Choir Angels
The Day The Choir Left The Church
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. -Psalm 91:11
Near the end of the worship service, she moved slightly toward me. I glanced down and to my left. She pointed to what she had written on the back of the Friendship Card from her bulletin. As my eyes met hers, I gave a slight nod and a half-smile. It had to do with the day the choir left the church.
For years, every time the Chancel Choir sang during worship, I wished I could join them. I would be an alto if I did. I can sing on key, but the quality of my voice is not excellent, maybe not even good enough. I had not sung with a group since high school chorus! Besides all that, I am a snowbird.
Last spring, I decided (maybe God did) that I should attempt to join the choir. I started scanning every newsletter and bulletin for a fall choir start date. I rejoiced when I saw the article, then courageously asked choir director Kelli Putney if I could join, participating when I could. She enthusiastically answered, “Yes!” Phew.
At the choir practices, I was warmly welcomed. As the practices progressed, I discovered the depth of Kelli’s music ministry at PCUMC. Her weekly devotions, with a variety of stories, prayers, and scripture readings, followed by everyone’s blessings and concerns, ministered to me almost as much as any facet of church life has.
I always thought that every ministry in a particular congregation should be a mini-church. That would mean they would each include, in some form, worship, Bible study, prayers, outreach, and so on. So I wondered if our choir could do even more.
On Music Sunday in May (a celebration of all the church’s music groups), God planted an idea and gave us an opportunity to do more. A long-time choir member was gravely ill. Could our choir sing to him? I talked with Kelli. I spoke with Pastor Tom. Between services, choir members discussed it. After the late service, it was decision time. And time was short. How could we possibly choose a time to fit everyone’s schedule? Kelli simply suggested we meet that very Sunday night at the hospital at 6:30 PM. She would bring hymnals, and we would sing a cappella. Yikes, that was scary soon!
On the way home from church and all afternoon, doubts arose. What if the family did not want us there? What if we would be intruding on their private time? Did anyone even tell them we were coming? It was risky, and I was scared. I finally gave up trying to control the situation and handed it off to God.
At 6:30 PM, about ten of us met in the lobby of the hospital. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as we zig-zagged through the halls toward the elevator. Our anxious chatter echoed down the corridors. Still nervously joking and laughing we all jammed into one elevator. After exiting on the floor, the elevator doors clicked closed behind us and our chatter completely hushed. What would we find? We located the room, but the door was closed. A nurse knocked for us, and then the opening door revealed a somber scene.
Some family members snuggled in recliners; trays of finger food, much of it untouched, occupied a three-tiered cart; and the light was low. We awkwardly scrunched in around the bed. Warm bodies touched mine. Kelli led us as we alternately made tearful and joyful noises, singing old favorites like “In the Garden.” His wife sat next to him. I sometimes caught her eye as I sang. I saw only appreciation and love there. My tears came on heavier as I took my turn saying good-bye at his bedside. I rubbed his arm, but no words came.
The following Sunday, after he passed on to Glory, his wife bravely (I thought) attended worship. She sat next to me. The words she had written on that Friendship Card appeared under “Blessings” and expressed her gratitude for the “Choir Angels” who left the church to spread Christ’s love. That was the confirmation I was waiting for. I hope I can take another risk for Christ soon.
Cindy Smist
In memory of Jim Phillips
If you are interested in singing in the Chancel Choir, Cantata Choir, or playing in the Cantata Orchestra, please listen to that nudge from God and reach out to Pendleton Center Church for more information.
The Chancel Choir meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.
Cantata Choir rehearsals begin Wednesday, October 16 at 7:45 PM and the Cantata Orchestra begins practicing in late November on Saturday afternoons.