* * *
3Í5 Cottins ‘Recuperating
Ms Evelyn Collins founder of the Grace Collins Memorial Center
and better known as Miss Collins is presently recuperating from a skin
graft to her leg.
We would like to solicit your prayers for this long-time community
activist.
All questions may be directed to 281 -6930. ask for Irma or LaRan.
8138 N Hudson
Portland, OR 97203
(503) 283-3558 * Church (503) 283-0169 * Home
Elder Tom Moore, Pastor
of
(T h e s p o r t ia n i»
Sunday Morning yVorship 11:45 A M.
YPWW 6:30 P.M.
Sunday Evening Worship 7:30 P.M.
Tuesday Prayer/Bible Band 7:30 P.M.
Friday Worship Service 7:00 P.M.
“Come Unto Me All Ye That Labor And Are Heavy Laden,
And I Will Give You Rest, rake My Yoke Upon You
And Learn Of Me. " Matt. 11:28-29
We have a place tor you. Come fellowship with us!
A Welcome Is Awaiting Voul
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M y Chic
— R obert Lynd
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GOSPEL ALBUM RELEASE CONCERT
J :0 0 -7 :0 0 ftm
July 15,1995 • 7:30 pm • Mount Olivet Baptist Church • 8501 N Chautauqua
V d P a /m d a y
Tapes and com pact discs now available at music stores.
Free
Admission
JO :A tom - 6 : OOfiwt
2 8 0 8 J Y ê M ia lü tt Puffte i M i tty M /w f.
f h i e i f M ini ta y fjaefsan (5 0 3 ) 2 8 8 -5 2 If 6
Mt Olivet
Baptist Church
PMC is now recruiting committed Christian singers and musicians who are interest
ed in Gospel music ministry and future recordings. Must be 18 or older and under
100 years of age. For more information please contact Ada Tellis at 288-4413.
//
World of Adventure
8501 N. Chautauqua Blvd.,
at Willis Blvd.
//
a Multi-Cultural, Music and arts Day Camp
at First Presbyterian Church
Worship Services 8:00am & 11:00am.
Church School 9:30 to 10:30am,
Bible Study, Wednesdays. 10:30am & 7:00pm
Radio Ministry each Sunday. 8:00am on KBMS
A Teaching Church With A Reaching M inistry
Dr. Jam es E. M artin, Senior Pastor
(503) 240-PRAY
July 10 - A ugust 18; 9 - 4pm tv/ext. hrs
$80 - 90/week
call 228-7331
FAITH TEMPLE CHURCH
Sunday School 9:30 A M.
y
./ia h One o f a M in d V V c c e M f d )
12th & Alder SW
Lighthouse Church Of God In Christ
CELEBRATION
T he rich never feel so good as
when they are speaking o f their
p o ssessio n s as resp o n sib ilities.
POMWMB
o f Ramadan, and give your wealth in
Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford
to. You know that every Muslim is
the brother o f another Muslim You
are all equal. Nobody has superiority
over other except piety and good
action.
Remember, one day you will
appear before Allah and answer for
your deeds. So beware, do not stray
from the path of righteousness after 1
am gone.
All those who listen to me shall
pass on my words to others and those
Travis Oliveira (left) and his brother, Quinn, were part of the team
from Willamette Carpentry Training Center who installed the
sheetrock in the Vancouver House.
¿Adad ¿Bafitist Cfavud
4224 S.E. 62nd Avenue
(between Powell & Foster)
Portland, O regon 97206
SUNDAY
Sunday School 9:30am
Morning Worship 10:45am
Evangelistic Service 7:30pm
Tuesday Pastoral Teaching 7:00pm
FRIDAY
Evangelistic Service 7:00pm
DAILY
Prayer 12 00pm & 6:00pm
(503) 774-5470
PASTORS: Bishop Robert Simpson, Jr. • Dr Ida M. Simpson
103 NE Morris St., Portland, OR 97212
•
.
.
•
•
Sunday School - 9:30am
Sunday Morning Worship Service -1 1 :00am
Sunday School Teacher’s Meeting Tues - 6:30pm
Bible Study Wednesday 6:00pm
Prayer Meeting Wednesday - 7:00pm
Church Phone Number
287-7457
We Invite You To Come Anti Worship With Us.
The Church Where Everybody is Somebody And Chris! Is All
Dr. Joe S. Hardie, Pastor