Yesterday we had a worship service of Epiphany scripture and songs, a sort of Lessons and Carols for Epiphany, called "The Messiah's Star", that I had put together from various sources and included all the expected Epiphany hymns plus two new ones of my own making. It was a nice way to stay with the liturgical calendar in an age where, after Christmas, such things as Epiphany are soon forgotten.
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Epiphany (meaning "appearance" or "manifestation") is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as fully human in Jesus Christ. Epiphany falls on January 6 (and can be marked on the Sunday that falls between January 2 and January 8). On the day of Epiphany, we commemorate the visit of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, remember the star that announced Jesus' birth, and therefore, Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles.
This celebration was also a good way to enjoy beloved and inspirational music on our organist, Bob Joyner's last Sunday at Wekiva. Bob began at our church three months after I arrived, that is in August of 1997. His musical gifts have added so much to our worship for nearly fourteen years, and we will miss him. For his last Sunday with us, he had great hymn introductions to the many Epiphany hymns we sang, as well as some lovely duets with Joan Grace and Olivia Signer. We also had great singing from the congregation as well as from the choir of the morning, "Sanctuary" with alumni from "Ransomed and the Worship Band".
The service was perfect for the occasion, even though I had planned it since about this time last year and had not a glimmer of a notion that we would be marking Bob's last Sunday with this event.
I was STILL not able to say where Bob is going because they had not yet told the congregation where he was going that this change was about to take place. Because Bob had asked me not to mention it at all, until last Sunday, and because the transition time came over the Christmas holidays, there were some in worship yesterday who were hearing it for the first time, and some who are still not back from vacation who will return to the news that Bob is gone. The timing is awkward, to say the least, but there is nothing to be done about it.
The Hospitality Committee and the Human Resources Committee had a lovely reception for Bob after both services. Many thanks to Ilene and Julie and their helpers, including their family members, for making it a festive morning! There were gifts and cards wishing Bob well in his new endeavors, and the choir presented him with a gorgeous handmade quilt by our church member and master quilter, Linda Leathersich, at the noon reception, after which Bob did at last tell the congregation he will become the organist at Markham Woods Presbyterian Church. I mentioned to some of our church members that we will think of Bob as a musical missionary whom we have sent out to serve in a new place.
This celebration was also a good way to enjoy beloved and inspirational music on our organist, Bob Joyner's last Sunday at Wekiva. Bob began at our church three months after I arrived, that is in August of 1997. His musical gifts have added so much to our worship for nearly fourteen years, and we will miss him. For his last Sunday with us, he had great hymn introductions to the many Epiphany hymns we sang, as well as some lovely duets with Joan Grace and Olivia Signer. We also had great singing from the congregation as well as from the choir of the morning, "Sanctuary" with alumni from "Ransomed and the Worship Band".
The service was perfect for the occasion, even though I had planned it since about this time last year and had not a glimmer of a notion that we would be marking Bob's last Sunday with this event.
I was STILL not able to say where Bob is going because they had not yet told the congregation where he was going that this change was about to take place. Because Bob had asked me not to mention it at all, until last Sunday, and because the transition time came over the Christmas holidays, there were some in worship yesterday who were hearing it for the first time, and some who are still not back from vacation who will return to the news that Bob is gone. The timing is awkward, to say the least, but there is nothing to be done about it.
The Hospitality Committee and the Human Resources Committee had a lovely reception for Bob after both services. Many thanks to Ilene and Julie and their helpers, including their family members, for making it a festive morning! There were gifts and cards wishing Bob well in his new endeavors, and the choir presented him with a gorgeous handmade quilt by our church member and master quilter, Linda Leathersich, at the noon reception, after which Bob did at last tell the congregation he will become the organist at Markham Woods Presbyterian Church. I mentioned to some of our church members that we will think of Bob as a musical missionary whom we have sent out to serve in a new place.
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