"Hi Honey, it's Mom . . ."
I received a voicemail message from my mother, after phoning her between services on Sunday to tell her she could view the 10:30 service "live-streamed" to her computer. Sam's choir was singing, and I knew my parents would love the "Lessons and Carols" service (which they truly did, every bit.) I was so excited that our services could be shared in this way! Thankfully, my parents are completely computer savvy— just ask their Facebook and Farmville friends.
Anyway, this message (edited only slightly for length) arrived in my voicemail box at 11:45 Sunday, after church:
"Hi Honey, it's Mom. I just wanted you to know that we all went to church with you today. Your dad and I, your Aunt Cindy and Uncle Eric, your Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mike, and your Aunt Susie and Uncle Herb. (Note: Aunt Susie and Uncle Herb are my Jewish aunt and uncle, which somehow moved me even more.) We loved all of it, and we could see Sam perfectly. We could see the back of all of you, too. I'm sure you're not answering because you are at First Cafe having breakfast in Fellowship Hall, and we are going to have our fellowship here, too. We will be watching next week—I think we've found our new church! But just one thing—next week, could you turn around and wave?"
"Lessons and Carols" was a wonderful Sunday — for me and apparently for my entire family in the Greater Cincinnati area. My parents don't currently have a regular church home, which is contradictory to how I grew up. And I know that that one thing they truly miss is the music, especially this time of year. Knowing that this December, they can flip open a screen and join my church family, from the warm comfort of their family room, fills a part of me that I didn't know was empty. Sam, as Shepherd #1 will be able to project his line during the Christmas Eve Pageant all the way to Southern Ohio.
"Hi Honey, it's Mom. I just wanted you to know that we all went to church with you today. Your dad and I, your Aunt Cindy and Uncle Eric, your Aunt Nancy and Uncle Mike, and your Aunt Susie and Uncle Herb. (Note: Aunt Susie and Uncle Herb are my Jewish aunt and uncle, which somehow moved me even more.) We loved all of it, and we could see Sam perfectly. We could see the back of all of you, too. I'm sure you're not answering because you are at First Cafe having breakfast in Fellowship Hall, and we are going to have our fellowship here, too. We will be watching next week—I think we've found our new church! But just one thing—next week, could you turn around and wave?"
"Lessons and Carols" was a wonderful Sunday — for me and apparently for my entire family in the Greater Cincinnati area. My parents don't currently have a regular church home, which is contradictory to how I grew up. And I know that that one thing they truly miss is the music, especially this time of year. Knowing that this December, they can flip open a screen and join my church family, from the warm comfort of their family room, fills a part of me that I didn't know was empty. Sam, as Shepherd #1 will be able to project his line during the Christmas Eve Pageant all the way to Southern Ohio.
If you can't make it to the 9:00, the 10:30, or the 11:59, turn on your computer, go to www.hudsonucc.org, and you will be directed to click to watch live worship. And watch closely— if you see someone sneaking a wave to the camera during the service, that's just me, sending a little love back home.
Anxiously awaiting Sam's performance in the Christmas Pageant ..This truly is "The Next Best Thing to Being There"!
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Anxiously awaiting Sam's performance in the Christmas pageant next Friday. This truly is "The Next Best Thing to Being There"!
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