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Dec. 30th, 2019
Happy church!
Dec. 30th, 2019 09:21 amAfter the really difficult and stressful Christmas season, yesterday was an absolute bouquet of delights, with only one fly in the ointment.
The fly was that Pastor was quite obviously very ill, but refused to go home. She scraped together all her energy and barely got through the service, and then wilted instantly at the end. In an hour I'll text her daughter to see how she is today.
I had two musicians for the service, both notorious for being late; one was on time, one was early. One was one of my young pianists, and did very well. The other is a soloist who is wonderfully willing to let me coach. She's on the autism spectrum, and learning to work together has been an adventure; yesterday I didn't sense any tension in her except a bit of stage fright.
The service was interesting and innovative; based on two interesting texts, adapted by Pastor. There was no sermon so Pastor only had to read short narrative sections, and rest in between.
I played the Mannheim Steamroller setting of Joy to the World as postlude, and people moved closer to me to sit and listen, and then applauded.
I baked treats for coffee hour and they were much admired. Another member made coffee and brought cheese, crackers and fruit, and she was very happy with the partnership, as was I (I don't drink coffee). Church members are finally beginning to understand gluten free issues and setting up routines for providing them.
The woman who was quite unpleasant and impatient in one of our 12-bell ensembles complemented me about the postlude, and then asked if it would be possible to do an introit next week. I explained exactly what would be needed-- six people, all good readers, not me or Pastor, and asked if she could recruit at coffee hour. She did, and came with a list of 5; I suggested a 6th. This morning she emailed that person, explained things perfectly, and CC'ed me.
And now I don't have to do another service for 6 whole days! (Please God, bless and preserve all our members this week so that doesn't change!)
The fly was that Pastor was quite obviously very ill, but refused to go home. She scraped together all her energy and barely got through the service, and then wilted instantly at the end. In an hour I'll text her daughter to see how she is today.
I had two musicians for the service, both notorious for being late; one was on time, one was early. One was one of my young pianists, and did very well. The other is a soloist who is wonderfully willing to let me coach. She's on the autism spectrum, and learning to work together has been an adventure; yesterday I didn't sense any tension in her except a bit of stage fright.
The service was interesting and innovative; based on two interesting texts, adapted by Pastor. There was no sermon so Pastor only had to read short narrative sections, and rest in between.
I played the Mannheim Steamroller setting of Joy to the World as postlude, and people moved closer to me to sit and listen, and then applauded.
I baked treats for coffee hour and they were much admired. Another member made coffee and brought cheese, crackers and fruit, and she was very happy with the partnership, as was I (I don't drink coffee). Church members are finally beginning to understand gluten free issues and setting up routines for providing them.
The woman who was quite unpleasant and impatient in one of our 12-bell ensembles complemented me about the postlude, and then asked if it would be possible to do an introit next week. I explained exactly what would be needed-- six people, all good readers, not me or Pastor, and asked if she could recruit at coffee hour. She did, and came with a list of 5; I suggested a 6th. This morning she emailed that person, explained things perfectly, and CC'ed me.
And now I don't have to do another service for 6 whole days! (Please God, bless and preserve all our members this week so that doesn't change!)