News for August 8, 2024
Hi everyone!
Wow, I can’t believe we’re into August! It’s amazing how quickly the weeks go by. Of course, this was amplified by our time away during the last part of July. You know how vacations are: things move slowly while you are gone, then you come back and it seems like the whole world has done a fast-forward and you’re having to catch up again. Thanks for your prayers and expressions of love as Diane and I had a little time away. It was a wonderful, restful break in the beautiful Gulf Islands. I trust the past few weeks have been enjoyable for all of you as well, whether they have included vacation breaks or just carried along on the regular routine.
As we continue to remember and celebrate our 100th anniversary here at WVBC, I’m going to pick up on my weekly Did you know… series. Since we’re into a musical theme with a study of some selected Psalms on Sundays, here are a few items on our church’s musical history.
Did you know … that our early historical archives probably say as much about music at the church as any other feature of our ministry? Certainly more than what the preachers talked about! In an earlier week, I mentioned that the records tell us what hymn was sung at our first official service in 1924. They also list the church’s organists, dating back to 1927. (The first was Mr. Witherly, followed by Miss Ida Brealey and Mrs. Ritz. Others are named through the succeeding decades, with special mention of the first paid organist and choir leader, who was appointed in 1956 at the grand salary of $40 per month.) It’s hard to know whether this emphasis comes because the recording secretaries were also musicians, or whether it’s because organ-playing was a rare and prestigious skill, or for some other reason. At the very least, it’s clear that our church community has always appreciated worship through music, and honored those whose gifts help to make songs of praise possible.
Speaking of organs, we’ve gone through a number over the years. It was considered essential to have an organ to support singing in church services and in Sunday School, so we had one on hand from the outset in the ‘20s. Business meeting minutes indicate that in 1936 the organ mysteriously “disappeared” from the Sunday School room, with no further explanation given. That’s a story I wish we knew more about! This was clearly unacceptable, and so the list of organists continued through the 30’s and 40’s, implying its quick replacement.
Of course, these were pump organs—essentially the equivalent of giant accordions, pumped with the feet while the hands played the keyboard. Playing them required both skill and a certain degree of physical strength, as suggested by the church minutes of 1947 which declared that the current organist be requested/permitted to play the piano rather than the organ for church and for choir practice “until such time as she is in the right health to pump the organ.” Finally, in 1956 WVBC purchased an electric organ, solving this problem for anyone who might have a foot or leg injury. In the spirit of providing the best possible musical support, another upgraded organ was purchased in 1979.
These days it’s hard for us to imagine so much interest centering on the church’s organ—though some of us can remember a time when it was a really big deal. But whether we’re talking about organs, pianos, guitars, or new sound systems, the main point has been consistent throughout our history: our church loves music, and we love to sing songs of praise together to our Lord. May it ever be so, and may our songs be a sweet sound in His ears!
Coming back to the present, we’ll be in Psalms again for this Sunday morning’s sermon. This week we’ll go back to the beginning and look at Psalm 1. It’s a short psalm, so won’t take long to read if you’re looking ahead. Psalm 1 reminds us of the value of meditating constantly in God’s Word, so perhaps this will be a good opportunity to reflect on the passage multiple times, or even to memorize it if you haven’t done so. It’s a great psalm, and I trust it will be a source of blessing to us all, as it has to me in my preparations.
On a related note, in coming Sunday services we’re hoping to incorporate some testimonies and personal stories from time to time. It’s a healthy thing to do in the church, and it’s particularly fitting given some of the themes we’ll be exploring in upcoming messages. I suspect some of you have stories about God’s work in your lives that I don’t yet know, which would be a real blessing to our congregation. If so, and as the Spirit prompts you to share, drop me a note and let me know. It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate, and sharing isn’t as scary as it might first appear. I’d appreciate knowing more—whether for the short-term or for longer-term planning. And I know our community would be enriched by your sharing as well. Thanks for considering it.
That’s the news for now. It’s great to be back among you again. I look forward to fellowshipping together this Sunday. All the best in the meantime!