**
*Our wonderful rehearsal last night inspires me to look forward to this
Sunday morning at First-Plymouth. We will assemble at 9:45 in the choir
room to prepare to sing PILGRIM'S HYMN, COME THOU FOUNT, LOVE DIVINE (pink
sheet), and HOLY GOD WE PRAISE THY NAME. Pastor Jim plans to talk about the
mystery of God's love. I don't yet know what he will say, but just knowing
the topic, the music we are about to sing has sought me out in a new
way. That magical image from Pilgrim's Hymn, "unceasing love, O unceasing love surpassing all we know" has captured my imagination and heart this week. And through the text of COME THOU FOUNT, I notice that we offer our hearts in return for that unceasing love, as we passionately sing, "Here's my heart, O take and
seal it for thy courts above"-- not just once, but twice...not just in one
key, but in many keys! *
**
*It's so easy for us to get caught in the details and situations in life
that keep of from seeing and feeling and experiencing God's love-- even
though it's always there. And it's so easy for us to forget to share our
heart with others and with God in return-- we think there's not enough time,
or we're too tired, or our job is too demanding, or we don't feel well
enough. I fear that sometimes a church choir can get too focused on
learning particular music for certain occasions-- get so caught up in the
details and the business and the work that we forget about the love part and
the God part-- the true reason and purpose we assemble. *
**
*The prayer wall we began to build this week offers us another opportunity
to realize that our work together is ministry-- prayer and praise and love--
it's holy work. Our singers come from their busy lives every Wednesday with
worlds of concerns, and we come together and share our lives together as
a community. Our community offers support and hope and inspiration and
peace. We are called not just to sing the words "unceasing love" but we are
called to share the meaning of those words with those who sing with us, with
those who hear us sing, and with the One who gives us voice. We can be part
of that 'unceasing love,' and it can be our heart that we offer to God and
to others!*
**
*This message comes from one of our members, and lifts up some of these
ideas already coming to light!*
**
**
*
Crazy times for my business these next two months, everyone wanting things
done for the holidays, and very few things going right...and missing work
too much...not feeling great lately...ALL makes for 'not in the mood' for
much else attitude...includes choir:(
BUT, I really do love coming to choir again!!! Tonight proved it once
again...the whole evening is a thrill to be a part of...and sometimes the
body movements are the only physical exercise I've had since my early
morning walks :)
YOU energize me and ALL of us! YOU help to remind me that I am SO
THANKFUL...that I have this God given ability to sing, a desire to share my
talents with others, and simply that I LOVE MUSIC...something I have
forgotten!!! THANK-YOU!!
Sometimes after 30+years of singing some of the same music, it gets old, and
we have sung it like we are tired of it...We are bringing LIFE back to these
wonderful pieces of music.
We are NOT the same choir we were, and in a very short amount of time you
have helped us bring back the answers to why we sing...THANK-YOU!!!
*
Thanks to EACH of you, and blessings to each of you as we continue to be
God's instruments trying to become a symphony! : )
TT
p.s. Remember our buddy challenge this week: find a book or movie that you
have both seen, and talk about it. Maybe even decide on a movie to see or a
book to read together! : )
p.p.s. The sixth and seventh graders are hosting a fundraiser on Sunday
morning. If you like pancakes, this is your chance to support them!
p.p.p.s. Thanks again to Stephen and Michelle for creating our awesome
choir newsletter. If you did not get a copy yet, there will be some extras
Sunday morning, and we hope to attach it to the blog soon, too.
p.p.p.p.s. Call someone you haven't talked to in awhile.
