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13. The Emcee: "If You Have a Dry Emcee, You Have a Dry Anniversary"
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Chapter 13 The ElRcee "If You Have a Dry Emcee, You Have a Dry Anniversary" Sister Lena Mae Perry's pause marks an important moment of transition. After whispering calming phrases as the wave of anointment ebbed, she shifts her eyes from heaven to the pews. Still standing behind the registration table, Sister Perry once again addresses the congregation, now speaking as one of the afternoon's honorees. "Atthis time;' she begins in a voice full of friendly warmth, "we're going to introduce our emcee for the afternoon." As she speaks, one of the singers who set up the microphones slides toward the front, picks up the mike resting on the choir loft rail, and whispers "Check, check" to test its sound. His hushed words boom through the sanctuary, leading him to quickly cut the volume on a nearby amp. As Sister Perry continues, he hands her the mike. Praise the Lord. And some of you might know her. And some of you may not. Praise God. But she will present herself to you, as she emcees this anniversary on this afternoon. (Amen) For the most part, the congregation remains quiet. Folks are waiting for the service's next step and aren't talking back. The guitarist, however, continues to fill the silences between Sister Perry's lines. Sister Perry herself, meanwhile, offers a kind of running response to her own words with her repeated pronouncements of "Praise God." The rolling phrase not only lends her remarks a clear rhythm, but also sets them firmly within a frame of praise. Praise God. Youknow, anniversaries has a lot to do with your emcees. Praise the Lord. (Yes) If you have a dry emcee, I know from experience, you have a dry anniversary! Quiet laughter ripples through the pews. For the saints, "dry" is like "dead," suggesting both a sense of lifelessness and a parched removal from the "living water" of the Word. A "dry" emcee is one withered by the winds of indifference; a«dry" service, in turn, never knows the anointing flow. These saints clearly don't want a "dry" anniversary. Almost as if hearing the quip as a caution, folks in the pews start talking back to Sister Perry. Meanwhile, one of the guest quartet singers huddles near the guitarist, apparently conferring on the key of an upcoming song. While Sister Perry speaks into one mike, this singer sings into another, his voice low but clearly audible. The guitarist quickly catches his key and turns his improvisations toward the suggested melody. Sister Perry pays the two no mind and keeps on talking. Praise God. Yougot to have somebody that's full of the Holy Ghost. Praise our God! We thank God this evening for a person whom we know, whom we loveso dearly. We want you to give a great big round of applause to Evangelist Hattie Lofton! (Well!) (Amenl/That's right!) (Alright) (Yeswe do) (Alright!/ Amen!) Many in the congregation know Evangelist Lofton-some from previous anniversaries , some from other services that she's led-and they clearly welcome her presence. As hearty applause rings through the sanctuary, the guitarist ups his volume and plays an introductory flourish. Midway through this musical preface, as Evangelist Lofton stands from her place in the pew directly next to my recorder, the keyboards join the guitar and seize the melodic lead. I later discover that the keyboard player, who has remained silent for most of the talking thus far, is Evangelist Lofton's husband, Glenn. Both are members of a neighboring Disciples congregation, where Glenn serves as a deacon. Taking the microphone offered her by Sister Perry, Evangelist Lofton eases around the table and steps to the center of the cross-aisle. A slim woman with a smooth, youthful face, an elegantly tailored blue suit, and piercing eyes, she seems to be bursting with energy. Her opening words confirm this initial impression. As soon as the clapping starts to slow, she calls out, "Praise the Lord, saints!" The congregation responds with a chorused "Praise the Lord!" While their response still hangs in the air, Evangelist Lofton calls out again, this time louder and with a sharply rising tone, "Praise the Lord!" More saints seem to respond this time, their voices ringing with enthusiasm as they answer, "Praise the Lord!" Again the evangelistjumps in, her words now pushing to yet a higher pitch. "Praise the Lord!" she cries. "Praise the Lord!" return the saints. 164 Chapter 13 [34.201.28...