Music and Spirit

This Sunday is our annual music Sunday. This means that during our 10:30 am service the focus will be music. Our choir is bringing 7 separate anthems to the service and we will be singing some of the great hymns of the church -- Joyful, Joyful; Great is Thy Faithfulness, etc.....

Why music? What is it about singing, playing and hearing music that addresses us at the deepest levels of our lives. Recently, a musician friend of mine, a clarinetist told me the following story. He had taken lessons for a number of years, played in various ensembles, was an excellent musician when he began to work with a new teacher. This teacher was impressed with my friend's technique, but critical of his overall playing. "No spirit," the teacher would say, "where are you in the music?" My friend would practice and practice and every week the same thing, "no spirit." Then one week the teacher tried something new -- he had my friend play faster, and faster, directing him as he played. Soon, my friend began to miss notes, he was having trouble with the beat, he was totally frustrated, making tons of mistakes. Then, he just gave up and it was as if the clarinet began to play itself, he was that close to the instrument and the mistakes, fewer now, didn't matter. The teacher had him stop playing. My friend was worried because of all the mistakes. The teacher finally said, "Excellent! You showed up.

Music is not totally about technique, the right finger the correct note. Music gives us a way to fully occupy our lives. As we embody our musical expression, we leave our selves behind as we not only sing a song, we become our singing. Singing songs of praise, we become 100% praise. Singing thanksgiving songs we become our thanks-giving. It is the same as we listen to music, our hearts resonate and our lives are transformed.

So, this Sunday is Music Sunday. It will be great to see you there as we acknowledge the fabulous musicians of FCUCCSR!

Blessings,

David