God's Amazing Grace

I started my job as the administrative assistant to the Worship Pastor at our church in September.  I've worked before; I was in the military as a paralegal, worked for attorneys, and in other jobs.  I was fairly competent in those jobs, I knew what I was doing, had been through pretty extensive training, courtesy of the Air Force, so I didn't feel out of my league.  However, in this job for some reason I have often felt like I was in way over my head.  I've been in choirs for years, and was the choir secretary for many years. But this is different. For starters, this choir is larger than any other choir that I was secretary for.  Second, my responsibilities are much greater than they ever were back in those days!

Part of my job is to create the bulletin and announcement inserts.  That part is easy - some word processing and Publisher experience is all it takes.  Another part which is slightly more difficult is getting used to a program called Pro Presenter that we use to project the service to the congregation.  After several weeks of consternation, I think I've finally figured it out. Still not a pro on it by any means, but I feel a lot more comfortable.  Today I had the pleasure of actually having to run the images during a memorial service.  I put the playlist in the system on Thursday, ran through it, made sure everything worked.  Then when today came and I actually had to play it for people, it went just fine! Thank you Lord!!

A part I really enjoy is being able to flex my creative skills.  I have the responsibility to do announcement power points, a video for announcements (power points converted into an MP-4), and posters for the Worship ministry. Since my boss is also the executive pastor, and in charge of a major remodeling project we are beginning the day after Easter, I have had to create signage directing our congregation about entries, information flyers and commitment flyers.  That part is fun, I have to admit.  It's interesting to see how God has taken what was a hobby  and turned it into something to use for His glory.

Another part of my job is the musical part. While I've been in choirs and am very familiar with choral music, orchestrations are another thing.  I played flute (badly) in junior high school, and that is the extent of my exposure to orchestra music.  I was responsible for sending out orchestrations to all the members, including nine that we hire from the community.  Well, wouldn't you know it, but I sent the wrong arrangement to one of the songs and it wasn't discovered until this past week?  Ugh.  I didn't realize that we had two different arrangements of the same song!  Stress level - over the top!  It was rectified on Monday though, and everyone is professional enough that in the end it turned out ok. 

Second issue surfaced this morning, during our final practice.  In one of the songs, the woodwinds had a problem.  At first, I thought (and so did my boss) that I hadn't copied a page.  Come to realize that no, the problem was that the editor/publisher had messed up and three or four measures were missing. They are "rest" measures, and fortunately my daughter-in-law, one of our paid clarinet players and a Music Ed teacher, discovered it and said that it was NOT me! Whew! 

I'm finally getting to the point of this entry, which is a reflection on God's Amazing Grace.  On my way into church this morning, I was listening to the music we are performing. This year we have added three new songs, Scandal of Grace, Oh the Blood, and Cornerstone.  All three of them, and the song that is my favorite, I Stand Redeemed, talk in different ways about God's amazing grace.  I couldn't help but think that without God's grace that He has so freely extended to us, we would have no idea how to extend grace to others.  I've been the recipient of that grace.    In previous jobs, if I've made a mistake, even an innocent, ignorant one, I've been beat up and berated, once cursed out for a mistake that was primarily my then-boss's fault.  What I have discovered working in a church is that GRACE is the operative word!  Oh, I am so very grateful for that.  I've never experienced such grace.  To quote a line from I Stand Redeemed, I am humbled by the grace that has been offered. Not only by my wonderful boss, but more importantly by my wonderful Savior.  

My prayer is that everyone experience this grace. God's grace is simply amazing. He took me, when I was a sinner, totally lost, and offered me grace and forgiveness.  I stand redeemed. 

When I think of all my faults and all my failures
When I consider all the times I've let God down
I am humbled by the grace He has extended
I'm amazed at the mercy I have found
I could never earn His love on my own
Yet every time I come before His throne
 

Chorus:
I stand redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
I stand redeemed before the great I AM
When He looks at me, He sees the nail scarred hands
That bought my liberty
I stand redeemed

Even at my best I am unworthy
I have nothing precious i can give
A broken life is all I have to offer
And yet it's a priceless gift to Him
The bitter mark of sin will never fade away
But I can come before Him unashamed 

http://lyrics333.com/i_stand_redeemed_lyrics_legacy_five.html

http://tinyurl.com/nncrbg6

Lastly, a shameless plug. Tomorrow at 3:00 Tucson time, and Wednesday, April 1- Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m. Tucson time, we will be live streaming The Living Lord's Supper.  It is a live depiction of Da Vinci's The Lord's Supper, with each of the disciples coming to life from the painting and telling their story, accompanied by choral music and orchestra.  We would love to have you join us!  If you do join in, let me know!  You may join in the service by going to www.elcaminochurch.org and clicking on Live Stream.