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Rule 19: You'll always want that one book

It doesn't matter if you brought a different book for each piece you are playing throughout the service.

It's going to happen. The pastor is going to say something in his sermon that very directly ties into a song for which you didn't bring music. A song you know you have in that one book.

You might drive back to your house between services to get it.
You might write the entire service off as a missed opportunity.
You might just pull out the hymnal and improvise on a wing and a prayer during the offertory.

There is no cure for wanting that one book.... (Unless you live across the street and can send a gopher to get it for you.)

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