Bud's World

The Perfect Pastor
A RECENT SURVEY HAS COMPILED ALL THE QUALITIES THAT PARISHIONERS EXPECT FROM THE “PERFECT PASTOR.” RESULTS OF A COMPUTERIZED SURVEY INDICATE THE PERFECT PASTOR…

preaches exactly 12 minutes, frequently condemns sin but never “upsets” anyone, works from 8 a.m. until midnight, is also a janitor, makes $60 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, gives about $80 a week to the poor, is approximately 28 years of age, has been preaching for 30 years, gives completely of herself but never gets too close to anyone in order to avoid criticism, speaks boldly on social issues but never becomes politically involved, has a burning desire to work with teenagers, spends much of her time with senior citizens, makes 15 daily calls to parish families, visits shut-ins and the hospitalized, evangelizes the unchurched, and is always in the office when needed.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL PASTORS!

From the Choir Loft

New Year’s has traditionally been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, looking forward to the New Year and making resolutions to improve. So in an effort to help, I have listed the top 10 resolutions found in a recent survey followed by some helpful suggestions.

Top 10 Resolutions:

1. Spend more time with family & friends. Join the choir and we will be your musical “friends.”

2. Schedule periods of exercise. I will include periods of calisthenics during each choir rehearsal. 3. Lose weight. We don’t allow eating during choir rehearsals.

4. Quit smoking. We don’t allow smoking during choir rehearsals.

5. Enjoy life more. Choir members always enjoy the end of choir rehearsals.

6. Quit drinking. We don’t allow drinking during choir rehearsals.

7. Get out of debt. You can’t shop if you’re at choir rehearsal.

8. Learn something new. We’ll teach you a new rhythm each week.

9. Help others. You will be helping me.

10. Get organized. We need a librarian to organize our music.

(See you in choir.)

I was just wondering…
Does a fish get cramps after eating?
Is “atheism” a non-prophet organization?
If cheese is made of milk, why is it yellow?
Why is there an expiration date on my sour cream container?
If a person can be “discombobulated,” can they be “combobulated?”
Why do they say new and improved? It can’t be new if it was improved, can it?
Were drive-in banks established so most of the cars today could see their real owners?
Why is there a “permanent press” setting on an iron, when you can’t permanently press anything?
If it’s zero degrees today and it’s supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow how cold is it going to be?

Today in history
January 6
1967 – “The Milton Berle Show” last aired on ABC-TV
1963 – “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” with Marlin Perkins began on NBC
1759 – George Washington married Martha Dandridge Curtis
Church office: (716) 672-2048, Bud: (716) 934-7734, email: mailto:tubamanbud@yahoo.com
http://www.frombudsworld.blogspot.com/

History of the Carols

‘The Little Drummer Boy’

The legend of a young boy who wishes to give the newly born Christ Child a precious gift is an old one, and found in many countries. In Italy the boy has only an onion; in Spain he has an olive branch; in England he has the ability to juggle; in Holland he has a branch of freesia; in France he has his little drum.
Harry Simeone, once a choral conductor with Fred Waring, selected the latter as the basis for his winsome Christmas song titled ‘The Little Drummer Boy.’ Impulsively joining the solemn cortege of the three kings, with their splendid offerings of fragrant myrrh, pungent frankincense and gleaming gold, the boy realizes in dismay that all he has is his hand drum. Crestfallen, he nonetheless approaches the Babe in the manger and lays the drum at His feet. Only then does he notice the tender, radiant smile that appears for an instant on the face of the Holy Child. His modest gift is not without merit after all.
With its brave little melody and its “prmm, prmm, prmm” accompaniment, ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ has inspired a number of best-selling recordings, chief among them Simeone’s own (in 1958) with his choral group.

Meanwhile…1958…50 years ago…in the United States…

President: Dwight D. Eisenhower…V. President: Richard M. Nixon
Bread: 19¢/loaf, Milk: 25¢/qt., Eggs: 85¢/dz., Gas: 30¢/gal., Min. wage: $1.00/hour
Top songs: ‘Don’t’ (Elvis Presley), ‘The Purple People eater’ (Sheb Wooley), ‘He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands’ (Laurie London), ‘The Chipmunk Song’ (David Seville)
TV shows: Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy, Alfred Hitchock Presents, The Ed Sullivan Show
Hot New Toy in 1958: Hula-Hoop
‘Alfred Heights’ residential development in Silver Creek, NY, was begun.
At Sheridan Methodist church, during the pastorate of Rev. Wayne B. Price, the old wooden building of the church gave way to a new educational unit, which was paid for by funds derived from the ‘Lord’s Acre project’ sponsored by
‘The Methodist Men.’

Ref. RDM TimelinesOfHistory TanBible DmarieCapsule SheridanSettler

Sheridan Community Chorus (Easter rehearsals)

The Easter cantata: 'I've Seen Jesus,' has not yet arrived via FedEx.

I would like to start Easter rehearsals on Tuesday (1/15/08), or Tuesday (1/22/08).

I will let everyone know as soon as possible. Please invite others to join us.

IT WILL BE FUN...I PROMISE!

Sheridan Community Chorus Bulletin Board

What is the best night of the week for choir/chorus rehearsals?

I would like to have an Easter Cantata kick-off night at The Sheridan United Methodist Church. We will sit down with the 'I've Seen Jesus' books and watch the DVD.

How about Tuesday, 1/15/08 @ 7:00 pm?

How about Friday, 1/18/08 @ 7:00 pm?

How about Saturday, 1/19/08 @ 7:00 pm?

Please 'click' on the "comments" icon and let me know.

Bud

Sheridan Community Chorus schedule

Remaining Christmas Chorus Calendar...

Tuesday, 1/8/08: 7:00 pm @ Lakeshore Nursing Facility

Sunday, 1/13/08: 6:30 pm @ Holy Trinity R.C. Catholic Church

Report times are 1 hour before starting time.

The recall (Joke)

-"The Lockhorns"
Seattle Post Intelligencer

2008 Easter Cantata

Our Easter Cantata for 2008 will be: 'I've Seen Jesus.'

This exciting new 40 minute musical presents the Easter story recounting Jesus' ministry from the Resurrection to the Ascension. It is written by Deborah Craig-Claar & Robert Sterling. It includes opportunities for choir, soloists, readers/actors, small vocal ensemble or praise team and worship leader. It includes an accompaniment DVD to visually enhance the performance.

To listen to excerpts of 'I've Seen Jesus' use this link:

http://wordmusic.com/products/book.cfm?UPC=080689424175

scroll down to "song titles"

click on "Listen!" to listen to excerpts of each title.

We plan on presenting 'I've Seen Jesus' at Sheridan United Methodist church on Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 7:00 PM

My 2007 Diary

1/1: A water pipe burst in the kitchen at home…thank God for the Shop-Vac…Happy New Year!
2/3: Our church service in Sheridan was cancelled due to 14” of snow and a 5-degree wind chill factor
2/6: Waited at Diane’s mother’s house for 8 hours waiting for the furnace to be fixed (feet are numb!)
2/21: Spent much of the day trying to get the ice off the roof of the house (a salt sock is salt in pantyhose?)
3/3: We visited ‘Gobbler’s Knob’ restaurant…they tell me Lorraine Cole practically lives there.
3/25: Found out that Eileen Gabel is a pretty great pianist.
4/1: ‘The Baaad Donkey’ kids musical was presented. Great job.
4/07: Had a “home and away” Easter cantata with the Cattaraugus Chorus.
5/07: I saw and heard David Golando’s middle school band in parade…great group!
6/8: The power was out for 17 hours…does that happen more in this area?
6/9: The B.B.B. Tuba Choir at S.U.M. w/Dr. Kate Levy & Riley conducting (WHAT A GREAT GROUP!)
6/24: Diane & I heard The Mormon Tabernacle Choir @ Chautauqua Institute…WOW!
7/1: The Patriotic cantata @ S.U.M. with the military group in uniform. Thanks Colonel Harrigan!
July: Great time @ ‘The Family Jam’ at Barb’s house
7/6: My niece’s wedding in Buffalo…1st time in 21 years all my siblings are together at one time!
7/15: The Community Chorus @ Cattaraugus Christian Camp…largest crowd we’ve ever performed for!
7/22: David Golando’s ‘Sax Time’ @ church…great group!
8/1: Played @ Chautauqua County Home…MAN IS IT HOT! ONLY THE RESIDENTS ARE COMFY!
8/4: Participated in the Silver Creek Village Wide Yard Sale…lots of lookers! Is our stuff junk?
8/13: Vacation Bible School @ our church – 1st use of the church video projector! Great week.
8/19: Church service @ Dunkirk Conference Ctr. (Is it always chilly & rainy when we come here?)
9/14: Chorus performs @ The Grape Festival…thank God it didn’t rain! How about that wind!
10/1: We had the roof replaced @ home…boy, it’s hard heaving everything into that dumpster
11/18: Our 18 voice Tuba choir hardly fits on the platform at the Westfield Assembly of God church
12/9: Chorus sings at St. Joe’s R.C. church in N.T. No one got lost or hurt! Got to see my former pastor!
12/16: Will the ‘Nor’eastern’ storm cancel Christmas cantata? Postponed! (Someone called me a wimp!)

Bud’s 2007 reflections…
How many times has Pastor Molly run, jumped, or skipped during a sermon? Is she the hardest working pastor in WNY? I miss seeing Alice & Neal. It’s great to have Lorraine Bailey with us. Carolyn Dobony seems to never miss a service. Will Steve Brennan be home this weekend? Wendy Gens has a great little ‘Angel.’ Lincoln looks great in his costume! Jan Delcamp takes a breath only once every 4 minutes while singing (great singer). Just when you think Riley isn’t paying attention, up pops his head between the pews. Thanks JoAnn & Terry Niebel. No one got lost during the ‘road rally’ but they really do have dirt roads around here! Boy, does Barb keep the church clean. Jeannine seems to never miss a cue during the service. The members of my Sunday school class are great! (I’m not really the “teacher") Charlie & Mary snuck a dog into my yard! Do I hear the sound of billiard balls upstairs?

Thanks Diane.

History of the Carols

“Auld Lang Syne”
Robert Burns, the most famous of Scottish poets, discovered the lyrics for “Auld Lang Syne” in the course of his travels about the Highland countryside. He wrote his publisher in 1791 that he heard these lyrics being sung by an old man to a “mediocre” tune but was sure they were good enough to deserve a better melody. That “mediocre” tune is not what we sing today. The now traditional one was used in ‘Rosina,’ an opera by William Shield, was first performed in London in 1783. Perhaps Shield knew it as a folksong. It appears somewhat altered, in his opera’s Overture, and later as an imitation of bagpipes. Somehow that tune crossed the Atlantic, where it became the marching song at the University of Virginia.
When bandleader Guy Lombardo programmed it there in 1932 with the “Auld Lang Syne” words (that include two stanzas from Burns’ adaptation of the ancient poem) as a closing number at a college dance, the students cheered in recognition of “their” tune. As a result, Lombardo decided to make it his regular closing number.
Today, the familiar music and words (the title translates literally as “old long since”) are sung as a farewell to the old year, a ritual of parting, in virtually all English-speaking countries. And for more than half a century, it was featured on Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians’ famous New Year’s Eve radio and television broadcasts, heard throughout most of the world.

It happened on January 1st…
1985 – New York State became the 1st state in the U.S. with a mandatory seat belt law
1971 – Tobacco ads totaling $20 million were banned from Television & radio
1966 – The final episode of ‘The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet’ w/Rick Nelson filmed
1956 – Elvis Presley recorded ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ for RCA in Nashville
1946 – Emperor Hirohito of Japan announced he was not a god
1944 – Gen. Clark replaced Gen. Patton as commander of the 7th Army
1908 – The 1st “Ball Drop,” signaling the New Year, took place in New York City
1892 – Ellis Island was first opened as an immigration station near the Statue of Liberty
1863 – President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves
404 – The last gladiator competition took place in Rome

Ref. RDM TimelinesOfHistory TanBible DmarieCapsule CBS.COM

Sheridan Community Chorus 12/30/07 Christmas Cantata

We had a full house last night and the performance was a tremendous success. To everyone involved in the production...

Great job!

Sheridan Community Chorus 12/30/07 concert

Chorus report time: 6:00 pm

Concert start time: 7:00 pm

Place: Sheridan United Methodist Church

2679 East Main Road Sheridan, NY 14135

Choir members' shuttle service will begin at 5:45 at St. John Bosco parking lot (.5 mile west of our church). Choir members are asked to park their cars in the St. John Bosco parking lot and take the shuttle to our church. This will leave parking spaces available for our visitors. The shuttle service will resume following the concert.

2008 Chorus plans:

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 @ 7:00 pm at Lakeshore Nursing facility.

Sunday, January 13, 2008 @ 3:00 pm at Holy Trinity Church 1032 Central Ave. Dunkirk, NY.

Easter concert: Sunday, March 16, 2008 @ 7:00 pm @ Sheridan United Methodist church.

Patriotic concert: Sunday, June 29, 2008 @ 7:00 pm @ Sheridan United Methodist church.

Patriotic concert: Sunday, 7/13/08 or 7/20/08 @ Cattaraugus Christian camp.

Christmas concert: Sunday, 12/21/08 @ Sheridan United Methodist church.

'Twas the Day after Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house, every creature was sleeping, even the mouse.
The toys were all broken, their batteries dead, Santa was passed out with some ice on his head.
Wrapping and ribbons covered the floor, while upstairs the family continued to snore.
And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans, went into the kitchen and started to clean.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a little white truck with an oversize mirror.
The driver was smiling, so lively and grand, the patch on his jacket said US POST-MAN.
With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox, then quickly stuffed them into our box.
Bill after bill and still they all came, whistling and counting he called them by name.
Now Macy's, now Sibley's, now Penny’s and Sears, here’s Levitz and Target and Mervyn’s….all here.
To the top of your limit, every store, every mall, now chargeaway, chargeaway, chargeaway all!!
He chuckled and whistled as he finished his work, he filled up the box, then turned with a jerk.
He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road, driving much faster with just half of a load.
Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,“ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT….YOU”LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!!”

credit: forwardedfunnies.com

Sheridan Community Chorus Christmas Concert: Sunday,

December 30 @ 7:00 PM

Sheridan United Methodist Church 2679 Route 20 Sheridan, NY 14135

Sheridan Community Chorus Christmas Concert

The Sheridan Community Chorus annual Christmas concert will be Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 7:00 pm at The Sheridan United Methodist Church (2679 East Main Road [Route 20] Sheridan, NY.

This talented chorus will present the fresh, new Christmas musical 'Noel' by David T. Clydesdale. This entertaining cantata includes choir, solos, drama, accompanying video, narration, full orchestral background all under the direction of Bud Lowery.

Come early...invite your friends and neighbors. The concert is free and a free-will offering will be taken. For further information call (716) 934-7734 or tubamanbud@gmail.com

Christmas credit (Joke)

Why is getting Christmas presents for your kids just like a day at the office?

You do all the work and the fat guy in the suit gets all the credit.

Christmas riddles

What did the reindeer say before launching into his comedy routine?
This will sleigh you.

What do lions sing at Christmas?
Jungle bells!

When is a boat like a pile of snow?
When it's adrift.

What do you call the fear of getting stuck in a chimney?
Santaclaustrophobia

How do snowmen get around?
On their icicles.

Merry Christmas from Bud's World

The Candy Cane Legend

“Look at the Candy cane…What do you see? Stripes that are red…Like blood shed for me.
White for my Savior…Who’s sinless and pure! ‘J’’ is for Jesus… ‘My lord,’ that’s for sure!
Turn it around…and a staff you will see… Jesus my shepherd…Was born for me!”

Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy cane at Christmas time that would serve as witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the church; firmness to represent the promise of God.

The candy maker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which He reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs that, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received and by which we are all healed. The large red stripe was for the Promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane – a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the true meaning is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Christmas Trivia:

What popular children's cracker was introduced in 1902 as a Christmas ornament?
The National Biscuit Company introduced the ‘Barnum’s Animal Cracker’ and box. The box, as it does today, had a string designed so that the box could be hung as a Christmas ornament.
In 1939 Robert May created what Christmas figure as a Christmas promotion for Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago?
Rudolph the Red Noised Reindeer.
In the 1920’s what world wide beverage company adopted the Santa Claus figures for a winter advertising promotion?
The Coca-Cola Company used Santa Claus to promote the idea that a soft drink was a winter beverage as well as a summer beverage.
Who was the first United States ambassador to Mexico?
Joel Poinsett the developer of the popular Christmas Poinsettia flowers.
What popular Christmas candy had its debut and was given out by a choirmaster in 1670 to quiet the noisy children?
The candy cane.
Which American President banned the Christmas Tree from being displayed in the White House?
The environmentalist President Teddy Roosevelt.
In what year did Coca-Cola hire Haddon Sundblom to illustrate Santa Claus dressed in the red Santa Claus suit and Santa Claus hat trimmed in white fur that helped standardize the image of the gift-bringer in the eyes of America?
Haddon Sunblom was hired to illustrate Santa Claus in 1931 and drew Santa Claus

History of the Carols

Merry Christmas From Bud’s History of the Carols

‘O Holy Night’ (1847) Words / music (Adam-Dwight )

Adolphe Adam, whose ballet Giselle remains a mainstay of most world-class dance companies, is equally famous for his Christmas song ‘O Holy Night,’ so universally loved and so frequently sung that many assume it to be a folksong or carol.
Having composed the melody, Adam requested some suitable lyrics from his poet friend Cappeau de Roquemaure, who based his poem on the Christmas story. So enamored was the Parisian public of its first performance in 1847, that Adam was hailed as the composer of the day, despite the fact that some clergy found his melody too passionate, too lacking in Christian humility, and for a time sought to ban its use.
Popular everywhere in France, ‘Cantique de Noel’ (its original French title) was hardly known elsewhere until about 1916, when the legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso made a recording that spread its fame throughout the world. English lyrics were added by the distinguished American clergyman John Sullivan Dwight.

Christmas Day in History…

1939 – Montgomery Ward stores introduced ‘Rudolph’ the 9th reindeer
1923 – 1st electrically lit Christmas tree was displayed in the White House
1884 – Layne Hall of Silver Creek, NY was born (He would become
“The oldest legally licensed driver in U.S. history” at 105 years of age)
1818 - 1st U.S. performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ premiered in Boston, Mass.
1818 – The 1st time ‘Silent Night’ was sung (Austria)
1776 – George Washington crossed the Delaware River
1492 - Columbus' ship Santa Maria docked at Dominican Republic 1223 - St. Francis of Assisi assembled 1st Nativity scene (Greccio, Italy)

Ref. BuffaloHistory Cyberhymnal TimelinesOfHistory SilverCreek.com DmarieCapsule RDM

Wrong Email Address (Joke)

The Gallaghers, a couple from Minneapolis, decided to go to Florida during the icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Both husband and wife had hectic schedules and it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. The husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday while his wife planned to fly down the day after.

Mr. Gallagher checked into the hotel and decided to send an email to his wife. But in typing he accidentally left out one letter in her email address. Without realizing his error, he sent the email.

Meanwhile, in Houston, the widow Gallager returned home from her husband's funeral. He had been a minister of many years, and was called home to glory following a sudden heart attack.

The widow decided to check her email, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife

Subject: I've Arrived Date: February 5, 2004 I know you're surprised to hear from me. It’s amazing—they have computers here now and you can send emails to loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. Everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

Love, Harry

P.S. Sure is hot down here!

Sheridan Community Chorus Schedule

Upcoming concerts:
Sunday, December 30, 2007 @ 7:00 PM at Sheridan United Methodist Church
2679 East Main Road (2679 Route 20) Sheridan, NY (716) 672-2048 [Pastor Molly Golando]

Tuesday, January 8, 2008 @ 7:00 PM at Lakeshore Nursing Facility
845 Routes 5 & 20 Irving, NY 14081 (716) 951-7032 [Activities Director: Marilee]

Sunday, January 13, 2008 @ 6:00 PM at Holy Trinity R.C. Church
1020 Central Avenue Dunkirk, NY 14048 [Father David B.]
Report Time for all concerts is one hour before concert time.

Some Santa Ho-Ho-s and No-No's

TO: MALL SANTAS
FROM: MANAGEMENT

Welcome aboard in your new role as one of "Santa's Helpers." Please review the following guidelines carefully, so that the mall and its patrons can have a happy, healthy and non-litigious holiday season.
1.) As you've no doubt heard, "Ho Ho Ho" is no longer considered an acceptable holiday greeting, having been deemed potentially offensive to women and gardeners. The substitute "Ha Ha Ha" has also been banned, as it is possibly damaging to a child's self-esteem. Also, Santas overheard saying "Merry Christmas" will be summarily removed from the premises. Instead, we recommend you listen attentively to the children, nod, and affect a blank stare devoid of any emotion, particularly fear. They can sense fear.
2.) Please keep in mind that not all children believe in Santa Claus or celebrate Christmas. However, please make no attempt to determine this based on physical cues, such as yarmulkes or "Proud Jehovah's Witness" T-shirts, as this would be considered profiling. If you have any questions, please consult the mall's attorney, who will be standing behind the fake snowman.
3.) Plump Santas are no longer considered "jolly." Instead, they serve as a bleak reminder of our nation's struggle with obesity and are a poor role model to our increasingly overweight and inactive children. Please make every effort to appear slim and fit, and to encourage children to leave you celery and soy products rather than cookies and hot chocolate on Christmas Eve. Also, please note that smoking is permitted in the break room only.
4.) Please do not promise children that Santa will bring them anything in particular, as promising a gift that the parents cannot afford or do not approve of could result in a lengthy and expensive lawsuit. Be pleasant but non-committal. If the child is persistent, try to distract him with one of the celery sticks we now give out in lieu of candy canes; if that doesn't work, send him behind the snowman to speak to the attorney.
5.) It has been deemed inappropriate, and a serious legal risk, to have children sitting on a strange bearded man's lap. This year the children will sit on a stool, separated from you by a sheet of soundproof Plexiglas. This also serves the purpose of keeping you from being able to hear their gift requests (see No. 4).
6.) The concept of elves has been determined to be offensive to a host of protected groups, including little people, pointy-eared people and people with high squeaky voices. However, so as to give you the support you need, we are looking at several possible replacements. Right now we're leaning toward attorneys. We're sure that if you follow these simple guidelines you will succeed in making the children's visits with Santa as unremarkable and non-offensive as possible.
Welcome aboard the team here at the mall, and have a merry ... a happy ... Oh, whatever.


Credit: Peter Chianca