A New Discipline for Lent!

When I was growing up, it would never have occurred to me to “give something up” for Lent. That was something the Catholic kids did and we Protestants (including Lutherans) were suspicious of anything “Catholic.” That said, in my adult years, I actually found this deeply traditional practice attractive. In more recent years, I’ve been more likely to add something to my personal Lenten observance, rather than give something up.

This is an invitation for you to add something very specific to your Lenten discipline – singing in the Matins Choir or the Festival Choir from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Some people have a hard time making a long term commitment, but Lent is only forty days (not including Sundays).

As a member of the choir, you will be more involved with the texts (written and musical) that we use in worship. You’ll become part of a small group within the St. Mark’s community. You’ll also have to give something up because singing in a choir requires a certain time commitment.

The Matins choir rehearses at 8:00 on Sunday morning, and then sings for the 8:30 service. Matins Choir singers are invited to participate in Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Passion Sunday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday services, but attendance on Wednesday night is necessary. (A schedule will be released soon.)

The Festival Choir rehearses on Wednesday evening at 7:40 p.m., then rehearses again on Sunday morning at 10:30, then sings for the 11:00 service. Special services for the season include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.

We would love to have singers join just for this season. If you decide to stay, that will be fine too!

See Tony Cruz or any choir member for more information.

A Man’s Reach Should Exceed His Grasp, or What’s a Heaven For? Robert Browning

Something I know: There will always be someone who can play better than me, sing better than me, and bring beautiful music from a choir better than me. There will always be someone who is more charitable than me, kinder than me, and stronger in a crisis than me. There will always be someone who knows more than me, works harder than me, and seems to have a better walk with God than me.

These people are my heaven. Even if they can’t do it with their lips, their actions, striving, and accomplishments propel and encourage me to work harder and achieve more.

Christopher Houlihan, a young organist studying at Julliard, came to Jacksonville to perform a concert. While he was here, he participated in our AGO Chapter’s “Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza” event. He worked with each child while they played (some for the first time) the pipe organs of All Saints Episcopal Church and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. The American Organist said about him, “Clearly, Christopher Houlihan is a major talent whose star is destined to brightly shine over the horizon of the years ahead.” When the time for questions came, I asked about his practice habits. He practices at least SIX HOURS almost every day. Sometimes I’m lucky to practice six hours in a week!

This is the kind of thing that encourages me to push harder and be more committed. Christopher Houlihan is just one many, many people who have given me glimpses of heaven.

We are saved by grace, true; but, I’m inclined to believe that the heaven we find on earth comes from perseverance and toil.

A poster used to hang in Mr. Nelson’s seventh grade English class that held the quote from the title of this blog entry. Those twelve words were probably the most important thing I learned that year.
The accompanying photo was taken by my brother Andre. . .who is a better astronomer than me.

You Never Know Who Will Show Up For Worship on a Saturday Night in Advent

Join us on the first and third Saturday of each month for our casual/contemporary service. We sometimes cancel this service in the event of a holiday, so feel free to check with me during the week! Tony

A Vocal Recital You Do Not Want to Miss This Sunday!

Lindsey Tuller is doing a vocal recital in Taliaferro at St. John's Cathedral this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Her voice is no stranger to St. Mark's. In 2007 she sang the soprano arias from J.S. Bach's cantata "Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme." You will recall that, when she sang, the room was filled not only with her amazing voice but with the spirit of a woman who loves to sing.

Last September she appeared with the San Marco Chamber Music Society along with her husband Tim Tuller. She sang several works, but I especially enjoyed the three songs by Frank Bridge.

Other musicians appearing at this recital are Collin Patierno (guitar), Timothy Tuller (piano), and our own Ellen Olson (viola).

From Ms. Tuller's Facebook Event Page:
Enjoy the impressionistic vibes of Frank Bridge, the soothing & familiar tones of Charles Ives & Harry Burliegh, the avant garde beginnings of George Crumb, an expressionistic glimpse into Arnold Schoenberg's atonality and the haunting melodies & fiery passion of the great classical composer Manuel de Falla; An experience you will not want to miss.

A reception follows. You don't want to miss this event!!

All Saints Day at St. Mark's

This year we observed All Saints Day by inviting people to come forward and light a candle in memory of a loved one. We also specifically remembered the saints from St. Mark's who have joined the church triumphant since the last All Saints Day. They were Ruby Baacke Iisager (1923 - 2009), Najla J. Ayoub (1914-2010) Argene "Mittie" Betz (1914-2010), Bruce Reymond (1929-2010) and Mattie Ruth "Coonie" Krantz Smith (1921-2010). In addition to remembering these saints, we celebrated three new saints baptized in the last year!

Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. - Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Angels Spotted in the Choir Loft!!

Early last week, two angels showed up in the choir loft. I guess they had left their wings in heaven and exchanged them for a vacuum cleaner, broom, and other cleaning supplies. The choir loft in the nave got a complete makeover and it is now sparkling like new! They vacummed the chair cushions, cleaned the floor, and dusted the piano.
Thank you Margaret and Viki!

San Marco Chamber Music Society JDRF Benefit Results

The San Marco Chamber Music Society held its annual concert of chamber music to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund on September 12th. Along with Eric and Ellen Olson, Tim Tuller and Lindsey Tuller presented a varied concert with works by Szewczyk, Brahms, Krebs, Bridge, Mullikin, and Bach. The entire concert was wonderful, but I have to confess the three songs by Frank Bridge (1833-1879) were my favorite - perhaps because I'd never heard them before.

Contributions from individuals were $1,896.00. A matching gift of $500.00 from Thrivent Financial For Lutherans brought the total amount raised to $2,396.00!

Did you miss SMCMS's first concert of the season? Then you won't want to miss future concerts on 1/16/2011 (Jacksonville Oboists), 2/13/2011 (Strings and Flute), and 4/3/2011 (Make It a Double). All concerts are at 7:00. There is no admission charge, but an offering will be taken.

St. Mark's is proud to host these outstanding concerts!