December is a mix of full-on ministry as well as extended time with family.  We started the Christmas season with tree trimming and putting lights on the house over Thanksgiving weekend which gave us an early start.  As autumn gives way to winter the tree in front of our house glowed with beautiful red leaves.  Last Friday, we took a trip to San Francisco.  The boys spent time at the De Young Museum while Sherri and I went to Pier 39 and walked around the wharf.  Finals are this coming week, but we are looking forward to vacation.

To keep strong in the Lord, I’m continuing to daily read and memorize Scripture.  I’m in Isaiah right now and the two most recent verses are 1 Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.” and 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”  What an empowering truth that the Spirit of God lives in us.  We know the things God has given us so generously which inspires a genuine gratefulness especially as we reflect on Christmas.  Have a Merry Christmas as you spend time with friends and family and celebrate Jesus’ incarnation!

Hope your Thanksgiving was both relaxing and meaningful.  Heartfelt Music Ministry has been continuing to lead others toward intimacy with God through leading worship and training.  I’ve been leading worship at various churches in the Bay Area such as Peninsula Bible Church in Willow Glen, Community Presbyterian Church in Danville (left photo), and Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley.  Next month, I’ll be at Central Peninsula Church in Foster City with Cede.  I was thankful for the opportunity to lead the joyful singing at the Thanksgiving Service in Mount Hermon Thursday morning.

Monday was a recital for my private students in the Los Altos area.  I was very proud of them (right photo).  Teaching at Valley Christian School has been such a blessing.  I value these students so much and see such potential investing a part of my life into theirs.  Continue to pray for soft hearts and spiritual nourishment for the student body.

Reggie will be doing a concert Friday, October 26th, at the awesome coffee place called Community Coffee (at Christ Community Church in Milpitas). The event starts at 7:00pm with various artists. Reggie is the “headlining” artist performing from 7:45pm to 8:45pm and Tammi Brown who sings in the CEDE band will be singing too. It’s FREE! Bring some friends. We’ll have fun worshiping together and Reggie willl share some favorites like “Reap What You Sow” and “Getting Stronger.” Come be encouraged!

More details at:  http://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/

Not only is ministry keeping me busy, but family and friends fill in a big part of my life as well, as they should.  It’s taken me months to complete our new arbor which Sherri designed.  Working a few hours here and there, makes me realize persistence pays off (first photo).  The middle photo above is a picture of our newly painted bedroom completed in one day!  Three friends Sherri and I have known since college decided to come over and help us with some “home projects.”  I was amazed at what was accomplished and how truly helpful it was.  The biggest project was painting our bedroom.  What a blessing!  Not only did we get a lot done, but it was great to catch up with friends.  The third photo is of a cool lookin’ bird’s nest in Mt. Hermon with three eggs in it.  A taste of God’s beautiful handiwork!

I led worship at Peninsula Bible Church in Willow Glen and it was like a mini-reunion seeing a number of folks I ministered with when I was the Worship Pastor at Peninsula Bible Church in Cupertino 20 years ago.  God has been so faithful in our lives.  It was a joy see how God’s blessings have been given throughout the years.

There’s only two weeks left for the first Quarter at Valley Christian School, but it seems like we just started.  Thank you for your prayers as I lead the students toward intimacy with God.  I am coordinating the chapels for both the Jr. High School and the High School and this is where 2,000 students are encouraged and nurtured toward a close relationship with Christ.  I took one of our worship teams to sing at a missions event which you can watch below.

You are invited to a new workshop I’ll be leading at Guitar Showcase called Playing Worship Songs at Various Skill Levels, Sunday, October 28, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm ($20.00)  This guitar workshop is for all who would like to find enjoyable and creative ways to play worship songs at different skill levels. Each song can be played with various chord voicings, strums, picking patterns, and tunings. Together we’ll sound like a guitar choir. Individually you can be comfortable or challenged in what you choose to play.  More information can be found at http://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/ .

May God’s life in you bring you such peace and joy unlike anything the world can offer.

Blessings,

Reggie

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The beginning of the school year has been a whirlwind.  Last week was Spiritual Emphasis Week at Valley Christian Schools.  I was able to teach on Jeremiah and his dirty underwear during one of the High School chapels (Jeremiah 13:1-11). The week turned out to be very inspirational and encouraging.  Would you continue to pray with me that God would nurture and mature each student spiritually in the coming weeks.

I took one of my worship teams to sing for a missions organization called Innocent Voices (who help fight human trafficking).  They did a fantastic job and it was a great way to get closer as a team.

I am leading worship at various churches each Sunday and would love to minister with yours.  I’ll be at Peninsula Bible Church in Willow Glen the first Sunday in October and will continue to lead with Redwood Chapel once a month (check online at http://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/).

I’m continuing to teach private lessons in Los Altos, San Jose, and Mount Hermon.  I would like to add 4 or 5 more students if you know anyone passionate to learn and develop in both their skill and faith http://heartfeltmusic.org/academy/.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers and encouraging emails.  Your support is such a blessing.  May you experience God’s brilliant love in every aspect of life.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the summer!  It went by so fast for me.  I will be working full-time at Valley Christian School in San Jose and will not continue as the Director of Worship Ministries at Redwood Chapel after next week.  This will mean more focus, more time at home and less travel.  Please, pray for the transition to be encouraging for all.  My family and I were able to go to Southern California for vacation last week.  What a joy to spend extended time together.

Songwriting Intensive This Saturday

August 11 (Sat), 9:00am-12:00pm – Songwriting Intensive, Mount Hermon

I will be facilitating a three hour Songwriting Intensive this Saturday at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center Fireside Room, limited to 10 participants.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Call me if you’d like to attend.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

Concert/Worship Night This Sunday

August 12 (Sun), 7:30pm-8:45pm – South Hills Community Church, San Jose.

I will be  leading a worship night and share some of my own songs.  It is entitled “Empower” which will inspire and encourage you to let Jesus empower you to fully live life!  It will begin at 7:30pm Sunday.  More information can be found at http://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/ .

May you be empowered to live life to the full.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

Hope you enjoyed the Fourth of July!  We can celebrate the freedom we have in Christ and be thankful for the freedom we experience in this nation.  Last Sunday’s concert in Los Altos was a fantastic start to the “Empower” summer concert tour.  I’ll be with full band this Sunday in Castro Valley doing an UpReach worship night combined with an acoustic concert.  If you can come, I guarantee you’ll be refreshed in your faith!  This Saturday morning will be the Adult Beginning Guitar Intensive at Mount Hermon.  So, if you know anyone who’d like to learn guitar quickly, tell them about this training workshop (details below).  Thank you for your prayers through these events and your encouraging notes and comments throughout the month.  I hope my music touches your heart as God has touched mine.

Concert/Worship Refreshment

I will be doing concerts this summer throughout the Bay Area.  They are entitled “Empower” which will inspire and encourage you to allow Jesus to empower you to live life to the full!  In each location, the concerts will begin at 6:00pm Sunday evenings.  I’ll be sharing songs that haven’t been recorded yet and some favorites.  The evening will also include worship songs you can sing along with.  More information can be found at

http://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/ .

• July 8 (Sun) – Castro Valley Concert & Worship, Redwood Chapel Comm. Ch.
• July 22 (Sun) – Felton Concert, Felton Bible Church
• July 29 (Sun) – Morgan Hill Concert, Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church
• August 12 (Sun) – San Jose Concert, South Hills Community Church

Guitar Intensives

I will be holding six three-hour Guitar Intensives this summer.  Three are for youth grades 5-12 and three are for adults.  The youth ones are held on Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Valley Christian High School in the Conservatory Bldg. (San Jose area).  The adult ones are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Fireside Room (Santa Cruz area).  The Advanced Guitar one has been changed to July 14 at my home from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.  Make sure you fill out an Application Form and get it in right away.  They include three hours of instruction, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD included), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• July 7 (Sat) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 13 (Fri) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 14 (Sat) – Intermediate Guitar Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 14 (Sat) – Advanced Guitar Intensive (Adult), 1:00pm, Reggie’s home
• July 20 (Fri) – Intermediate Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 27 (Fri) – Advanced Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS

Songwriting Intensive

August 11 (Sat) – Christian Songwriting Intensive (Adult)

I will be facilitating a one day Songwriting Intensive this summer at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center Fireside Room, limited to 10 participants.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because it’s limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  It includes three hours of instruction, sharing songs, personal coaching, a challenging training/resource book (God Songs, by Paul Baloche with Jimmy & Carol Owens), a notebook, and relevant handouts for $85.00.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

Support

You can go to http://heartfeltmusic.org/about/support/ to either donate a one-time gift or begin a monthly contribution.  Any amount would propel us forward.  Your tax deductible gifts enable us to minister more broadly and effectively.

With the sun shining so lavishly, bringing in the summer with a smile, and Jesus pouring life into every ministry effort, there is a deep joy that certainly makes life worth living!  The Christian Guitarist Fellowship brought a wide range of ages from a number of churches and proved to be a very encouraging time.  The performance at Spirit West Coast with the Cede band went well (what a joy to play with such highly skilled musicians).  Unfortunately, my guitar didn’t make my flight and I had to wait for it to arrive on the next one.  The last picture above  is my Guitar for Fun class at Valley Christian Elementary School.  There are a lot of events coming up.  Take a look and I hope to see you at a few of them!

Private Lessons This Summer

I am teaching private guitar lessons this Summer at the following locations for June and July.  I will be taking all of August off.  If you’re interested in lessons,  just email me at [email protected] and I can set you up.

• Guitar Showcase in San Jose
• Valley Christian High School in San Jose
• Bridges Community Church in Los Altos
• My home in Mount Hermon

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Reggie’s Concerts This Summer

I will be doing a number of concerts this summer throughout the Bay Area.  They are entitled “Empower” which will inspire and encourage you to allow Jesus to empower you to live life to the full!  In each location, the concerts will begin at 6:00pm Sunday evenings.  I’ll be sharing songs that haven’t been recorded yet and some favorites.  The evening will also include worship songs you can sing along with.  More information can be found at

http://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/ .

• July 1 (Sun) – Los Altos Concert, Bridges Community Church
• July 8 (Sun) – Castro Valley Concert & Worship, Redwood Chapel Comm. Ch.
• July 22 (Sun) – Felton Concert, Felton Bible Church
• July 29 (Sun) – Morgan Hill Concert, Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church
• August 12 (Sun) – San Jose Concert, South Hills Community Church (Please note the date change. The last eNewsletter said August 5 which is no longer correct)

Guitar Intensives This Summer

We will be holding six three-hour Guitar Intensives this summer.  Three are for youth grades 5-12 and three are for adults.  The youth ones are held on Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Valley Christian High School in the Conservatory Bldg. (San Jose area).  The adult ones are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Fireside Room (Santa Cruz area).  The Advanced Guitar one has been changed to July 14 at my home from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.  Make sure you fill out an Application Form and get it in right away.  The curriculum is more intensive in order to get a lot in, but they are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  They include three hours of instruction, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD included), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• July 7 (Sat) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 13 (Fri) – Beginning Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 14 (Sat) – Intermediate Guitar Intensive (Adult), Mt. Hermon
• July 14 (Sat) – Advanced Guitar Intensive (Adult), 1:00pm, Reggie’s home
• July 20 (Fri) – Intermediate Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS
• July 27 (Fri) – Advanced Guitar Intensive (Grades 5-12), VCHS

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Worship Leading Intensive This Summer

June 30 (Sat), 9:00am to 12:00pm – Worship Leading Intensive (Adult).  We will be holding a three-hour Worship Leading Intensive this summer at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Fireside Room (Santa Cruz area), limited to 10 participants.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because it’s limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  It includes three hours of instruction and practical interaction, a challenging training/resource book (The Worship Leader’s Handbook, by Tom Kreauter), a notebook, and relevant handouts for $85.00.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

Songwriting Camp This Summer

August 11 (Sat) – Christian Songwriting Camp (Adult)

We will be holding a one day Songwriting Camp this summer at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center Fireside Room, limited to 10 participants.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  Because it’s limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  It includes three hours of instruction, sharing songs, personal coaching, a challenging training/resource book (God Songs, by Paul Baloche with Jimmy & Carol Owens), a notebook, and relevant handouts for $85.00.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 22, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  Racers for Christ are leading the chapel fellowships and teaching during these events.  For more information, contact one of the Racers for Christ chaplains, Bob Hadidian, at (805) 801-7579.

Would You Consider Contributing to Heartfelt Music Ministry?

Go to http://heartfeltmusic.org/about/support/ to either donate a one-time gift or begin a monthly contribution.  Any amount would be propel us forward.  Your tax deductible gifts enable us to minister to others who greatly desire our services but cannot afford to pay for them.

I hope your summer is filled with joy as you let Jesus live through you.

In His Life & Love,

Reggie

The Coates family is doing very well.  Sherri is working at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center getting the cabins ready for the summer camps,  Brandon is working at the Boardwalk caricature drawing, and Austin is continuing to teach private guitar lessons.   In the pictures above, Austin finished the school year with a group drama presentation, Sherri’s friend took a picture of beautiful Santa Cruz at dusk, and Brandon get’s paid to do what he loves…drawing.

I just finished reading through the book of Job.  It’s amazing what pain he goes through and still remains upright and godly.  Though he doesn’t say much at the end, he ends up humble and blessed!  Now I’m digging into the Psalms to experience all kinds of emotion being expressed.  As I finished up this year at Valley Christian School, the memory verse for the Worship Band was “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6)