Lent 2011

Chaos

I love the start of the Bible in Genesis 1.
“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters.”

What a picture! Total chaos existed, a wasteland, a mess, and God (a mighty wind, literally, the breath of God) moved over it.
Do you ever feel like your life is totally chaotic and a mess? I sure do!

And yes, that’s me, giving you a small glimpse of the mess in my office. Usually I never let people in, I am so embarrassed about it.

For this Lenten season, I am going to take a few of the verses from the creation account in the first chapter in Genesis, and apply it to living. Specifically, to my living, my mess, my chaos, and I am thinking, it may also apply to the messes you find around yourself.

I am tired of living in a mess, in chaos, and I really need God to move over my mess, over my life, and create something that in the end can be declared, “and God saw what he had made, and it was good.”

I don’t know about you, but I need God in my life desperately, and this Lenten season, I am going to take a little journey to invite God into my personal mess, my personal chaos, and make something good out of it. I invite you to join in that journey, and we can all share our experiences as we go. Link to the Lent blog.

The Lost Keys!

Friday, Sept. 10, 2010

Paul and I purchased an Ipad this evening. I am hoping that I will be able to blog when we are in Germany. We loaded a WordPress app and an app a for editing photos. I can see already that it will take a little time to get comfortable with everything.
Although now after three sentences I am already able to type fairly proficiently and I am sure it will get easier as I go.
We leave for Germany on September 20. I am certainly not, not, not ready for it. Somehow two years ago, it seemed so far away and then the time has just slipped by quickly.

I have actually begun to think about what I will need. The biggest frustration at the moment is that I, yes, it’s true, I have lost the key to our safe deposit box. The safe deposit box that contains our passports. So it is rather a big deal.

I felt bad when I learned that it might cost $50 to hire a locksmith to open it. Wrong!!! It would be $250.00!!! Now I feel even worse, if that’s possible.
Ironically, the Gospel lesson this week is about the woman who lost a coin and the lost sheep. Maybe there is something I am supposed to learn from all of this. When I learn it, I will let you know.

Sept. 14, 2010 Tuesday
I am like the woman who found her lost coin, for we have found the keys. Yes, we actually had two keys to the safe deposit box. A friend told me that when we were hunting for the keys.
“Didn’t you get two keys for your safe deposit box? Ours always comes with two.”
Well, what a relief! There were two keys. So I asked Paul where the other key was. He told me that they were both in the same package. So at least I know where one of the keys is: it’s with the other key that I can’t find!
I suppose you might be wondering where the keys were. I had remembered putting them in my purse, which I had searched that several times emptying it completely- all to no avail.

Paul remembered that I had changed purses earlier in the summer, and sure enough, there it was-tucked in a safe zippered pocket wondering why it had been left there so long.
So I do feel like celebrating. Thank you Lord! This was the answer to many prayers!
I have 5 days left in the getting ready process. Besides packing, one of my tasks is to be able to blog from my iPad. Everything is an adventure.

So what did I learn? We no longer have both keys in the same place, for one thing. Another thing: God does answer prayer. What peace is in that knowledge that God does hear us and care for us!

Follow the rest of the trip using this link to the Germany trip blog.

Top Ten Ways to Extend God’s Grace to Others

10. Look for and point out the good
that we see in others and the world around us.

9.  Interpret people’s actions in the kindest way
(even when we receive criticism or anger);
respond with love and concern for the other and their feelings.

8. Look out for the comfort of others.
Is there something that can be done for the well-being of another?

7. Say nothing if we can’t think of anything to say that is appropriate.
Sometimes silence, a quiet gesture of concern and genuine love
can say more than any words.

6. Never seek to embarrass another.
Humiliating another is not in our vocabulary.

5. Be slow to take credit; it’s not all about us.

4. Appreciate and thank others for even the little things they do for us.
Do you remember to thank others?
Do you go through an entire day without thanking another?

3. Pay attention and listen carefully to what others are saying.
Each one has so much to offer;
each one, like us, is a special child of God and has a story.

2. Notice the people around us;
is someone being left out? Can we find ways to include them?

And the Number 1 way to Extend God’s grace to others
(because all the others rest on this one):
1. Daily seek to recognize and thank God for the grace that we have received.

Questions about Holy Week

What does Maundy mean in Maundy Thursday?

The word “maundy” comes from the word “mandate,” which means command. Maundy Thursday in the church is the day we remember Jesus washing the disciples feet and then Jesus gives them a new command as he tells them, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) He also instituted the Lord’s Supper (Communion) at the meal that followed and told us to do this to remember him.

Why is it called “Good” Friday when Jesus was crucified?

My answer is that it was good for us; God sacrificed his own Son for the good of humankind that we all might have eternal life in Christ Jesus. A more complete answer can be found on this link: http://www.kencollins.com/question-11.htm

Let me know if there are other questions.

May you have a blessed Easter!  —Pastor JaneAnn

Why can’t you project the music for a song?

“Why don’t you project the music all the time?” This question is often asked. At Glen Cary Lutheran Church, music is projected sometimes, mainly for introducing new songs or for the liturgical portions that are repeated for the season. For example for Lent, we used the song, “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” as the hymn of praise. So the music has been projected.

The truth is that we have access to most of the songs we sing in a graphic form with the music or in a text file with only the words. However, the graphic file is intended for print purposes and not projection. This means that it is in a vertical format which works well to print. For projection the screen is in a horizontal format. Even when the graphic is stretched across, the text size is not large enough to read easily. The picture above illustrates what has to happen to a graphic file (on the left) in order to convert it from a printable form to a projectable form (on the right).

All the type must be enlarged, which causes another problem, because the notes are written to accommodate a smaller type size, now the words don’t fit. So the notes and music must be moved apart to allow for a larger type size. This can be done, but it takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the number of verses in a song.

When we first started projecting, I projected the printable graphic form of the music, and immediately received comments that the words were too small. Truly, they were. The congregation can read 24pt Times New Roman fairly easily, but projecting the printable graphic form of the music left the type at about half that, and without really good vision, it was very difficult for most people to read.

So at this point, we’ve compromised and project music sometimes. The goal is to be able to project a song with the music all the time. I know I would prefer it for myself.

Why don’t we sing my favorite songs?

Ever wonder why your favorite songs/hymns are not sung more often? People sometimes are disappointed when their favorite songs aren’t used in worship services. Music preference is extremely individualistic and differs for each one of us. Everyone actually has different favorites as well as music style preferences.

So how are the hymns picked? First the pastors study the biblical texts and then set the preaching theme for the season and for each Sunday. The pastor who is preaching chooses the hymn or song for the sermon hymn that reinforces the message that he/she is bringing. The opening hymn is chosen to set the tone for the worship and its theme and feel. The sending hymn is chosen to be an inspiration and a positive conclusion to the worship and if possible again tie to the theme.

An overall goal is to try to choose beloved hymns that have stood the test of time as well as identify and introduce the newer hymns that are being embraced by the church at large. It is never easy to achieve a balance between all of these. One of the constrictions we have to live within is that the hymn or song must be covered by one of our music licenses.

The pastors have a large say in the hymns that are chosen and we don’t always agree either. I always welcome suggestions that you might have, either those that are your favorites and you’ve missed lately or those you’ve heard as you may have visited another congregation. Just hand me a list or email it to me and I will check it out.

Applause in a Worship Setting

I hear lots of opinions about whether or not applause is appropriate in a worship service, and there is no easy answer. If there was, I wouldn’t be discussing this here. The ELCA article on applause (click here to read it) is an excellent starting point that distinguishes between applause, appreciation, congratulations, clapping with music, etc. I recommend taking a quick read of it.

Within our entertainment-driven culture, performers are applauded. However, within a worship service, the music is intended to glorify and give honor to God, not to bring honor to the performer. The musicians’ role is to lead the congregation in offering praise to God, not to be entertainers. So it is fairly easy to make a case for not applauding.

At the same time, at least within the context of our congregation, Glen Cary Lutheran Church, with the exception of the primary accompanist, no musician is paid. Applause can be a means of saying thank you and expressing appreciation to the musicians who spend hours preparing a piece for worship.

And certainly scripture tells us: “Clap your hands, all you people.” So how can we best express our thanks to our musicians? What are your thoughts on this?

Epiphany 2010

Go Therefore and make disciples…

The theme chosen for this Epiphany season was “Go therefore…” taken from Matthew 28:19. The season of Epiphany begins on January 10 and continues through February 14th. The focus is one of action, our action in face of the One who came at Christmas. Just as the shepherds went and told all, so we are also called to go and be active in being the light for those whom we encounter, both near and far.

Worship, Music and Projection Design!

Welcome to the world of worship and music and design. This blog exists to facilitate discussion on topics around choices made for worship and music at Glen Cary Lutheran Church.

Over two years ago, Glen Cary Lutheran Church embarked on an adventure, going down a path, with which we were all unfamiliar. Using digital projection in worship has been a grand experiment from which we all continue to learn and grow. Thank you to each of you for your patience, support and understanding during this time.

I want to be clear about my understanding of the purpose of the digital media used within worship. Our gathering to worship the Holy God is what is most important. Not the technology. The technology can enhance the worship experience by creating a visual experience using words, imagery, animation and/or video. It can help worship be relevant, connecting each worshipper in heart, mind and soul to the core of the Gospel message. Media can help accentuate faith, humor, thinking, passion, love, feelings and the very questions with which the Bible is packed. It can in new ways bring the biblical messages to life and provide bridges to make them relevant to each of us as we cope with the unique problems of our day.