Notes from the Choir Loft - January 03, 2021
What is it that makes for a good story? A novel that grabs and keeps our attention gradually reveals that which is not known. Each turn of the page reveals the detail and progression of the story.
Rarely in the lectionary do we spend such a long span of time in such a short section of scripture. In the year B gospel readings for the time after Epiphany, we rarely get out of the first chapter of Mark. With the exception of the John reading on the second Sunday after Epiphany and the transfiguration account, all the gospel readings for the season are from Mark 1. This concentration begs the reader to be immersed in this chapter and to notice every nuance, every detail, and especially the progression of what Mark reveals as he sets the stage for Jesus’ ministry.
Consider also that the season begins with three weeks of call stories. First there’s the call of Jesus at his baptism; then we hear John’s version of the call of two disciples, a story quite distinct from how the synoptic gospels tell the story. Finally, on the third Sunday after the Epiphany, in Mark’s characteristically compact and sparse fashion, Jesus has already called Peter, Andrew, James, and John. If we hold up to the light the gemstone of our own calling to follow Jesus, what unique facets make our vocations sparkle in Christ’s light? Think about how the progression of these stories reveals the significance of baptism and how their unfolding leads us to the eucharistic table and then sends us into the world as the body of Christ.
If we’re marking the progression of story through this season, the last Sunday, Transfiguration of Our Lord, is certainly a high point, but not the end of the story. Although the cross and the resurrection are always at the heart of the message, the readings don’t take us to the details of those stories in this time after Epiphany; we’ll have to wait until we proclaim the paschal mystery during the Great Three Days. Still, the transfiguration is a climax, a grand revealing of Jesus’ glory that he will carry down from the mountain as he journeys to the lonely and gruesome hill outside Jerusalem.
From the Pastors Desk - 04/07/24
When “Thank You” Seems Insignificant
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Thank You!
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“We are doing the best we can!”
Notes from the Choir Loft - 11/26/23
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Worship
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A Toast to Ed!
Notes from the Choir Loft - 10/31/23
All Saints Sunday, November 5th & Christ the King Sunday, November 26th
From the Pastors Desk - 10/31/23
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From the Pastors Desk - 10/31/23
November Already!!!???
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Reformation Sunday, October 29th Combined service with Zion United Church of Christ
From the Pastors Desk - 10/01/23
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!
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God’s Amazing Creation
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Oh, for a Thousand Thanks to Give!
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Lutheridge Bound…
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Fifth Sunday Combined Worship
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Trinity Sunday
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Happy Father’s Day!
Notes from the Choir Loft - 04/30/23
Organ Concert and Space Dedication
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Random Thank Yous!
Notes from the Choir Loft - 04/03/23
Holy Week Schedule
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Worship Opportunities with Zion
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The Future of the Church
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Ash Wednesday and Additional Lenten Worship and Bible Study…
From the Pastors Desk - 02/01/23
Care and Concern Committee
Notes from the Choir Loft - 01/01/23
January Sundays and Inclement Weather
From the Pastors Desk - 01/01/23
An Interview!
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Working Together
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Thanksgiving!
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Future Possibilities
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Thanks Plus More
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Upcoming Events…
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Odds & Ends
Notes from the Choir Loft - 06/30/22
This month I will be attending Music Week at Lutheridge
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Dream Big!
Notes from the Choir Loft - 06/30/22
This month I will be attending Music Week at Lutheridge
From the Pastors Desk - 06/30/22
Dream Big!
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Waiting!
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Thankful for Others
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The Sure and Certain Hope of Easter
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From the Pastors Desk - 02/27/22
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Look Up
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Chilly Musings
Notes from the Choir Loft - 01/07/22
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From the Pastors Desk - 01/07/22
Let’s Get Back to Normal Living Again… Maybe????
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Christmas Time… Again, Already??!!
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Always Living in the Future
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november Voice 2021
Notes from the Choir Loft - 03/31/21
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Notes from the Choir Loft - 03/31/21
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Notes from the Choir Loft - 03/02/21
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Notes from the Choir Loft - 01/31/21
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Notes from the Choir Loft - 11/01/20
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From the Pastors Desk - 11/01/20
Are you familiar with the term Minnesota Nice?
Notes from the Choir Loft - 10/01/20
Music in church has taken on a different tone since the pandemic started.
From the Pastors Desk - 10/01/20
The Northeastern Ohio Synod held its Synod Assembly online
Notes from the Choir Loft - 09/05/20
As the Sanctuary Worship Team looks at the guidelines we will use in October for sanctuary worship, I thought I would share a little about our musical options for the fall and winter.
From the Pastors Desk - 09/05/20
A global pandemic. Civil unrest. A society divided. A church struggling to find its place.
Notes from the Choir Loft - 08/01/20
What Do We Do This Fall?
From the Pastors Desk - 08/01/20
Do you watch the TV show Jeopardy?
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At Good Shepherd we are fortunate to have a large parking lot
From the Pastors Desk - 07/04/20
At Good Shepherd we are fortunate to have a large parking lot
Notes from the Choir Loft - 06/06/20
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From the Pastors Desk - 06/06/20
One of my favorite church holidays is Pentecost
Notes from the Choir Loft - 06/06/20
On Singing Together
From the Pastors Desk - 06/06/20
One of my favorite church holid
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As I type this article (I decided not to use the one I’ve been working
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From the Pastors Desk - 03/03/20
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Notes from the Choir Loft - 01/30/20
Organ Dedication
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During the season of Epiphany the
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Notes from the Choir Loft - 12/06/19
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From the Pastors Desk - 12/06/19
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Stewardship
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Organist Notes
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Introducing Junior Church