Mood:
a-okThis morning's parish Eucharist was even more impressive than I had expected. The processional hymn, "For all the saints," was glorious, and we also got to sing "Ye watchers and ye holy ones" and "Ye holy angels bright." The choir sang the Gloria from the "Little Organ Mass," a composition in which one phrase is piled on top of another, in a unique polyphony, which means the Gloria in Excelsis takes only about 2 minutes. This is High Church worship without Anglo-Catholic extravagance. It is really very beautiful, I love it, and it was appropriate for the celebration of All Saints. In his homily, the preacher pointed out that we are "the saints," the New Testament expression for believers, and he also opined that the phrase "All Saints" means inclusion, everyone gets to be a part of the church of the saints. Really a glorious morning, just about a transcendent experience. I thought of the Advent, since the service was very long, with a prayer for the Search Committee, a personal testimony for the Stewardship Drive, and blessing the prayer shawls (which really are knitted shawls), a particular custom of this parish. I am very happy with the church.