It’s been awhile since I made an entry. I’m not sure if my mind will ever pursue these things without constant reminder!
Life has been full lately. Our JAMin. Christmas Singers had our first “gig” at the Arlington Baptist Thanksgiving banquet on Nov. 22. I am so proud of them. If their first time at bat was any indication, it should be a great ministry season. We head to the Rock Hill, SC ChristmasVille this Saturday. We’ll have lunch with the Dream Center Ministry staff and then carol in the streets for about an hour, before doing a full concert on the grand stage at the end of Main Street. We are told there should be hundreds present for this long time annual Rock Hill event. Our ministry partners will distribute hot chocolate and Christmas gospel tracts, and I will briefly share the gospel during our presentation! Pray for us in this rare opportunity.
While in church music ministry for 30 years, one of my most enjoyable activities was composing and arranging for the choirs and orchestras I served. When God took me in another ministry direction in 2000, it seemed like those days were over. This past Sunday night, I sang with the Holiday Singers in the Charlotte Civic Orchestra Christmas Spectacular as I have for several years. My friend Pat Moehring, coordinator of the event, had called in August and asked me to produce an arrangement of “O Holy Night” for solo, choir and orchestra to be included in the program. I was quite nervous as it had been 15 years since doing something like this, AND not knowing if my old music software program would function on a newer computer−not to mention if I could remember how to use it. Long story short, I did my best to accommodate her request and the arrangement was performed on Sunday night before a sold out crowd. What a humbling thrill it was to reconnect with a part of my life that brought such blessing. What a humbling privilege it was to see my name alongside greats like Tchaikovsky, Victor Herbert, David Clydesdale, Camp Kirkland and George Handel. Reaction was unexpected. The piece is already being included in another ministry’s concert on Dec. 14 and doors appear to be opening to produce more commissioned works in the future. Who woulda thought?
We continue to be amazed at the opportunities God reveals as we are simply pursuing what He has already given us to do−and His own time.