I’m done

As has probably been obvious for some months, I’m done with this blog. It is simply not fulfilling the purpose that I envisioned it having; namely, to help other choristers choose hymns, and provide a discussion area for people with similar callings. I honestly feel that the church is over-reliant on a top-down approach to callings, and that a same-level discussion would be fruitful. I hope that someone else can make that happen someday.

I have found that my personal goal, that of getting more people to think of Christ, is also failing. The hymns just don’t seem to work in that respect, which I found very sad. People sing them, and move on, without a thought of the meaning. I was hoping to find some insight into that, but all I can find puts the onus on the members without specifics as to how a chorister can help with the problem (just that they should; thanks, I knew that).

I decided to finally post this because I have been released from my calling. While many people have complimented me on the good job I did, I can’t help but feel a sense of personal failure. I tried to magnify my calling. I tried to help more people feel the spirit. I tried to choose hymns early enough so my organists would have adequate time to practice. I tried to get the bishopric to let me know when they felt inspired to change the topics of the meetings. I either failed, or didn’t fully succeed, at all these things, except the practice time one.

I believe that writing this blog helped me choose better hymns or, at least, to think about the reasons why I choose them. In that respect, I feel this blog was successful.

I wish my replacement the best of luck, and hope that my readers find fulfillment in their lives.

February 15, 2009

Today’s meeting was all about missionary work, because we have a sister leaving on a mission. She spoke, after telling us that, not only was she unprepared to talk this week, she originally was supposed to talk last week, and would’ve been unprepared then, too.
Is this something that I shouldn’t let bother me? I take the time to come up with hymns more than a month in advance, based on meeting topics that are created for the entire year. Why can’t someone actually prepare a talk, instead of rambling for a half-hour?
Not that it’s always the speaker’s fault, mind you. Sometimes the bishopric member in charge of assigning talks doesn’t call before Friday night!
Perhaps this is one reason why other churches use paid clergy–if they aren’t prepared for Sunday, they can get fired. I don’t understand why “having a lay clergy” should equal “unprofessional.”

Hymns
Opening: 81 Press Forward, Saints
Sacrament: 187 God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son
Closing: 153 Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part

February 8, 2009

The Sabbath was the theme, and the Sabbath was in the songs. They were long songs, and my arm got very tired. In fact, during the first two hymns, I noticed some members putting away their books early, having lost track of what verse we were in. I admit I almost did that myself, once or twice.
The talk topics were “preparing for the Sabbath, keeping the Sabbath holy, and keeping the spirit of the Sabbath throughout the week.”

Hymns
Opening: 280 Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath Morning
Sacrament: 177 ‘Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
Congregational: 216 We Are Sowing
Closing: 278 Thanks for the Sabbath School

February 1, 2009 (Fast Sunday)

It’s open mike Sunday again. One of our “regulars” actually sounded almost happy with her life. One of our other “regulars” now, apparently, has an honest-to-goodness guardian angel (and I’m not being figurative). I shouldn’t mock, I know, but sometimes it’s so hard.
What I wouldn’t give to hear an entire meeting that consists of nothing but testimonies of Jesus Christ.

Hymns:
Opening: 146 Gently Raise the Sacred Strain
Sacrament: 174 While of These Emblems We Partake
Closing: 113 Our Savior’s Love

January 25, 2009

The themes for this deal with the three-fold mission of the church. The youth talk was about becoming perfected through repentance. The adults discussed proclaiming the gospel and redeeming the dead.

Opening: 115 Come, Ye Disconsolate
Sacrament: 180 Father in Heaven, We Do Believe
Congregational: 266 The Time Is Far Spent
Closing: 291 Turn Your Hearts

January 18, 2009

This was high council week. The youth talk assigned topic was “Book of Mormon heroes.”

Hymns
Opening: 277 As I Search the Holy Scriptures
Sacrament: 170 God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray
Congregational: 3 Now Let Us Rejoice
Closing: 111 Rock of Ages

January 11, 2009

The topics this week, the first regular Sacrament meeting of the new year, were:
• Holding fast to the Iron Rod
* The importance of studying church history
* The Restoration of the Church
I went with a mix of songs that, I hope, reflect the themes.

Hymns
Opening: 7 Israel, Israel, God Is Calling
Sacrament: 182 We’ll Sing All Hail to Jesus’ Name
Congregational: 272 Oh Say, What Is Truth?
Closing: 274 The Iron Rod (all five verses)

January 4, 2009 (Fast Sunday)

Another year, another Fast Sunday. We had even fewer people at Sacrament meeting this week than last. Everybody must be getting in one last day of vacation.

Hymns
Opening: 138 Bless Our Fast, We Pray
Sacrament: 171 With Humble Heart
Closing: 45 Lead Me into Life Eternal

December 28, 2008

Today’s topic was supposed to be about goals. Instead, several of the young people, in town from college, spoke briefly. Some of them discussed important things, and it was pretty fun to listen to them.

Hymns
Opening: 215 Ring Out, Wild Bells
Sacrament: 175 O God, The Eternal Father
Closing: 217 Come, Let Us Anew

December 21, 2008

This week is the Christmas program at church, which means I only got to pick two hymns. The rest of the program was composed of individual, duet, and choir numbers, with some congregational singing. I got to sit with my family, which is nice at Christmastime.

Hymns
Opening: 202 Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
Sacrament: 190 In Memory of the Crucified