Music Notes

Once again, June brings us to the close of another great season of music at SUMC. It was been wonderful to see and hear all of the ways in which the Lord has been praised through music over the past year. All of this could not have happened without the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, from the children, to the chancel choir, to the bells, to Leap of Faith – the contemporary service band and worship team. Over the past few months, I have had to step back from some music ministry duties due to time constraint issues because of the rigorous school program in which I am enrolled. I wanted to take an opportunity to thank everyone involved with SUMC music who stepped up to ensure that the music could continue at a great quality. Sara Lamb took over the duties of the children’s choir, along with the help of Maggie Wilkinson. Pam Mayo and Sara Lamb stepped up to rehearse with the choir in my absence. Hurst Bartley took over the leadership of the contemporary service worship team, along with everyone’s cooperation and involvement. I owe these leaders and all who participated a great deal of gratitude for the hard work that they put in this year. The choir is sounding wonderful, as are the bells, the children’s choir is sounding better and better, and the contemporary worship team, newly named Leap of Faith, is getting more and more solid. It is truly a rare blessing to be able to work with such a wonderful group of musicians and singers who take their calling seriously to minister to others through the gift of music. What a blessing it is to be able to praise God together with brothers and sisters in beautiful harmony - literally and figuratively.

May brings us the season of Pentecost, an important time of remembrance for the church. While not as celebrated as Christmas or Easter, it plays just as important a role. Without Pentecost, we would not have the Holy Spirit – the Comforter, Jesus’ presence with us spiritually in his physical absence. It is an important reminder that God’s presence is continually available to us, leading us into all truth. Not only that, but Pentecost signified that God’s message was for everyone. People were in Jerusalem from all over the world during Pentecost, when the disciples spoke through the Holy Spirit in other languages. God wanted everyone to be able to hear the gospel and good news. How appropriate it is, then, for us to celebrate our international heritage Sunday on Pentecost. We can be reminded that the gospel has gone out into all the world – to every nation and people, and is still on its way out to those who have not heard. The Holy Spirit has given us many gifts to bring us together as one body, one of which is music. It is an international language, crossing all cultures and time, which people have used to communicate with one another, and more importantly, with God. No matter what our heritage or culture, we can each find a way to use God’s gift of music to recognize His continued presence with us in the Holy Spirit, and to give Him praise for the many blessings in our lives.

Alleluia, Christ has risen. He has risen indeed. In this season of new life, as we see green appearing and flowers blooming, we are reminded of the promise of new life. Out of death and despair comes renewal and beauty. At the time of Jesus’ birth, we know of the angels who filled the sky, singing “Glory to God in the highest!” But at Easter, we see an empty tomb, a faithful woman in a garden, and the quiet, yet profound message of two angels saying that He had risen. No choirs in the night sky or shining star.

There was a song, but the song was not seen by shepherds. The glory of a shining star was not seen by wise men. Not yet, anyway. When Christ rose from the dead, though the angels couldn’t be heard on earth, I can only imagine the exuberant joy and jubilation that could be heard in Heaven. Any grand Easter music, any trumpet fanfare would only pale in comparison to the glory of the joyful noise when Christ was victorious over the grave. When we one day see our Savior face to face and are in the presence of the Almighty, we will hear that great song of victory and praise. It is the unending cry of “Holy, holy, holy.” It is people from every tribe, nation, and tongue singing praise to the Lamb who was slain, and who now reigns on high. And we will bow with those from all ages as we sing this song of praise. Then we, too, will be raised to new life. Our new life in Christ.

With all of the snow we had last month, I know there were quite a few people without power for a while. The snow caused havoc for roads and schools (although the kids enjoyed a week off, as did my wife). But as I was home, looking out the window one day, I saw a few birds flying around amid the flurries. I wondered to myself how on earth they would be able to find any food in all these feet of snow. So, I decided to take it upon myself to get them some. I went and got a bird feeder, and now I have an aviary in my back yard, which I am enjoying along with the satisfied birds.

On mornings when I am home, I can hear them singing, and their songs sound so wonderful. I kind of imagine them singing songs of thanks for the food that they have. I see wrens, cardinals, blue jays, and sparrows. I am reminded of God’s promise that He provides for these tiny creatures, and that He is concerned for them. In describing this, the Bible encourages us by saying that God is all the more concerned for us, as His children. If these tiny birds can sing joyful songs of thanks, even in a cold and dreary time, then we certainly can, too. And we should, all the more, for the gift that we have been given. We often think about gifts at Christmas, but during Lent we truly receive God’s ultimate gift of love – the sacrifice of Jesus. As Jesus prepared to pay that price, his eye was not only on the birds and sparrows of His Creation, but his thoughts and heart were turned toward us, and the love He had for us. So even in Lent, though a solemn time of reflection, we can still sing songs of thanks and joy for the sacrifice made for us.

As we enter into February, two things about this season come to my mind. One is love, and the other is Lent. We don’t always think of these two together. Lent is a time of penitence, reflecting our mortality and sinfulness, and our need for a Savior. Love is often thought of as a feeling – an emotion that two people share, creating a deep connection. The great thing to realize, though, is that Lent is all about love – God’s love and grace. It’s about more than a feeling or emotion, though. It’s about an action.

It is so good to know as we enter into Lent that as we come to God, reflecting on our sinfulness and unworthiness, that God bestows love on us. As David cried out in song to God to create a clean heart in him, and not to take the Holy Spirit from him, he recognized his own neediness in the face of God’s glory. And although there were consequences for David’s actions, God did not banish him or disown him. Instead, God has promised through Isaiah to wash us as white as snow, even though our sins and lives are as red as scarlet. As far as the east is from the west, God removes our sins. That is some pretty amazing love. Love that put itself on our own place, taking action, and taking our own punishment. This love that David understood as he sung to the Lord through his despair also caused him to praise God with all he had. Whether we find ourselves lonely, in despair, or in a time of refreshing during this season, may we lift our hearts to God in song, offering ourselves to Him in worship.