I am having a good day today!
We had a guest preacher today in church - little Lutheran church where I have been hired to provide piano and organ music every Sunday.
I liked his sermon. He opened referring to George Carlin's talk about "stuff".
I have to admit, humor works with me. I will always remember this sermon. Plus he made it interactive. I think the congregration (myself included) said the word "stuff" about 50 times when cued.
Here's the George Carlin video:
I also really liked the hymns we sang. We opened with "Lift Every Voice and Sing". When I accompanied the Roosevelt High School choir, about 10 years ago, I learned that this hymn is sometimes called the "African American National Anthem". I also discovered that if people love a song, they can truly sing. I never heard these kids sing until they sang this one for me.
Chills and goosebumps even as I recall the experience.
We ended with "Go Tell it On the Mountain". Which was really fun, because I've never heard that song sung outside of the Christmas season.
I was feeling moved by the Spirit. So I let loose with this one. I added some bluesy licks and a glissando here and there. I also played it for the postlude as kind of a reprise. After I finished people whooped and hollered and clapped.
Let me remind you that this is a Lutheran church. I admit I am not immune to stereotypes. My experience so far in Lutheran churches is a tad more serious.
I was a little nervous walking into coffee hour. I am a "highly sensitive person" (HSP - it is a real thing!). So, if someone were to say I played too loud or too anything, I might go home and cry.
Or not. I hope I've matured a bit since becoming a Zma!
Well, let me tell you. I grabbed a bite to eat and a cup of tea in the coffee room. This was only my second Sunday at this church, so I didn't really know anyone. I looked around for a friendly face. There were two empty tables. The rest of the tables were filled. People were talking and eating. No eye contact.
I felt like the unpopular kid in high school. I found an empty table and sat down. But I didn't feel awkward. This was my job. And now I would have some refreshment. If people wanted to visit with me, it would be nice. But I'd be o.k. Sometimes it takes folks awhile to warm up to a new person. Last week I grabbed food and ran out the door. Later I thought perhaps I should have been more assertive. Perhaps gone up to people and introduced myself.
Nah. That's not my style.
But I needn't have worried. It took maybe a minute! Soon I was surrounded by people introducing themselves, welcoming me and telling me they loved my playing! They said it made them happy. They said I played with "Zip".
It made me smile. I sat with one lady for quite a while. I leaned over and asked her if she thought I played too loud.
"Heavens, no!" she replied. "Play louder! I was raised Lutheran. I remember all the slow, death marches in church as a youth. Don't do that!"
I like her.
I left the church smiling and feeling light. It feels good to make people happy. It gives me pride to do a good job.
And after that sermon, I am inspired to clean my room. I have too much stuff!
On another note, I have decided to finally learn Spanish. I have many reasons for this, primarily because I keep running into the same elderly man in Vancouver while waiting for the bus. He is petite and usually dressed well, carrying a trumpet. In halting English once he told me he plays in a mariachi band. The only Spanish I've tried on him so far is "hola" and "adios". I've long been under the impression that I should have studied Spanish in high school and college instead of German. I rarely have the opportunity to speak German in Vancouver or Portland! So I'm listening to podcasts on the bus. And I got a few children's books in Spanish. I am considering teaching piano in Spanish.
However, speaking of German...I'm also studying Bach. Bach chorales to be precise. Bach himself was German and Lutheran! He wrote many chorales based on Lutheran hymns. https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2016/03/riddle-of-bachs-lutheran-mass.html
I love it when I am inspired to study! And when the subjects of my studies fit so nicely together!
I will be studying the Bach chorales on the pipe organ.
The pipe organ at my church is small. Only one keyboard (Manual) and a pedal board. I decided that Baroque music would suit this instrument. And Bach is pretty much the king of the Baroque era!
When I was at the music center teaching yesterday, I spied a book on Bach chorales. I borrowed it and had an instant lightening flash. I decided that moment that I shall study Bach chorales on the organ!
And Spanish!
On the bus!
The reason this is so profound is that it occurred to me that my thinking as been faulty lately. I keep telling myself I need to be informed and aware. That I may be in the position of saving someone someday soon.
All well and good, but with what I've been focusing on lately, I might as well be studying for a degree in mass shooting!
AACCK!
So I am backing off Facebook and Twitter for now. I know I've said this before, yada yada yada...but I now have more interesting studies.
On that note, I need to close. It is time for lunch.
¡Feliz domingo!
Te hablaré mañana.
Amor,
Zita
P.S. I'm still intermittent fasting! I do 20 hour fasts 4 to 5 days a week. 16 to 18 hour fasts on the weekends. Down 12 pounds! :)
P.P.S. I'm still hooping! Day 126! Here's today's video:
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