Homecoming

We met early on Sunday to finish up some notes and warm up for our homecoming service. I shouldn't be amazed anymore, but I am always amazed by how much our concert improves throughout the week. It really settles in. This year was no exception. Our homecoming worship service was fantastic!

In addition to singing, the choir members participated in the service as liturgists and acolytes.

We also honored Sarah, a longtime chaperone and mentor in the choir when we revealed the piece we commissioned in her honor and presented her with a tshirt we had signed while we were away.

We said thank you to Leanne and all our chaperones.

And we had CHURCH. If you'd like to see that service, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nLt7sDD4YE You'll get to see the youth choir totally crush their program, and you'll get to see me forget the difference between the introit and the call to worship.

Lunch in the fellowship hall for the whole church to celebrate...and then it was over.

Sitting in the fellowship hall after it was over, this was going through my head: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BufkPSYryc It captures the melancholy that accompanies the adrenaline crash. After a week of being "on" from 7 in the morning until about 1 the next morning, all the while responsible for 48 singers, we had made it.

I sometimes take stock--wondering if it's worth it, the time we all spend working on the music, the money we spend on the trip, the effort so many people put in. You know what? It is. Not just because of the people we sing to, but because of the relationships we build with each other, the life skills we learn, and the joy we experience along the way.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This is one of my favorite weeks in ministry. I wouldn't trade it.

But my own bed sure is comfortable. Until next time, you guys. Thanks for following along.