Sweet Accord. Felicia Mason

“Holy, Holy, Holy.” Then he motioned for the choir to stand. He edged the microphone closer, and made a mental note to order a headset unit.

      While the choir hummed the first verse, Matt talked over them in prayer. “This morning, Father, we come before you, lifting our voices in song, our hearts in praise. You, Lord, are the holy one.”

      The choir then sang that most cherished hymn of praise.

      In her seat, Haley caught her breath. She’d been expecting a lot of things, but not this reverence and Matt’s earnest prayer. And then his voice, solo, lifted in the second verse. The choir joined him for the last two verses, and then everyone in the congregation stood for the responsive Scripture reading.

      She didn’t know if the moisture in her eyes was a result of the beautiful hymn or her reaction to hitting him. Haley paid scant attention to the words printed on her bulletin. She instead prayed for forgiveness for what she’d done.

      When she opened her eyes, she looked to Matt who had slipped onto the bench at the organ.

      Had she been mistaken? Had she harshly and unfairly passed quick judgment without giving him the benefit of a fair hearing?

      Those questions remained with her throughout the order of service, the answers elusive, darting through her consciousness much like lightning bugs in the dark of a warm summer night.

      Then Matt sang the song “Acceptable” and Haley forgot why she’d been so worried. Not only was the organ music beautiful, the lyrics again drew her to tears. When he finished, Reverend Baines beamed and applause swept through the sanctuary as if a concert performance had just ended.

      “I told you he was great. Let’s give another hand to our new choir director.” After everyone settled again, Reverend Baines glanced at his notes. “I’d like to call your attention to three special announcements in your bulletin.”

      Haley managed to draw her attention to her pastor and away from Matt, but not before she noticed quite a few other gazes lingering on the young and handsome choir director.