Because Maine has such long, cold, dark winters, I have an arrangement with our town's community center in which I may practice juggilng in the 'large room' afew times a week.  In exchange for using this space free of charge, I do a few community shows throughout the year.  Most recently, I did a show on New Year's Eve for a free community luncheon.  This is a free meal, and brings in a diverse group of older folks, people with special needs, and others who just want a free meal and some company.

The meal, which was pizza this time, was well attended, leaving just enough open space for me to work.  I opened with two dove productions and flower box productions as I shared Jesus' words about God's care for creation and our need to trust His provision without worrying.  I don't usually open with a scripture based routine right away at these luncheons, but I felt this was what should happen, and it was well received.  

Throughout the rest of the show, I mixed in scriptural routines and other, just playful ones.  For example, I did my paperfolding routine about buying a funeral plot just for laughs, but also did my balance board juggling routine to Melanie's version of the Hallelujah Chorus.  I did a casual, audience participation version of my linking rings routine, but I also juggled hats to the classic hymn, "Standing on the Promises of God".

Since it was New Year's Eve, I ended with my vanishing champagne bottle, using it to emphasize Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes, "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."  I use the bottle to represent all of Solomon's riches and excess, and make it vanish when I get to the part where he realizes that all of his excess is meaningless.

Like most local shows, I ran into a few familiar faces, including Marge.  Marge is an older lady who went to the same chuch as we did for many years.  She is just as positive, encouraging and pleasant as ever, and, as usual, encouraged me in my efforts to share the Gospel in this unique way.