When we returned Joel to Sister Kenny on Tuesday after a fairly successful, though overwhelming, trial run at home, his neck and throat hurt badly and they decided to keep him another day to give those muscles a chance to rest before another car trip. Dr. O, the internal medicine doctor, informed us they would perform a "swallow evaluation" to figure out why he kept having trouble. We visited friends to examine their accessible van and appreciated the chance to ready a few more things for Thursday's homecoming. We continued to pray that if Joel wasn't ready to come home, the Lord would make that clear to the doctors and prevent it from happening.
On Wednesday, Joel called to tell us that they discovered a leak in his esophagus with a sac of infected fluid between it and the spine. At about 9:30pm, he said he was scheduled to have surgery to take out the abscess - that night! And he wouldn't be able to eat or drink for seven days while the esophagus healed itself. I pressed the nurse to give my number to the surgeon so he could call me as soon as he was finished, and Joel and I agreed that I would come to be with him on Thursday.
At 4:30 am, Dr. D called and in a hearty voice informed me that the surgery was successful and that Dr G, the original neurosurgeon from HCMC, had come over and taken the plates and screws out of Joel's neck also. "It's hard for infection to heal in the presence of hardware so we removed it." Wow.
Thursday morning I called the nurse's station as I drove, and the Sister Kenny nurse explained, "Oh, he's not on our floor any more. Just a minute, I'll get you his new room number." What?? I called the ICU at Abbott Northwestern Heart Hospital, and his nurse, Molly reported that Joel was experiencing almost uncontrollable pain, probably from the hardware removal. I asked how long he would be in the ICU, and whether he would return to Sister Kenny after that. "Probably overnight, and no, up to the spine or neuro unit." I started fretting about this and that, but had the presence of mind to turn on the Christian radio station. As I sang praise songs, they helped soothe me and remind me of God's power and love. Then a d.j. came on and told how he was praying for a motorcyclist in a coma at the hospital and received the inspiration to tell him who God was. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come." And the biker started jerking and the machines started beeping and the nurses came running and - he woke up! I determined to remind Joel of who God is when I arrived.
Molly had the pain mostly under control with a morphine drip plus pump by the time I got there at 12:30pm; it was at a level 6 or 7 instead of 9 or 10 (on a scale of 1-10). I held Joel's hands for an hour, then one hand for another hour while we listened to praise music on his iPod. The pain had been "as bad as I've had ever in my life," but by the time I left at 7 pm, he felt fairly comfortable and much more at peace. Remembering who the Lord is and how much He loves us solves some of our problems at the deepest level.
Dr. O stopped in and expressed his gratitude that the swallow evaluation caught the infection, and reiterated that this may have been the cause of numerous problems for Joel. Dr. A agreed, and further explained how much easier it is to treat infections without metal nearby. Apparently bacteria love to hide in the pits and grooves of titanium hardware. Dr. O seemed to think that Joel could possibly return to Sister Kenny when he's a little stronger, to make sure he's still up to speed for coming home.
As I drove back home (thankful that I was on 35W South because 35W North was backed up for at least 3 miles), I reflected once more on the futility of worry. I lacked something to give Joel when I started the day, but the Lord provided it through the radio station. Wherever Joel goes after this, Jesus will walk with him, and with us.
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Park Avenue United Methodist
Pete here: Andrew, Philip and I spent last weekend together in Minneapolis, complete with bidding on a hotel room for cheap and getting surprised with the beautiful Doubletree Inn, complete with warm chocolate chip cookie, big exercise room and the perfect temperature, working, whirlpool; biking (courtesy of the Jones generosity) the Greenway in the "best city in the US for bike trails"; swimming on the north beach of Lake Calhoun on a 93 degree day; reading and discussing Harry Potter (ad nauseum); subway sandwiches at 33rd and Nicolet where they pile it on - good advice Vicki; a light rail ride and Twins game - fun, despite a 12-2 drubbing from the Blue Jays, and a parking ticket to nullify our savings; visiting Joel 3 times - no significant news but anticipating the halo ceremony; batting cage and laser tag at Grand Slam in Burnsville; hospitality from Todd, Vicki and Hannah Svanoe where we boarded Sat. eve - Hannah went biking and swimming with us and energized the boys with her enthusiasm for life and quick wit; and my personal highlight, worshiping with the Svanoes at Park Avenue.
I left the worship personally enriched and very encouraged by the maturity of what I think is a more liberal church. I expected covetousness and adultery to be evident and encouraged. Instead, I saw genuine unity in the spirit, all colors and ages praising God together, voices bursting in song, humbling of hearts, calling on God for forgiveness of sins, for healing and for help in brokenness. Rachel Svanoe sang in a quartet, some soul song, the 'later rain'. Amazing sound! The music was so well done. God invented excellence so the church's music was a celebration to God. A certificate was awarded for summer garden help from an immigrant who was befriended by the church and recently baptized. She poured out her heart at the microphone, beautifully revealing how God uses churches who love with helping hands and warm hearts. In his sermon, the pastor emphasized patience in relationships with self-deprecating humor, recounting Yancey's experience with a church who resolved to love a young man who had been kicked out of 3 churches prior. After he would rant and rave in the middle of the service, some men would pull him aside and talk to him with words like "appropriate". Over a prolonged period, he was patiently loved into maturity. A fantastic discipleship message. Perhaps Park and I do not line up on politics exactly but I sure believe in how they love and worship.
I left the worship personally enriched and very encouraged by the maturity of what I think is a more liberal church. I expected covetousness and adultery to be evident and encouraged. Instead, I saw genuine unity in the spirit, all colors and ages praising God together, voices bursting in song, humbling of hearts, calling on God for forgiveness of sins, for healing and for help in brokenness. Rachel Svanoe sang in a quartet, some soul song, the 'later rain'. Amazing sound! The music was so well done. God invented excellence so the church's music was a celebration to God. A certificate was awarded for summer garden help from an immigrant who was befriended by the church and recently baptized. She poured out her heart at the microphone, beautifully revealing how God uses churches who love with helping hands and warm hearts. In his sermon, the pastor emphasized patience in relationships with self-deprecating humor, recounting Yancey's experience with a church who resolved to love a young man who had been kicked out of 3 churches prior. After he would rant and rave in the middle of the service, some men would pull him aside and talk to him with words like "appropriate". Over a prolonged period, he was patiently loved into maturity. A fantastic discipleship message. Perhaps Park and I do not line up on politics exactly but I sure believe in how they love and worship.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
A Strange Sunday
When Andrew and I arrived at the church on Sunday morning, we attempted to discover who would lead the service that morning. The Synod Assembly gathered all the pastors from the area, leaving churches to lay leadership. The bishop recorded a sermon on video, which Jon B planned to show on the screen. I asked him, "Are you the head honcho today?"
"Nope, just the projector man," he replied.
I had tapped Andrew to substitute for Daniel as Assisting Minister, since Daniel was playing softball out of town. Doug J, the lector, indicated he would rather not lead the worship. Very few of Svea's members feel comfortable up front, and even fewer at the last minute! Pete, obviously, is one, but with his gimpy leg the congregation would be pretty distracted if he were the leader. I could do it in between leading the praise team, but the congregation can't see me sitting at the piano. Finally, at 9:25, I informed Andrew that he would read the parts of the pastor as well as the assisting minister. We prayed, I made an announcement to that effect, and he began. He rose to the challenge and everything progressed smoothly - until the sermon.
A glitch in the laptop/projector setup caused the audio of the bishop's sermon to be, well, inaudible. The video worked fine, but since the congregation doesn't have a single lip-reader among us, that didn't do us much good. I thought furiously, picked up my microphone, and announced to the congregation, "I guess you get a sermon by...me!" I proceeded to communicate what I've been learning from Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, and how I've put it into practice. My heart was pounding and my breathing was shallow for the first minute, but as I realized that I might share all this stuff with any of these members at the coffee table, I settled in and finished in a reasonable amount of time (I think).
After Andrew's beautiful rendition of "Let My Lifesong Sing to You," I asked for prayer requests and led the prayers of the church. Andrew gave the benediction and we sang the closing song. Another worship service drew to a close; Andrew and I learned anew that the Lord will empower you to do whatever you need to do.
"Nope, just the projector man," he replied.
I had tapped Andrew to substitute for Daniel as Assisting Minister, since Daniel was playing softball out of town. Doug J, the lector, indicated he would rather not lead the worship. Very few of Svea's members feel comfortable up front, and even fewer at the last minute! Pete, obviously, is one, but with his gimpy leg the congregation would be pretty distracted if he were the leader. I could do it in between leading the praise team, but the congregation can't see me sitting at the piano. Finally, at 9:25, I informed Andrew that he would read the parts of the pastor as well as the assisting minister. We prayed, I made an announcement to that effect, and he began. He rose to the challenge and everything progressed smoothly - until the sermon.
A glitch in the laptop/projector setup caused the audio of the bishop's sermon to be, well, inaudible. The video worked fine, but since the congregation doesn't have a single lip-reader among us, that didn't do us much good. I thought furiously, picked up my microphone, and announced to the congregation, "I guess you get a sermon by...me!" I proceeded to communicate what I've been learning from Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, and how I've put it into practice. My heart was pounding and my breathing was shallow for the first minute, but as I realized that I might share all this stuff with any of these members at the coffee table, I settled in and finished in a reasonable amount of time (I think).
After Andrew's beautiful rendition of "Let My Lifesong Sing to You," I asked for prayer requests and led the prayers of the church. Andrew gave the benediction and we sang the closing song. Another worship service drew to a close; Andrew and I learned anew that the Lord will empower you to do whatever you need to do.
Monday, October 15, 2012
A Hoppin' Day at Svea
Svea was rockin' out yesterday! Little Feather, a mime clown, graced our Family Sunday School hour with her version of making cupcakes. The elementary age boys got quite a kick out of her silent misreading of the directions - "put in 6 eggs" meant shells on, of course, and "put in paper cups and bake in oven" resulted in the muffin cups thrown into the batter and the whole bowl in the imaginary oven. When she pulled out a pan of cupcakes, one boy said, "You ARE magic!"
Callie played a fifteen-minute harp prelude, which enabled everyone to enter a worshipful attitude (except me - I had to keep preparing for the various events). Pete led worship because Pastor Mary's grandpa died. He had the kids do a skit for the sermon - he was the governor hiring a chief of staff to represent him; David, Callie, Daniel, Andrew & Philip all arrogantly informed him of their superior qualifictions; Hannah, played by Sarah, humbly suggested that she would do her best because she believed in his cause - and was hired. They improvised and provoked lots of laughter. Then Pete wrapped it up by encouraging us all to trust God when we are brought low. Good stories. Jake gave a Temple Talk to tell us that we're in great financial condition.
Zach Sowers, on his 18th birthday, sang "Who Am I?" which fit in perfectly - he volunteered to sing it a couple of weeks ago, knowing nothing of the theme. Thanks Lord! After worship, we held a mini-recital. Nina Thompson, granddaughter of Jan & Ed, played two pieces on the piano; Jordan sang "Danza, Danza" in Italian; Zach sang a piece and accompanied himself on electric guitar; Callie played a very fun and jazzy song called "Great Day" on the harp.
When all this was over, the Luther League families enjoyed a potluck and set some dates for future events. We arrived home, Pete took a nap and packed up bikes, and Philip, Pete and I met the Sowers, Chambers and Johnsons at the high school for a bike ride to Spicer. I had good visits with Patti, Dianne, Darla and Dean. Ethan Johnson sped the entire distance on roller blades!
We parted from the Svea folk, watched the Vikings lose and had pizza at my folks', and Skyped with Michelle and Saul from 8:30-10. What a day! Praise the Lord!
Callie played a fifteen-minute harp prelude, which enabled everyone to enter a worshipful attitude (except me - I had to keep preparing for the various events). Pete led worship because Pastor Mary's grandpa died. He had the kids do a skit for the sermon - he was the governor hiring a chief of staff to represent him; David, Callie, Daniel, Andrew & Philip all arrogantly informed him of their superior qualifictions; Hannah, played by Sarah, humbly suggested that she would do her best because she believed in his cause - and was hired. They improvised and provoked lots of laughter. Then Pete wrapped it up by encouraging us all to trust God when we are brought low. Good stories. Jake gave a Temple Talk to tell us that we're in great financial condition.
Zach Sowers, on his 18th birthday, sang "Who Am I?" which fit in perfectly - he volunteered to sing it a couple of weeks ago, knowing nothing of the theme. Thanks Lord! After worship, we held a mini-recital. Nina Thompson, granddaughter of Jan & Ed, played two pieces on the piano; Jordan sang "Danza, Danza" in Italian; Zach sang a piece and accompanied himself on electric guitar; Callie played a very fun and jazzy song called "Great Day" on the harp.
When all this was over, the Luther League families enjoyed a potluck and set some dates for future events. We arrived home, Pete took a nap and packed up bikes, and Philip, Pete and I met the Sowers, Chambers and Johnsons at the high school for a bike ride to Spicer. I had good visits with Patti, Dianne, Darla and Dean. Ethan Johnson sped the entire distance on roller blades!
We parted from the Svea folk, watched the Vikings lose and had pizza at my folks', and Skyped with Michelle and Saul from 8:30-10. What a day! Praise the Lord!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Healing Service
On Sunday we had a healing service at Svea. We've only done this one other time, when Pastor Bill was here (so before 2001), and the worship committee didn't exactly know how it would go over. Normally our congregation is very healthy, with just a few illnesses each year. Right now, seeming multitudes are suffering from various physical problems, including four with cancer, and of course the emotional, spiritual and relational problems often go unreported, unheard and unseen except by the Lord. So we decided to center our scriptures, songs and message around the healing power of God, and offer laying on of hands, anointing with oil and prayer to individuals.
After the creed and offering, Pastor Mary announced that anyone was welcome to come forward, as they do at communion, and receive this ministry from her. Joel sang "Blessings," and I sang a medley of four praise songs about the Lord's power and healing love. At first, it looked like no one was going to come, but after a few teens took the plunge, the flow began - and didn't stop! I sang three more songs, stretching each one out as long as I felt was reasonable, and then started on the songs we had already sung for worship. I think everyone there came forward for prayer! It was a great blessing.
My theory is that people don't get a chance to be prayed for by name individually, so they are hungry for it. Pete thought that everyone figured they were expected to come, so they did. Who knows? I'm confident that the Lord will work in everyone's lives no matter what their motivations were. And we'll have another healing service - sooner than ten years!
After the creed and offering, Pastor Mary announced that anyone was welcome to come forward, as they do at communion, and receive this ministry from her. Joel sang "Blessings," and I sang a medley of four praise songs about the Lord's power and healing love. At first, it looked like no one was going to come, but after a few teens took the plunge, the flow began - and didn't stop! I sang three more songs, stretching each one out as long as I felt was reasonable, and then started on the songs we had already sung for worship. I think everyone there came forward for prayer! It was a great blessing.
My theory is that people don't get a chance to be prayed for by name individually, so they are hungry for it. Pete thought that everyone figured they were expected to come, so they did. Who knows? I'm confident that the Lord will work in everyone's lives no matter what their motivations were. And we'll have another healing service - sooner than ten years!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
30-Hour Famine
I'm lacking energy right now, because we are in the middle of a 30-Hour Famine. Joel, Sarah & Andrew are joining the youth group, fasting from 10 this morning until 4 tomorrow afternoon, to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief. Daniel's going to do it another day because he had his first baseball game today. I'm also fasting in solidarity, primarily because the youth group is leading worship tomorrow morning, hungry, and I thought I should be too. Well, so far I'm not really hungry, but I'm definitely lethargic. And a little cranky.
Andrew was impressed by the video he saw at the church kick-off breakfast this morning. He kept talking about the African children and how thin and hungry they were, and every time he felt hungry he thought of them. Lord, may we also remember how much You gave up for us as we give up food for a short time. And if anyone reading this blog wants to contribute to feeding hungry children, just comment below and I'll make sure you can.
Andrew was impressed by the video he saw at the church kick-off breakfast this morning. He kept talking about the African children and how thin and hungry they were, and every time he felt hungry he thought of them. Lord, may we also remember how much You gave up for us as we give up food for a short time. And if anyone reading this blog wants to contribute to feeding hungry children, just comment below and I'll make sure you can.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Christmas Music
Don't you love Christmas music? Here's the Christmas music I love:
Christmas carols on every radio station and in every mall, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in a way not possible the rest of the year.
Nostalgic Christmas songs from my childhood memories, such as "White Christmas," "Little Toy Trains," "Little Altar Boy," and "Silver Bells." They're so melodic and I know all the words.
Sunday School Christmas programs at Svea. On Saturday morning during our practice I got them going to the point that the 5th & 6th grade girls were absolutely mortified to think that all these little boys would be yelling out, at the top of their apparently-not-so-little lungs, "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and the chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High." I didn't get a chance to reassure them, but of course on Sunday morning it calmed down to a beautiful enthusiasm that warmed everyone's hearts.
The Seasonal Choir at Svea. Tonight we had our last practice with only ten singers - but they were ten strong singers and filled the sanctuary, empty of people but full of beauty, with lovely sounds.
Organ/piano duets. Michelle will play the piano along with me on the organ for our Christmas Eve service tomorrow night. There's something special about that combination.
Christmas CDs. I find it very interesting that at Christmas, secular artists sing praises to God, and Christian artists sing secular songs. Someday those distinctions will be erased, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. May it be sooner rather than later!
Christmas carols on every radio station and in every mall, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in a way not possible the rest of the year.
Nostalgic Christmas songs from my childhood memories, such as "White Christmas," "Little Toy Trains," "Little Altar Boy," and "Silver Bells." They're so melodic and I know all the words.
Sunday School Christmas programs at Svea. On Saturday morning during our practice I got them going to the point that the 5th & 6th grade girls were absolutely mortified to think that all these little boys would be yelling out, at the top of their apparently-not-so-little lungs, "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and the chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High." I didn't get a chance to reassure them, but of course on Sunday morning it calmed down to a beautiful enthusiasm that warmed everyone's hearts.
The Seasonal Choir at Svea. Tonight we had our last practice with only ten singers - but they were ten strong singers and filled the sanctuary, empty of people but full of beauty, with lovely sounds.
Organ/piano duets. Michelle will play the piano along with me on the organ for our Christmas Eve service tomorrow night. There's something special about that combination.
Christmas CDs. I find it very interesting that at Christmas, secular artists sing praises to God, and Christian artists sing secular songs. Someday those distinctions will be erased, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. May it be sooner rather than later!
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