Scripture – Psalm 150 NRSVUE
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
From Rev. Heather Leffler
One of the great gifts of community is the ability to sing together. Whether songs of joy and praise, laments of sadness, or hymns that tell the stories of our faith, singing has the power to draw us closer to each other and to God. It lifts our spirits, offers comfort, and gives voice to feelings too deep for words.
I remember learning a wonderful phrase attributed to St. Augustine: "To sing is to pray twice." Singing is not only a form of worship; it brings many blessings to our physical and emotional health. A quick search reminds us that singing improves respiratory function, boosts the immune system, reduces stress, enhances cognitive abilities, and, when done together, builds a sense of connection and community.
Hearing our choirs on Palm Sunday and Easter, and the combined choir at Barrie Hill on Good Friday, touched me deeply. Singing with you each Sunday fills my heart with joy. After the isolation of the pandemic, I found it hard to sing at first, but slowly, song by song, my voice and spirit have returned. With the songs comes a deep gratitude for all the people I have sung with, and for the gift that we can continue to sing together.
It is no surprise that the most recent statement of faith from our church is called A Song of Faith. It ends with these beautiful words:
Grateful for God’s loving action,
we cannot keep from singing.
Creating and seeking relationship,
in awe and trust,
we witness to Holy Mystery who is Wholly Love.
Contemplation and Conversation
When has singing — whether alone or with others — helped you feel more connected to God, to yourself, or to the people around you?
Prayer
Holy Mystery, you are Wholly Love. Thank you for the gift of music and singing.
Thank you for the way songs bring us joy, comfort, and hope.
Help us to lift our voices to praise you,
in happy times and in hard times.
Let our songs remind us that we are never alone,
and that your love is always with us.
Amen.
If you missed Sunday’s worship service, visit our Rockwood Stone YouTube page.
