Going to Church This Morning

 

I will praise you, Lord,  in the assembly of your people. Psalm 22: 26a

This was the phrase from the lectionary I chose this afternoon for my lectio divina.  It was especially appropriate for today and I will meditate on it again briefly before bedtime.

It is easier to stay home on Sunday mornings and do Livestream worship.  Last week we were on the road with Jeff and Susan heading to DC so we were not at Nassau Church.  But this week we needed to be back in the pews.

Jim dropped me off in front of church so I didn't have to make the trek from the municipal parking garage. I made the much shorter walk without my cane or Jim's arm.  I found a seat in the sanctuary and Jim was next to me before the service started.

I am always happy to sing with the congregation--not alone with the recorded service.  Our associate pastor Lauren McFeaters had a powerful sermon about God's love and our love.  It is clear that her week involves needy parishioners--and I too have asked her for counsel on occasion.

But it was after church that I was reminded that we have become a part of a fellowship.  We chatted with our long-time friends, the Moorheads.  Our lead pastor Dr. Davis came up to bring greetings from Neal Plantinga with whom he had spent time at a preaching conference at Calvin College.  He had a couple of stories to relate, one of which included my emailing Neal to suggest he listen to Dr. Davis's sermon when he had quoted Neal's book on Gratitude. He gave me credit for Neal's saying in the presence of other pastors that his were the podcasts he listened to--I know he felt affirmed and I felt I had a part in that!

And then there is little Kingsley whose toddler smiles welcome us each week--the smiles we would never enjoy via Livestream!  And pastor Lauren greeted me with a hug on our way out of church. 

We are no longer strangers in a big church.  Jim and I have put out an effort to meet people by joining small groups several times and even leading small groups twice.  I have tried to thank musicians and pastors by emails when something has particularly touched my heart and life. 

We miss our church in South Bend where we knew everyone and were very involved in worship and the lives of many there.  But we are thankful to be a part of the "assembly of your people" here too.   

The GW Jazz Band

 

It was an adventure for two 78 year olds and definitely outside our usual routines.  Yesterday Jeff and Susan dropped us off at an alley in Georgetown and we lined up outside the door of Blues Alley Jazz Cafe waiting for the doors to open at 6 pm.  By the time the doors were opened, there was a long line and we filled up the small venue completely.  The waiters did their best to take drink orders and then food orders.  We were not optimistic that they could feed all of us but they did amazingly well.  I enjoyed a spicy shrimp and grits and Jim had an even spicier Cajun chicken--New Orleans food for a blues venue.

The show began at 7.  We were told that they were a "listening" venue so to keep the conversation to a minimum during the performance.  Our grandson Michael played the trombone and we were so pleased to see that he was featured in several numbers --and he was terrific. The most memorable number for me was the familiar "Summertime" in which the soloist and Michael alternated lines.  

I

After an 8 am start to our day, we were home shortly after noon.  It took us well over a half hour just to get out of Washington DC with all the folks starting their work day.  It was great again to have Jeff and Susan in charge of the plans and the travel--especially navigating the crowded streets of DC.

Now it is back to our ordinary lives again after two adventures.  That is just fine.  We are thankful for our ordinary lives. 

A Birthday Celebration

 Last week was one of two important doctors' appointments for Jim.  Because this blog is primarily created for our own memories, I will mention our relief in that both went well and Jim got good news twice.  We are grateful and don't take such news for granted at our age! 

Yesterday was my birthday.  Laura and Michael sent a beautiful bouquet that arrived on Saturday in time for me to enjoy it for a day.  Jeff and Susan picked us up on Sunday morning and we headed to James'apartment near Baltimore, Maryland.  It was fun to see his studio apartment with a great view from the 9th floor.  We had a substantial brunch at a nearby hotel and then headed on to Washington DC.  Jeff and Susan warned us that the next few miles into the city were often congested with traffic and so they were--even on a Sunday afternoon.  

We checked into the Courtyard by Marriot Bonvoy hotel right next to the George Washington University campus. Around  4:30 we left for the Lisner  Auditorium where Michael was playing his trombone with the GW wind ensemble.  The concert was the final one for the graduating seniors so they were each mentioned by name with their majors and their plans.  Two more years and Michael should be one of them!  It was a lively concert with contemporary music.     

We drove into Arlington, Virginia--our fourth state for the day plus the District of Columbia.  We ate at an Outback Steakhouse and dined well.  Jim and I were thankful that Susan was driving and we did not have to negotiate traffic or routes.  

It was a typical restless first night in a motel for me but we were ready by 9 am to have Jeff drop Susan and Jim and me off at Founding Farmer's Restaurant for another brunch.  Jeff went on to work--a video conference at Fort Meade--in which he has to participate in person because of the security demanded in his work.  Afterwards. the three of us at my suggestion walked to the White House but we could not get much of a glimpse of it through the trees.  It was a good long walk for me with my cane but I made it with a couple of sit-downs.

A bit more about my birthday.  Jeff and Susan made a framed portrait commemorating the eclipse event of last weekend and gave it to me.  Dan and Alex called.  My sister and a few friends sent emails.  I felt celebrated!  Jim and I will celebrate together when we get home--an ice cream cake is a traditional treat. So it was an unusual birthday and a good one!

Solar Eclipse--Mirror Lake Inn, Lake Placid, NY

Susan, our daughter-in-law,  had asked if we would like to join them for a total eclipse experience.   She made all the arrangements and she and Jeff drove their van.   We had our own travel agent and guides!

We left around 11 am on Saturday and stopped briefly to visit with Dan and Alex at their home in the Catskills.  As we neared Lake Placid, the roads got narrow and twisty and there was snow everywhere on the ground.  It was like being in a totally different climate zone. 

Room 733 was lovely with an amazing view of Mirror Lake and snow-capped hills.    Susan chose a location keeping in mind that if there was cloud cover or rain, we would still have a great destination. And she was right!

 After we arrived, Jeff and Susan picked up a pizza order  on Main Street and Jim got a few beers in the lounge downstairs.  We watched NCSU lose to Purdue and Connecticut beat Alabama. 

On Sunday morning Susan and I walked to St. Eustace Episcopal Church for the 10 am service.  It was quite a walk for me with my cane--the first time to use it in a public place.  I was not pleased to see that no one had cleared snow off the steps to the church.  We walked up the hill and found a side entrance.  The windows in the church were memorable.  It was a treat to worship with my daughter-in-law.

Sunday afternoon we watched USC beat Iowa in a great game with two stars-Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Camilla Cardoso of USC.  We walked to an Italian restaurant and enjoyed an excellent meal including tiramisu.  

Monday was the big day!   Jeff and Susan staked out a place on the beach and put up chairs and Susan's tripod and camera.  Jim and I went outside around 2:00.  There were many other hotel guests nearby but it wasn't crowded.  It was very dramatic as we followed the sequence of the moon passing over the sun.  The weather definitely got cooler. The moments of totality around 3:25 were so amazing that it brought tears to my eyes.  People cheered.  And then suddenly it was over and the light came back on! At totality the hills were black and people were shadows against the lake.  What a memorable experience! 

The moment of totality

Mirror Lake is aptly named.

from the Washington Post

Susan was the photographer.