“The Heartbeat of God”

It connects us to God.   It connects us to each other.    It connects us to our own souls. It connects us to memory and inspires us for the future. When we feel sad, it can be comforting.  When we are happy, it brings even more joy.  It is found in nature, and in every culture and religious tradition. Music. Sacred music. The heartbeat of God.

And how blessed are we that day after day, week after week, year after year, we are given the opportunity to share in this holy gift. Music. A gift that is magnified when we share it together. 

Some of you have heard me say this before.  When I think back to my earliest years, I can’t remember a single sermon. Not one.  Though I’m sure I heard some good ones.  But, the lyrics and melody of favorite hymns like “Amazing Grace”- they stay with me, they stay with us – through good times, and they help us get through even the most challenging ones, like someone has late stage dementia. Have you ever seen a person with advanced Alzheimer’s, someone who barely speaks,  brighten up and begin talking after hearing familiar, beloved music? It’s a miracle.

The power of music unlocks something deep within us… deeper than words… the spirit.

The word spirit is derived from the Latin spirare, ‘to breathe.’ The act of singing moves our breath, the essence of our spirit, from our deepest core out into the atmosphere. When we sing together, the benefits are reciprocal: The act of singing strengthens the community and the group’s camaraderie enhances the beauty and power of the songs.

As we discovered during the pandemic, there is a world of difference between sitting behind a computer and listening to beautiful music and being in a sanctuary and   feeling the vibration    of live music… a vibration that even those without hearing can experience… and when someone like Rev. ElizaBeth signs a song, can experience in a deeply moving way. 

Music is a path to God. One of the reasons I appreciate what our artist-in-residence, Scott, offers, is that he explicitly speaks about his spiritual intention – to be an instrument of grace. His playing is not mere performance; it is a conduit for the Spirit.  

In the reading we heard this morning, Paul advises, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”

Our singing in worship is both a gift from God    and a gift to God.   It is a pathway between our hearts and God’s heart; it is prayer. (I can still see the banner hanging over the piano at the church I attended as a child, “When you sing, you pray twice.”)

What this means is that our singing in church is for the praise of God… it’s not about hitting every note on the spot or offering a technically perfect performance.    We ought not be distracted or preoccupied    about getting it right to please others or our own egos. (Which I know is easier said than done.) Instead, as our voices and instruments join with others, we can enjoy one of the most ecstatic human experiences – we can lose ourselves in a feeling of oneness with God and each other.  

The purpose of a church choir is not to perform    for us, but to lead us – all of us, no matter how gifted or not – in the worship of God.   A choir choir are servants of the body of Christ, the whole church. The words of the Chorister’s Prayer, from the Anglican church, exemplify this, “Bless, O Lord, us thy servants, who minister in thy temple. Grant that what we sing with our lips, we may believe in our hearts; and what we believe in our hearts, we may show forth in our lives.” 

Singing and playing instruments in church is an expression of God’s vision for the beloved community – of the gift of simply being together,   of unity in the midst of diversity,   of accepting each other just as we are, lifting each other up, being raised to new life.  As we create music together, the Word of God, the Divine Logos, truly dwells within us, between us, and around us, richly. 

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, wrote “Directions for Singing” in 1761. Much of his guidance rings true today, including:

*See that you join with the congregation (In other words, participate; the spiritual life is not a spectator sport.)

*Sing lustily and with good courage (Sing from your heart, not your head)

*Strive to unite your voices together (Music offers us an opportunity, a living lesson, about how bridge our differences and connect with others.)

* Above all, sing spiritually (Remember that the purpose of singing in church is the worship of God.)

Beautiful and meaningful guidance.

For nearly 40 years, we have been blessed that an extraordinary musician, and an even more extraordinary person, Kathleen Adams, has led our choir. We are equally blessed that her husband, Jeremy Adams, has created for our church no ordinary instruments, but true works of art – the pipe organ, chamber organ, and harpsichord.  The Juncker family has blessed us with an exceptional Steinway piano. The presence of Scott, as our artist in residence, adds to the blessing of our music ministry. And over the years, many of you, your family members, and friends have shared in the joy of participating in our choir, creating lasting memories and a legacy of music that we celebrate today. 

Johann Sebastian Bach, the greatest composer of sacred music said it well:  “Soli Deo Gloria.” Glory to God alone.  Amen.