Sunday, October 20: Music: The Prayer of the Heart (week 6 of 7 in our worship series)

“The one who sings, prays twice” is sometimes attributed to St. Augustine.  Certainly singing, as well as instrumental music has ancient roots as an expression of one’s heart where normal speech just won’t suffice.  Throughout the Bible people give expression to & are urged to sing their love for God who gave us this wonderful gift.  Today we celebrate the gift of music that lifts our spirits into a place of worship of the One who is the Source of all that is, seen and unseen.

Psalm 150 and many others; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 26:30

After worship we will gather in the Fellowship Hall to celebrate Beth's ~15 years of official music leadership and the passing of the baton (treble clef?) to Rachel Hoey, our new Music Minister. Come join in the food, fellowship, and stories!

Saturday, October 19 – Music: Response to the Awesome

My heart, O God, is steadfast;
  I will sing and make music with all my soul. –Psalm 108:1 (NIV2011)

Sometimes worship is equated with music.  “We’ll have a time of worship, then the sermon...” is heard, especially in non-liturgical churches.  Certainly music is a key response to our encounters with God, although it is not required.  I’ve experienced many moving worship services that have had no music at all.  But music easily touches one’s emotions and heart and can be used in many ways.  What part does music play in your day to day life?  Does it honor God?

Lord of all, make music with my life.  May my music please your heart.

Friday, October 18 – Holy, Holy, Holy

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
     the whole earth is full of his glory.”         –Isaiah 6:3 (NIV2011)

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”          –Matthew 21:9 (NIV2011)

 Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
    heaven and earth are full of your glory.
 Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
 Blessed is he, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
 Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.”

From Isaiah’s vision during worship in the Temple to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem several days before his death, this song of praise expresses the breadth of God’s glory from the majestic temple vision to the gruesome ‘glory’ of the cross.  How great is our God!

Grant us grace as we sing to get a glimpse of your glory and majesty.

Thursday, October 17 – The Great Thanksgiving

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." –Luke 22:19

Jesus gives thanks to God, the Creator, for the gifts of bread and wine.

We give thanks to God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer for giving us the body and blood of Jesus.

This portion of our worship is called the Great Thanksgiving because it is just that, a Great Thanksgiving for all that God has and is doing for us through Jesus, the Christ.

From the Preface (The Lord be with you.  And also with you.  Lift up your hearts.  We lift them to the Lord...) to the Holy, Holy, Holy to the Eucharistic Prayer to the Lord’s Prayer, this portion leads us to give thanks for what God gladly offers to us each time we eat and drink:  Jesus’ body “given for you,” and Jesus’ blood “shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.”  They are words we sing and say quite often.  They deserve some time and thought to think through them carefully so we get their full message...life...in the love of Christ...forever.

Lord, open my mind & my heart to fully receive what has entered my mouth...and may I be thankful.

Wednesday, October 16 – Eucharist = _ _ _ _ _ _ giving

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
      for his steadfast love endures forever.
                  –1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 136:1 (NRSV)

Eucharist, one of the names for Holy Communion (Sacrament of the Altar & the Lord’s Supper are others), is the Greek word (through Latin) for thanksgiving.  Can we receive this gift without giving thanks to God for the steadfast, enduring love which continues to seek us out, wash us clean, nourish our weak souls, and send us out refreshed and restored?

While every time we receive Communion is not necessarily deeply moving, are we not a little awed when we think that Jesus is ‘leaving the building’ inside of us?  And what do we let him do in, with, and through us during the week?

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.          –Psalm 57:9; 108:3