When one takes a walk down the hallway of the Worship Wing it’s important to either whistle, sing a song or talk to yourself. It’s quiet down there and it’s easy to startle Amy as she concentrates on all the things she is preparing for in order to teach us how to praise, and to lead us in praising our Good, Chief and Great Shepard.
I love taking that walk because there are two murals on the walls, beautifully painted by Brendan Conaway, that to me capture who Amy is and what she has done and been for Hebron. The first one as you come down the steps is a quote from Psalm 100:2, “Worship the Lord with gladness come before Him with joyful songs.” For 31 years Amy has been faithful at Hebron leading all ages in worship helping them through her energy, gifts and skills to come before the Lord with joy and gladness. It’s never about Amy because you never talk much about what was but about what is coming next. This past Sunday is over and it’s time to prepare and look forward to what God has in store for us next week.
Walk down the hall between the two doors to the choir and bell rooms and there is another mural. This one is a phrase from a song “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me”. That phrase is one we all know and in so many ways love. Amy lived that out knowing she was a sinner saved by the amazing grace of the Savior working with a bunch of others in the same boat. As a result of having received Grace she lived out of grace and treated people the way the Savior would. Helping people grow and become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.
If I walk down memory lane I can’t help thinking about Amy getting Doug, Tim, Barrett and I to sing “This World is Not My Home” in three-part harmony. Then the musicals come to mind like “Down by the Creek Bank”, “Phat Phat Jehoshaphat” and “No Room in the Inn”. She could even get me to play a part in each of them plus some rambunctious and sometime obstinate boys who are now leading churches as lead pastors and worship leaders. Seeing those two murals, it comes to mind that no one is a lost cause or unable to praise the Lord with joy and gladness when you see and come to know His grace.
Patience, patience, patience. It’s something one has to learn and if it’s in your DNA, like it is for Amy, it’s a plus. It’s also a fruit of the spirit given to us through the Holy Spirit. Youth Club, then Kids Club and now KidVenture has shown Amy’s ability to adapt and change as culture changed. Leading kids to sing by the piano, then a sound track and now videos shows a love for kids to be praising Jesus. In those early years she would have to choreograph the motions for the songs herself which transitioned to teaching the moves given to her by others. It didn’t matter if there were over 200 kids or under 30, leading kids to trust and love Jesus was front and center. One of our rules at Youth Club was every part is the most important part, whether it’s playing games, singing in the choir, eating at meal time and leading the Bible Study. They all played a part in helping kids love Jesus with their heart, soul and mind.
Next come the many anthems from choir and the bells. Simple math would mean preparing them to sing or play 1512 of them, give or take a few and that’s only Sunday mornings. One could tell when the congregation or sometimes Ethel were not in step with the piano as the melody would increase in volume. Amy and I would sometimes discuss the tempo of hymns but only when they were too fast or too slow. If you were in worship most Sundays you would have sung about 4,836 of them with her and Ethel. Thanks to Amy and Ethel because they have kept a failing organ seem flawless (my word not hers) and that takes talent. Plus, a lot of patience looking for an organ tuner and a repair person.
Choir and bell practice were not just practice they became a Grove, a small group or as we call them now a Growth Group. Amy help them practice the “one anothers” together. Caring for one another, teaching one another, encouraging one another and loving one another to mention a few since there are 35 of them.
Last of all, I can’t skip staff meetings, retreats and gatherings. I love meetings, Amy not so much, but without her they are not the same. Her honesty and ability to critique help us to be better as a staff and body of believers. Thanks Amy for 31 years of everything.
–Jerry Zeilstra