What a beautiful Sunday at Myers Park United Methodist Church, infused with heritage, harmony and the great expectations that come with the arrival of a new friend and the renewal of sacred space.

What perfect symmetry that we welcomed Director of Jimmy Jones to the pulpit for his first Sunday leading music at worship on the day we returned to the Sanctuary after repairs and renovations.
 
What a symphony for the senses: As the brass and the voices filled our ears and hearts – it inspired applause at the close of the 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. services – I looked up and smiled at the sight of sunshine streaming through one of the freshly cleaned stained glass windows.

It was a morning made for brightness. For worshipers to crane their necks to admire the freshly repaired walls and richly polished pews on which they sat (the pew cushions are coming!). For new members Aaron and Jennifer Petrosky to smile at all the energy. For the balcony crowd to applaud at the funny sight of church member (and Sanctuary campaign leader) Gary Morgan and Rev. Bill Roth rushing upstairs with a ladder to fix a stuck organ pipe. For Rachel Wall to put the family baptismal gown on little Andrew before the baptism and remark to me about what a special day this is in the life of the church.

Special indeed.

When we said the final amen of the morning, we gathered in Jubilee Hall to welcome Jimmy and his family, and to munch on a luscious spread prepared by the Hospitality Committee. Rev. Bob Henderson came from Covenant Presbyterian Church to add his hello; he hired Jimmy long ago at Westminster Presbyterian in Greensboro.

Now he is here, in our joyfully restored Sanctuary and all about, already bringing harmony to the mission of praising God and serving man.

Our journey together began Sunday.