Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus!
If you worshiped online last Sunday, you might have noticed something different as we closed the service. The final hymn, Beautiful Savior, looked different. Inside separate boxes, you saw our Jan Pofahl play the organ, our sign interpreter, Marilu Lackore sign, and Kari Owens sing. Together, they entered virtual space and raised a song of praise. I trust that you joined in at home, contributing your voice.
Throughout the season of Lent, Beautiful Savior will be our closing hymn, and thanks to the magic of technology this will be a virtual experience. Each week, you will see more faces and hear more parts of the hymn. The hymn will “grow” as we make our way through Lent. On Easter Sunday, all the proverbial stops will be out in a musical proclamation of our Risen Savior.
I am grateful for the leadership and technical ability of Jeff Owens, who is “conducting” our virtual choir. I am also appreciative of the support of Kelvin Miller (Minister of Music), Kari Owens (Bell Choir Director), Jan Pofahl (organist), and Jeff Andrews (AV Director) for their important contributions supporting this effort. Together, this group is making music in a brand new way.
Jeff Owens has asked me to invite anyone and everyone to take part in this effort. Complete directions are available (click here) on how you can record yourself on a smartphone. We need your recording by early March. Your face and voice will be added and blended with others. You do not need to have prior choir experience. If you can sing - and we all can - then you can take part.
This is just another way that the St. James community has been innovative during the pandemic. Technology has allowed us to continue worshiping and gathering in a safe way. Through Faith Teams, online Sunday School, online Confirmation, online/phone Bible Studies, daily devotions, and Fireside Chats we have built and deepened loving relationships with God, each other, and our neighbors. It has been a time of ‘out-of-the-box’ spiritual formation and growth. I am grateful for all those who help to lead and take part in what is being offered. If you haven’t availed yourself of these opportunities, maybe the time has come for you to check them out. Everyone is invited and we have new viewers and participants all the time.
I look forward to connecting with you soon. Whether you choose to worship during our weekly Drive-In communion (8 a.m.), Hybrid Communion (registration needed: 9:30 a.m.), Livestream Online (9:30 a.m.), or Zoom/Phone Communion (noon), I will be sure to wave.
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt