by Daniel Windus, 5th Grader

When I was in 2nd grade, my big brother, Peter, was in 5th grade. Christmas was exciting that year. We had tons of snow, so we missed school, and some friends got trapped at our house…and Peter got to play drums at the Christmas Eve services. Bethany has a tradition that the 5th graders get to lead the family Christmas Eve services. It was great watching Peter drum, but it was even more exciting, because I knew that I’d get to help lead in a couple years. I had just started taking piano lessons, and I had dream that when I was in 5th grade, I could play the organ for Christmas Eve. Whenever I heard Ms. Sylvia play the organ, I thought, “Wow, that sounds cool! I want to learn how to do that.”

This year, I’m finally in 5th grade. Dianne Ross asked the 5th graders if we’d like to play music, read scripture, usher, light candles, or draw the bulletin cover. So I asked Sylvia Oines if she’d teach me how to play one of my piano pieces on the organ. I felt exhilarated when she said yes. The organ has two different keyboards and a keyboard for your feet. Since I was going to play Carol of the Bells, Sylvia showed me how to set the middle octave to play the bells. I loved it, and Sylvia is going to keep giving me lessons.

I saw how lots of different people use their talents to point the congregation to God. I learned that when you’re doing a church service, it’s okay if you mess up, because it’s not about you. It’s about God.