Why I Go to Church, Part 3

Photo thanks to Becky

In my life, one of the approaches to worship that can have me teary and open-hearted within moments, is music. And that is one of the biggest reasons I go to church. There is nothing to compare to the experience of sharing or making music, and doing it in the physical presence of many other people, in the same location...to the glory of God. The words of a hymn may speak to the core of my soul and experience. The act of singing heals and lifts of my spirits, even in the worst of times. It is no mistake that the psalmist David, often fighting for his life, composed and sang so many songs.

I'm blessed to attend a university church where the Music department provides most of the worship music, and the organ professor is the minister of music. He brilliantly selects music that weaves in with the themes of worship and points the worshiper to God. When I write that last sentence, it seems inadequate to represent precisely how the approach to crafting the musical worship experience can demonstrate God's character and bring the listener, in spirit, to the very throne of the Creator.  So maybe I'll share with you a few recent clips here, taken from my church experience this season.

First, a clip from Silent Night from last weekend:

Second, a bit of postlude: "I Saw Three Ships":

And it's not all "high church" music. Students play in steel band that gets the toes tapping and puts a smile on your face. I'm sorry that I don't have the entire song (it's a lot to get on my little camera), but here's an idea.  I think God enjoys all kinds of musical expressions on our part!

To finish, I'd like to speak to the lyrics of the music again. Last night at the annual Christmas program, the orchestra and choir performed Daniel Kallman's "And on Earth, Peace" to end the concert.  It was beautiful, but it was the words by Christine Kallman that caused the tears to overflow:

There is a quiet at the dawning of the day, 

A quiet that awaits the awakening of souls, 

As everything that God intends is given birth, 

And Jesus is the Lord of all the garden of the earth.

There is a healing in the fullness of the light,

A healing that begins in the terror of the night.

While splinters of the peace we shattered fly.

You, O wounded one, are gently putting things to right.

Did we believe the earth could be so new,

The knots untied, the torture through,

Judgment exchanged for beauteous grace?

Stand tall all prisoners of the human race.

There is victory in the coming of the Lord,

A wider, fuller peace than any soul has ever known.

What daring love is this which grants us stand

Redeemed and whole and holding the triumphant Prince's hand.

We praise our Lord's dear name with all our power!

His is the reign, this is the hour!

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Amen.