It's (very) early Sunday morning on Reformation Sunday. I'm looking forward to our worship service, which will feature the 52-member Claflin University Concert Choir. The choir sings in place of the sermon for the day (an unusual departure for Reformation Sunday, to be sure), but it seems warranted by this special occasion. Luther once said something about "music being second only to theology" in the Church, so I yield my sermon time with some sense that it's not too far out of bounds. In any case, I'm excited about the choir for several reasons. First, the Claflin Concert Choir is a wonderful choral group. Second, the Choir represents Claflin University, a UMC institution. And third, the service will cross the divide of race, allowing us to worship together in joy and thanksgiving.

Next Sunday, All Saint's Sunday, we have an evening worship service with a number of UMC pastors and congregants (caucasians and African Americans) to celebrate the ELCA-UMC Full Communion agreement. In the midst of a difficult world, it is a time when the genuine grace of God is abundantly evident.

May God's blessings be yours!
Pastor Garry