The Coronation

Last Sunday morning two former Baptists, now Presbyterians (Pat and I), went to church with Glory, Jim and Norah at All Saints Episcopal to listen to a Roman Catholic composer's music: On Christ the King Sunday, members of the Alabama Symphony were there to play throughout the service parts of Mozart's "Coronation Mass." It was a splendid service; the church was packed. There was some chaos at the serving of the Eucharist (having so many people meant setting up an additional serving station, and directions were not completely clear; also the children had just come back into the service, and there were scads of them—a quite fecund congregation). Norah was pretty good through the whole service; she got to stand up on her daddy's lap and watch the musicians.

I, being out of the ecclesial loop, didn't even realize it was Christ the King Sunday until we got there (which means next Sunday is Advent). The priest seemed to be hurrying through some of the liturgy, which I understand – I used to feel like I had to hurry through a service when it was going to be longer than usual and there were many visitors. No sermon, since the music proclaimed the gospel. A good worship was had by all.

In the afternoon I watched a little NFL. At 4:00 I went to Independent Presbyterian Church to hear Alan Morrison give an organ concert. He played a piece by Henri Mulet; then variations by Johann Christoph Bach, J.S. Bach's uncle. Then a contemporary piece by Harold Stover based on Shaker tunes. And ended with Symphony IV by Louis Vierne.

When I get to the end of my life, if I have the chance, I will thank God for the gift of life, for love and family—and for the gift of music. All kinds of music. But you can't get any better than majestic organ music.

In January the Independent Presbyterian Church will take out its pipe organ and begin building a new pipe organ at a cost of 2.25 million dollars. Is it worth it? Yes, yes, yes. They will have to abandon their sanctuary for nine months while it is being built. They take their music seriously.

I took organ lessons back in the 80s. I was able to play for some services when our organist was ill. I loved going out the door of my study and sitting at the organ bench to practice in those days. Playing a pipe organ is a thrilling experience. You can make so many different sounds. It's almost like being God—creating something beautiful and moving. I envy my friends who can really play the organ well. I've been lucky to have wonderful organists during my pastorates, like Steve, Bob, Tom, Karen, Victor, Karisa, et al. May God bless them.