December 24th, 2007 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

There have been so many gifts in the past week that the congregation members have given one another. Simply being with people in worship reminded me of who they were and what they gave Creator this past year.

I appreciated Ron at the early service greeting us with the lighted hat he traditionally wears. Then there was Dave at the late service with his plush Santa’s hat bringing joy to those around him. There was also the festive beauty of the sanctuary space transformed once again since the last Advent service.

This service the special music covered a broad musical spectrum. The Dobbes treated us to a cover of Relient K’s I Celebrate the Day. Kim and Vaune offered us Salve Regina and Do You hear the Mother? with their wonderful tight harmonies; the choir sang Gloria with Lux Venit, Emmanuel and Kelly’s Nunc Dimmitus; Kelly and Geoff as a duet reprised the warm, comforting Pietro A. Yon’s Gesu Bambino; and Clare Brauer-Rieke sang two pieces, O Holy Night accompanied by her father and Amy Grant’s Breath of Heaven accompanied by David, as gentle prayers on this holy night.

Pastor Mark gave the Christmas Message at the early service and Pastor Dayle gave hers at the 11:00 service. Both talked about the traditions, the busy pieces and the holy pieces of the season.

Singing the traditional carols recreated and communicated the spirit of the season like it has each year. Silent Night allowed us all to enter into that special moment where the candlelight from each candle, the voices of those close to us, the place where this is shared and our God both near and beyond all blend together.

October 7th, 2007 - End of a High School Lock In - Banjo, guitars and a trio in tight, glorious harmony - Pet Blessing

A Sunday morning for what felt like special Creator fellowship. Our gathering this morning particularly started with joy I felt seeing all the cars that were in the parking lot when I first arrived. I was surprised until I remembered the High School Lock In that started 8:00 PM the night before. Brian and Shirley greeted me when I came in, happy and a little spent with a less sleep than usual. Their reports were it was fun for all the participants.

Vaune arrived shortly afterwards to set up for the practice with Anne and Kim. The three sang two songs: Home to You by The Peasall Sisters and Martyrs and Thieves By Jennifer Knapp.

Home To You featured Vaune playing a plaintive banjo together with Annie on acoustic guitar and their now familiar soaring, tight harmonies. They also gave a very passionate, vibrant performance of Martyrs and Thieves. Their beautiful, clear vocal harmonies abounded and musical storytelling of the songs impressed everyone. The songs were inspirational, their hard work and practice was apparent.

Pastor Mark gave a thoughtful sermon about the Gospel reading about the temptation we have of asking God to give us more, make us better equipped to face life's challenges. Jesus, when the disciples asked for more faith responded that when they did something in faith they should understand this only as having done what they ought to have done.

The Pet Blessing, in rememberance of St. Francis, was popular again this year. This year we followed a printed service, sang a hymn, listed to a bible reading and prayer. It was great fun to see the different pets and see the expressions of love people gave to their pets.