WEEKLY REFLECTION I August 2, 2026 – Proper 13A

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am still away with my convalescing friend.

In the meantime, our wonderful Organist in Residence, Dodd Lamberton, has taken up the challenge to write something of interest to the parish.

See you on Sunday!
Mo. Laura+

Dialogue with Dodd: Hymn Teaching and Postludes

Several weeks ago, I introduced and kicked into the first stanza of our processional hymn, “Come, we that love the Lord” (with its refrain, ‘We’re marching to Zion…’) and –gulp! — I couldn’t hear anyone singing. St. Margaret’s worshipers are usually right on time with the opening line, but not that morning. Stanza 1 was an organ solo. Fortunately, by stanza 4, you had caught on.

After worship, a trusted elder told me, “No, we didn’t know that one,” and I thought to myself, “We should have had a pre-service Hymn Teaching.” Which is what I do when a new hymn is chosen: letting you hear it, then sing it with me. But in choosing that rollicking gospel hymn, Mo. Laura and I didn’t consider it probably had never been sung in this congregation. We’ll keep that in mind as we plan the final Sundays after Pentecost.

You may notice that most of my preludes and postludes are based on that day’s first and last hymns. With preludes, I try to tune your ear and heart for your initial ‘stand and sing.’ Some of my postludes are peppy, fun, loud reprises of our final hymn, but others are meditative, offering a minute for quiet reflection on that hymn, as, seated, you graciously wait for my final chord and, with Mo. Laura, add your Amen.

Finally, an invitation: if you have a favorite hymn you’d like us to sing some Sunday, please let me know 1) its title and hymn number, and 2) why it’s special. Come up to the organ/piano after the service, or email me. I’ll keep a list in my phone, so when it fits the day’s theme, it can be part of our celebration.

In Christ, always,
Dodd Lamberton
Organist in Residence