I was at church the other day, doing something churchy most likely, when I heard banging coming from the piano. Just the familiar sounds of someone smashing away on the keys with untrained abandon, causing complete cacophony. Without even registering the thought properly, I yelled out “Edward!” And then, as the banging continued, I realized […]
Category Archives: Church
The Song I Refused To Sing in Church
I sing a lot of things in church. I have sung hymns, anthems, spirituals, arias, and chants. I have also sung contemporary Christian songs and pop stuff right from the radio. I have sung “Some Nights” by Fun., and “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia. I have sung Owl City, Nico & Vinz, […]
George Bailey and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad, Wonderful Life
When Mark, Rachel, and I first sat down to discuss the possibility of doing another movie sermon series, this time based on the idea of a “call,” there were dozens of film suggestions thrown out into the ring. When “It’s a Wonderful Life” was mentioned I quickly stiffened and said “That is one of my […]
Fun New Ways to Mess With Your Parishioners
During Vacation Bible School in June we decorated the sanctuary like a backyard camp. The pulpit became a treehouse, the lectern got a swimming pool addition, and nature-themed decorations were put up all over the front walls. Then, after the week of fun, games, and music, we took them all down. All except one. For […]
Instructions For Building an Actual Time Machine. Just Add Music.
I traveled back through time on Sunday, through days and hours, months and years, in a machine made of melody and gossamer ribbons of sound. I didn’t do it intentionally; it just sort of happened. My true intent was to stay in 2014 and attend the 200th anniversary celebration kick-off service at my old church […]
How I Learned to Drywall
This week I am spending my mornings running music at my church’s Vacation Bible School program, and while I am already about to pass out from exhaustion, I’m having a great time. There is something supremely awesome about watching your kids run around the same building you used to frequent as a kid yourself, as […]
To Beat the Marathon, You Must Become the Marathon
I was just trying to follow the rules and get to work. Unfortunately my work often takes place on Sunday morning, marathon or no marathon. But I carefully read and studied the signage and knew that, while I generally left my house around 8:45, the main road downtown would be closed at 8:30. I would […]
Hungry
This past weekend the youth at my church did something they call The 30-Hour Fast. It’s an annual event where, as the name implies, nobody gets to eat for thirty hours. From 1 pm on Friday to 7 pm on Saturday the kids, and their adult chaperones, eat nothing but the occasional broth or juice, […]
Who is it For? – A Story of Either a Church Sign, or a Time Capsule
This seems a little silly to even me, but one of the things I missed most when we left Baltimore was the sign outside of the church around the corner from our house. I never set foot inside that building, but I saw the sign every day as I drove back and forth to wherever […]
It Runs in the Family
Though I admit the sound was not very good (turn your speakers way up!), you have already heard my daughter sing a little when I posted her version of “Frozen Heart.” I love hearing her sing, and taking after her old Dad (not to discount the good musicianship and musical influences of Tenor Mom!). But […]