Wow!
Thank you Riva, and Floyd, and others who check this blog out regularly.
Thank you Melissia Mason for encouraging me to give blogging a chance.
12,775 total pageviews of this blog!!! And still counting.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Chili Bowl report . . .
Actually, I didn't think I was singing at our Chili Bowl IX this past Sunday, here at the church. I arrived early to help set up, and was asked, "So, are you singing for the Chili Bowl?"
Says I, "Sure, I guess so!"
So with the help of fellow staff member, Chris Abram, we got the church sound system up and I got about 30 minutes of warm up in, then proceeded to sing over 20 songs in 2 hours . . . in addition to being the MC for the event.
I had a blast. I pulled out my trusty Martin DC-16 . . . and off we went together on another musical journey. I sang "Perhaps Love" for the first time in public, and a new arrangement of "Johnny Be Good," and the old folk ballad, "Kisses Sweater Than Wine."
Several of our church members brought over a box that had a sign with the word "tips" on it, and put it in front of me. I think I got close to $20, which I donated back toward the Chili Bowl proceeds. At the end, people were singing along . . . as I said, I had a blast.
Funny things about getting tips . . . I find that when I sing songs that in some way cause people to remember something in their past, some pleasant memory . . . I get more in tips than I do otherwise. The more I "connect" (which really isn't the right word here), then the more in tips than if I just hurry through a song set. I think I am good enough these days to get tips in most venues I sing at . . . but sometimes the amount just floors me when I sense I've made a connection with the audience.
Because of the nightmare highway construction in our area, the attendance was a bit low this year . . . but everyone who attended had a great time . . . and the chili and "not chili" recipes were all very, very tasty.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Says I, "Sure, I guess so!"
So with the help of fellow staff member, Chris Abram, we got the church sound system up and I got about 30 minutes of warm up in, then proceeded to sing over 20 songs in 2 hours . . . in addition to being the MC for the event.
I had a blast. I pulled out my trusty Martin DC-16 . . . and off we went together on another musical journey. I sang "Perhaps Love" for the first time in public, and a new arrangement of "Johnny Be Good," and the old folk ballad, "Kisses Sweater Than Wine."
Several of our church members brought over a box that had a sign with the word "tips" on it, and put it in front of me. I think I got close to $20, which I donated back toward the Chili Bowl proceeds. At the end, people were singing along . . . as I said, I had a blast.
Funny things about getting tips . . . I find that when I sing songs that in some way cause people to remember something in their past, some pleasant memory . . . I get more in tips than I do otherwise. The more I "connect" (which really isn't the right word here), then the more in tips than if I just hurry through a song set. I think I am good enough these days to get tips in most venues I sing at . . . but sometimes the amount just floors me when I sense I've made a connection with the audience.
Because of the nightmare highway construction in our area, the attendance was a bit low this year . . . but everyone who attended had a great time . . . and the chili and "not chili" recipes were all very, very tasty.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
R.I.P. - Dick Kniss
I just heard that long-time Peter, Paul and Mary bassist, Mr. Dick Kniss, passed away this past week in his home state of New York.
Dick was also John Denver's bassist in the 70's, until Peter, Paul and Mary reunited, and he chose to rejoin them.
The guy could just play the upright bass. He could almost answer the vocals of PPM with his bass follow riffs.
Dick is going to be missed by many. An world class bassist, and I good man as well.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Dick was also John Denver's bassist in the 70's, until Peter, Paul and Mary reunited, and he chose to rejoin them.
The guy could just play the upright bass. He could almost answer the vocals of PPM with his bass follow riffs.
Dick is going to be missed by many. An world class bassist, and I good man as well.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Smithsonian Folkways website
Well . . . I am so behind the times . . . or before them . . or . . . well anyway.
I stumbled across the Smithsonian Folkways website . . . because of a Peter Seeger CD I was trying to find.
More info, click here.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
I stumbled across the Smithsonian Folkways website . . . because of a Peter Seeger CD I was trying to find.
More info, click here.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Music's link to making the world a better place . . .
Harry Chapin wrote and sang . . .
"If a man tried, to take his time on earth, and proved before he died what one man's life could be worth, well I wonder what would happen to this world?"
Not that I would ever try to separate the two . . . but in my life and understanding, the link between music and trying to make the world a better place is extremely strong.
Perhaps . . . the two are inseparable.
Really . . . why else do we sing?
A video I found about Harry's involvement in making the world a better place is below . . . enjoy, and think about what you can do.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
"If a man tried, to take his time on earth, and proved before he died what one man's life could be worth, well I wonder what would happen to this world?"
Not that I would ever try to separate the two . . . but in my life and understanding, the link between music and trying to make the world a better place is extremely strong.
Perhaps . . . the two are inseparable.
Really . . . why else do we sing?
A video I found about Harry's involvement in making the world a better place is below . . . enjoy, and think about what you can do.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Monday, January 23, 2012
Making Disciples . . . a video on YouTube . . .
The video below is making it's way around the YouTube o'sphere . . . I think it represents how the church I am privileged to serve as a pastor sees its place in the context of the Great Commission.
One of my personal ministry goals this year is to establish a road map for the growing of our congregational care ministry. To do this . . . we are going to have to recruit and train lay people (lay chaplains?) who feel called to assist/partner with the pastoral staff as we respond to the great number of requests we get each week from people seeking various forms of pastoral care.
In other words . . . it is time for the training of some congregational care disciples.
I thought further about this, in relation to my theraputice music entertainment work . . . which included my being mentored as I went through a very specific, and at times, intense certification process.
In essence . . . I am a TME disciple. And, it is time I begin to recruit and train some future TME disciples as well.
More on both of these in the near future.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
One of my personal ministry goals this year is to establish a road map for the growing of our congregational care ministry. To do this . . . we are going to have to recruit and train lay people (lay chaplains?) who feel called to assist/partner with the pastoral staff as we respond to the great number of requests we get each week from people seeking various forms of pastoral care.
In other words . . . it is time for the training of some congregational care disciples.
I thought further about this, in relation to my theraputice music entertainment work . . . which included my being mentored as I went through a very specific, and at times, intense certification process.
In essence . . . I am a TME disciple. And, it is time I begin to recruit and train some future TME disciples as well.
More on both of these in the near future.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Sunday, January 15, 2012
My 6th annual thank you to Sean Simon and Grapevine Guitar Works . . .
Well, the 6th anniversary of Grapevine Guitar Works sponsorship (if that is the right word) of my church and theraputic music ministry is soon to be upon us.
I cannot thank Sean enough for helping me these past 6 years to acquire three of the four main guitars I use in my ministry. They are all professional level guitars.
With Sean's advice and counsel, I am taking better care of my instruments, I have a great multi-purpose amp, and I am ready to accept more invitations to sing. The only restraint is my personal and church ministry schedules. However, equipment will no longer be a reason I cannot accept an invitation.
6 years and going! Thank you Sean.
The new GGW showroom is now open. Check out www.grapevineguitarworks.com for more info! Robin Garrison is the new showroom manager and he will make you feel at home. Bill White has a more up-to-date guitar tech space in the back of the new showroom, and is building up his guitar set-up and repair business. Both Robin and Bill are first-class professionals.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Book list amended to include a book I just received today . . .
I have the greatest ministry assistant in the world.
I asked her if she could possibly find me a decent copy of Pete Seeger's book, The Imcompleat Singer. This book is a collection of many magazine articles that Pete wrote over many years for Sing Out! Magazine and other periodicals.
Well, it's on my desk! She did it! A very nice blue bound copy. I looked through it for 90 minutes, and ended up reading over a 3rd of the book! Not bad for a book that has just under 600 pages!
So, I am going to add it to my 2012 book list. I will be reading in sections as my interest sparks my curiosity to do so.
Now, I know if you aren't into folk music, you probably are preparing to click on to another blog or web site. And I don't blame you. But before you go, let me try to explain something.
Nothing new to my friends . . . but I'm a bit odd. I've always been drawn to read about people who valued and fought for the 1st Amendment. I've also been a bit of a folklorist for quite a while, which involves reading about the organized labor movement in the US in the 1920-1930's, as well as the plight of many displaced by the dust bowl. Many of the songs of that time were written for and sung by people who were not allowed to have an individual voice in matters involving their own lives and in the lives of their families.
I think that the definition of such a thing, at times, is "injustice."
I was a young teen during the Viet Nam War. I remember in my sophomore year, my varsity basketball team was eating dinner after our last home game, and our coach went to every table, with tears in his eye, telling us the Viet Nam War was over, and that none of us would have to be drafted to go to war. He shook our hands, and hugged many of us.
The music of that time, especially folk music and acoustic rock, often spoke about such things. I never understood the Viet Nam War, and many of the songs I listened to seemed to affirm that as the thought of others. Creedence Clearwater Revival's Fortunate Son, Crosby-Stills-Nash's Long Time Gone , Pete Seeger's Waste Deep in the Big Muddy and Bring'em Home, Joan Baez and Judy Collins singing Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Amazing Grace, as well as songs sung by Arlo Guthrie and others. I embraced certain songs of that day and time rather deeply, and wanted to sing them with friends, and go to events where people came together hoping to work for peace. I was new Christian about that time, and felt in my heart it was what I was supposed to be doing.
I was told that I was not "allowed" to go to such events.
My dad was a principal at a local school, and his son could not be "seen" in such places and circumstances. That always stuck with me, how the 1st Amendment was OK for some folks, but not the right of others. If I exercised what I thought was my right, then my Dad could lose his job?? It was better (safer) that I stuck to sports.
Excuse me??
Well, I admit now to defying my dad, in part. I still went to events where people gathered to express their views . . . but often sat or stood in the very back, or in the shadows so as not to be recognized . . . and sang softly . . . but still taking a lot of it in. Some events I left early because of their encouragement to do stuff that I felt was simply wrong, or would hurt people.
The events which mostly involved singing . . . I was often one of the last to leave. I listened to it all . . . agreed with some of it . . . disagreed with some of it. Discovered songs worth singing, and others not worth singing.
Later as a youth minister (I was hired because I could play guitar and lead singing), I had a vegetable crate in the youth room. One rule I had was this ... that at any time, any youth could go "stand on their soap box" and speak their peace on a subject, or to "politley" disagree with what was going on or being discussed or planed. The other rule was "no one had to listen if they didn't want to, but every one had a right to speak."
That was then. Truthfully speaking, I wonder if our personal 1st amendment rights have been surpressed more than we think in the years since then.
Pete Seeger made some decisions in his life that I don't necessarily agree with. But for many years, he suffered from those who wanted to punish him for his stance supporting the 1st Amendment. That interests me. Enough to read further his book, as a folklorist, and as an individual who feels it is wrong to say to others, "you can't have a say because you disagree with me."
It seems that I am studying Pete's life quite a bit lately. Has anything in my life changed as a result. Two things I can think of.
First, and this is common knowledge, I am singing most anywhere I can, to and for senior adults in nursing homes, and to and for children who are patients in hospitals, and for people at community events and gatherings. And of course, I get to sing here at this wonderful church I am privileged to serve as a pastor. At this present time, I am able to sing with the blessing of those who make it easy for me to do so.
Second, out of the fear of my being labled a hypocrite, I am truthfully working on becoming a better listener. As a pastor, I am often asked to support various causes, most of which I have never heard of and have no personal interest in, nor the time. But every so often, I get the feeling that I need to learn more. At those time I then try to listen carefully, respectfully, and then give appropriate thought to my response. Often people just want to express how they feel, to someone who will not judge them. I hope to be counted on as someone who will give ear as people work their situations by talking about them.
As a result of listening, my wife and I now support an AIDS orphan in Kenya. It was through listening that I ended up recording a little CD of children's worship songs and raised about a $1,000 that we sent to the "Feed the Children" program in Meru, Kenya. Because of listening, I became more involved with the residents of the city housing program, our neighbors that I see every day just outside my office window. Working to listen better is paying off.
I am grateful for the chance to grow, sing and listen. I hope I can rise to the occassion as often as possible.
Am I trying to be Pete Seeger? No, I'm just trying to be who I am. Perhaps I do some of this out of an admiration for some of the things Pete has accomplished and stood for in his life. However, Pete's life is his life. My life is mine. God's grace filled gift of love leaves me responsible for most of the decisions and responses to life I make. My responsibility is to be me. It's a heavy responsibility, not to be taken lightly or without regard.
My apologies for this rambling. If you thought it was going somewhere, but didn't in the end, then send me something to read, and I'll repay you in that way for your time. But its been good for me to type this all out.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
I asked her if she could possibly find me a decent copy of Pete Seeger's book, The Imcompleat Singer. This book is a collection of many magazine articles that Pete wrote over many years for Sing Out! Magazine and other periodicals.
Well, it's on my desk! She did it! A very nice blue bound copy. I looked through it for 90 minutes, and ended up reading over a 3rd of the book! Not bad for a book that has just under 600 pages!
So, I am going to add it to my 2012 book list. I will be reading in sections as my interest sparks my curiosity to do so.
Now, I know if you aren't into folk music, you probably are preparing to click on to another blog or web site. And I don't blame you. But before you go, let me try to explain something.
Nothing new to my friends . . . but I'm a bit odd. I've always been drawn to read about people who valued and fought for the 1st Amendment. I've also been a bit of a folklorist for quite a while, which involves reading about the organized labor movement in the US in the 1920-1930's, as well as the plight of many displaced by the dust bowl. Many of the songs of that time were written for and sung by people who were not allowed to have an individual voice in matters involving their own lives and in the lives of their families.
I think that the definition of such a thing, at times, is "injustice."
I was a young teen during the Viet Nam War. I remember in my sophomore year, my varsity basketball team was eating dinner after our last home game, and our coach went to every table, with tears in his eye, telling us the Viet Nam War was over, and that none of us would have to be drafted to go to war. He shook our hands, and hugged many of us.
The music of that time, especially folk music and acoustic rock, often spoke about such things. I never understood the Viet Nam War, and many of the songs I listened to seemed to affirm that as the thought of others. Creedence Clearwater Revival's Fortunate Son, Crosby-Stills-Nash's Long Time Gone , Pete Seeger's Waste Deep in the Big Muddy and Bring'em Home, Joan Baez and Judy Collins singing Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Amazing Grace, as well as songs sung by Arlo Guthrie and others. I embraced certain songs of that day and time rather deeply, and wanted to sing them with friends, and go to events where people came together hoping to work for peace. I was new Christian about that time, and felt in my heart it was what I was supposed to be doing.
I was told that I was not "allowed" to go to such events.
My dad was a principal at a local school, and his son could not be "seen" in such places and circumstances. That always stuck with me, how the 1st Amendment was OK for some folks, but not the right of others. If I exercised what I thought was my right, then my Dad could lose his job?? It was better (safer) that I stuck to sports.
Excuse me??
Well, I admit now to defying my dad, in part. I still went to events where people gathered to express their views . . . but often sat or stood in the very back, or in the shadows so as not to be recognized . . . and sang softly . . . but still taking a lot of it in. Some events I left early because of their encouragement to do stuff that I felt was simply wrong, or would hurt people.
The events which mostly involved singing . . . I was often one of the last to leave. I listened to it all . . . agreed with some of it . . . disagreed with some of it. Discovered songs worth singing, and others not worth singing.
Later as a youth minister (I was hired because I could play guitar and lead singing), I had a vegetable crate in the youth room. One rule I had was this ... that at any time, any youth could go "stand on their soap box" and speak their peace on a subject, or to "politley" disagree with what was going on or being discussed or planed. The other rule was "no one had to listen if they didn't want to, but every one had a right to speak."
That was then. Truthfully speaking, I wonder if our personal 1st amendment rights have been surpressed more than we think in the years since then.
Pete Seeger made some decisions in his life that I don't necessarily agree with. But for many years, he suffered from those who wanted to punish him for his stance supporting the 1st Amendment. That interests me. Enough to read further his book, as a folklorist, and as an individual who feels it is wrong to say to others, "you can't have a say because you disagree with me."
It seems that I am studying Pete's life quite a bit lately. Has anything in my life changed as a result. Two things I can think of.
First, and this is common knowledge, I am singing most anywhere I can, to and for senior adults in nursing homes, and to and for children who are patients in hospitals, and for people at community events and gatherings. And of course, I get to sing here at this wonderful church I am privileged to serve as a pastor. At this present time, I am able to sing with the blessing of those who make it easy for me to do so.
Second, out of the fear of my being labled a hypocrite, I am truthfully working on becoming a better listener. As a pastor, I am often asked to support various causes, most of which I have never heard of and have no personal interest in, nor the time. But every so often, I get the feeling that I need to learn more. At those time I then try to listen carefully, respectfully, and then give appropriate thought to my response. Often people just want to express how they feel, to someone who will not judge them. I hope to be counted on as someone who will give ear as people work their situations by talking about them.
As a result of listening, my wife and I now support an AIDS orphan in Kenya. It was through listening that I ended up recording a little CD of children's worship songs and raised about a $1,000 that we sent to the "Feed the Children" program in Meru, Kenya. Because of listening, I became more involved with the residents of the city housing program, our neighbors that I see every day just outside my office window. Working to listen better is paying off.
I am grateful for the chance to grow, sing and listen. I hope I can rise to the occassion as often as possible.
Am I trying to be Pete Seeger? No, I'm just trying to be who I am. Perhaps I do some of this out of an admiration for some of the things Pete has accomplished and stood for in his life. However, Pete's life is his life. My life is mine. God's grace filled gift of love leaves me responsible for most of the decisions and responses to life I make. My responsibility is to be me. It's a heavy responsibility, not to be taken lightly or without regard.
My apologies for this rambling. If you thought it was going somewhere, but didn't in the end, then send me something to read, and I'll repay you in that way for your time. But its been good for me to type this all out.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Books to read on the 2012 horizon ...
For those who care, or who might interested, or who need something to get mad at . . .
Books I have already read in 2012 . . .
-The Protest Singer (Alec Wilkinsin).
Books I am currently reading . . .
-How Can I Keep From Singing? The Ballad of Pete Seeger (David King Dunaway)
-Christianity and World Religions (Adam Hamilton)
Books I have on my list to read . . .
-Three Simple Questions (Rueben P. Job)
-How to Play the 5-String Banjo (Pete Seeger)
It seems that the new Bible translation, the Common English Bible, has been endorsed by our UMC bishops. For once I'm one step ahead, and already have the current CEB Reference Bible from Cokesbury.com.
God's grace, and a good book, still amazes me . . . ><>
Books I have already read in 2012 . . .
-The Protest Singer (Alec Wilkinsin).
Books I am currently reading . . .
-How Can I Keep From Singing? The Ballad of Pete Seeger (David King Dunaway)
-Christianity and World Religions (Adam Hamilton)
Books I have on my list to read . . .
-Three Simple Questions (Rueben P. Job)
-How to Play the 5-String Banjo (Pete Seeger)
It seems that the new Bible translation, the Common English Bible, has been endorsed by our UMC bishops. For once I'm one step ahead, and already have the current CEB Reference Bible from Cokesbury.com.
God's grace, and a good book, still amazes me . . . ><>
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
White's Chapel UMC - Celebrate the Light
White's Chapel UMC, just a few miles down the road in Southlake, TX, put on a great Christmas light display using the outside of the front of their sanctuary.
Here is the YouTube display . . . awesome.
Rick ><>
Here is the YouTube display . . . awesome.
Rick ><>
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas . . .
Merry Christmas! My hope and prayer are that you and your family may have peace this day.
And if you are reading the Christmas story from Luke 2 today . . . consider that the manger is mentioned 3 times!
Manger - a feed trough. The manger in Jesus day was probably rectangular in shape, chiseled out of the soft rock in the area. From a distance, it might have looked to us like a bread pan.
Bethlehem - "House of Bread."
Jesus - the "Bread of Life!"
Think about it!
Merry Christmas!
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
And if you are reading the Christmas story from Luke 2 today . . . consider that the manger is mentioned 3 times!
Manger - a feed trough. The manger in Jesus day was probably rectangular in shape, chiseled out of the soft rock in the area. From a distance, it might have looked to us like a bread pan.
Bethlehem - "House of Bread."
Jesus - the "Bread of Life!"
Think about it!
Merry Christmas!
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Power of Song
I finally had a rare free hour to sit on the couch in my office and watch the 2007 documentary about Pete Seeger, "The Power of Song."
Interesting how a line from another artist came up in my head over and over as I watched. Harry Chapin wrote, "if a man tried to take his life on earth, and prove before he died what one man's life could be worth . . . I wonder what would happen to this world?"
As Joan Baez put it, in referring to herself and many other singer/musicians, "all of us owe everything to Pete Seeger."
What I hope here is that we can agree to look beyond politics. I dont necessarily agree with some of the stuff and groups Pete sang for over the years. A lot of what he supports I wish I had the balls and heart to speak more openly about.
One thing I especially admire about Pete's life, was the power he felt music had for good in the world. He always said how he often longed to get people or groups in disagreement with one another, and get them in the same room, and then get them singing together . . . that what would happen next would be people becoming friends instead of enemies. People would listen better, and if not come to agreement, they would at least leave the room with respect for one another.
I believe this is true. I've seen in it happen several times in my life. The is power in song!
In fact, I've seen music and song . . .
-calm an anxious, worried or crying child
-bring a smile to a sick child
-help tears come to parents who have lost a child
-brought a smile to people who are walking into something difficult
-heal someone in their heart and spirit
-help two enemies shake hands and hug
-lead someone to ask another for forgiveness
-stop a fight
-become the rallying cry for a noble cause
-help people to be brave
-help people to say, "enough."
-help people to say, 'I need to do something about this."
-cause people to get up and do something positive.
-change the emotion in a room from negative to positive
-calm anger
-heal a broken heart
-help someone get through grief
-give someone strength to do something they need to do, that won't be easy
-help someone have hope
-be a "shot in the arm" that someone needed
And so, so, so, so much more . . .
This Christmas season is especially marked by music and song! How glad I am that this is part of our Christmas celebration.
On Christmas Eve, I have the honor, along with my trusty Guild 12-string guitar, to lead the Christmas Carols at our 5 PM Christmas Eve Family-Friendly service in our main sanctuary. It will be one of the highlights of my Advent experience. How powerful are the songs of Christmas. The experience would not be the same without them, at least for me.
How powerful is song in your own life?
For me, music and singing have given me the courage at age 54 to finally start down a theraputic music performance path that I wanted to start down many, many years ago, but was afraid to for many reasons, most of which I have forgotten . That's the power of song, because looking to change your daily focus at age 54 is just a bit scary.
There is power in song!
Gods grace, and the power of song, still amazes me . . . ><>
-
Interesting how a line from another artist came up in my head over and over as I watched. Harry Chapin wrote, "if a man tried to take his life on earth, and prove before he died what one man's life could be worth . . . I wonder what would happen to this world?"
As Joan Baez put it, in referring to herself and many other singer/musicians, "all of us owe everything to Pete Seeger."
What I hope here is that we can agree to look beyond politics. I dont necessarily agree with some of the stuff and groups Pete sang for over the years. A lot of what he supports I wish I had the balls and heart to speak more openly about.
One thing I especially admire about Pete's life, was the power he felt music had for good in the world. He always said how he often longed to get people or groups in disagreement with one another, and get them in the same room, and then get them singing together . . . that what would happen next would be people becoming friends instead of enemies. People would listen better, and if not come to agreement, they would at least leave the room with respect for one another.
I believe this is true. I've seen in it happen several times in my life. The is power in song!
In fact, I've seen music and song . . .
-calm an anxious, worried or crying child
-bring a smile to a sick child
-help tears come to parents who have lost a child
-brought a smile to people who are walking into something difficult
-heal someone in their heart and spirit
-help two enemies shake hands and hug
-lead someone to ask another for forgiveness
-stop a fight
-become the rallying cry for a noble cause
-help people to be brave
-help people to say, "enough."
-help people to say, 'I need to do something about this."
-cause people to get up and do something positive.
-change the emotion in a room from negative to positive
-calm anger
-heal a broken heart
-help someone get through grief
-give someone strength to do something they need to do, that won't be easy
-help someone have hope
-be a "shot in the arm" that someone needed
And so, so, so, so much more . . .
This Christmas season is especially marked by music and song! How glad I am that this is part of our Christmas celebration.
On Christmas Eve, I have the honor, along with my trusty Guild 12-string guitar, to lead the Christmas Carols at our 5 PM Christmas Eve Family-Friendly service in our main sanctuary. It will be one of the highlights of my Advent experience. How powerful are the songs of Christmas. The experience would not be the same without them, at least for me.
How powerful is song in your own life?
For me, music and singing have given me the courage at age 54 to finally start down a theraputic music performance path that I wanted to start down many, many years ago, but was afraid to for many reasons, most of which I have forgotten . That's the power of song, because looking to change your daily focus at age 54 is just a bit scary.
There is power in song!
Gods grace, and the power of song, still amazes me . . . ><>
-
Monday, December 19, 2011
Rick singing at the "Be Our Guest" Meal, Tuesday 12/20/11 ...
I will be doing a Christmas carol song set at the "Be Our Guest" meal at the First United Methodist Church in Grapevine. The meal starts at 6 PM.
This meal began several years ago, out of the desire of FUMC-Grapevine members who wanted to reach out to the neighbors around the church. We called the area the "ministry mile". Now that mile has grown to include several communities and 3 villages, including one in Costa Rica and in Kenya.
The meal is a full sit down dinner on a table with tablecloth, real plates and cutlery, cloth napkins . . . the works. We have up to 60 volunteers who come to serve as table hosts, servers, etc.
The food . . . oh, boy. Top notch holiday fair for the November and December meals, and other greats menus through out the year.
The etertainment . . . not half bad either, if I do say so myself. I usually get to sing twice a year.
The "Be Our Guest" meal happens the 2nd Tuesday evening of each month.
God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>
Sunday, December 18, 2011
December 24th "Family Friendly" service at 5 PM - Preaching on Christmas Day
This Saturday, Christmas Eve, at the 5 PM "Family Friendly" service in the main sanctuary, I will be playing guitar and leading the singing! All Christmas hymns, favorites of one and all.
I'm getting the Guild 12-string all ready!
We have services at 5 PM, 7 P and 9 PM at the Downtown Campus, and a service at 6 PM at the Heritage Campus.
I will also be bringing the message on Christmas morning. We will only have worship at 11:15 AM on December 25 at the Downtown Campus. A blessing of the presents will also take place.
Check out www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org for more info on the themes of each service.
See you Saturday and Sunday!
God's graces still amazes me . . . ><>
Friday, December 16, 2011
Grapevine Guitar Works update ...
January 5 is the date for the new Grapevine Guitars Works showroom to open up. I painted part of the new showroom today. It's going to be nice, comfortable, with a unique local flair.
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