Many know her now as the "art" lady. I knew her first as the mother of four joyful boys. But one Sunday, I met her a new way. I followed a sound, soaring above our heads into the art deco light fixtures that swayed from the ceiling of the sanctuary. In thirds and fourths above the sopranos, she san the angel's fifth notes. "Oh, how I love Jesus..."
Each Sunday, we inched closer to the pew where she raised her eyes to the stained glass above the baptistry, smiling, offering, sharing...notes. A compliment to the melody.
I'd learned to read words and melodies while following mom's finger in the hymnal. But something changed in me the moment Marjorie's worship reached me. Song became the sacrament. Like baptism and the Lord's Supper, song became the ordinance not mentioned in the Baptist Faith and Message. Song became the sacrifice - the service of stewardship even I could offer above my 10 cent tithe from my allowance.
Did Marjorie know that little girl tilted an ear toward imitation of Marjorie's piercing compliment to the song service? Does she know that today, I heard echoes of her 1974 influence? Fifty years later, I sang the angel's fifth "...because he first loved me."
Titus 2:4-5 New Life Version
4 Older women are to teach the young women to love their husbands and children. 5 They are to teach them to think before they act, to be pure, to be workers at home, to be kind, and to obey their own husbands. In this way, the Word of God is honored.
Titus 2:4-5 New Life Version
4 Older women are to teach the young women to love their husbands and children. 5 They are to teach them to think before they act, to be pure, to be workers at home, to be kind, and to obey their own husbands. In this way, the Word of God is honored.
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