Trying Something New

Years and years ago, as David Sedaris was gaining notoriety for his memoir Me Talk Pretty One Day, he appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and did a reading. For a speech and debate kid like myself, this was huge—this guy was on actual television, doing the Prose event. We talked about it for days—an author went on television and just… read out loud.  Letterman perhaps summed up the feeling when he said, “I don’t think we’ve ever had anything like that on the show before.” 

The only way to find out if something new works out is to do something new. I want to go two ways with this real quick. The first is this, and please forgive the cliché—whether you think you can, or you think you cannot, you’re probably right. I am as guilty as anyone of relying on the safe, same old same old sometimes, and other times underselling the chance for change, or growth, or something new, because I’m used to the cracks and shadows of the status quo. In that grand general sense, God keeps inviting us to say, “I’ve never done/seen/related to/offered/given/served anything/one/where like that!,” and we keep hollering a great theological “Freebird!” instead. The second part kind of ties into the first: we’re trying something completely new with this jazz service. 

That’s right—it’s finally here. No punting, no delays, no major catastrophes (God willing): this Sunday, we’re previewing a jazz service. The order of worship is a little wonkity, and there’s inevitably going to be a few kinks, but through it, I hope you’ll join me in praying for this new thing that we have not mapped, have not seen yet, and don’t know the effect it will have (be it positive, negative or none). It should be an exciting time on Sunday. I hope to see you there—and believe me, please: we miss you when you’re not here. 

Shalom y’all, 

Arthur