Circus in Church?

            We had a circus at church yesterday.

            Sorta.

            It was definitely church, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Summerville, SC,

to be exact.

            The “sorta” part was the circus.

            Yes, there’s a back story.

            My Grandma Porth had an organ in her house. The only song I ever heard her play was “Red Wing” – and, boy, could she play it! I thought it was wonderful. I loved the sounds coming from the organ.

            When I entered college, I signed up to take organ lessons and was so very excited.

            The time came for my first lesson. The professor asked me if I played the organ at all. I answered, “Well, a little.”

            “Good. So, play something for me.”

            Gulp.

            I didn’t know what to play, and, to this day, I have no idea what I played. What I actually remember is that, shortly after I started playing, the professor shrieked, “Stop! That’s the worst I’ve ever heard.”

            He then calmed down and said, “I’ll tell you what: you don’t come back for organ lessons. Then, when the circus comes to town, we’ll call you to play.”

            And that’s what happened. That’s how I got to play for the Royal Lipizzaner Stallions when they performed in South Carolina.

            So, fast forward to today at St. Luke’s. I filled in for our superb organist, Daniel Damaschke. (He was desperate obviously.) I’ve told Daniel that having me fill in makes the congregation appreciate him even more!

            There were two services, 8:30 and 11:15 (between the two I taught Sunday School – sorta.) Before each service, I said a prayer, asking God to guide my hands. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask for guidance for my feet. My feet and all those pedals for the organ are not friends, to say the least.

            And that’s why I say we sorta had a circus at church.

            Hey, in Psalms, God says to “make a joyful noise.”

            My circus and I have the noise part down pat!