Mr. John Doe's Blog

The Final Curtain Call... (06/02/2010)

Can you remember the end scene of the 1982 classic movie, E.T.? It is a real "tear-jerker" when Elliot and E.T. are saying goodbye. Each of them knew deep in their hearts that their goodbye moment was going to be the last time they would see one another. Well, I hate those kinds of endings. The sappiness, the sadness, and the tears are just way too emotional for someone like me. BUT, I can't ignore the fact that leaving GHCA after four years is not going to be easy. I have made a lot of friends and have really enjoyed the staff and students. Saying goodbye to all of you is going to be one of those E.T. moments.

When I came to GHCA fours ago I was asked to build a music program from scratch with nothing but a few dollars, a few instruments, and a few students. I asked myself, "How can you develop a vision for a music program out of that?" My mind quickly went back to the gospel song, "Little Is Much" by Kittle J. Suffield. Here is verse two and the chorus:

VERSE 2
Does the place you're called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He'll not forget His own.

CHORUS
Little is much when God is in it.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There's a crown and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus' name.

When I left Virginia to come to Maine I knew it was God calling me here. And, I knew that it was His hand that had to continue to guide me through the process of starting a music program for GHCA with very few resources to start from. Now, after four years at GHCA, I leave behind the following:

25+ member beginner band
20+ member Intermediate band
String Program
4th-6th Grade General Music Program
Drama Program

Praise God that He can use us to create much out of so little. It was only by Him who could do such a great work for our school. The challenge is now for parents to continue to see the program to the next level. Continue to help foster the need for a Fine Arts program. Continue to encourage the students to practice their instruments. Continue to communicate to the school board and administration the importance of music and drama.

I have been thinking a lot about the past four years and I remember two particular moments that will forever be ingrained in my mind and heart. The first is GHCA's opening night for "Annie." in May of 2009. The students were very nervous and insecure about their level of performance. I even heard some parents say, "I'm not sure that they can really pull this off." There is nothing like proving someone wrong, in a positive way! I can not describe the well of pride that I had for all of those who participated from the stage hands, to the musicians, to the actors, to the light and sound crew, and to make-up and costume design, and the list goes on and on! My heart swelled with pride when I heard students say, "We did it!" or "This is so much fun!"
My second memory was the first DC Washington concert in May of 2008. We pulled in different local churches and various community musicians to accompany one of my very good friends, Mr. DC Washington. Many of our students and parents were involved either in choir or orchestra. I remember one particular student who was playing her instrument in the orchestra. She struggled to hit certain notes and play certain solo parts during rehearsals. But when it came time for the concert, she played every part flawlessly; and to see her smile each time after playing a challenging part, as if to silently celebrate, was a memorable moment for me. After the concert was finished I had so many people comment on the blessing that the ministry of the school was having in their lives and in the heart of the community. Isn't that what it is all about? Serving God and letting our "light so shine before men."

I thank you all for helping to make my time at GHCA very memorable; I thank you all for being great Christian brothers and sisters; and I thank you all for loving someone as unlovable like me to come in and teach the students how to use Fine Arts for God. May he be praised for everything. Again, thank you for all that you have done for me. I will never forget you.

Musically yours, (E.T. moment)

Mr. Stan Harris

10th GRADE BIBLE CLASS (05/05/2010)

For the past three semesters the 10th Grade Bible Class has been studying various doctrines. So far they have studied:

Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
Doctrine of the Trinity
Doctrine of Man
Doctrine of Sin
Doctrine of the Inerrant Word of God
Doctrine of the Church
Doctrine of the End Times

They are now studying the doctrine of "Grace." This is a huge undertaking, but yet a large reward. In order for someone to understand what grace really is, one must see the ditch of sin from which we are dug. Then, and only then, can one BEGIN to put their arms around the concept of what grace really means. John Newton realized just the "tip of the iceberg" of what grace really meant to him. As a matter of fact, his experience of God's grace was so profound he wrote one of the worlds most known and sung hymns of all time, "Amazing Grace."

Revelation (03/23/2010)

The 10th grade class are doing Revelation projects for the end of this third grading period. They are choosing a particular interest (i.e. tribulation, seal judgments, etc.) and then writing a 3 page paper. In addition to this assignment they are going to do a 3 to 5 minute media presentation in front of their own peers. Please feel free to come in next week and join the 10th grade class as they present their project on Revelation. If you are interested please call the office at 532-0736.

A First... (02/22/2010)

This past Monday the GHCA band was able to accompany, FOR THE FIRST TIME, the boys basketball team down to the Bangor Auditorium. The band did a FANTASTIC job! I would like to recognize those who participated:

Olivia Lee, flute
Mikayla Wiley, flute
Sarah Hemingway, flute
Lauren Robertson, flute
Halle Duff, flute
Kayla Neureuther, flute
Rachel Potter, flute
Emily Little, oboe, crash cymbals
Hannah Emery, clarinet
Kathryn Kruzich, clarinet
Allison Little, alto sax
Myra Barnes, alto sax
Ezra Kruzich, tenor sax
Lela Sharai, trumpet
Sarah Sharai, trumpet
Noah Kruzich, trombone
Caleb Little, drum set
Cody Gould, drum set, bass drum

A special thanks to Randall Burns (trumpet) and Marcia Duff (flute) for assisting the band.

CALLING ALL GHCA MUSICIAN ACQUAINTANCES (01/18/2010)

On Monday, January 25th, GHCA will be celebrating Senior Night at the UMPI gymnasium beginning at 5:30pm. We are calling ALL alumni and music friends to help join the band in playing the National Anthem and other band songs for the basketball games. If you are interested or need more information, please contact me via email: sharris@ghca.com or call the school office at 532-0736.

Please come and join us for a HUGE night of fun and music!!!

Time to say goodbye to a fellow band member... (12/23/2009)

As a band director of Greater Houlton Christian Academy for the past four years I have been able to get close to a number of students who have been in the band. These band students are a blast to get to know. Even though, as a band, we all have our moments of weakness musically, WE always seem to pull together and gather around one another in helping and encouraging each other in not quitting. On Tuesday, December 22nd, we rallied around one another in help and encouragement, BUT, for a different reason other than doing our best. A fellow band member, KayLee Pelletier, was moving to Bangor. KayLee played the tenor saxophone. She was one of the first students to be a part of the pioneering vision of a full-time band program at GHCA. She stepped outside herself and took on the difficult playing responsibility of the orchestra for the DC Washington Concerts (2007, 2008) and the Christmas by Candlelight concert (2009). She was also a key player (Lilly, Rooster sneaky and devious sidekick) in GHCA's first major production, Annie. She brought an air and personality that was unique in every manner. KayLee will be attending Bangor High School and joining the Bangor High School Band. They say you never know what you have until you lose it; in this case, she was a rare gem. KayLee, we wish you the very best and pray that you continue to shine as one of God's lights in the Bangor area. We will miss you, and will be praying for you!

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT (11/19/2009)

Three hundred years before the birth of Christ, God was silent to His people. The Israelites were in turmoil at God's silence, looking and listening for something from God. Then, after three hundred years, God broke His silence with a gift to His people. This gift would become the greatest gift to humanity.

The concert participants, residents of Aroostook County and New Brunswick make up a 50 member choir, 30 member orchestra, 75 member children's choir, and a drama team. Since September, the concert participants have been traveling weekly from as far away as Caribou, Island Falls, and Fredericton to prepare for this Christmas by Candlelight presentation. Join us to sing familiar Christmas carols by candlelight. All these participants will be presenting the account and significance of the birth of Christ. Come hear and see the message of this gift on December 5^th at 7pm at the Houlton Wesleyan Church.

LIVING WITH DISTINCTION (10/07/2009)

When aquarterback comes out of the huddle, he expects his teammates to do as they have been trained. This expectation is especially truefor the one person designated to receive the quarterback's pass. After all, the play was designed around that one receiver. Could you imagine what would happen if the receiver, after catching the pass, decided to give the ballto the other team; or, what if he ran it back into his own end zone and fumbled the ball on purpose, only to have the other team recover the fumble for a touchdown? I think it would create a "not-so-proud-to-be"ESPN highlight.

I believe this analogy to be true of our teenagers today. We train them to be the best players that they can beon the gridiron of life. And, sometimes, when they receive a pass that the world throws at them, instead of running with it, they pass it off to the other team or fumble it.I especially see this fumbling in teenagers not taking a stand for what is right. Christian teens today are seemingly nervous, anxious, or just plain scared to take a stand, whether it be against younger people, peers, or older people. I'm talking about taking a stand for what is right in God's eyes through the understanding of His word. Today, when a Christian teenagerattempts to take a stand for God, he is ridiculed or even shunned. Sadly, this happenswithin the Christian circle as well.

In football, we know that when the receiver gets the ball hisultimate goal is to score a touchdown, butmay we never forget thatthis CANNOT be attained without the help of his teammates. He needs hiscoach, assistant coaches, medical staff if necessary, an accurate quarterback, and strong blockers. Without all of these teammates, the receiver would be just one man ALONE in a game against many who are out to tackle him.

In reality, a Christian teenager can't play the "game" ALONE. He needs his team to come along side him: his parents, friends, family, teachers, and peers. This support base makes it much easier to run down the field and know that the "team" is there to help. Sure, he will miss catching a pass, drop the "ball," or even be injured when taking a stand. But, with the "team" behind him, he will go back out on the gridiron and keep playing so that God may be glorified.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 1:1-20)took a stand against King Nebuchadnezzar and his pagan requirements for living. It cost them freedom, and it tried their faith, but they NEVER dropped the ball. They listened to their coach (God), supported one another, and fought a hard game. But praise God it still doesn't stop there! They ultimately won the game against the pagan king and culture, and God blessed them mightily.

May we come along side our Christian teenagers and encourage them to do right; rebuke them when wrong; edify them emotionally, spiritually, and mentally; and guide them to the ultimate goal: the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33

Not a sermon, just a thought...

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!!! (09/15/2009)

We are off to a great start! This is GHCA's biggest year for the band! We currently have 30 enrolled in the Concert Band and an estimated 20+ in the Beginner Band. God is good. It is amazing to see how God has blessed the school over my last 3 years at the Academy, and I see more blessings coming - especially THIS year! We have a great faculty and staff on hand this year; a wonderful administration; great parents and students; and a God who gave all of these and more to us. Let's never forget His blessings and keep aiming for the true goal: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..."

Do you have questions or comments about this blog? Email Mr. Doe at sharris@ghca.com!

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