With Thanks!
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Dear WCCC,
Nerissa Nields and Yolanda Wisher have responded to events with art that is its own event. With gratitude and admiration for them, I'm pleased to share their work with you.
Penny sings a favorite in a new way.
Sermon as short, hard history.
LINK TO Yolanda Wisher's spoken/word music performance "A Public Service Announcement for George, Breonna, Tony and Ahmaud" Take a few minutes and get into it -- let it get to you!
Yolanda is Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate and Curator of Spoken Word for Philadelphia Contemporary.
Stay Safe. Keep in touch. Breathe Deep.
Love,
Steve
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Dear WCCC,
The combination of the almost blinding clarity of the noonday sun and the metaphorical stumbling in the gloom that seems to be our national pastime moved me to choose a favorite piece of music "Otis In The Dark" and a Bible story which always seems to lead me a little further in, Nicodemus by night in John 3.
The lineup:
01) Solo piano by Otis Spann.
02) Nicodemus and prayers for people, peace, planet.
03) A different take on our familiar Sunday farewell, "God Be With You" by Little Brother Montgomery.
Keep Cool. Keep In Touch.
Steve
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Dear WCC,
Here is Church-In-A-Box popping up like a sprout in your garden. Weed or what you wanted? All depends.
For this Memorial Day service, three wonderful singers have recorded three wonderful solos -- for us! Their gifts are rare and these recordings are rare gifts.
Nerissa’s song is new; Laila’s was recorded out back by the river; and Penny has provided the perfect song for the occasion.
The message is what I have today. Parts of the poem “Last Night” were inspired by members of the congregation.
Steve
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Good evening. Sweet sunlight and a bumper crop of black flies. We have prayers and a metaphor involving a lonesome turkey, all bookended by Sister Ernestine Washington. The dynamic difference in the two parts of her song are guaranteed to get you moving!
Keep safe. Keep in touch. We will be together in the church again -- and won't we sing then!
Steve
Sunday, May 17, 2020
So much ground to cover, so many roads to take, so many different winds that blow!
This evening we have a medieval song whose tune you know, originals by Laila Salins and Nerissa Nields, scripture revealing the choice we have every moment and a sermon bringing it up to date.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Dear WCCC,
Here is a message for Wednesday evening. There is story -- how often does someone read YOU a bedtime story -- by Edgar Allan Poe. I follow in the footsteps of John Follet. Then a prayer and a song in celebration of the welcome weather today.
Steve