Well, it’s finally here. The Christmas presentation, “And He Shall Reign” will be presented tomorrow night, Saturday and Sunday at 7:00. The choir, orchestra, and tech crews have been working so very hard and if anyone of these groups would have decided to “slack up” the whole thing just would not come off.
The support group around me just would not let things fail. I appreciate them so very much and look forward to seeing what God is going to do through it all.
If you are in the area, don’t forget. Fri-Sun, 7 p.m.
Blessings,
John

It’s been a relatively quiet day with a little Christmas decorating and football going on. And just a little Christmas music work which, by the way is the storm part of this blog.
Beginning tomorrow, it will be crazy. I will have my usual Sunday with an early rehearsal and 2 services. At 2:00 I have a tech run through with the music, then a retirement reception of one of my choir members. At 5:30 we have a staff Christmas party.
Then Monday….here we go. The lighting company comes in around noon and we have a 6:30 dress rehearsal with everyone. Tuesday will be another rehearsal with orchestra and tech crew. Then on Wednesday a regular mid week service but no rehearsal. On Thursday we’ll go through everything again, only no brass.
On Friday at 7:00, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:00. Whew!
Everything is coming together nicely. Sure would appreciate your prayers for all areas of the ministry. There are allergies, colds and the like affecting some of our folks then you have the “glitches” that come with all the tech work we’ll have going on so if you could lift a prayer for those things too that would be wonderful.
Finally, just the physical strength to handle this week and all it presents.
Blessings,
John

It was a long day today as we continue to handle all the things going on leading up to the Christmas program. Doing the usual weekly things with Wednesday services and choir practices and Sunday stuff is busy enough but add the level of this Christmas program along with it and it’s busy, busy, busy!
Tonight’s choir rehearsal was good but I could tell the folks are getting tired. Everyone was a little sluggish and the attention span was a bit short but we pushed our way through and got a fair amount accomplished. I feel pretty good coming into our last week leading into the program.
I’m a bit tired myself but on the good side the new med that the dr gave me for my knee seems to be taking effect. I’m hoping to be totally back in a matter of another week even though I’m going to be pulling some pretty long days this next week.

Sure appreciate your prayers as we continue the week.

Blessings,
John

It was the first time the choir, orchestra, and tech crew have been together for a run through of the Christmas presentation. Although there were a few “rough” spots and a glitch here or there as mic levels were set and lighting adjusted but all in all things went as well as a 1st run though could have gone.
The choir was responsive and although tired from a day at the office, they put all they had in the rehearsal and I feel the Lord will be blessed in the efforts.
Now, time to get a little rest before heading off to the church early in the morning and handling other tasks. Thanks for the prayers,
john

Well we got in yesterday from a busy but nice visit with family over Thanksgiving and it was funny, but as soon as we returned, my phone began ringing about church stuff and the upcoming Christmas program. Wow! I mean it’s been crazy.
I got up to the church before 8 a.m. as usual for a Sunday, and began rehearsal. After the 2 services, we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back up to the church to pull all the sanctuary decorations out for the ladies to begin work tomorrow morning.
Well, we got that stuff in the sanctuary and then my phone rang again. It was one of the ladies working with our Lyrical Worship team that is part of our presentation reminding me we had a rehearsal with them at 3 p.m. So I just stayed there. After that rehearsal I came home, had supper and headed to my media persons house to view the latest work for the mulit media presentation part of the program. Spectacular!
All that said, we arrived home at 7:30 tonight. Kinda tired, and knee is sore. Doc said he’s astonished that my knee has any pain at all and feels like it’s inflammation and has put me on a very strong anti-inflammatory med. Hope this helps.
Staying busy. Hope you’re doing the same!
Blessings,
john

It was relatively quiet in the office today being the beginning of a holiday week. Of course, with a “skeleton crew” it was a bit busier that you might think it should be.
Nevertheless, I got a good bit accomplished trying to get a bit ahead knowing the holidays always create wrinkles.
As far as the Christmas presentation goes, we had a tech meeting tonight and the crew is getting on board and beginning to have more of a picture of what I’m trying to do (perhaps I’m finally making more sense, who knows) and they had some great ideas as to how to make all this come together.
We’ll meet with the choir and orchestra next Monday, the 28th, for our first run through and see where we are from there.
I probably won’t be blogging again until Saturday when I return from Yazoo City and Thanksgiving with family. Before we head out Wednesday, I will be going to the dr. for a followup exam on my knee. Maybe he’ll be able to tell me why I haven’t had one pain free day since the surgery. Hope so!

Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
John

Thanks for checking in but there’s nothing really new to report. It was a really good day of worship as God spoke through the music and the spoken word delivered by our Senior Adult Pastor.
The Youth Choir didn’t meet, having had their last program this past Wednesday so Patty and I got to visit with our Life Group this evening. That was nice and something that we haven’t been able to do since taking on the Interim position. Nothing much to report on that side of things either. The report from the committee this morning was that things are on hold til the first of the year.
We’ll be heading to Yazoo City on Wednesday following my Dr’s appt at 8 a.m. Hopefully he’ll have some explanation of the pain I’m still experiencing with this knee. I know, I’m old. I’ve heard it and heard it.
Blessings my friends!
John

Bittersweet is the best way to describe the day. It began with a phone call from a good friend I’m scheduled to be with in December. He was calling to cancel our time together. Due to severe satanic attack on his church and staff things were not at a place to bring me in. He was broken and so very disappointed and I felt so badly for him. I told him I would pray for him and his church.
The bittersweet of it all is that it was scheduled the same weekend of our Christmas music here and although I was taking our church up to the point of the presentation, due to my commitment to my friend’s church, I was not going to see all the work come to fruition. Now I will but I have to tell you there is pain involved.
Understand, my friend is not the direct point of attack and will be picking up the pieces and leading his church through their music but the church is hurt with more to come, most likely, so your prayers would be appreciated.
Blessings,
John

The day began at a 6:00 a.m. prayer meeting at the church. Patty went with me and we got back home around 7, had breakfast then I headed to the office for a day of Christmas planning and preparing for time away during holidays. Lots of pre-planning has to be done before the doors close.
Sooooo, we’ll make a rather early night tonight and do it all over again tomorrow.
My knee is slowly getting better. Still a bit frustrating but I’m pressing on!

Take care,
John

Oh, another day and another change in commitment! Oh well, I being reminded His church is not perfect.
I managed to get alot done, though, so that’s cool. Lot’s of service planning was done as well as Christmas prep.
Patty accomplished a tremendous amount in her flower beds. Now Advil is her best friend! ha ha
Tomorrow will be more of the same. I’ll head in and continue work on the services as well as put final prep on tomorrow night’s service (our youth choir will be singing) and then choir practice. Lot’s of work left on 3 of the songs in the line-up.
Thanks for checking in!
John