The Peculiar Practice of Singing

This coming Sunday as we gather for worship we'll be taking a look at a verse from 1 Peter 2:9 :- "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people;that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you, out of darkness into His marvelous light". The phrase in that verse that always brings a smile to my face is the one that describes church folk as 'peculiar people'. 

We can indeed be an odd bunch. Now, as I'll be explaining on Sunday, that's not really the sense the original Greek text intended to convey, but it has to be said that over the centuries the Christian faith has attracted it's fair share of eccentrics and unique personalities. It still does. Indeed a lot of what those 'in the faith' do Sunday by Sunday does seem peculiar to the way we live our daily lives. Take for example singing. 

Where else (aside from large sporting events) do people these days indulge in communal singing? The sing-song down the local pub, the family gathered around the piano, the music hall... these are relics of the past that have been replaced by karaoke machines and contemporary music concerts where we may be invited to sing along to "We will, we will rock you" or some other uplifting slogan.

On the TV the focus is on the solo performer (American Idol - The Voice) or occasionally the group (The Sing-Off) but the idea of the rest of us non-professional singers lifting our voices seems increasingly absent. Which is sad. Because it gives the impression that singing is only about performance and gives folk the idea that they shouldn't even be trying to do it.

I unashamedly have a peculiar love for hymns and the communal singing of them. It breaks my heart to look at a congregation and see folk not even giving their voices a try. Most hymns (old or modern) are easy to pick up ... and by the final verse you can blast them out with much enthusiasm. Never mind the tonality or the fact that you may not totally resonate with all the words or that nobody else seems on board, I say 'be peculiar' and go for it.

Communal singing of hymns and spiritual songs can be such a joy. I truly feel a sense of sadness for folk who don't get to experience it. They are missing out on a peculiar pleasure. Old or young, it doesn't matter. Everyone can carry a tune.. if their hearts in it. Communal singing isn't a talent contest. It's not putting on a show. It's being together with others in song. 

So many of our hymns carry such deep insights, not just into theology, but about life in general. And it's always good to let an 'Alleluia' fill the air. (As this clip from the 2006 Trinity Youth Conference demonstrates). Just do it. Indulge yourself in the peculiar practice of singing. Forget who may be watching, listening or noticing. It's not about them. It's your time, your voice and your privilege to be a person of song. If you read the Psalms, you'll notice that God seems to really enjoy it as well. 

"You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you, out of darkness into His marvelous light"

Easter Ponderings

There is a tale going the rounds about a little boy in church on Easter Sunday who comes to the front during Children's time. 'What day is it today children?' asked the Rev. One bright young lad pipes up; "Easter!" 'What is Easter?' asked the pastor. "It's the day Jesus came out of his tomb!" 'Very good' commented the pastor. But the boy continued... "Then he saw his shadow and went back in again!"

Yep, it's Easter.  And for people of faith, trying to steer a way though Easter Bunnies, Egg hunts and all the other trappings marking the advent of Spring, to discover the deeper meaning of the season can be quite a quest. Our cultural traditions tend to cast a shadow over the biblical message that forms the essential core of Christianity.

Taking another look at the scriptural accounts is highly recommended. The account of Jesus entry into Jerusalem, His confrontations with both religious and political authority, His betrayal both by those closest to Him and by people in high and low places, His desperate prayers in the Garden, His abuse by law enforcement, the account of His death and events that surround  it..... this is not easy reading.

Steve Turner in his poem "* Christmas is really for Children"...

"Easter is not really
for the children
unless accompanied by a
cream filled egg.
It has whips, blood, nails,
a spear and allegations
of body snatching.
It involves politics, God
and the sins of the world.
It is not good for people
of a nervous disposition.
They would do better to 
think on rabbits, chickens
and the first snowdrop of spring.
Or they'd do better to
wait for a re-run of
Christmas without asking
too many questions about
what Jesus did when He grew up
or whether there's any connection."

On Easter Day the church makes an an astounding claim. That God raised Christ from death. We proclaim that this makes a HUGE difference. That light can beat darkness and death is not game over.  We realize that resurrection is interpreted in many different ways.

How such a notion rocks your world is something we cannot predict! However we will continue to gather for worship each year and declare "Christ is Risen". And whilst this cry may be misunderstood and misinterpreted, we also know there will be those, who from personal experience, respond "He is risen, indeed!"

However you view Easter, our prayer is that something of an 'Hallelujah' might infest your personal experience of the holiday. And if you are in the area of First Presbyterian Church, Baldwin,  feel free to join us. We'll even invite you to join in a communal singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. Because we can!

(* From 'Nice and Nasty' by Steve Turner. Copyright Marshall, Morgan and Scott Ltd. 1980. ISBN 0 551 00865 2)

Fickle Folk... like us.

This weekend is Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday. During our service we will be following the account in Matthews gospel of how the shouts of 'Hosanna' that welcomed Jesus turned to shouts of 'Crucify' which led to His death.

For me it is one of the mysteries of human nature how we can be, in a short space of time, incredibly conflicted and prone to oppose something and the next be completely supportive. Be it music, politics, sports, religion... or a thousand other things, it seems one moment we are piping hot and next we are stone cold! We are fickle folk, peculiar people and as changeable as the wind. 

Which is exactly the kind of person Jesus wasn't. From the moment He decided to enter Jerusalem He seems completely in control. He is not impressed by the welcome of the crowds. He sees through the pretensions of the religious folk. He chooses in the midst of political interrogation when to speak and when to be silent. Though it appears to be chaos all around Him, you have the sense that somehow He's not phased!

Could it be that if we were more focused on our relationship with God... and the purposes God has for our lives we would find a way to be less fickle? Easter week offers an opportunity to focus on the great drama of crucifixion and resurrection.  Every time we make the journey we discover new aspects to the story and new insights about ourselves. Whoever you are, wherever you are, may it be a holy week for you. And if you are in the area come and join us!

And for a musical interlude, one of the great passion hymns "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"...  a totally over the top production by a Nordic choir during an 'Hour of Power" broadcast.