"What's in a name?"

My eyes are so heavy, I could just lie down and take a nap, but it's too early. Actually I get to make the rules in this house so can take my rest any time I want to. My lunch was light, eating about half of a baked potato picked up from Wendy's on the way home from Bible study, and enjoying a small Frosty. Did you know they come in more flavors now? That shows how long it has been since I ordered one of those!

Last night I got an invitation to use a free ticket for the Jacksonville Symphony performance of The Planets this weekend, attending with my friend, Suzanne, and Rachel, from Victory. Justin had called me the other day to ask if I knew it was taking place, was a bit surprised that I had not mentioned going. The voucher I had for the two free tickets was used for a 'best of' type of concert at the beginning of April, which I gave to our maintenance lady, Connie, as a thank you for all she does for us. The Planets event was not one of the choices offered by the JSO for redemption of the vouchers or I would certainly have picked that! So, my weekend is filling up!

Justin is busy this weekend building a wooden deck on the house where he stays so won't be able to attend the Tea Party Event before the showing of Atlas Shrugged. He would not like it much if I went without him but I am chomping at the bit to see it. Of course, I could go again when he is available but will simply wait until we can work it out. Next week we do not have Bible study at Victory because it is Maundy Thursday so maybe that would be a good chance for us to go.

Class was great today, beginning our study of the names of God. Pastor Hoyer mentioned at the close of the class about how wonderful an opportunity it is for us all to be together in these classes, to become better acquainted and 'attached' to each other. Everyone has a story and almost every Bible lesson touches someone in a special way. Today Rita shared the story about her grandmother in Germany naming her infant daughter, born after her husband had been drafted by the Nazi army, "Christa". The grandma was afraid that people were going to forget about Christ so named her daughter with this name. Several folks had stories about their given names and the origins and different spellings. One man is named after a movie star from the 1940's, another lady is the fourth one in her family to have the name, and so on.

Normally the first order of business when arriving at class, before we begin, we fold and assemble the service folders for Sunday's worship. Today, we could not because the "copier is on the fritz", a good German expression used by Pastor, so a part is ordered and on its way. It is a special service for Palm Sunday so after class Harold and Pastor were going to the back of the property to harvest palm branches. Their 2nd year of having a procession with the branches, all the attendees gather on the concrete outside the doors and then proceed into the church carrying their branches, laying them on the steps near the altar. I was there for it last year, and Justin kept looking at my face to see my reaction...he figured I would not be cool with this. I am not, but it is not my congregation. To quote "Seinfeld"--"Not that there's anything wrong with it..." but I furrow my brow about this type demonstration. Hmmm...

Boats are making their way up and down the river, some for pleasure while others are working. A substanstial barge is being pushed along by a tug, as a crab boat is gathering its traps. Further down I see jet skis tearing around in the water, and one lone small boat with a single fisherman throwing out his line. This a.m. when I left for Victory it was 63 above zero and when I came home, it was 78! Nice!

Tonight the Worship Committee, now called a Team, is meeting at church, with the first part of the meeting being dedicated to the study of "worship words". The congregation is invited for this portion of the meeting. This was something, sort of, our small group of ladies proposed in our report last December after attending the School of Worship Enrichment event, to have more education opportunities for folks to learn and study why we do what we do. Hopefully folks will come for this 30 minute opportunity but am afraid that will not happen, more preaching to the choir-type of instruction.

We had about 20 people in church last night and four of us at choir rehearsal. On Sunday we are singing with the Sunday school children, "All Glory Laud and Honor" with the kids singing the first and last stanza in full, and the rest of the stanzas joining the refrain. We will stand in front of the church and will wear our robes. We will have to look in the closet to find one for Sterling, because he is quite tall and thin, and we haven't had anyone fitting that description for a while!

Angelo woke up smiling again this morning, according to Lisa, and rested on her New Kids on the Block pillow. Lisa is a huge fan of this group and described Angelo as being her New Kid on the Block!