A couple of months ago, without volunteering, I became a lector for daily mass. If you know me, I am not a public speaker. That's way outside of my comfort zone. I'm a great behind the scenes kind of support person but please, oh please, do not put me in front of a group of people to speak! The request came out of the blue following my pastor's request that I make the Rosary Rally announcement last month. I dreaded making the announcement yet managed to get through them. Then my first few attempts as a lector went with some mistakes but generally, it was ok.
Today, when I arrived I learned that I was to lead the congregation in song. I don't sing. Or at least, not well. Our visiting priest kindly told me that I was to sing not him. Ugh... he had a couple of songs picked out and I chose one that I knew. Here it is (this is not my church but one that I found on youtube):
I do really like Gather Us In so I sang it, albeit off key at times but I managed to get through it. One thing I know for sure, I will not be receiving an invitation to join our church choir!!
Blessings,
Noreen
Today, when I arrived I learned that I was to lead the congregation in song. I don't sing. Or at least, not well. Our visiting priest kindly told me that I was to sing not him. Ugh... he had a couple of songs picked out and I chose one that I knew. Here it is (this is not my church but one that I found on youtube):
I do really like Gather Us In so I sang it, albeit off key at times but I managed to get through it. One thing I know for sure, I will not be receiving an invitation to join our church choir!!
Blessings,
Noreen
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Lead the congregation in song? Noreen, I would have wished the earth could have swallowed me up. I bet your singing is much better than mine! I'd have only been asked once though. No one with any sense would ask me a second time after hearing my voice. I am very lucky that we do have a few readers and singers in our family. I can always volunteer one of them in my place.
ReplyDeleteI know God loves each and every one of our voices and that quality doesn't matter but being the lead voice...
Anyway, well done! I admire your courage.
Noreen, did you receive my email about the I Blog Jesus award? I hope you will feel able to accept.
God bless!
You are one brave lady! I'm not sure I could have done this. Seriously. Plus, my singing voice leaves a lot to be desired :) Kudos to you, Noreen!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I'm sure you weren't as bad as all that - most of us think we're not that good, because we're comparing ourselves to others - but good or bad vocalist qualities aside - singing IS praying twice, right?
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog, and am so happy that I stopped by!
~Peace,
LuAnne
Noreen, I feel the same way about myself. I tell people all of the time that I am a great helper, but not a great leader. Lately, I have found myself pushed into a leadership position in a particular area of my life. I have really felt that God is stretching me to be more than I think I can be. Perhaps this is your case right now, too. I'm sure you sang beautifully and I believe it WAS your finest moment because you did what God asked of you. : ) Loved the post. God bless!
ReplyDeleteI practice my singing in the bath. I sing so well that the neighbors have broken all our windows to hear me better.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you did very well. When is the next time you're leading the congregation?
God bless you for saying "Yes!"
Sue ~ I warned the priest and some of the regulars that my singing voice is pretty bad but they said, "You'll be fine. You'll be singing to God." Which is why I did it after all, but it was painful to hear me off key at some points.
ReplyDeleteMary ~ it can't be worse than mine! I'm glad though that I was led to believe that the priest would lead the song so I wasn't worrying about it for days! That would have been worse for me!!
ReplyDeleteLuanne~ You are too kind and I like your attitude! Thank you for coming to visit my blog and commenting. I will make sure to head on over to yours to say hello!
ReplyDeleteStephanie~ what is that saying? "God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called." I do feel like I've been called to be more active in my faith with some leadership roles and it is challenging. I will pray for you as God is moving you into new leadership roles in your life!
ReplyDeleteVictor ~ you are hilarious! The shower is the only place I feel safe singing!! What is also intimidating about it is the fact5 that I was singing into a microphone so I could hear it loud and clear!!
ReplyDeleteI think yesterday was the only time I will be leading the congregation in the opening song. Unless, our pastor is back from his retreat and will be leading it next Friday. He typically leads us and is happy to do so.
oh my, nothing like putting you on the spot! I would have died. I can't sing either. My husband recently admitted that he likes to hear me sing Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (which I sing at the top of my lungs while cleaning) because it is so amusing--meaning I am that bad I make my husband laugh. I love to sing, I'm just not any good!
ReplyDeleteThank God you were given the grace to go through that alive and come out stronger!
Ack! Noreen! You are so brave and obedient! I would have converted on the spot. There's no way I could do that. But shhhh, I don't want God hearing me say that or I'll be right where you were, challenged in the moment. And unlike you I would run outta there so fast! Good ol' growth spurts from God. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteVictor, so hilarious!
Thanks for stopping by and saying HI!
ReplyDeleteYou are brave indeed. I hate public speaking and singing in front of anyone over the age of 7 would leave my speechless. Thanks for the comment on my blog.
ReplyDeleteVictor~ I was given the unexpected pleasure of leading the congregation in song again today! I was asked about 5 minutes before mass started if I would do the readings, which I agreed to. Then I went to see which visiting priest we had and ask about the opening song. Today's priest, asked me to do it because "he doesn't sing." I laughed and said, "I don't either but I'll try my best."
ReplyDeleteAgain, it was not my finest moment with some notes sung off key but I did it for Our Lord!