Shirley & Larry Crockett’s services 1997
Shirley Crockett became the minister of the Guilford Community Church on Easter Sunday, 1976 – 45 years ago this coming Easter! Larry was an informal. partner for several years and then was designated Assistant Minister in 1985. Shirley led the service three Sundays a month and Larry would lead the last Sunday. They served the church as a team until their retirement in November, 1997. During that time, many of the Sunday morning services were recorded on cassette tapes. Approximately 400 of those tapes still exist. During the early months of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Larry took advantage of having a lot of time at home by transferring the tapes from calendar year 1997 (the Crockett’s last year) into digital format: about 40 tapes in all. These have now been made available here on the GCC Homepage. Larry hopes to add to this collection, drawing on tapes from earlier years.
Please remember that these are not professional recordings. The quality varies, but is not bad, considering. They are also unedited: they give you a pretty accurate feel for worship in the GCC from almost 25 years ago. It is fascinating to hear what has changed and what has not. One big change is the pastoral prayer. Back then, prayer requests would be called out from the congregation and Shirley (or Larry) would weave those requests spontaneously into a pastoral prayer.
Note also that in the summaries which accompany each recording, numbers sometimes occur after the children’s story or after the pastoral prayer. These numbers refer to that story in I Invite the Children to Come Forward (Black Mountain Press, 2012) or that prayer in Be Present Here:The Pastoral Prayers of Shirley Harris Crockett (Black Mountain Press, 2008).
– Larry Crockett, March 2021
THE SERVICES
January 12, 1997: Beautiful Aging. Children: “Old is Beautiful” (#272); Choir: “Gratitude”, Reader: Liz Tannenbaum. Sermon on aging. Solo: Larry Crockett “I’m Troubled in Mind” . Prayer (#5).
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January 19, 1997: Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday. Choir: “You Can’t Hurry God”/”Dream of Martin Luther King”. Children: “The snowflake that made all the difference (#28). Reader: Tom Ragle. Sermon “Who are our Martin Luther Kings?”
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January 26, 1997: (Larry and Shirley Crockett) Steadfast Love. Larry writes: “Two days after the Annual Meeting where we announced our retirement, and after which I had panic attack and went to the emergency room. I was supposed to lead the service but had Shirley read my sermon because I felt too weak to do it, and she broke down emotionally during it because it referred to alienation from children and we were experiencing alienation from Betsey. Mary Alice spontaneously started “I’m Gonna Lift My Shirley Up“. Choir: “God Has Done Marvelous Things”. Children: “God’s Marvelous Things” (#217). Prayer (#12).
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February 2, 1997: Candlemas Sunday. Choir: “The Lord is My Light”. Baptism – Malaina Cominoli, child of Melinda and Brian Cominoli. Children: “Two seeds in the darkness” (#31). Reader: Tom Ragle. Solo: “This Little Light of Mine”. Sermon: “Fear of dark and the light of Christ”. Prayer: Piano solo by Katherine Breunig.
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February 9, 1997: “Real Hearts”. Choir: “Grace, ‘Tis a Charming Sound”. Children: “Real Hearts” (#283). Marty Watson reads a Valentine poem to God. Reader: Sherry Providence.. Sermon: “God’s face reflected in us”. Prayer (#22).
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February 23, 1997: Larry Crockett leading. “God’s Covenant with Guilford”. Larry delves into the history of the Guilford Church to find evidence of God’s promise to this church. Choir: A chant out of the Anglican tradition and “We’ve come this far by faith” (African-Amer.); Children: “Living In a Promise” (#220). Reader: Elizabeth Christie. Sermon: details the “miracle” of 1890-99, the work of the “lady evangelists” from Northfield, MA.
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March 2, 1997: Pat & Tucky Houghton leading. Choir: “Psalm of Life” Life is real, life is earnest; Children: Sherry Houghton leads. Andy Davis at piano.
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March 9, 1997: “Jesus Gave Me Water”. Choir: “In This Very Room” and” Jesus Gave Me Water” (with Larry on solo!) Children: “Anwar the Camel Grows Up” (#79). Sermon: “Paradox: ‘Living Water’ and the cry ‘I thirst’ from the cross”. Prayer (#54).
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March 16, 1997: “Fools for Christ”. Choir: Two movements of Schubert Mass. Children: “Ralph Acts the Fool” (#124). Reader: Jack Wesley. Sermon: Mentions Open Door Community. Hymn “We are called to be peacemakers” to tune of “WE ARE LIVING WE ARE DWELLING”.
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March 23, 1997 – Larry Crockett leading the service – Palm Sunday: Choir: “Mantos y Palmas”/”Blessed is He that comes”/”Schubert Mass”. Children: “Daniel the Littlest Donkey” (#68, #71, #72). Reader: Elizabeth Christie. Sermon: Extended analysis of meaning of “come/s” as in “thy kingdom come” and “blessed he that comes.”
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March 27, 1997: Maundy Thursday. Choir: “Godhead Here in Hiding; Lord’s Supper” from Schubert Mass; “He Dies, the Friend of Sinners Dies”; “Into the Woods My Master Went”; Larry solos: “O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded” (Tune: David Hurd, LEVAS p.36); “He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word”.
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March 30, 1997: Easter Sunday. Choir: “Lord of the Dance”, “Jesus, O What a Wonderful Lord”; Billings’ “Easter Anthem”, Handel “Hallelujah Chorus”. Children: “Princess Lily and the Red Bird (#86). Reader: Cindy Tolman. Prayer (#77).
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April 4, 1997: Dorothy Bullock Funeral.
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April 6, 1997: “The Spirit Helps Us. Choir: “I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says sing”/”On Eagles’ Wings”. Children: “Dreyfus Duck Finds His Strength” (Cf. #202 Pooh Finds His Strength). Reader: Peg Jaquith. Sermon: “Spirit helps us pray”. Prayer: (#51).
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April 27, 1997: “An Act of God”: A service “inspired”by massive flooding in the Midwest. Choir: “Psalm of Life”. Children: “The Mended Cup” (#128). Reader: Elizabeth Christie. Sermon reflects on the spiritual issues raised by the midwestern floods. Prayer (#81).
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May 4, 1997. “Basic Christianity” – service led by Larry Crockett. Tape damaged. There are long silences where tape wound around the capstan. Choir: “Lord, you have to the lakeshore”/”Schubert Mass #5” (“Holy, Holy, Holy [cut off]). Children: “Old songs and new song”s. “Jesus Loves Me”and “Building Bridges” (#222). Reader: Shirley. Sermon: “Christianity 101 – Christian faith stripped down to essentials”.
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May 11, 1997; Mother’s Day. Choir: “Nino Lindo”; Tony: “Mothering Sunday”. Children: “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World”. (#290 – May 12, 1996 version); Prayer (#89).
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May 24, 1997. Sadie Lazelle Funeral. Larry solos: “Amazing Grace”; “On Eagle’s Wings” (broken up by tape switch).
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May 25, 1997: Mission. Roy V. Hill, guest preacher. Choir: “God Has Done Marvelous Things”; “The Storm is Passing over”. Children: Pooh is Sent. (#238). Reader: Sherry Providence.
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June 1,1997: Tree Dedications. Trees and shrubs had been given in honor and memory of people – they were planted outside after the service. Order of service is different. Choir: “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”/”I Come Like a Beggar”. Children: “Raggedy learns she is growing like a tree”. (#277). Prayer: (#108). Reader:Tom Ragle. Holy Communion.
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June 7, 1997: Choir Concert
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June 8, 1997: Children’s Sunday; Shirley and Larry Crockett leading together. This service is packed with information about the church, esp. the Sunday School. Teachers and students are named and thanked and the children put on a play about Moses and Pharaoh. Children: Peter and Mary Alice teach “The Silver Rain” to the children and congregation. Piano Duet: “Amen!” Katherine and Fred Breunig. Choir: “Nino Lindo” (interrupted by end of tape). Everyone sings “SIyahamba” while they set up for the play. Reader: Anne Kingsley.
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June 22, 1997: “Mercy”. Solo: Larry “My Shepherd You Supply My Need”. Children: The Robin Who Brought Mercy (#28). Reader: Pat Houghton. Prayer: (#109).
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June 29, 1997: Larry Crockett leads the service: “Lost and Found”. Children: Story of Betsey’s glasses being lost by the roadside. (#319). Reader: Shirley. Sermon adds the story of the lost sail -another incredible lost and found story from the Crockett family. Hymn: “The Ninety and Nine”. Piano: Andy Davis. No Choir.
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July 6, 1997: “Fear Not!” Solo: Larry “Zarastro’s song” from the Magic Flute (“O Lord,above,we pray Thee Guide Us”). accompanied by Lisa Provatas. Children: “The Spirit of ’76” (#298). Choir: Billings’ “Let Tyrants Shake”. Reader Michael Mario. Sermon: Freedom from fear.
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July 13, 1997 “Hearing God’s Call”. Male Choir: “Turn Your Radio On”. Children: “Turning radio on like prayer”. Shirley uses old radio (#252).. Reader: Wilma Higgens. Sermon: Shirley tells story of her call to Guilford.
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July 20, 1997: Pastor’s Sunday. Former pastor, Rev. Skip Lloyd, is present. Hymns are accompanied by Michael Mario, guitar, as well as a violinist (who?). Children: Katie Learns to Swim (#268 ) Reader: Lucy-Spahr-Blasej. Sermon: “The life of faith is like learning to swim”. Solo: Michael Mario “I am a pilgrim and a stranger”.
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July 27, 1997: Larry Crockett leads the service. “Signs”. Children: You Are a Sign (#121). Reader: Tom Ragle. Solo: Larry “This Little Light of Mine”. Duet: Larry and Arlene “How Great Thou Art”.
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August 31, 1997: Larry Crockett leads the service. “We Are God’s Pipe Organ”: This service was after Shirley’s and my organ study tour in Europe and I used that as a theme: Our voices are like an organ pipe (wind passing over vocal chords) . Children: “God’s Pipe Organ” (#102). Larry explains how organ pipes work and demonstrate. Sermon: The pipe organ is a metaphor for the church. Larry hands out pipes to people and “plays” them.
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Sept. 7, 1997: Opening of Sunday School. Male chorus: “I Would Be True” (as sung at Princess Diana ‘s funeral)/”Shall We Gather at the RIver”. Children’s Story: “Inspector Hound and Case of Missing Children” (#229). Reader: Tom Ragle. Prayer (#25). Duet: “I Come Like a Beggar”
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Sept. 14, 1997: “God’s Will”. Choir “Bosold”; Children: “Hans and his grandfather”: “It is God’s will.” Reader: Wilma Higgens. Sermon explores meaning of God’s will.
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Sept. 21, 1997: Larry Crockett leading the service: “Owen Washburn”; Children: “The Little Zebra’s Puzzlement” (#280). Choir: “We’re Standing on Holy Ground”/”Bolold”. Reader: Tom Green. Sermon: “Is GCC a liberal church with a conservative streak or a conservative church with a liberal streak”?
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Sept. 28, 1997: A service about prayer. Children: “Praying for Wings” (#179). . Reader: Cindy Tolman. Sermon: “How can we pray?” or more specifically “What can we pray for?” The Crocketts had just agonized over what car to buy – could we pray for that? Shirley tells of being unexpectedly asked to pray at a fraternity gathering at Wesleyan U and being tongue-tied. Prayer grows out of a sense of weakness. Prayer: (#153). . Choir: “Come Let Us Worship” & “Fall Down” (orthodox liturgy).
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October 5, 1997: “Feeding and Being Fed”. (SHC) Choir: “Jesus Gave Me Water”/”In Remembrance of Me” (RaganCourtney&BurylRed)/”I Come Like Beggar”. Children: “Cookie or Apple?” Reader: Marion Watson. Sermon: “She who feeds others is fed”. Communion: Shirley uses new UCC Liturgy.
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October 12, 1997: (SHC) “Criticisms”. Choir: “Let There Be Peace On Earth”. Children’s Story. Shirley actually forgot to do the Children’s story at its usual place- the first time in 21 years! – and Larry has to remind her when she starts the sermon! This is the occasion for a lot of laughter! The story features two Raggedy dolls, Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Jo (the latter made by Cathy Wilde to circulate among seniors in the church) and has to do with RJ telling RA that her gift of cookies isn’t the kind of cookies she likes! (#213). Reader: Michael Mario. Sermon: “Plays off Thumper’s mother’s advice” – “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Is this true, and is it good advice for the congregation’s relationship with the pastor? Prayer. (#166).
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October 19,1997: “Diversity”. Choir: “The Living Vine” by Neely Bruce. Children: “We are all different”. (#242). Reader: Larry. Sermon: Shirley draws on experience of diversity in her childhood.
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October 26, 1997. Larry Crockett’s last service: “Covenant”. Choir: “Marlborough”. Children: “You promised!” (#303) . Reader: Elizabeth Christie. Sermon: Reformation Sunday, Larry’s ordination (40th ann.), the Windham Association (200th ann.) and the Guilford Church are all connected by the idea of covenant!. Note: The original tape of this service was blank on side two. Thus the bulk of the sermon and the rest of the service was missing. However (luckily) Peter Tracy had made a video of this service which we have. So I played that video on the TV and recorded the sound track on my iPhone. The sound quality is completely different, of course (it is poor), but we have the content. Duet: Larry and Arlene. sing a last duet together, “Rise Again”, by Dallas Holm.
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November 2, 1997. “Strengths and Weaknesses”. Announcements: (1) Deacon Tom Ragle, head of the search committee announces that the deacons will present Allyson Platt as an interim minister, and he talks about her a bit. (2) Larry and Shirley’s Exit Interview after the service. Choir: “In This Very Room”. Children: “Pooh’s Calming Hum” (#268). Reader: Tom Green. Sermon: Exit interview after the service asks for S&L to describe the church’s “strengths and weaknesses.” Shirley answers those questions in this sermon. Lord’s Supper; Shirley & Larry lead together. Duet: “I come like a beggar” -Tony and Margaret Dale. The Exit Interview after the service was not recorded (unfortunately).
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November 19, 1997: Cliff Higley Funeral
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November 23, 1997: Shirley and Larry’s final service. Choir: “Sing to the Power of the Lord Come Down”. Special: Irene Kirchheimer brings in a gift of a photo of John Bullock ringing the bell for the hostages. Spontaneous: “Now Is the Hour” Children: “Raggedy and BackPack Patty say goodbye”. (#249). Choir: “Journey’s Ended, Journey’s Begun”.Larry & Choir: “On Eagles Wings”. Prayer: (#178).
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An early Shirley and Larry Crockett service
November 27, 1988: Shirley’s return after a sabbatical; 1st Sunday in Advent. A lively, spirit-filled service! Larry and Shirley sing a duet! “Spirit of the Living God”. Children’s Choir: “Little Lamb who made thee”? Choir: song from Weston. Sermon: “What do you really want Jesus to give you”? Shirley is newly filled with Spirit. Larry and Arlene: “Shepherds and Kings”.
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