Sunrise

The sunrises have been so beautiful for the past couple of days that I just had to grab my iPhone to capture one this morning. This is the view out of our bedroom window.

I drove Smithers to the dentist this morning to have his crown fitted, then after lunch I walked up to All Saints’ to attend a service of thanksgiving for a very old friend of ours, G, who died in December at the age of 80. He started working at our church many years ago as a youth worker, but went on to make an amazing contribution to the musical side of worship thereafter. A former member of the London Philharmonic Choir, and a talented musician, he was also heavily involved in the Elgar Society, having been one of the founder members of the London branch. He was equally at home conducting in full choir robes at our formal services, or rocking it with modern worship songs on his guitar in the Spirit-led evening services. I have fond memories of his excellent Elvis and Roy Orbison impressions at social events, dressed with wig, sunglasses and all!

The church was packed and the singing was so uplifting. Some years ago G had written a piece based on the carol Silent Night (which talks about the "holy infant so tender and mild") but with the addition of a descant containing words from Colossians 1, ("He is the image of the invisible God"). It’s the most moving piece, starting with the descant solo from Colossians, followed by the choir softly singing Silent Night, after which they repeat the carol and the soloist’s voice then starts soaring above the choir’s rendering of Silent Night with the words "He is the image of the invisible God" from Colossians 1 blending with the carol and depicting the full majesty and identity of the baby in the manger. The soloist, who has an exquisite voice, is a much-loved ex-member of All Saints’ and it was wonderful to hear her sing the song once again, as she does for us every Christmas.

People had come from far and wide to be there, which spoke volumes about the wonderful person he was and I was so glad I was able to join them.