It’s hard to believe, but most of what was on the truck yesterday and laid out on the pews has already been installed. The case is nearly complete, facade pipes are starting to be placed, and speaking pipes are being racked in the Great division.

We’re almost there! And all done by the finest craftsmen (and nicest!!) people in the organ business!

Check today’s amazing progress out at the link.

P.S. Go to the Schantz Organ Company’s website (http://www.schantzorgan.com/) to see an announcement of the the St. Paul’s installation. They’re posting my pix, too!

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December 12, 2011

Today, the second (and final!) truckload of parts for St. Paul’s new Schantz organ was unloaded. Casework and a couple dozen more trays of pipes were unloaded and taken into the church. The only thing left on the truck are the pipes for the facade, and those will come out last.

Today, the casework starts to take shape in a really big way. Check it all out at the link below!

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Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Third Sunday of Advent

Thanks goodness Luke tells a story worthy of a Christmas pageant. Imagine a children’s pageant with no shepherds abiding in fields; no angels lighting up the skies – they’d have nothing to announce; no stable, sheep or cows, no lowly couple or newborn babe in a manger. That would be John’s Christmas pageant. Imagine his story blocked and staged: Eerie smoke swirls in a soft light. A deep voice booms: “In the beginning was the Word – and the Word was with God and was God. Through the Word comes life – a light for all people that overcomes darkness. And the Word became flesh and moved in with us.” Stage lights go up; a boy plaid bath robe is encircled by a cluster of similarly bathrobe costumed boys. Why it’s John the Baptist and minions turned interrogators, sent by Jerusalem’s clergy leaders.

Continue reading December 11, 2011: One Who’s Not the One

December 10, 2011

Yes, they work on Saturday!

On Day 6, the console finally comes home to the sanctuary, connections are made to control the swell shades, and pipes await their final installation.

Tomorrow (Sunday) evening, the semi-trailer returns with its final load! Be on hand Monday morning to once again help unload our marvelous instrument! This load won’t be nearly as big as last week’s; casework for the facade, pipes for the facade, trays holding ranks of pipes not included in the last shipment, the console’s pedalboard—all come with this truckload. Lunch will once again be served to all you hungry volunteers!

Here’s the link to today’s photos:

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December 9, 2011

Though not as visible as in past days, amazing progress continues on the St. Paul’s organ. Most of today’s activity centered around installing AC current and fixtures to the chambers, completing the things necessary for providing steady wind to the instrument, and installing the swell shades necessary to control the volume of the Swell and Choir divisions of the organ.

Take a look at the slide show of today’s photos by clicking on the link below.

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December 8, 2011

Installation, Day 4

Work continues at an exciting pace. Although the progress is not as visibly dramatic as it’s been for the initial days of the installation, so much is being done each day that it’s quite amazing.

As usual, click on the link below to take you to a slideshow with pictures highlighting today’s events. Don’t forget to check back every day to keep up with the progress of the installation!

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Things continue to move along smoothly with the installation. Today, casework can be seen for the first time, wind lines are being installed, reservoirs placed, pedal pipes put on their chests, and electrical connections made.

Here’s a quick look at what happened with the organ installation today! Click on the link for a slideshow and check back every day to see how things are progressing!

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The work continues. Progress is quick and efficient. It’s all coming together, right before our eyes!

Here’s a quick look at what happened with the organ installation today! Click on the link for a slideshow and check back every day to see how things are progressing!

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Monday, December 5, 2011

What a great day in the history of St. Paul’s!! The organ has finally arrived, and installation has begun!

A thousand thanks to parishioners and friends who helped unload the truck and carry the hundreds of components into the church. The mood was festive, and the feeling of community was spectacular—St. Paul’s at its best!

Here’s a quick look at what happened with the organ installation today! Click on the link for a slideshow and check back every day to see how things are progressing!

#mce_temp_url#

Sermon
The Rev. Dr. C. Steven Teague, Rector
Second Sunday of Advent

Have you ever met a genuine “died in the wool” New Testament Christian? They can be scary. Years ago captive in an examination chair, my optometrist tells me he’s one – has no use for the Old Testament and no longer reads any of it. “I’m a New Testament Christian.”  I figure maybe now is not the best time to offer an opposing view. He was helping me learn to stick my finger in my eye to attach soft contact lenses, something I swore I’d never do. After I mastered it, forcing my eyelids to stay open as my loaded finger approached, I asked, “Don’t you think we need the Old Testament to understand Jesus? After all that was his Bible. If you don’t get the Old Testament, you won’t get Jesus.” In my friend’s world Jesus became a Christian at Easter, so why bother with the old stuff when God starts anew?

Continue reading December 4, 2011: Looking Back to Move Forward