Four in a Row!

Four in a Row, Connect 4 - (other Board Games are available!)

But this one seems the most relevant as I start my writing of 'Church Music with Ellie' blog!

Firstly, recognising that this is my 4th consecutive Sunday playing the organ since I was no longer in full-time post as a Director of Music. I never expected to walk into a church ever again, let alone play the organ again, and even then. Play for churches in the same town!

This morning's worship began with J Dykes or Edward Elgar's tune of Gerontius. We sang 5 verses of Praise to the Holiest in the Height, and I rounded off with Richard Lloyd's last verse. This last verse is similar to Dan Soper's in many ways, but I fancied a change from the norm and used Richard's.

I then introduced a Peruvian Gloria to them, they loved it! this will come in handy in a few weeks as I am unavailable! - keep your eyes pealed as I will be writing 'Collared for a Day Out' soon! Our next hymn was a Basil E Bridge text, originally set to Oriel, but unsure if this tune would be known, I played it safe and fit it to G. C Martin's St. Helen. The Richard Lloyd last verse book came out again for this one, and what a last verse of His this is! I think it is my favourite! Hymn number 3 of the day left me with a dilemma, as I know 'God is love, let heaven adore him' to Abbotts Leigh. and we had that one last week! I was looking at Blaenwern but figured that we've got Love divine Next week! Doh! - so I stuck with the Welsh tunes, and did Hyfrydol. Last verse acknowledgements in this one have to go to Noel Rawsthorne, who's arrangement is superb!

Final hymn on this 'Music Sunday' HAD to be.....

During the notices, Fr Ben welcomed some people who had been away or had come back with some news, and this encouraged me to do similar.

So whilst my mother was in hosptial, (she is now home by the way) We met this lady in the opposite bay. She is a delightful lady, she walked up and down the ward as often as possible, she kept other visitors entertained with her singing, and us all in good spirits with her wit and jollyness.

It turns out, not only does she live in the town, but she attends the very church that I am currently helping out at the moment!

I was most disappointed to not be able to send her my best wishes as Mum was discharged, - she had already been discharged!

Guess who turned up in church this morning!!

I shared this story with the congregation and we welcomed her back to church with a warm applause! We shall raise the roof when the Organist, and his Wife return from their medical emergency!!!

We finished the service this morning with a lap of the church yard with the Holy Sacrament (Corpus Christi) and a few laps around the hymn known as 'Tantum Ergo'

The Organ voluntary at the end was a bit of Beethoven, as requested! - Prelude in all major keys.

Today was amazing!

Worshipping from the stools of the Piano and Organ is amazing!

The people who I have met are amazing!

I love it!

Amen.