The "'Cause every little thing gonna be alright!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Carol and I are sitting in front of the 21" Apple desktop computer singing along with J.R. Ankey and the Duke Street Band as they wail out ….

Rise up this morning',
Smiled with the risen' sun,
Three little birds
Each by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message for you")

Singin' "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be alright."
Singin' "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be alright!"

Sound familiar?  The lyrics are to the song titled Three Little Birds and sung by Bob Marley.  OK, so now you recognize it.  We had a great time rocking in our chairs as we watched …. the 5:00 PM church service from St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Got an email a few days ago telling me that if I can't make the 5:00 PM Saturday Bob Marley Mass, I could "click here" to see the lifestream of the service.  Pretty neat, so it was.  Didn't realize that Bob Marley sang religious music did you.  Well, Bob Marley spoke about women's rights (No Woman, No (Don't) Cry), but he also used his music to help promote freedom, peace and reconciliation as well as equal rights for all.  St. James has been having Saturday evening Mass for years, but about three years ago they added a new touch by featuring the music of well-known musicians.  Perhaps you have heard of the Rolling Stones or Tracey Chapman.  They have recently been featured and by clicking on http://new.livestream.com/saintjameslancaster?utm_source=Comprehensive+E-Blast+%26+E-Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=7205f97e95-H%26H+3.27.14&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c81b590726-7205f97e95-28143281 you can view the service from the archives of the lifestream performances.  The music of many other classic artists have been used to try and attract a "different" crowd to church.  

Service from St. James church on my desktop computer.

As Carol and I watched the service we recognized quit a few of our friends as the camera panned the congregation.  And, remarkably, the large majority of the congregation were "Baby Boomers" or older.  It's like going to a rock concert and church service all at one time.  And the cost of admission is a free-will offering that is taken during the service.  J.R. Ankey is the musical director at the church and can perform just about any genre of music.  Those that accompany him vary from service to service, but all are great musicians.  The congregation gets to stand and sing along if they care and …. hey, wait a minute, gotta sing along with this one that goes like this …

Preacher man, don't tell me, Heaven is under the earth
I know you don't know, what life is really worth
It's not all that glitter's is gold, half the story has never been told
And now you see the light, you stand up for your right

Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight
Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights
Get up, stand up, don't give up a fight

You see, most people think great God will come from the sky
Take away everything and make everybody feel high
But if you know what life is worth, you would look for yours on earth
Now you see the light, stand up for your right

Dress is casual for the service which takes about 45 minutes and is held in the main church at St. James.  Click on the link above to see the service or drop by some Saturday afternoon and enjoy the service with the rest of the congregation.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

J.R. Ankey and the Duke Street Band perform Bob Marley songs at St. James.