Rearranging the Furniture

Yes this is still the Northland Al/Cantate Domino blog. I just happen to rearrange the room. I just have not had enough change in my life lately.

Water from the rock

In the span of one week I have heard the same story multiple times, Numbers 20:1-13.

1. On Sunday, the Pastor Emeritus used as the basis of his preaching on "stones", the Joshua story on the stones (Joshua 4:5-10 or so). As part of the sermon, he also referred to the Numbers passage.
2. Later in the week, the History Channel mentioned the same story in some show.
   
3. This morning, the Old Testament reading in the Daily Office Lectionary was Numbers 20:1-13.
   

Three times in one week. I start to wonder if God is trying to tell me something and if so, what?

• God will provide (even when we are unworthy?).
• Don't take credit for God's work.
• Trust God, even when wandering the "wilderness" and wishing for your return to your former life.
  
• Drink more water...
• Sometimes a coincidence is just that.

Well, I suppose I must think on this. Interestingly, I was flipping through the TV channels. When I briefly stopped on Vatican Mass for St. Peter and St. Paul on EWTN, the gospel was being proclaimed - tu es Petrus - Thou art Peter (Matthew 16:18). Another rock thing. Hmm...

Then we play "Here Comes the Bride" on harmonica... - Yahoo! News

Earlier this year the European Union had come out with new rules regarding the use of lead in materials that electrical, which would include pipe organs if they have electric blowers (click here). It appears that they have decided that the rule does not apply to pipe organs. See the article below.

Then we play "Here Comes the Bride" on harmonica... - Yahoo! News

Watch your language in church

A few weeks ago, I was talking to one of the choir members and the guest minister and I used the term - "intinction." At that point, I suddenly realized that I had very easily learned the liturgical language of the Episcopal Church, yet I was working in a UCC congregation. Time to watch my language.

Intinction = dipping
Chalice = cup
Paten = plate
Vesting = putting on robes
Parishioner = member of the congregation
Parish = church
Chancel = choir and altar area
ordo = bulletin
Flagon, cruet = pitcher
lavabo = they don't use that
genuflect = none of that
Eucharist = Communion
Collect = opening prayer (there are no collects after the "Time of Prayer")
Opening Acclamation = Call to Worship
Wine = Grape juice (except on pew communion days, then half of the little glasses have wine)
Ablutions = huh?

And so forth...

Where was I?

On Sunday, I was at Immanuel UCC for the normal worship service. As the Interim Pastor does not start until next week, the visiting clergy was the Pastor Emeritus of the that church. Attendance was higher than last week, which was rather expected, given the congregations love of Rev. Preuss. Nothing unusual there, but during the day some other strange events happened.

• The congregation sang - LOUDLY. Was I at the correct church? I have been waiting for the congregation to sing at all, but this was amazing. Admittedly, the preacher had selected well known and very singable hymns, which is something the congregation has not had much of for the last year or so. Even so, the sudden change was suppressing, yet Glorious.
  
• I was reading the survey that the Church Council distributed last fall. One comment rather suprised me:

The hymns are played to slowly.

Are we talking about the same church and organist? I do not recall anybody ever saying I play too slow. This is a hoot. Admittedly, it was only one person, but what's next:

The organist plays to softly? (Somehow I doubt it)

So for the next hymns, it will be:

On your mark, Get set...

Dealing with the Difficult

Reverend Ref shared a wonderful story of deal with difficult parishoners. It is a wonderful lesson in grace.

Click here for the story

Radar problems

Sometimes it is good to check multiple sites for weather forecasts. If I accepted this radar image - we would be in for quite a problem. As it is, there was only the rain on over by Iowa.

Composer News

György Ligeti, 1923-2006 has died on June 12, 2006, at the age of 83. He was well known for his work on the music for 2001 A Space Odyssey.

For more info:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-2222419,00.html

Information Overload

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church has started in Columbus. Now I sit here in Evanston and watch my email inbox grow exponentially with the every thirty minute email from the Episcopal News Service. Add that to the unbelievable amount of people blogging from Columbus and the sheer amount of information is staggering. I do wish there were a better way to sort out the types of bloggers. It is difficult to figure out which bloggers have an agenda and which ones are simply reporting what is happening. As it is, I tend to take a reduced concern in the works of the National Church. The politics of it all tends to turn me off.

I have not seen any blogging by Seaburians. Too bad.

Transitions, Transitions

Yes, he still exists. I have been slacking in my blogging, and here may be a reason.

• Finished school - no regular classes or assigments due. My regular schedule has been rather disrupted.
• Considering future possibilities and callings.
  
• The departure of friends whom I may not see again for quite awhile (if ever).
• Yesterday was the last Sunday for the Pastor at the church where I work. There will be two Sunday's of supply clergy and then the Interim Pastor begins.
  

I have decided that I am not entirely fond of transitions. It is all rather blah now. Oh well.

Graduations and Ordinations

The Commencement Eucharist was very nice (even though we did skip "I the Lord of Sea and Sky). Congratulations to all of the graduates. Good job to the very large group of liturgical ministers. It was a special day.

Today's Ordination of Transitional Deacons was equally exciting. Congratulations to all of those ordained today (plus those being ordained elsewhere in the next few weeks). Interestingly, liturgical ministers today seemed full of Seaburians. A rather busy weekend of liturgical duties. Good job to all.

What hymn is he using

This Sunday's hymn quiz:

On Communion Sundays (remember, I work for a UCC congregation), the choir has traditionally sung a cyclical song while people receive communion (i.e. Taize - Eat this bread, etc.). At times, we have invited to congregation to join in, especially since Eat This Bread is in the hymnal.

This Sunday, we are doing something different and using an actual hymn. As we have recently purchased a OneLicense.net license we are using items that our not in the New Century Hymnal. Since my goal is to get the congregation singing, we will be using a song that is uplifting and very appropriate for communion, though not necessarily attached to the Lectionary of the day. Since we will be in the Reception Hall, I will be using a piano instead of organ.

The question: What hymn will they be singing?