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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Like A String of Pearls"
August 21, 2008
Last Saturday night, I looked up and thought I saw the moon wink at me.
Several couples were on the boardwalk at Ocean Beach dancing to the
melodies from the big band era. Dick Campo and his band were going up
tempo and the lead singer was belting out a song that transported us right
back to the 1940's. I could almost see Tommy Dorsey up there when they
played Tuxedo Junction. To think, I almost missed out on a memorable
evening.
My friend, Joanne, mentioned she was singing with the band on Saturday
night. I've always enjoyed swing music. Back in the day, I played with my
high school jazz band. I played saxophone and my moment in the spotlight
came with a solo in String of Pearls. Like Al Bundy reciting his exploits on
the football field in the irreverent television sitcom "Married with Children",
I retell the story of my defining musical moment whenever I hear the peal of
saxophones playing. John, Frank and Patty heard that story as we sat there
on an otherwise beautiful evening.
I usually lay low on Saturday nights. If it wasn't for Joanne's invitation I
would have missed the whole thing. On the way there it struck me that I
knew one of the former band members as well. He played trumpet with the
group and I had a copy of the CD in my car. I put it in and listened to it on
the way down Route 395. I was already tapping my toes and patting the
steering wheel as I drove down Ocean Avenue to the place where the
moonlight serenade would emerge. When I got there the band was in full
swing and I didn't miss a beat.
I thanked Joanne for inviting me later on that evening. As I was driving
home, it struck me that we miss out on a lot of opportunities in life because
we let them pass us by. I wouldn't have gone to the concert if I hadn't been
invited. It made me think about Church. How many of us think about
inviting a neighbor or a friend but stop short for one reason or another? The
truth is that when we don't invite them, we rob them of an opportunity for a
blessing. You and I enjoy worshipping the Lord. We come away feeling
renewed and refreshed. If we love it, then why won't our friends?
Now as a preacher, I am hesitant to write things like this. It puts the
pressure on us clergy who are up front each week. We know if you invite
your friends to church and we have an off week or if the choir is a little flat
or the praise team is not quite right, or one of the ushers is a little grumpy,
or the kids are rambunctious and loud during the service... it could have a
negative effect on your friends. Well here is the truth. None of that matters.
Sunday morning belongs to God and God even uses our imperfections to
speak to people's hearts.
When I went to see Dick Campo and the band the other night I was blessed.
I don't know if anyone missed a note or not, but the experience touched my
soul. If a big band can do that on a Saturday night, then I am sure God can
make something happen on a Sunday morning. So stop making excuses.
Bless your friends. Invite them to worship with you. Let God get them In
the Mood and they will be swinging all the way home.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
August 21, 2008
Last Saturday night, I looked up and thought I saw the moon wink at me.
Several couples were on the boardwalk at Ocean Beach dancing to the
melodies from the big band era. Dick Campo and his band were going up
tempo and the lead singer was belting out a song that transported us right
back to the 1940's. I could almost see Tommy Dorsey up there when they
played Tuxedo Junction. To think, I almost missed out on a memorable
evening.
My friend, Joanne, mentioned she was singing with the band on Saturday
night. I've always enjoyed swing music. Back in the day, I played with my
high school jazz band. I played saxophone and my moment in the spotlight
came with a solo in String of Pearls. Like Al Bundy reciting his exploits on
the football field in the irreverent television sitcom "Married with Children",
I retell the story of my defining musical moment whenever I hear the peal of
saxophones playing. John, Frank and Patty heard that story as we sat there
on an otherwise beautiful evening.
I usually lay low on Saturday nights. If it wasn't for Joanne's invitation I
would have missed the whole thing. On the way there it struck me that I
knew one of the former band members as well. He played trumpet with the
group and I had a copy of the CD in my car. I put it in and listened to it on
the way down Route 395. I was already tapping my toes and patting the
steering wheel as I drove down Ocean Avenue to the place where the
moonlight serenade would emerge. When I got there the band was in full
swing and I didn't miss a beat.
I thanked Joanne for inviting me later on that evening. As I was driving
home, it struck me that we miss out on a lot of opportunities in life because
we let them pass us by. I wouldn't have gone to the concert if I hadn't been
invited. It made me think about Church. How many of us think about
inviting a neighbor or a friend but stop short for one reason or another? The
truth is that when we don't invite them, we rob them of an opportunity for a
blessing. You and I enjoy worshipping the Lord. We come away feeling
renewed and refreshed. If we love it, then why won't our friends?
Now as a preacher, I am hesitant to write things like this. It puts the
pressure on us clergy who are up front each week. We know if you invite
your friends to church and we have an off week or if the choir is a little flat
or the praise team is not quite right, or one of the ushers is a little grumpy,
or the kids are rambunctious and loud during the service... it could have a
negative effect on your friends. Well here is the truth. None of that matters.
Sunday morning belongs to God and God even uses our imperfections to
speak to people's hearts.
When I went to see Dick Campo and the band the other night I was blessed.
I don't know if anyone missed a note or not, but the experience touched my
soul. If a big band can do that on a Saturday night, then I am sure God can
make something happen on a Sunday morning. So stop making excuses.
Bless your friends. Invite them to worship with you. Let God get them In
the Mood and they will be swinging all the way home.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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