Noises From The Music Office
As a kid I never really liked Lent, especially Ash Wednesday. My grandmother was an Acadian French Catholic who, even though she was a mostly lapsed Catholic, would march me down to St. Michael’s Church and have the already somber priest, who was now downright sullen, mark the sign of the cross on my forehead in some manner of wet soot. I didn’t like the fact that the church took all the colorful paraments down and “buried the alleluia”. The music went from woeful to disconsolate and my grandmother was depressed that bingo would not be held on Friday nights for the season. I prayed as a child that I would not die during Lent because I felt that God abandoned each and every one of us until the Easter sunrise service and that I would go straight to hell if I died before then. In my young adult years I attended “happy” church where we always sang happy songs and I never heard a word about Lent. Holy week would bring a Palm Sunday march around the church with the palm fronds - that we gather from the streets in Southern California – communion on Good Friday and finally an Easter Sunday Breakfast followed by more happy songs. I felt that something was missing.
Somewhere in between these two scenarios lies the truth about Lent. It is a time of anticipation, awaiting the return of the King. It is also a time to ready ourselves for His arrival, to get in shape for the task of spreading the news that the King is coming. We need to take some time to reflect, find the areas that we need to get into shape, and do some “Cross-training”. We know the truth that will set people free now so don’t wait until Easter Sunday, let them have the chance to train along side us. Open our doors and our hearts during the Lenten season to all who will hear. Sing our songs loud and clear, and yes we can be somber but we also can still rejoice that Jesus is coming soon!
Choir News
The choir needs your help for our spring Cantata and there’s room for you at our rehearsals. Sunday mornings at 11:30am, right after worship, we meet in the choir room downstairs. Give it a try and give up you fear and trepidation for Lent.
Guitar Class
Watch the messenger next week for the guitar class schedule.
Remember, I’m listening!
Ralph SappingtonDirector of Worship Arts
As a kid I never really liked Lent, especially Ash Wednesday. My grandmother was an Acadian French Catholic who, even though she was a mostly lapsed Catholic, would march me down to St. Michael’s Church and have the already somber priest, who was now downright sullen, mark the sign of the cross on my forehead in some manner of wet soot. I didn’t like the fact that the church took all the colorful paraments down and “buried the alleluia”. The music went from woeful to disconsolate and my grandmother was depressed that bingo would not be held on Friday nights for the season. I prayed as a child that I would not die during Lent because I felt that God abandoned each and every one of us until the Easter sunrise service and that I would go straight to hell if I died before then. In my young adult years I attended “happy” church where we always sang happy songs and I never heard a word about Lent. Holy week would bring a Palm Sunday march around the church with the palm fronds - that we gather from the streets in Southern California – communion on Good Friday and finally an Easter Sunday Breakfast followed by more happy songs. I felt that something was missing.
Somewhere in between these two scenarios lies the truth about Lent. It is a time of anticipation, awaiting the return of the King. It is also a time to ready ourselves for His arrival, to get in shape for the task of spreading the news that the King is coming. We need to take some time to reflect, find the areas that we need to get into shape, and do some “Cross-training”. We know the truth that will set people free now so don’t wait until Easter Sunday, let them have the chance to train along side us. Open our doors and our hearts during the Lenten season to all who will hear. Sing our songs loud and clear, and yes we can be somber but we also can still rejoice that Jesus is coming soon!
Choir News
The choir needs your help for our spring Cantata and there’s room for you at our rehearsals. Sunday mornings at 11:30am, right after worship, we meet in the choir room downstairs. Give it a try and give up you fear and trepidation for Lent.
Guitar Class
Watch the messenger next week for the guitar class schedule.
Remember, I’m listening!
Ralph SappingtonDirector of Worship Arts
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