I thought the new liturgy went pretty well this morning. It's always a bumpy road at first, but I know it'll be only a few weeks before we're all confidently singing the new tunes.
Speaking of singing, I want to compliment the (as yet) anonymous male singer at first service, who sounded great belting out "How Great Thou Art." I made a few inquiries after the service - partly in selfish hopes of recruiting a new choir member, but also just to say thanks for singing with such gusto. As I predicted, that hymn was a popular choice; we all love to sing an old favorite now and then. It's one of the things that makes church music so great. At any rate, if you can identify the mystery man, email me or let me know at church next week!
Also, in honor of tonight's Oscar ceremony, I wanted to point out that one of Scarlett O'Hara's famous philosophical proclamations might be drawn from Matthew 6:34. "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own." (These are the things that you start to notice and think about when you're reading or hearing the same Gospel lesson for the third or fourth time in the same week!) It's a particularly beautiful passage, though, and it has inspired so many artists and musicians that reading it is like a conversation with an old friend.
And a couple of random musical thoughts for the night, if you'll indulge me for a moment: Alan Menken was robbed by Randy Newman tonight; the songs as a whole were uninspiring, but Zarchary Levi and Anne Hathaway both surprised me with strong vocals; and hearing Lena Horne sing a few measures of "Stormy Weather" was a perfect tribute to a trailblazer and great talent.
this year's songs were terrible. i hope never to hear randy newman speak-sing his way thru sappy bubblegum tune. like he said, surely there was a fifth song this year worth nominating!
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