How Can I Keep from Singing?

Saturday's verses in the UniPlace devotional guide for Lent were not from scripture, but from a hymn found in our Chalice Hymnal.  The video above is a version of the tune/text recorded by Enya.

Verse 1 of the hymn titled "My Life Flows On" in our hymnal is as follows:

My life flows on in endless song

above earth’s lamentation;  

I hear the clear, though far off hymn 

that hails a new creation.

No storm can shake

my inmost calm 

while to that Rock I’m clinging, 

Since love is Lord of heav’n and earth,

How can I keep from singing?

This Sunday morning we closed our 10:00 a.m. worship service with this hymn.  I will be humming it all day.  After a week of reflecting on keeping faith in God's promises, this hymn resonates in deep places within me.  Resting in that inmost calm which no storm can shake ... happy Sunday everyone.

I Already Have This One

I am old enough to remember the inherent disappointment in opening a box of Cracker Jacks only to discover the prize inside was exactly the same as one found in a previous box.  My children, I know, experienced the same emotion when the toy in their Happy Meal was identical to one already received.  The common exclamation: "But .... I already HAVE this one!"

This was exactly my response twice this week when I opened my daily chocolate to see again the same message: "Take a deep breath & exhale"  Really?  Again?  Why not, "Be the first one on the dance floor," or "Somewhere someone is thinking of you" or "Your smile is your best accessory."  I already have this one.

It didn't take long, though, before I remembered an overused but helpful sermon illustration that has made its way into my preaching in the past.  A young seminarian tries out for his first pulpit in a small Kentucky church.  He preaches an outstanding first sermon on the text "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  The sermon is fiery, passionate, direct and full of biblical quotations on the importance of giving generously to the work of the Lord. He is hired on the spot and the small town is buzzing with excitement about the outstanding new preacher.  On his second Sunday attendance is up and the congregation sits expectantly waiting for the sermon.  When the time comes, the seminarian preaches EXACTLY the same sermon from the week before.  As they shake hands with him at the door the congregation is polite but puzzled, whispering to one another, "he probably had a busy week at school, next week he'll have a new topic."  But the next week rolls around and then another one after that, and now the congregation has heard the same (finely polished) sermon four times.  Finally the board chair takes the young man aside and says, "That is a truly fine sermon you wrote about generosity in giving.  Truly fine.  But we're all wondering when you are going to give us a different sermon.  You know, everyone has already heard this one now."  The seminarian responds, "Well I've checked with the treasurer each Monday and I'm still waiting for word this one is being put into practice before I burden ya'll with even more to do."

Ok.  I get it.  Breathe.

Music in the Air

One of the many things I love about my office at Uniplace Christian Church is the live music which plays almost all day every day just outside my door.  Several outstanding musicians, including Samir Golescu, Delre' Smith and Richard Hertel regularly rehearse and/or teach students in our sanctuary and Knight Hall.  Our very accomplished choral conductor, Leonard Rumery, rehearses our chancel choir each week and perfect-pitched Sarah Scott illicits songs of Jubilee from a happy assemblage of glad-to-be-musicians.  Whether the sounds are of flute duets, piano solos, organ recitals, soaring vocal arias, riffs from acoustic guitars or even the occasional kazoo choir, there is almost always music in the air at Uniplace Christian Church. What a gift!

This week I was blessed to hear Leonard rehearsing the chancel choir as they prepared to sing for us this Sunday "O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem."  The link above is the Wells College Choir performing that piece, not our choir at Uniplace, but I don't have any way to share with you exactly what it is I was blessed to listen to from my office.  (O wait a minute, yes I do.  Come worship with us at10 am this Sunday!)  Our choir's interpretation of the piece (and peace!) is rich in emotion and gorgeous harmonies.  The repetitive lyrics of the anthem remind me of my breath prayer practice for Lent.  What would it mean for me to sincerely pray for the peace of Jerusalem?  For peace in other places of seemingly endless conflict?  For peace in my own life where conflict seems unavoidable and unending?

As we prepare for Sunday worship, may we all be singing, praying, breathing .... prayers for peace.