Worship service covers 'All that Jazz'

By BRENDA S. EDWARDS
Staff Writer

The theme of the community worship service at the 13th annual Great American Brass Band Festival Father's Day weekend fits right in with the rest of the annual festivities.
"All That Jazz" will be the title of the sermon by the Rev. Lance A. Perry as he continues the tradition of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in conducting the ecumenical service. The worship happens the morning of the final day of performances by 17 great bands from across the United States as well as three bands from foreign counties. 
The festival begins on Flag Day, June 14, and ends with Father's Day, June 16.
Perry said his theme will be about how God perseveres in our lives to help us to improvise no matter what comes our way. He got the idea while attending a jazz festival in Indianapolis while he was pastor there. He noticed the players improvised in their music and relationships. 
The text will be scriptures on trust.
"Our relationship with God and trust helps us to improvise as we go through life," Perry said.
The community worship service also has a minister that understands the importance of all types of congregations getting together. He grew up as a Baptist, attended a Baptist and Presbyterian seminary, and has been a minister in four Christian churches.
First Christian Church has been in charge of the community worship service at the Brass Band Festival since it organized in 1989. This is Perry's first year to lead the service.
"We really feel like a community, and the time together at the service is very important to us," said Perry, when asked why the church has moved its Sunday morning service to the festival. "It's good for us to work with other denominations to say we want to be here for the community as all churches here are. That's the only service we have that day and we encourage everyone to come," he said.
"Our congregation loves being a part of the festival." 
The members especially like doing the communion. About 90 communion trays, many borrowed from other churches, will be offered to the crowd. He said the communion takes about 12 minutes and volunteers from his church and other denominations help.
The communion is a big part of the service, said Perry. "It brings the community together around Christ's table."
Perry, who came to the local Christian church last August, is looking forward to delivering the message at the 2002 Brass Band Festival, which will be combined with a family gathering. His parents and his wife's parents will be on hand for their first taste of The Great American Brass Band Festival. Perry added he is "really looking forward to being in church with a diverse crowd." 
"I hope to provide a very encouraging and comforting message. I think regardless of the different traditions, all together we realize we need God's love in our ups and downs."
With trust and having God with us, we can face whatever comes our way," he added. "The perseverance of God gives us strength."
The services also includes performances by the Olympia Brass Band of New Orleans, the Southern Territorial Salvation Army Band of Atlanta, and Daniel Rodriguez, a New York policeman involved in 9-11, who will sing.
The 60-member community choir that represents seven congregations, under the direction of Dr. Ron Holz of Asbury College in Wilmore, will sing "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Perry, a native of Ohio, attended college in Tennessee and North Carolina, and received his minister of ministry degree from the Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School for Christian Education in Richmond, Va.
This is his fourth church to minister. His wife, Tena, also is an ordained minister. She works with the Danville preschool children and does volunteer work at the church. They have two children, Justin, 11, and Lauren, 7.