THE WONDERFUL GIFT OF MUSIC

“O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!………

O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker!” Psalm 95: 1-6

  

Ever since the Reformation of the 16th Century, the Lutheran Church has been known as the singing church. Having a great musician like J.S. Bach and even a Luther have added to our credential as a musical and singing church.

I was invited to preach at a moderate-size congregation a few weeks ago. The church is situated in a modest-sized town in southern Iowa. One would not expect to find great music there. Was I in for a surprise! The Pastor was away and I was substituting. I am not musical and I do not chant.  Previously, the Pastor told me not to worry because the organist would lead the liturgy. The music that came from the organ and the voice of Mike was beautiful and uplifting. He sang the Kyrie and the Gloria in Excelsis beautifully and the congregation responded in kind. It enriched the worship service significantly.

I discovered that Mike was the local music teacher and gave piano and voice lessons. He acquainted me with one of his students named, Josh and the two played the prelude, the offertory and the postlude. One played the piano and the other the organ. Members stood and listened to the postlude rather than walking out the door as is so often the custom. It was one of those rare moments when you feel an extra portion of God’s Spirit descending upon a congregation. All of us could say, “It is so good to be here this morning.”

In his preface to the Hymn Book, Martin Luther wrote the following,

                    “Music is one of the loveliest and most glorious gifts of God. Music is the balm for a sad heart, for it restores contentment  and quickens and refreshes the heart.

                     Music is a glorious gift of God, very like theology. I would not part with my little gift of music for anything in the world. We ought to teach the young this art, for it makes fine and clever people.”

Dianne and I are so pleased that our grandchildren are so musical. Most of them have taken piano, voice and some in dance classes from a very early age. They will bless their families, congregations and their communities in the future. They have this marvelous gift of music.

So, let all of us do what the Psalmist suggests. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with praise.”

From another pilgrim,

Paul Werger