With strains of George Gershwin's famous aria in my head, I look at the summer weeks ahead and wonder: For how many of us will "the livin' be easy"? It seems that we manage to fill up our lives with activities regardless of the season. And though those activities are a change from the "normal," they may not be a chage of pace.
With the Chancel Choir finally joining the ranks of College Church musical groups now on summer hiatus, I find that a significant part of my weekly calendar is freed up for other important projects. Will I approach them with at least the same purposefulness and joy that I use for choir rehearsals during the school year? How will this change of focus affect the pace of my work week?
More importantly, how will the change from normal, and the potential change of pace, prove useful to the church and her musicians? Will this summer matter when things pick back up at the beginning of the school year? Will I be better equipped, refreshed for fresh starts, and raring to go in late August? Hey, good questions! Would you pray about those things, for me and for yourselves as well?
I normally take summers off from writing this column in "Knowing the Score," but try to keep musicians informed about events and prayer needs via weekly email. This summer I want to briefly update this space weekly, along with the Prayer Column. I won't be writing while on vacation. And I won't go very "deep" in this column! But because our work does not stop for the summer, I'll keep checking up on it on Wednesdays.
Sing on!
09 June 2010
02 June 2010
Cross Training
It was almost exactly a year ago that I first considered running for the STARS. I have shown up, hung around, and cheered for runners every year since this great event started. Two years ago, I walked the course. One year ago I decided in early June to give myself a week to see if I could run 5 kilometers. And when the day came - rain and all - I showed up and participated in my first organized running event.
I fancy myself more of a cyclist. I have always insisted that when runners get old, they become cyclists, so why not just cut out the running thing altogether? There was no reason why, at age 53, I should all of a sudden put on a pair of running shoes and try this thing out. But it was for a good cause, and there's nothing quite like doing something with some 300+ enthusiasts, of all abilities and descriptions.
I was pleased by my time in last year's Run for the STARS. But I was surprised by the comments of supposedly knowledgeable people who thought it was a really good time, and who seemed to question that it really was my first 5k race. Hmm ... maybe I should be running?
As some of you know, that question lingered, niggled, and finally got under my skin. And about 5 weeks ago I ran my first marathon. So, what happened to my cycling? Well, I like to say "cycling is my love language" - it's what I most prefer for physical exercise. During the winter weeks of 2010, training for a spring marathon, cycling became the other sport. Now that the marathon is behind me, and I still enjoy running, cylcing is the main event, and running is the other.
In the world of exercise and sport, this alternating of activities is called "cross training." An athlete (and no, I do not put myself in that category!) trains hard at her sport, and on off days does a different activity that will still keep her fit but give her a rest of sorts. A change-up. So, during the cylcing months, running has now become my "cross training."
I know many musicians reading this column are engaging in ministry "cross training" this summer. You are giving time in a nursery, with a children's Sunday School class, hosting a Back Yard Bible Club, or helping out in some other area of ministry. When choirs and ensembles pick back up in the fall, you will return to your main event.
But we also see what we do as "cross training" in a very different way. Our work together in ministry is a very real participation in taking up the cross and following Jesus. It involves sacrifice, dying to ourselves, and living for others. It brings us out on cold winter nights and snowy Sunday mornings; it keeps us in stuffy rehearsal conditions and in warm robes or suits. It drives us to prayer and to mutual dependence on others with whom we serve. And ultimately - I pray, purposefully - it is all to the end that the Cross of Jesus would be displayed, preached, responded to, and lived under.
Sing on!
I fancy myself more of a cyclist. I have always insisted that when runners get old, they become cyclists, so why not just cut out the running thing altogether? There was no reason why, at age 53, I should all of a sudden put on a pair of running shoes and try this thing out. But it was for a good cause, and there's nothing quite like doing something with some 300+ enthusiasts, of all abilities and descriptions.
I was pleased by my time in last year's Run for the STARS. But I was surprised by the comments of supposedly knowledgeable people who thought it was a really good time, and who seemed to question that it really was my first 5k race. Hmm ... maybe I should be running?
As some of you know, that question lingered, niggled, and finally got under my skin. And about 5 weeks ago I ran my first marathon. So, what happened to my cycling? Well, I like to say "cycling is my love language" - it's what I most prefer for physical exercise. During the winter weeks of 2010, training for a spring marathon, cycling became the other sport. Now that the marathon is behind me, and I still enjoy running, cylcing is the main event, and running is the other.
In the world of exercise and sport, this alternating of activities is called "cross training." An athlete (and no, I do not put myself in that category!) trains hard at her sport, and on off days does a different activity that will still keep her fit but give her a rest of sorts. A change-up. So, during the cylcing months, running has now become my "cross training."
I know many musicians reading this column are engaging in ministry "cross training" this summer. You are giving time in a nursery, with a children's Sunday School class, hosting a Back Yard Bible Club, or helping out in some other area of ministry. When choirs and ensembles pick back up in the fall, you will return to your main event.
But we also see what we do as "cross training" in a very different way. Our work together in ministry is a very real participation in taking up the cross and following Jesus. It involves sacrifice, dying to ourselves, and living for others. It brings us out on cold winter nights and snowy Sunday mornings; it keeps us in stuffy rehearsal conditions and in warm robes or suits. It drives us to prayer and to mutual dependence on others with whom we serve. And ultimately - I pray, purposefully - it is all to the end that the Cross of Jesus would be displayed, preached, responded to, and lived under.
Sing on!
26 May 2010
Holy Spirit, God and Lord
I was on staff retreat last week, and did not get to Knowing the Score. My intent had been to close Ascension with a hymn bridging to Pentecost:
All authority and power, every status and domain,
now belongs to him who suffered our redemption to obtain;
angels, demons, kings and rulers, over all shall Jesus reign!
All authority and power, every status and domain,
now belongs to him who suffered our redemption to obtain;
angels, demons, kings and rulers, over all shall Jesus reign!
Christopher Idle, 1971
(c) 1973 Hope Publishing Co.
As you see, it is a hymn based on Jesus' final words to his disciples, as he departed from their sight and told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit.
All the time he will be with us, always, to the end of days;
with his own believing people who keep steadfast in his ways;
God the Father, Son and Spirit, bless us, and to God be praise!
Christopher Idle
Today's hymn is for Pentecost, marking the arrival of the Spirit ten days after the Ascension, fifty days after the Resurrection. Some mark the sending of the Spirit as the birthday of the Church. All recognize it as the inauguration of the promises of the prophets, as noted in Peter's Pentecost sermon and referenced in the epistles. From henceforth God's Law is written on the hearts of his people. So, as we have been memorizing: "the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:4)
Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord!
Be all thy graces now outpoured
on each believer's mind and heart;
thy fervent love to us impart.
Lord, by the brightness of thy light,
thou in the faith dost all unite
from every land and every tongue;
this to thy praise, O Lord, be sung.
Thou holy light, our guide divine,
Oh, cause the Word of life to shine!
teach us to know our God aright
and call him Father with delight.
From every error keep us free;
let none but Christ our master be
that we in living faith abide,
in him with all our might confide.
Thou holy fire, our comfort true,
grant us the will thy work to do
and in thy service to abide;
let trials turn us not aside.
Lord, by thy power prepare each heart
and to our weakness strength impart
that bravely here we may contend,
through life and death to thee ascend.
Martin Luther, 1524
trans. Catherine Winkworth, 1855 (alt.)
The scriptures attest - the Holy Spirit is God, he is a member of the Holy Trinity. To him, let such a prayer as this be made: that he would guide us into all truth, through Jesus; and equip us to walk in that truth and persevere to the end.
Pastor Luther knew a thing or two about the Holy Spirit. And so too, let us follow his example and depend on the Spirit, as we
Sing on!
12 May 2010
Hail the Day!
The presentation of a hymn by Charles Wesley almost always begs explanation. This most prolific of English hymn writers (over 6,000 known hymns and poems) is by default also the most edited of our hymn writers. The beloved "O for a thousand tongues to sing" is a case in point. In fact, it is the case that most often makes the point: our hymnal's 5 stanzas are selected from the 17 that Wesley published, and even at that the stanzas we know as "O for a thousand tongues" do not appear in that order in the original poem.
No, Charles Wesley could be the chief witness against hymnal editors. "Look what they've done to my song!" And not just the order of stanzas, but over time and in many ways for many reasons, his words have been changed, up-dated, put through theological filters, and yet presented as his own. (Sometimes, but not always, with the subtle acknowledgement, alt.) Still, for those of us on the other side of these decisions, the clarity and simplicity and force of his texts still ring through and ring true. The disciplined biblicism and robust theology and clear thinking and passionate experience continue to stir our devotion and our praise.
So, when we look at Charles Wesley's Ascension Hymn (written as such) it is only fair to acknowledge that what we sing and what he wrote do not always neatly line up. For one thing, the "Alleluias" are editorial tropes, perhaps added to allow the core text to work with a given tune, specifically the Welsh tune LLANFAIR. (Warning: only click the link to the tune if you can stand cheesy electronic piano/organ sounds!)
Given its presence in Hymns for the Living Church, I will begin the hymn with Alleluias. In the interest of space, and for the sake of seeing the text more or less as Wesley intended, will then continue without them. I rather like the Alleuluias, as noted earlier because they are the Easter acclamation, and certainly are fitting for the occasion of Jesus' ascension to the right hand of the Father. Indeed, it is on the basis of that great work on our behalf that we have the certain faith to say, "alleluia - praise the Lord!"
Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
To his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
Enters now the highest heaven, Alleluia!
There for him high triumph waits;
lift your heads, eternal gates.
He has conquered death and sin;
take the King of glory in.
See, he lifts his hands above!
See, he shows the prints of love!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow
blessings on his church below.
Lord, beyond our mortal sight,
raise our hearts to reach thy height;
there thy face unclouded see,
find our heaven of heavens in thee!
No, Charles Wesley could be the chief witness against hymnal editors. "Look what they've done to my song!" And not just the order of stanzas, but over time and in many ways for many reasons, his words have been changed, up-dated, put through theological filters, and yet presented as his own. (Sometimes, but not always, with the subtle acknowledgement, alt.) Still, for those of us on the other side of these decisions, the clarity and simplicity and force of his texts still ring through and ring true. The disciplined biblicism and robust theology and clear thinking and passionate experience continue to stir our devotion and our praise.
So, when we look at Charles Wesley's Ascension Hymn (written as such) it is only fair to acknowledge that what we sing and what he wrote do not always neatly line up. For one thing, the "Alleluias" are editorial tropes, perhaps added to allow the core text to work with a given tune, specifically the Welsh tune LLANFAIR. (Warning: only click the link to the tune if you can stand cheesy electronic piano/organ sounds!)
Given its presence in Hymns for the Living Church, I will begin the hymn with Alleluias. In the interest of space, and for the sake of seeing the text more or less as Wesley intended, will then continue without them. I rather like the Alleuluias, as noted earlier because they are the Easter acclamation, and certainly are fitting for the occasion of Jesus' ascension to the right hand of the Father. Indeed, it is on the basis of that great work on our behalf that we have the certain faith to say, "alleluia - praise the Lord!"
Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
To his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
Enters now the highest heaven, Alleluia!
There for him high triumph waits;
lift your heads, eternal gates.
He has conquered death and sin;
take the King of glory in.
See, he lifts his hands above!
See, he shows the prints of love!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow
blessings on his church below.
Lord, beyond our mortal sight,
raise our hearts to reach thy height;
there thy face unclouded see,
find our heaven of heavens in thee!
Charles Wesley (1739)
Tomorrow, May 13, is the 40th day following Resurrection Sunday: Ascension Day. Rejoice!
Sing on!
04 May 2010
Sound the note of praise above
Continuing our Ascension hymns, this week's is an oldie that I am disappointed to say we do not sing at College Church. To my discredit, I must admit. Let us begin the restoration process by setting out this marvelous text by Thomas Kelly.
Hark! ten thousand harps and voices
sound the note of praise above;
Jesus reigns and heaven rejoices,
Jesus reigns, the God of love.
See, he sits on yonder throne:
Jesus rules the world alone.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Sing how Jesus came from heaven,
how he bore the cross below,
how all power to him is given,
how he reigns in glory now.
'Tis a great and endless theme -
Oh, 'tis sweet to sing of him.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Jesus, hail! Thy glory brightens
all above and gives it worth;
Lord of life, thy smile enlightens,
cheers and charms thy saints on earth.
When we think of love like thine,
Lord, we own it love divine.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
King of glory, reign forever!
Thine an everlasting crown.
Nothing from thy love shall sever
those whom thou hast made thine own:
Happy objects of thy grace,
destined to behold thy face.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Savior, hasten thine appearing!
Bring, oh bring the glorious day,
when, the awful summons hearing,
heaven and earth shall pass away.
Then with golden harps we'll sing,
"Glory, glory to our King!"
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Oh, this day is important in the redemption history, it is one of the mighty acts of God for his people. At the culmination of Jesus' teaching ministry, post-resurrection, we find Jesus highly exalted, understand that he takes his throne, have confidence in his rule, and rest in his promised return.
"Glory, glory, to our King!"
Sing on!
Hark! ten thousand harps and voices
sound the note of praise above;
Jesus reigns and heaven rejoices,
Jesus reigns, the God of love.
See, he sits on yonder throne:
Jesus rules the world alone.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Sing how Jesus came from heaven,
how he bore the cross below,
how all power to him is given,
how he reigns in glory now.
'Tis a great and endless theme -
Oh, 'tis sweet to sing of him.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Jesus, hail! Thy glory brightens
all above and gives it worth;
Lord of life, thy smile enlightens,
cheers and charms thy saints on earth.
When we think of love like thine,
Lord, we own it love divine.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
King of glory, reign forever!
Thine an everlasting crown.
Nothing from thy love shall sever
those whom thou hast made thine own:
Happy objects of thy grace,
destined to behold thy face.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Savior, hasten thine appearing!
Bring, oh bring the glorious day,
when, the awful summons hearing,
heaven and earth shall pass away.
Then with golden harps we'll sing,
"Glory, glory to our King!"
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
Thomas Kelly (1806)
tune in Hymns for the Living Church: HARWELL (Lowell Mason, 1840)
A common, and completely biblically based, theme of Ascension hymns is the assurance of Jesus' return. In fact, as a logical matter, Jesus can not return to us from heaven if he has not ascended to heaven in the first place. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:3) And the first word of the angels to the disciples, watching Jesus taken up: "Why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
Oh, this day is important in the redemption history, it is one of the mighty acts of God for his people. At the culmination of Jesus' teaching ministry, post-resurrection, we find Jesus highly exalted, understand that he takes his throne, have confidence in his rule, and rest in his promised return.
"Glory, glory, to our King!"
Sing on!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)