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08/15/2004: "Wind"

It wasn't much of a storm by the time it whisked past in the night. Hardly more than one of the summer squalls that come through every week or so. I wasn't thinking further than our immediate needs: today was the announced date for the presentation to the congregation of the refurbished organ and redesigned chancel. As the storm approached I began to realize that there was a better than average chance that the power would be knocked out and...no organ, no lights, no unveiling. But the storm went out to sea and the anxiety about the congregational reaction was defused. Not that the reaction was uniformly positive, but the new design was so safe, so conventional, so unchallenging, so tasteful, that people are a little embarrassed not to care for it. But we are so house-proud in our house of worship that this trivia matters, when God is served elsewhere with smaller gifts offered wholeheartedly, and well-served. The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.