Sunday, July 27, 2003
Sunday, July 27, 2003
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and
pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell
you, they have received their reward."
A good page-turner should help make the performer successful. The page-turner doesn't share
the bows; nor is he listed in the program. He has done his job if he has enabled the performer to
perform uninterrupted and if he himself has remained unnoticed. Elmer Booze is content to
make his anonymous contribution to something bigger than himself.
Again, that is the motivation that drives many people in our church. Think how many tasks, from
teaching Sunday School to preparing the flowers on the altar, are done by people who ask for no
recognition for themselves. They are content knowing that this is God's work and they are
thankful to be part of it.
(Matthew 6.5
NRSV)
There was an article in the newspapers about a man named Elmer Booze. Booze is a
professional page-turner for concert pianists. His job is to follow the score that the performer is
playing and turn pages at the proper times. He is supposed to be as unobtrusive as possible,
working quickly and without obscuring the performer's vision. Booze does this well enough to be
referred to as "the ghost."
Loving God, may the work I do for you be done with humility and without regard for recognition.
Amen.
