 Lyle Sanford This past Sunday OPC was treated to some high-energy music during worship. Lyle Sanford's Fun Band was in the house! The Fun Band is an important part of musical life here in Orange, Virginia. Its founder and leader is Lyle Sanford, a music therapist. The concept of the group is simple. Whoever shows up, plays. Sanford's created a library of arrangements that can accommodate virtually any combination of instruments. This past Sunday the combination was banjo, autoharp, flute, bass clarinet, fiddle, and trombone. This all-volunteer group frequently provides plays for worship services, as they did this past Sunday. Several of the churches in town are looking forward to their next visit from the Fun Band. For churches, Sanford performs what he calls "the good ol' hymns." Many of these date from the turn of the 20th Century and are common to many denominations. The Fun Band's set list for this past Sunday:
As always, the Fun Band delivered. Thanks to Lyle Sanford and his volunteer musicians for making worship, well, fun! Below is a sampling of the Fun Band from the Sunday Service. 
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 This past Sunday was the last Preschool Sunday of the school year. On the third Sunday of the month, the staff, students and parents of Orange Presbyterian Weekday School (OPWS) joined us in worship. OPWS is a vital church ministry we offer to the community. So making a strong connection between worship and learning is important. This Sunday the children sang, making this a truly special service. You can listen to the OPWS children's choir singing by opening the link below.  Denny Burnette also offered a special message for the children, concluding with an invitation to return any time. It's an invitation that's also open to their parents and families. You can hear Denny's message by opening the link below. It was a very special service. And the fellowship time afterward even more so. Seventy nine people worshipped together that Sunday, and spent time together following the service. As you can see from the photos, it was a unique experience, not to be repeated. At least, until the fall, when the next scholastic year begins. And Preschool Sundays return to OPC.  The OPC Easter tradition continues. Yesterday, during the first hymn of the Easter worship service, people came to the front of the sanctuary. An ugly, wooden cross was their destination.
The cross, covered in chicken wire. represented was a symbol of Jesus' death. The congregants covered the cross with fresh flowers. So many people crowded around the cross that it was blocked from view. But when everyone returned to their seats, the cross was transformed. It was covered in fresh flowers of all different colors and hues. It was now a thing of beauty and life. The perfect symbol for Jesus' resurrection. As this tradition has been at OPC for decades. |
