The View from The Hill - December 2018
The past ten days have been quite busy and I have more opportunities to sing before Christmas.
Last week, I was in Washington, DC for several events including a Christmas concert that was scheduled to take place in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.
About twenty-five years ago I met then Indiana Assemblyman Mike Pence and his wife, Karen. I was singing at an event for Overseas Council in Florida and the Pences were in attendance. I distinctly remember our meeting. Then in October, I saw Vice President Pence briefly at an event in Dallas and he immediately knew my voice as I was singing when he entered the room.
Kristine and I were honored to be guests at a Christmas gathering at the Vice Presidential residence at the Naval Observatory last week. During the party, Mrs. Pence asked if I would sing and I sang, "O Holy Night" for the assembled guests. That was the start of the week.
From there, God moved in some amazing ways. A group of folks from around the country were in Washington, DC for two days of activities and I was showing them a bit about my work on Capitol Hill. I had arranged
I had arranged several events for them to attend including the Carols in the Capitol concert for which I was responsible and some other meetings with members of Congress.
With the passing of President Bush, the arrangements I had made for events in the Capitol were cancelled. The Capitol was closed Monday afternoon through Wednesday evening to honor President Bush.
In spite of the closing of the Capitol, God allowed our group to have a phenomenal experience including visiting the Rotunda while President George H.W. Bush was lying in state and to meet with several members of Congress including Pete Sessions (TX), Gregg Harper (MS), Diane Black (TN), Virginia Foxx (NC), Jeff Duncan (SC) and Gary Palmer (AL). All of these men and women are followers of Jesus.
Our Christmas concert that was scheduled to be in Statuary Hall on Wednesday evening had to be moved to the World Stage Theatre at the Museum of the Bible. I cannot thank the Museum of the Bible and the staff enough. They were so gracious and accommodating. If you have not visited the Museum of the Bible, I highly recommend you add that to your travel plans.
Following some great days in Washington, DC I flew home to sing in two Christmas concerts at our home church, Bel Air Church in Los Angeles.
Following the second concert on Sunday evening, I took a night flight to New York City. On Tuesday morning, I sang, "Mary, Did You Know" on the Fox & Friends television show. It was great to continue the Christmas tradition of singing for this program.
Following the Fox & Friends appearance, I flew to Las Vegas where on Wednesday, I sang for the opening festivities of the National Finals Rodeo. It's pretty amazing that this 10-day event opens each night with a word of prayer for safety of the cowboys.
Between now and Christmas I have several more concert events. Two of the events are outreach events where an opportunity to follow Jesus will be shared.
Thanks for your support and encouragement in all that Amerson Music Ministries does to help build the Kingdom.
Steve