Ok, you did it to me again!
First, simply allow for the fact that for my money, "Give Me Jesus" is one of the most beautiful Gospel songs ever written. It doesn't matter if it's the Chancel Choir or the Wesley Men singing it, it gets me every time.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all the rest,
Give me Jesus.
But Sunday morning topped it all. When Sharon and Giselle Ulep sang it as a duet--the first time mother and daughter sang together in worship--they had me in tears from the very start. When Giselle sang her verse with that clear, still child-like voice, and when Sharon hit the high notes you could have sent me right to heaven on the next train. It was one of those special moments that will linger in my memory and soul for a long time.
Stepping away from the emotion of it all, it was also a moment when I gave thanks for a church that nurtures the talents of our children and youth and finds a way to allow them to lead us in worship, "to the throne of grace" as the old preachers used to say. At the same time Giselle was singing in the sanctuary, Chris Farmer and Luke Ross played in the SHINE band, Ben Bower, seminary student from our church and his wife Mallory assisted in communion and Taylor Mertins, our Duke intern, was the preacher. Just last week we included dozens of our youth in leading Vacation Bible School and later this summer our kids will gather for another wonderful choir camp. This is a church that celebrates the gifts of our children and youth. This is a church that seeks to nurture young men and women for ordained ministry. This is a church that seeks to use the talents of all of our members in the service of the Christ. And it gets me every time.
This week will be a big week in the South Wing Renovation. The new West Entry will open and the South/Main entrance will close. It marks the completion of the first phase and the shift to the major work of building an entirely new main entrance. Watch the signs when you come to worship...and celebrate the gifts of all of God's people. Note that the church will be closed Wednesday through Friday for the Fourth of July holiday and the shift in the construction. We'll see you in worship next Sunday at 8:30 and 10:00. Have a wonderful holiday.
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