Hello, and welcome back to the blog for the new season!
I took the title of this entry from Pastor David's qualified greeting to us this morning. After a couple days of a Nor'Easter--chilly, damp, and dark--it does seem silly to proclaim it a beautiful day. A valuable day, perhaps....a good day, perhaps, but calling it beautiful would be untruthful.
It's time to begin doing things that help make this time of year easier to bear:
Exchange the window screens for storm windows to reduce drafts and save on your energy bill.
Find your gloves from last year and have them at the ready! (if you still have a matching pair; I found exactly one matching pair among 9 gloves).
Think about what you enjoy about winter--Christmas lights, turtlenecks, corduroy pants, snow, no yard work--and focus on enjoying those things.
Plan for spring; it will be here before you know it! Where do you want to plant bulbs?
Make other fun plans. I get a huge kick out of something like taking a half day off work and visit the art museum.
Get your flu shot if you can find one!
Do whatever you need to do to feel alive. (For me it's singing--among many other things).
Finally, keep coming to church! Where else will you connect so effectively with a Christian community that offers unconditional support, and needs your support in return? If we never experienced the chilly and dark seasons, spring and summer would not be so enjoyable. In the same way, if you are a "fair weather" churchgoer, you will not experience all the richness of involvement.
Among the exciting new things this year are the screens up front that add a visual dimension to worship, new members and baptism for a new baby this morning, and new repertoire for the choir.
Elaine and I remarked this morning that we have both been singing the new choral benediction response to ourselves all week, an upbeat syncopated hymn: "May you run and not be weary, may your heart be filled with song; May the love of God continue to give you hope and keep you strong. And may you run and not be weary. May your life be filled with joy (filled with joy)! And may the road you travel always lead you home." What a gift that is when you need a little burst of encouragement during the week!
This morning we were treated to a very special offertory piece "Wonderful Words" sung by Frantz, Kathy, Sally, and Elaine. The harmonies and blend on this traditional favorite hymn were perfect. Thanks, guys, for putting it together so well and for a great hymn choice!
Our Christmas cantata will be presented Sunday, December 13. Called "Time Enough for Joy" by Allen H. Simon, it is a fresh contemporary look at the Christmas season, and is full of surprises!
Stay tuned for more from the choir at St. Luke's in the coming months!!
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1 comment:
Thanks Emilie!
I always appreciated the perspective from the choir stall.
Now I have the benediction in my head as well. Maybe it will supplant "Lead Me, Guide Me" for a few minutes. And "I Will Call Upon the Lord." All I have to do is mention them and they start to play.
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