Today’s service is brought to you by the great state of North Carolina. Well, not exactly, but you will notice that someone else is seated at the mighty Fisk this morning. Please welcome Dr. Adam Ward as our guest organist today. A native, and life-long resident of North Carolina, Dr. Ward’s prelude selection is composed by another, life-long resident of the Tar Heel State, Dr. Dan Locklair. I’ll write more about Dr. Ward shortly, but I wanted to explain the organ piece that begins today’s service.  

In 1988, Locklair wrote a series of organ pieces called Rubrics. A rubric, as it relates to the liturgy is “a direction in a liturgical book as to how a church service should be conducted.” The word “rubric” may conjure up images of the color red, like a ruby.  That’s because in the Middle Ages, rubrics were emphasized words in manuscripts that were illuminated in red ink. In our prayer book and bulletin, for example, rubrics are in italics. They are liturgical directives that include instructions to kneel, to keep silence, to exchange peace, to receive communion, and so forth. The rubric you’re hearing today is called The Peace May Be Exchanged. Just before the offertory, after the confession, we generally exchange the sign of peace. It’s really interesting to hear how Locklair represents the gesture of peace exchange in the form of music. It’s soft and serene, yet jovial and uplifting. One of my favorites in the collection is called The People Respond – Amen! I encourage you to look it up on YouTube – it’s a humdinger. 

Aside from its famous barbeque and picturesque mountains, North Carolina has some creative people, and Dr. Ward, and Dr. Locklair are no exceptions. Adam is one of the most talented people I know. He’s actually my best friend, and he’s here visiting me. He comes every year at this time to celebrate our respective birthdays – which are close together. 30 years ago, we met at a summer camp for young organists, called a Pipe Organ Encounter, or as he likes to call it – Organ Nerd Camp! We struck up a friendship at that camp, and have been close, ever sense.

Friendships may be one of the most important aspects of life. Friendships create a kind of intimacy not found in any other kind of relationship. They are where ideas flow freely, and where connections transcend words. They are where shared, private information is exchanged in confidence. True friends really know you. To have someone know you as well as your best friend is quite liberating. It’s because you share in a common vulnerability that keeps you grounded, humble, and stable. In our case, our friendship keeps us laughing, which is also important! Dr. Ward is definitely my best friend, and he means the world to me. Not only is he the Director of Music Ministries at a prominent United Methodist Church in Charlotte, he is the most valuable friend I have ever had. I hope you have people like that in your own life, and that you cherish the goodness that they bring to it. Please help me welcome a little bit of North Carolina to our service this morning. Also, make sure that the next time you’re in Charlotte, you stop by the Providence United Methodist Church, and say “hey!” Oh, and don’t forget to bring something with you from the Sunshine State. We have good people here too! Soli deo Gloria!