Organ Recital

One might not expect an organ recital to be a completely awesome experience.  It might not sound like it would be the biggest thrill, nor the most entertaining concert of all time.  But I am here to say,  that indeed,  the organ recital I have just witnessed is all of that and more!

Two talented musicians used the three organ keyboards, plus the foot pedals, plus the grand piano, to produce a four hands, four feet, five keyboard, one projection screen incredible experience.

The musical numbers were interspersed with commentary by the organists.  The videographer recorded the organ keyboards, which were behind the congregation, and projected them onto a screen at the front of the sanctuary.   One number also included a power point accompaniment, with pictures and words and a great deal of humor.  

Actually, humor was a big part of the overall production, to include the comments in the program about each of the musical pieces.  

I am in awe of what those two women produced.  Both are skilled, talented, accomplished, gifted and masters of their craft.    At one moment, it was quite evident that the one organist totally became the organ.  You could see that in her body and facial expressions.

To tell you the truth, after leading two worship services today, and preaching twice,  I was tired.  But despite that,  I must say that I feel totally privileged to have witnessed such a spectacle.

Wow!  Wow!  and once again,  WOW!

Passover Feast

We attended a most unique Passover celebration.  Let me briefly give the back story, [with fictitious names].   Some time ago,  Cara married Paul.  Cara was a good Catholic girl, and Paul a nice Jewish boy.  In time,  Cara became a good Jewish girl, and thereby,  the keeper of the family's Jewish traditions.


The son of Cara and Paul, Mark, eventually married our daughter Vee, a good Protestant girl.  In recent years, the family Passover celebration,  has expanded to include many cousins, and other relatives of various sorts, to include all of Cara's siblings and their spouses and children, who hale from a very Catholic background.  Vee and her parents are Protestants.  Paul and his cousins and relatives are Jewish.  This year, the guests included Mark's in-laws,  the Rehkuglers.

The Passover we attended Friday night was a motley mixture of folks from a variety of faiths,  agnostics, and those of no denominations.  There were clueless first time Seder attendees, and more experienced folks.  There were 28 of us at the table(s)!   The Seder itself was instructive, and informal, and we did use Haggadahs, and the readings were read in Hebrew and English.   It was recognizably a Passover Seder,  but most of all, it was a large family feast!

Maybe there were ten or so mature adults, but most of the rest were teens and young adults.  It is a fun, lively, delicious, educational, and most memorable event!   I am sure that it is a highlight for them each year.  Maybe we'll get to go again someday, too!

I hope so!

Easter Festivities!

I love Easter.  Today's Easter is extra special.  Not only am I having a family dinner at our house.  I also got to preach a rousing Easter sermon, an unexpected surprise for a retired clergy!  The church is in the midst of a pastoral transition, and I was asked to fill in for Easter, and some weeks after that until they get an Interim.   Nothing could please me more than leading worship on this, my favorite Sunday of the year!

At church, the music was also quite rousing, with brass musicians,  a number of uplifting Easter Anthems, plus Handel's Messiah.  It was quite the celebration, that's for sure!  I will long remember the joy of it.

Most of the family will be here soon.  Only V&M cannot make it.  We will miss them.   I cooked all day yesterday, literally!   I made three different types of  breakfast casseroles, one veggie, one sausage, one french- toast flavored.  I can't wait to try them myself!  Plus, we will have salad, fruit, bacon, some other brunch-y things, and a birthday cake for Gerry!

Here at our house,  the little ones searched for hidden Easter eggs.   We ate and talked and laughed and enjoyed.  I had ordered a photo book for Zanni.   [ the kind with the photographs embedded on the page, not like an album, but part of the book]  It was filled with about 30+ photographs of her on stage during the "Annie" musical.   She just loved it.  There were also loose photos for her to share with her friends.

I was so excited last night, I had a hard time going to sleep.   Now, the only thing to make this day even better will be a long nap.

Poetry

From as far back as I can remember,  I've been writing poetry for every occasion.  For birthdays, for departures, for school assignments, for newsletters, for brochures, for sermons,  for contests, and for an anthology of poems.  On and on the poetry trail goes.  I figured out today, that I have probably left a considerable legacy of poetry along the byways of my life. Most of it is just frivolous fun, from one who loves to play with words.

One of those poems came back to me today.  It was sent by a former parishioner, because a poem I had written had found its way into this month's church newsletter from a church I served long ago!

The preface to the poem said this:

Church History Trivia
       April 6, 1997  (15 years ago) Christ United Methodist Church celebrated a Mortgage Free Ceremony during the church service followed by an actual burning of the mortgage in the parking lot.  This signified that the church wing housing the fellowship hall, kitchen, offices and Sunday School rooms, etc. was completely paid for within 9 years of the project's inception.

Welcome to this glorious day

when we gather to celebrate

the end of a mortgage held

Reaching its terminal date.

God has richly blessed us

and made us heirs each one

of all the love and labor

by others--faithfully done.

At first there was a dream

and then a dollar or two

A ground-breaking, a capital campaign

and lots of money due.

Many kept their promise

those not lightly made

to pledge in faith to a dream

Til all the debt is paid!

We thank you God for

Trustees, for long range planners too

For Endowment Funds and Pastor

Which helped it all come True!

Rev.  Nancy Rehkugler