"let the chldren come"

The children did come, mostly elementary school age but some older.  The event was one of the classes in the week called "Created 2 Praise."  My part of that was "explore the organ."  Eight kids and one older helper went through exercises of listening, singing, rhythm, imitation and actual playing the organ for each other.  Here's the happy group!

May 30, 2010 titles

Preludes were: 1)Highland Cathedral; 2) Thine is the Glory, blue hymnal #269, music by G. F. Handel, found in many hymnals; and, 3) a little piece by Mendelssohn to be played in a "tranquil"manner.

The offertory was the classic "Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring," arranged by J. S. Bach, used sometimes in wedding processionals.

During the meditation after the sermon...a quiet arrangement of "He Leadeth Me," #599 in the blue.

During the service I subbed for Beth, having the privilege of leading the young voices in a Mary/Martha song which they had first done as part of the spring musical. The girls and boys did so well.

summer songs

Instead of the "opening hymn" today we sang a set of vacation Bible school songs: this little light; I have the joy, joy, joy; deep and wide, etc.

On the steps we had the band, ready to launch into their set, and several children and parents. How is it that everybody, it seemed, knew the songs? Eighty-five-year-olds were singing! I hope the children know them.

Simple summer songs, yeah. But even the theologian Karl Barth said that "Jesus Loves Me" pretty well sums up the whole gospel.

chldren voices after Christmas

Children's voices graced the worship at Zion around Christmas. How about now?



Right after worship last Sunday I scooted up to room 130. There the junior choir was meeting with Gail, trying to decide when they could sing next. Family schedules make it had to find a date.


I need to find the people who care and can find a way for every child to have some choir expereience.

second day, first crisis

No sooner had the first benefit come, than the first pressure point came.

What about "Come to Bethlehem." First I have to find out what it is. Oh, the children's musical, complete with shepherds and angel outfits. AND, orchestra.

My mind is going pretty fast. Let's see--promotion, costumes, scores for the instruments, rehearsals, selections of songs.

This is way beyond me. Then Brenda and Gail walk me through the basics after choir rehearsal.

Children come first. Here's Olivia Hess, the first child photo I got. All the kids at Zion are going to get some memory of Christmas.

It's not a crises. It's just a pressure point.

What do I expect when a church music job begins the first Sunday of Advent.