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The strangest thing happened to me this morning. Most Sundays I attend St. Luke's Episcopal Cathedral here in Maine but this morning, I decided to check out the pretty little stone Episcopal church down the street from me. It reminds me a little of my great grandmother's church, where she and my great-grandfather were married shortly after emigrating here (not together) from England.
Boy, was I in for one heck of a surprise. Follow me over the fold for the story....
First, a little housekeeping:
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday
Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Well, my name sure got called this morning. I had been meaning to visit this little parish--right down the street from my house--for a long time. My colleague Albert, the Cathedral musician, and his wife are on vacation this week and I though it would be as good a time as any to check out St. Peter's.
It was apparent to me upon entering that this is a pretty "catholic" parish which fits my taste in liturgy just fine, thank you. I was greeted in a friendly way and given some extremely attractive and comprehensive worship aids. I took a pew near the front, organized my hymnal and prayer book and awaited the start of the service. One thing stood out, though: there was no organist. Flipping through the bulletin, I discovered that the regular organist had been invited to play at a service of re-dedication of an important Portland organ this morning. Apparently, he had been unable to secure a substitute.
Just about then, the Priest introduced himself. He was standing in the aisle just feet from where I was sitting. He announced that just because there was no organist present did not mean there would be no singing. I don't know what came over me (well, yeah, I do) but I raised my hand and said "Father, I'm an organist. If you like, I would be happy to volunteer to play the Mass this morning". "What do you think, folks?" Father said. They replied with applause. Before I knew it, I was playing the processional hymn and that small congregation sure did sing! Years of playing in Episcopal and Lutheran churches served me well as I led the singing from the organ bench--as if, I was told later, I played there all the time.
After Mass I was practically dragged in chains to the Coffee Hour, where parishioner after parishioner came to introduce themselves and thank me. "Music is so important to us, you don't know how much this meant to us!" I heard time and time again. I complemented them all on the vigor and enthusiasm of their singing. Someone has good taste in hymns around there, not to mention that they used one of my very favorite service settings, the Mass in G of William Matthias.
I gave them an improvisation on Adoro te devote during the Communion and to my sheer delight I could hear some parishioners quietly singing along as they approached the altar rail.
I may be a kind of Christian--what kind I am still not sure, though I certainly identify as Anglican--but I am also fairly convinced that if God ever sticks his finger in the course of human events, She does it through ordinary people. Something happened this morning, and it could be that it happened for a reason.
However and for what reason it happened, I feel humbled that I was able to bring unexpected joy to the 50 or so parishioners of this small Episcopal parish. They brought joy to me, too. It was the first service I have played in over a year, and reminded me what joy lies in serving people. What a wonderful morning!
Serendipity is a wonderful thing. There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of accidentally being in the right place at the right time. Everyone wins.
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A Collect for All Christians in their Vocation
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord, etc...Amen.