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November has been largely full of preparing for our Christmas presentation with Creekside Community Church December 13th.  It’s called The Journey to Bethlehem – A Journey of Faith.  In addition to Christmas being about the arrival of Jesus, we are taking a look at the unique journey we take to get to Him, a journey of faith.  Through music, drama, children’s choir, multi-media, carol singing, and a compelling message, both believers and seekers will be enriched and encouraged.  I’ve been teaching private lessons and enjoying each student working toward their goals and getting better every time we meet.  I’ll be giving a workshop this Thursday at Guitar Showcase (Showcase Music Institute), in San Jose, on Creative Songwriting (7:30pm-8:30pm).  This Friday, the Mount Hermon Community will be holding a Christmas dinner in which I’ll be leading a carol sing with David Talbot.  Also, you’re invited to a concert of mine Sunday January 17th where I’ll be singing new songs and favorites as well.

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A new music book, Reggie’s Songs Written Out, will be available December 1st with twenty of my songs written out. Ten of them in guitar tab, with melody and chord diagrams the way I play the chords (The songs include:  Ain’t Nobody, Radically Committed, No Greater Love, Amazing Grace, Cast Away, I Choose to Follow Jesus, Slow Me Down, Seasons, Isaiah 12:2, and Touch My Heart) and ten of them in sheet music, with melody and chord diagrams the way I play the chords (The songs include:  Celebrate, Christ Only Always, Draw Near to God, Go the Distance, I Lift My Love to You, Lord I’m Yours, On Christ, Shout, Shout for Joy, and Take a Stand). $15.00
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Three Great Deals for Christmas Gifts (Available through December 25th)

1) Two CDs for the price of one, $10.00 (Bundle includes Here to Worship with full band and Heartfelt Celebration with voice and guitar only).
2) Two lessons for the price of one, $85.00 (Includes two hour long lessons with notebook and lesson summary videos.   This is for those not currently taking lessons. )
3) Give a Gift Certificate.  You can purchase a Gift Certificate for a friend or loved one to spend on any item through Heartfelt Music Ministry, even lessons.
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Mark your calendar:

Creative Songwriting workshop, December 3 (Thursday), 7:30pm-8:30pm, Guitar Showcase (Showcase Music Institute), 3090 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95124, (408) 377-5864 [ask for Norri], $20.00 for non-SMI students. Understanding the key ingredients to songwriting will open up a new world of flavors for each songwriter.  This seminar gives you practical ways to take your ideas and inspiration and craft them into a beautiful and expressive song.  Reggie will cover the eight elements of songwriting, working with music, working with lyrics, and how to combine them effectively.
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Christmas Carol Sing, December 4 (Friday), 6:00pm-7:30pm, Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center’s Dinning Room, Conference Drive, Mount Hermon, CA 95041, (831) 335-4466, $5.00.  This is an exclusive dinner for the residence of Mount Hermon Community.  Reggie will be leading Christmas carol singing with master pianist David Talbot.
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The Journey to Bethlehem – A Journey of Faith, December 13 (Sunday), 6:30pm-8:00pm, Creekside Community Church, 1350 Danville Blvd., Alamo, CA  94507, (925) 820-9031, FREE.  As well as celebrating the arrival of Jesus, we are taking a look at the unique journey we take to get to Him, a journey of faith.  There will be child care 0-4 years and dessert following the presentation.
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Reggie’s Concert, January 17 (Sunday), 6:30pm-8:00pm,  Creekside Community Church, 1350 Danville Blvd., Alamo, CA  94507, (925) 820-9031.  Acoustic & Electric Guitars with strong vocals and an uplifting message.  Original songs with a variety of effects to both entertain and encourage.  Bring the whole family!  (Love offering will be taken.)

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Touching people’s hearts and guiding them to Jesus is and has been the thrust of our ministry. I’m doing more discipling either by getting together one-on-one with individuals or small group workshops/lessons. I’m praying for each person and ask you to join with me in prayer to build God’s kingdom one life at a time.
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I’m teaching an 8-week beginning guitar class for 4th & 5th graders in Alamo starting tomorrow. These students are precious and I wish you could see their enthusiasm (more info at https://heartfeltmusic.org/academy/courses/ ). I’m teaching private music lessons in Los Altos, San Jose, and Alamo which are going very well. I currently have 10 students excited to use their talents toward God’s glory (more info at https://heartfeltmusic.org/academy/coaching/ ).
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I’ll be training the worship team at First Baptist Church of Salinas October 24 with a workshop called Leading Worship Effectively and Team Building (more info at https://heartfeltmusic.org/workshops/ ). Then the next day, I’ll be teaching and leading worship in their services at 9:00am and 10:30am. You’re welcome to join us if you’re in the area (more info at https://heartfeltmusic.org/calendar/ ).
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The ministry and people of Creekside Community Church is where I spend most of my time right now as the Associate Pastor. Investing in the Worship & Arts Ministry and four great guys is so enjoyable and very rewarding (Dustin, the Children’s Minister; Tim, the Middle School Minister; Sean, the High School Minister; and Dana, the High School Worship Intern. More info at http://creeksidechurch.com/ ).
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For those who support Heartfelt Music Ministry with your prayers, thank you so much. It’s God’s answers to your prayers that make this unique organization a powerful and high impact ministry to others. For those who support Heartfelt Music Ministry with your financial contributions, thank you so much too. Your gifts put feet on this ministry to enable us to do the work needed and continue to touch people’s lives (to donate and receive a tax deduction, go to https://heartfeltmusic.org/about/ and scroll to the bottom of the page).
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I know these times are difficult for almost everyone, but keep looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2).  We worship the God who daily offers hope and joy.

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Most of my ministry efforts has been with Creekside Community Church (Alamo).  But there has been a steady stream of meaningful ministry encounters with Heartfelt Music Ministry.  Besides private lessons and the monthly Christian Guitarist Fellowship,  June had me doing coffee shop concerts;  July had a Worship Conference in Castro Valley; August had a High School ministry reunion for Neighborhood Church in Castro Valley and the Mount Hermon Songwriter’s Conference; and the beginning of September had the last monthly Christian Guitarist Fellowship.  Thank you for your prayers through it all.

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The Coates family has experienced some big changes in the last few months.  I’m still working in Alamo as the Associate Pastor with Creekside Community Church, but we moved back to our home in Mount Hermon due to our difficult economy.  The summer went by very fast.  I celebrated a year with Creekside Community Church in June, Sherri and I had our 25th wedding anniversary in July,  and we moved in August.  August 15th I earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.  Below is a short clip of me breaking two boards with a jump back kick.  Brandon and Austin are into Tae Kwon Do as well, plus they are playing the guitar like crazy.  Austin’s even playing keyboard.  We’re all doing very well and appreciate your prayers as we unpack boxes and make our house a home.

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Happy 4th of July everyone! As we celebrate our independence as a country, let’s commit anew our dependence on Jesus.  What a collision of freedom and fulfillment!
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There’s been some wonderful events in June with the Christian Guitarist Fellowship, an instrumental concert at Yellow Wood Coffee & Tea, and private lessons in both Danville and Los Altos.  Also, I’m beginning my second year with Creekside Community Church and it is such a blessing.  I oversee the Worship & Arts Ministry and work with the three pastors in the Student’s and Children’s ministries.  I taught on Love (1 Corinthians 13:7 & 8a) in the main service last month and will teach on Trusting in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-8) July 26th.  There’s a lot of ministry opportunities with good people to work with.  Please, pray for God’s continued blessing.
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Ministry Update & Coming Events

Tomorrow, July 5, is our 6th monthy Christian Guitarist Fellowship.  Hope you can make it from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Creekside Community Church in Alamo.  I know many are out of town because of the 4th of July weekend.  But if you’re around  glean from fellow guitar players and share with them what you’re learning.  We have some good stuff planned!
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One of the best (and most affordable) two-day training conferences is Friday & Saturday, July 24 & 25.  The Lift Him Up Worship Training Conference is for all who are involved in the various aspects of woship.  Some of the training workshops cover:  Soundboard Techniques; Acoustic Guitar; Lead & Electric Guitar; Drums and Rhythm Section; Bass Guitar; Vocal; Worship Band Techniques; Platform Techniques; Worship Team Leading; The Meaning of True Worship; Genres of Worship; Prayer Worship; and Expressive Worship.  I am one of the featured presenters and workshop instructors for the conference.  Mark Kenoly and Kingdom Voice are also featured artists and instructors. The cost is very affordable at $25.00 per person for the two days of training and concert Saturday night at 7:00pm.  For more information contact New Life Christian Church at (510) 889-1304 or visit www.newlifechristianchurch.com .
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Are you a songwriter?  You won’t want to miss the Christian Songwriters Conference at the Mount Hermon Conference Center, August 31 – September 3 (Sun-Thu).  Write, learn, eat, and play!  Located in the breathtaking coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this conference immerses you in songwriting with a close knit community of artists. Experience 3 plenary teaching sessions and 8 elective classes with experienced songwriters like Shane & Shane, Don Moen, Sara Groves, Charlie Peacock, Israel Houghton, and Joy Williams.  I will be one of the reviewers for the  songs submitted for competition and I’ll be teaching workshops throughout the week.  For more info:  http://mounthermon.org/adult/professionals/songwriters .
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In addition to private lessons in Los Altos and Danville, I’ll be an instructor with the Showcase Music Institute in San Jose (which is a part of  Guitar Showcase) beginning in the fall.  The cool thing about these lessons is that they will be twice a month with the addition of as many workshops as you’d like throughout the month.  Each instructor gives one workshop a month which is open for all the students to attend for free as a part of the lesson package (since there are about 15 instructors, you could take up to 15 workshops).  It’s great for those who want more than the hour a month I’ve been offering.  I’ll tell you more as it gets closer.  Let me know if you’re interested as there is limited availability.  Check out their site:  http://guitarshowcase.com under Lessons.
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Personal Update & Prayer Request

As a family, we’re doing really well.  We love to spend time together and have a lot of fun when we do.  Brandon has been busy doing things with new friends and attending camps and retreats.  He continues to draw daily.  Austin is enjoying summer with Tae Kwon Do, Gumdo, archery, gaming, and chess.  Both of them ended the year very well scholastically with straitht “A”s.  Sherri and I are very proud of them.  Sherri continues to be the best mom and wife in the universe which keeps her busy.  We’ve been affected by the economy, as many are struggling to make ends meet nowdays, so we’re having to change housing to something more affordable for us.  Please, pray for our transition which may take a few months.
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Your continued interest and involvement in Heartfelt Music Ministry is very much appreciated!  Drop me a note on Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace anytime.  May God richly bless you throughout this month with all the unique things that summer brings your way.

~ Reggie

The summer holds some concerts and conferences you may not want to miss.

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Christian Guitarist Fellowship

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The Christian Guitarist Fellowship is a monthly event for all Christian guitarists the first Sunday of each month, 2:00pm-4:00pm . Everyone is invited from beginners to advanced players.
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(CANCELED) Reggie Concert & Family Movie Night  (CANCELED)

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This concert has been postponed to early Fall.

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Yellow Wood Coffee & Tea,
Reggie’s Guitar Instrumental Music

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Reggie will be performing a variety of instrumental music on acoustic guitar (jazz, classical, rock, celtic, and easy listening).  He’ll be using his entertaining effects and musical artistry. Come on by to relax and enjoy the music. It’s free!

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Lift Him Up Worship Training Conference

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The “Lift Him Up” Worship Training Conference is for all who are involved in the various aspects of worship.  Reggie Coates, Mark Kenoly and the band Kingdom Voice are the featured artists and instructors.

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Mount Hermon’s Christian Songwriters Conference

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WRITE, LEARN, EAT, & PLAY Located in the breathtaking coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this conference immerses you in songwriting with a close knit community of artists.

The Christian Guitarist Fellowship in May was another enjoyable learning experience.  Here’s some photos of our “Jam” time where everyone paired up and taught each other.  Come and join us for the next one Sunday, June 7th, 2:00pm-4:00pm.
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May Christian Guitarist Fellowship

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May Christian Guitarist Fellowship

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May Christian Guitarist Fellowship

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May Christian Guitarist Fellowship

Saturday, I’ll be giving an instrumental guitar concert at Yellow Wood Coffee & Tea in Alamo, Ca (check under Events for details), 4:00pm-6:00pm.  On Sunday, 2:00pm-4:00pm, we’ll hold another Christian Guitarist Fellowship at Creekside Community Church (also on the Events page).

This weekend, I’ll be leading worship for the second Father/Son “Mountain Men” Retreat at Sugarpine Christian Conference Center.  There will be over 200 men and their sons.  Pray that it will have a strong spiritual impact on the lives of all who attend.

The Coates family is enjoying life in the Danville area.  Sherri is busy nurturing Brandon and Austin as they are growing like crazy (both are taller than me now).  She is also involved at Creekside Community Church with girls in the Middle School Ministry, with greeting on Sunday mornings in the Frontline Ministry, and helping care for the babies in the Nursery Ministry.  She truly makes our house a home with her laughter and love.   Brandon is now 17 and will be driving soon.  He is enjoying drawing and the High School youth group at church.  Austin is 14 and is continuing in Tae Kwon Do and Gumdo.  Both of them like Venture School (although they think they have too much homework).  This week has been fun for me to be on vacation and spend time with family.  Last weekend was so nice to be at Sugarpine Christian Conference Center’s Father and Son Retreat.  I took Brandon and Austin and felt like it was one of the best times ever with a time of playing paintball, the cabin hang-time, prayer for each other and honest appreciation of each other.  Sherri’s birthday was this week and we’ve had some good moments of celebration.  All in all, we’re doing well.  May God bless you as you keep him first in all you do! If you get a chance, visit me on Facebook, Twitter or MySpace.