Reformation was observed today at St. Paul’s

And what a joy it was. From the opening strains of Kantor’s prelude (Walther’s “Ein Feste Berg”), to having our processional hymn restored (Cross, Gospel Book); From the school choir (with an assist from my wife and in which two of my grandkids sang) to the lovely Mozart “Ave Verum” that Cindi sang during the lavabo; From pastor’s fine homily weaving together the epistle and Gospel readings; to the joy of singing a hymn on our way out “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast.” As one of our members quipped to Cindi afterwards, “That was almost a real church service!” Oh, we still practiced social distancing and were scattered throughout the nave; no distribution hymns, and still administering the sacrament in lines rather than kneeling at the rail, but it seemed like maybe the crocus? Maybe sneaking an inch or two back to normality. Of course, sometimes you do wonder if the crocus got the wrong memo. Time will tell.