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kayreThursday was rehearsal night, with handbells and choir both involved in worship today. I began in the sanctuary with two small handbell ensembles, who are playing the same music in the two Christmas Eve services. Then I rehearsed the full handbell choir in Fellowship Hall. Meanwhile my assistant director (I have volunteer staff now!) rehearsed the vocal choir in the library. Finally choir and a different small ensemble rehearsed in the sanctuary. I'm rather amazed to say that it all worked, and we adjourned only 10 minutes late.
The full bell choir was in Fellowship Hall because, for the third time in a row, we had a funeral on Saturday before bells played on Sunday. Normally we would set up the bells in the sanctuary on Thursday.
I arrived 2 hours before the funeral, to allow myself some practice time. Graveside service was before the church service, so Pastor told me where to place the two flower arrangements that were expected, and left. And then the florist trucks started rolling in.... I had to figure out how to display 17 arrangements! That involved bringing in four extra pieces of furniture, and finding cloths to cover them. It was a really big funeral; I did a full 30 minute prelude of classical music, and around 15 minutes after.
After that, we had a really good team of folk who transformed the sanctuary in 30 minutes-- took out the flower arrangements, moved in poinsettias, set up the handbell tables, and rearranged the choir area (which I had arranged to accommodate the overflow crowd).
This morning I played prelude and first hymn, led the children's moment and played the children's hymn on guitar, accompanied the choir/bell anthem on piano, directed the handbell anthem, and finished the service on organ. It all went staggeringly well.
Then this evening Pastor called to say no one knew where the Christmas Eve candles are; the kid and I went back to church and found them after a few minutes of searching.
The full bell choir was in Fellowship Hall because, for the third time in a row, we had a funeral on Saturday before bells played on Sunday. Normally we would set up the bells in the sanctuary on Thursday.
I arrived 2 hours before the funeral, to allow myself some practice time. Graveside service was before the church service, so Pastor told me where to place the two flower arrangements that were expected, and left. And then the florist trucks started rolling in.... I had to figure out how to display 17 arrangements! That involved bringing in four extra pieces of furniture, and finding cloths to cover them. It was a really big funeral; I did a full 30 minute prelude of classical music, and around 15 minutes after.
After that, we had a really good team of folk who transformed the sanctuary in 30 minutes-- took out the flower arrangements, moved in poinsettias, set up the handbell tables, and rearranged the choir area (which I had arranged to accommodate the overflow crowd).
This morning I played prelude and first hymn, led the children's moment and played the children's hymn on guitar, accompanied the choir/bell anthem on piano, directed the handbell anthem, and finished the service on organ. It all went staggeringly well.
Then this evening Pastor called to say no one knew where the Christmas Eve candles are; the kid and I went back to church and found them after a few minutes of searching.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-23 11:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-12-23 01:14 pm (UTC)I'm so sorry for so many losses in the congregation, especially this one right before the holiday.
I am glad you are managing so adroitly! Hooray volunteers!!
no subject
Date: 2019-12-26 11:58 am (UTC)