sing-a-long

May 25 was Memorial Day weekend and the band was absent. My mind was going like--informal, summer beginning, loosening up, children, outdoors, summer Bible school. So instead of a set of contemporary, I gave a shot at Bible school songs.

Here's the list we sang: This is the Day, Allelu Allelu, Deep and Wide, Jesus Loves Me, and one other I can't recall right now.

I was slightly nervous, although I had explained to Hunter and he had given his full support. I had also checked with several choir members. But yet, how would it be received?

What I noticed was smiles everywhere. I noticed parents showing chldren how to do the motions on "deep and wide." And, people really sang.

when it rains

I hear it when I'm practicing the organ. The church is empty and quiet. I'm engrossed in music.

Then out of the endge I hear a thundering sound. I turn my head right to see out the windows. And it's merely rain. But recently more than "merely." It's cats and dogs.

By the time I got my camera to the door to the courtyard it was softly falling.

nursery music

It's a little dark, but look at this: "composer of the month." The kids in nursery school have great exposure to music.

To-do--get them to sing in church some morning. I've talked to Dawn about it. It's a little late in the school term, but maybe. I hope.

Dock rock

Last evening I had the pleasure of introducing the Christopher Dock Mennonite High School Touring Choir at the 7 p.m. evening concert. Director Rodney Derstine lead a mostly acappella concert spanning many styles.

This is a choir which has not succcombed to the pop sound. They excell in all the classic vocal and choral skills--great tone, great support, great blending, spirited interpretation.

I said in closing: you can pray without singing but you can't sing without praying. Our own Katie Clough stands middle row far left.

my hand on handbell

This week I worked Wednesday and Thursday. That gave me the great opportunity to observe the youth handbell choir rehearsal at 6:30 and then to play with the adults at 7:30. It's been two years since I did handbells.

I was subbing for Edie on the G6 and A6. Nancy was directing.

I'm thinking maybe two youth bell choirs would be better, with the youngest one using only the chimes. Chimes are a simpler instrument and damage is not likely.

Youth Choir sings

The service was so full of music and beauty and creativity this morning I'm going to forget something. But I have to get in the record that the Youth Choir sang in a creative way with the worship team. Too bad I didn't have my camera. Thanks, guys.

Other participants were four readers along with Worship Leader Dave Moyer. This was Pentecost Sunday. When the scripture mentioned the speaking of many languages at Pentecost, Floyd Landis, Rebecca Moyer, Richard Ziemer and our Guatemalan interm read John 3:16 in their respective languages.

Pentecost and languages

The Spirit came and all these languages were being spoken. For worship I've asked several persons to say a scripture verse in a language other than English. Our Arabic speaker will be away this week. I did manage to enlist a Pennsylvania Dutch speaker.

Another thing you can do is emphasize the color red for Pentecost. Well, Zion sure has a red window. Perhaps we could all wear something red.

a funereal detour

My wife's sister died and the funeral was in Maryland on Wednesday. That's choir night. What to do?

Nancy and Gail to the rescue. Thanks a lot everyone for keeping the program going even when I had to be away.

That's a nice advantage of a larger church such as Zion.

choir ministers at Dock Meadows

It's not a clear picture on the right. But it's all I found. The building is Dock Meadows along Rte 309, close to Souderton.

Our Zion member Jim Derstine, who ministers as chaplain at Dock Meadows, invited the Zion choir to sing there for the evening service, May 4, at 6:30.

sister-in-law dies

Thursday evening Dorcas and I rushed to the Harrisburg Hospital. Dorcas's sister and her husband had been driving from New York City where they live to Maryland. Rachel, Dorcas's sister fell ill.

She was in the hospital a little short of 24 hours when she died. As a child Rachel had had rheumatic fever and her whole life her health had been compromised.

I believe the funeral will be held in western Maryland on Tuesday. I will be able to keep my obligations at Zion.