Music for 122709

We were pleased to welcome a couple of guests today. Charles Sprawls (son of Charlotte and Perry) was in town for the holidays and sang "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" at worship. It was beautiful, and the best part from my perspective was that he sang it unaccompanied! Very nicely done. The choir did "Glory to God" from "Messiah" this morning also. We had prepared it for 12/20 which was canceled because of weather. We did it this morning sans soprano soloist (at work) and sans string quartet (not contracted for this date), but we added a new soprano, our very own Shannon K. She had been wanting to sing with us for a while and decided today was the day. The whole ensemble did a very nice job. I played Willcocks variations on a couple of the carols so I was happy for that reason also. All in all a very nice Sunday. Next week we'll be back to our usual service schedule: FirstLight at 830AM and the second service at 11AM. The guest preacher will be our own Bob Tuttle preaching from the Prologue in St. John's gospel.

Merry Christmas

We've canceled everything at church for 12/20. The snow is insurmountable for many, and tantalizingly surmountable for some (including many who shouldn't even think about it). So for safety's sake, we're calling the day. Plus, there is a strong chance for more tonight. Not sure about the big whoop music planned: maybe 12/27, maybe save it for next year. Everyone's worked hard on a lot of stuff. And for that I am thankful. A second wintry storm is expected Christmas Eve. In case I don't see you between now and next Sunday, Merry Christmas. And thanks for reading the blog!

Not your father's Christmas pageant

This is from Highland Park PC(USA) in Dallas, from last Sunday 12/13/09.



I love it, but wonder if they couldn't have found a song a little more on point. The Forever cut is hugely popular because it was the track for a famous wedding procession earlier this year. But for Christmas there ought to have been a nice piece just a wee bit more targeted. But, I love this anyway.

Choir Retreat

I am home today with a sick kid, so I have a couple of minutes to catch up. Here are a couple of nice shots from the Choir Retreat in October at Lake J. Hope you can join us next year!

Dinner Theater

We had a great time. After all the fretting over the weather, the clouds broke around noon and we had clear skies and 50 degrees for the first show. The first seating was packed, including my "spare" table; seven o'clock wasn't very roomy either. The actors did a tremendous job; the food service staff, including choir singers as waiters were phenomenal.

Highlights:

"Jonathon's" spew at the first show

"Jess" bonking "Nathan" and "Rachel" on the head with an inflatable hammer when they got a little too off-the-hook

"Eli's" prayer at the manger scene

"Sarah's" "How-can-I-refuse-such-a-face" expression

Briggs and the baby donkey

Being together for a wonderful evening of food and fellowship

Impromptu Bells

'nuff said...

Next year, ladies...

Seasons of Joy 20 December 2009

BMPCNC will have a lessons and carols service at both services this coming Sunda 12/20. There ours will not be your standard issue L&C, I think the image below is still funny and on point. Keep an eye out this week for how we are developing out liturgy.


This CartoonChurch.com cartoon by Dave Walker originally appeared in the Church Times. View the source here.

Dinner Theater Update

All the actors have been working very hard. I am especially proud of Scott R and Annie H, the leads who have the bulk of the lines. I have two very clever and committed assistant directors who have managed to catch a vision for the production and are doing tremendous things to make this a meaningful and entertaining evening. The kitchen crew goes into hyper-drive this morning putting together a wonderful menu.

The only downer is worry about the weather. Early predictions had shown rain for Saturday. Throughout the week, that has been pushed further and further out. This morning the word is "rain, sleet and/or freezing rain on Sunday." We have a Plan B, but it's not nearly as neat as the original. The original location for the outdoor scene is thoroughly saturated with rain from the soakings we've had last month and this. So we were actually already on Plan B with an alternate place to have the crowd stand for the final scene. Looks like we won't have to worry about being outside at all. I think the last time I did this show I was worried about it being too warm for the actors in all their costume layers (that was in Richmond)!

Notes to know: we have a "real baby" to be the infant Jesus, Larkin A, granddaughter of our own Ruby W. Plus we have a miniature donkey, and it's yearling offspring.

Busy Day

How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?


A committee of 7 to stew about the need to change the bulbs and fret about the expense (for 7 months), a motorized $300 a day lift to hoist the hired contractor into place to do the work (plus his paid assistant on the ground), 4 people to move the pew cushions and drape the pews with plastic to keep dust off them, one person to dust the ceiling rafters since we're already in there making a mess anyway, and three willing brutes (including the Chief of Police for the Town of Montreat) from the committee hanging around to do anything else needed on the ground, and one organist to take pictures of the whole event.


Seriously.

Maryville College Choir

Make plans now to attend a concert performance by the Maryville College Choir at BMPCNC on Friday evening March 12 (time TBA). Under director Stacey Wilner the Concert Choir and a smaller ensemble, Off Kilter, will present a varied program of sacred and secular music. Check out more information here. More details as we get them nailed down. Save the date now!

Sweet organ in Scotland, there, guys!

Young Artist

Maia C. drew this picture of our church organ recently. It appeared one day on my office door. I had to share it! I especially like the "smokin' sounds" that our organ produces!

Thanks, Maia! This is awesome!

You can click on the image to get a larger view.