We celebrated Music Sunday with a new Communion Setting, anthems, hymns and a sung psalm. The church roof seemed to be raised with the sound of singing and our worship was joyful and meaningful.It was a wonderful moment to stop and appreciate out choir and musicians and this was reflected in the prayers and sermon.
Many regulars and visitors alike joined together for our Easter Sunday service. It was a joyful service with Bruce reminding us of. the traditional Easter Day greeting :Christ is Risen! To which we, of course, replied "He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!" The choir opened the service with an Easter Sentence and the musical worship continued with hymn singing, a sung psalm and several Choral Works.The traditional Easter Candle was lit, symbolising Jesus, the Light of the World. One of our younger members had made a tomb and the stone was rolled away, just as it was by the Angels when the two Marys came to look for Jesus' body. This was a lovely moment, as was the blessing of the eggs which were handed out at the end by the younger members of the congregation.Happy Easter to All! Christ is Risen! "He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!"
A church jam packed... people from far and wide... certainly Martin, Organist and Director of Music, knew that something was up when he spotted colleagues from Arnhem, clergy and friends from the UK, Anglican and OKK clergy, other friends and family seated in the pews. It was Harvest, a service which attracts a wide range of congregation, but this many? Of course, there was an excellent reason for it - we had all come to celebrate an amazing achievement - Martin van Bleek, Organist at the Anglican Church Haarlem for fifty years!It was some feat to keep the special service a secret and perhaps there were some small clues but essentially Martin was surprised and delighted when, half way through the Harvest Service, he discovered this service was also a celebration of his musical contribution to the church.When asked to speak, he reminisced about being a teenager in need of 'engagement' and, as he had a keen interest in the piano and organ, his mother suggested he sit by the Organist and learn a little. The rest is history - he has played ever since! Luckily for us!It was a wonderful moment when a fellow Organist stepped forward and the choir sung the anthem, Christ whose Glory fills the Skies by Harold Darke. Martin conducted and it was a fitting moment as the glorious notes and harmonies filled the church.Glasses of bubbly were handed out after the service for speeches and presentations. It was a wonderful afternoon - a very happy Harvest and a magnificent celebration of a man whose musical contribution has amounted to so much. Cheers to you, Martin!
Harvest Festival is a service loved by all. Well known hymns that, for many, take us back to our childhood. Comforting images of crops being harvested, fruit ripening - a joyful moment to thank God, to bless our food, the seeds, the fruit and the grain. Its also a time to think of others and this year we again reached out to our community for donations of food and essential items to donate to our local charity, Stem in de Stad. This year seven crates were collected and we really hope they will make a difference. Finally, we remembered that we have another job - to care for our world. God gave us a shining jewel, a bright and beautiful world and its up to us to make a difference. Keep this thought in your prayers.
