On November 9, 2008, singers and musicians from three Moravian Churches (Faith, in Our Nation’s Capitol, Trinity in New Carrollton, and St. Paul’s) combined for a concert of sacred music at St. Paul’s Moravian Church. Each choir performed and both vocal and instrumental soloists from each church also performed. A special feature was the steel band, “Pans of Faith,” from Faith Moravian, which gave a Caribbean flavor to some famous classical works. All three choirs joined together to perform three pieces, which was the climax of the evening. The congregation warmly received each piece and gathered for Moravian fellowship after the concert. Special thanks are due to Barbara Masters of St. Paul’s for producing this inspiring evening of excellent sacred music.

An imperfect world

I was listening to a beautiful saxophone solo, and getting into the complex harmonies and rhythm. It was a spiritual experience and I was grateful to God for creating music and gifting such creative musicians. I could feel my soul being drawn to worship, when all of a sudden, to my right, a cell phone rang. I was jarred out of my reverie, and a little annoyed. The phone rang again, then again, and again. Apparently, the owner couldn’t hear the ringing. Then, somebody in the back of the sanctuary started rummaging through shopping bags. I wouldn’t turn around, but that’s what it sounded like. Now I was really upset! But it got me thinking. We live in an imperfect world. God has made it that way for a reason. There is profound and awesome beauty in this world, but it is always flawed. That’s so we don’t worship the gift, or become too attached to this world. If this world was perfect, we’d never want to leave it. We’d never have to think about God or long for him. All the imperfections are designed to direct and focus our attention on God. It’s to give us a taste of and make us hungry for the Perfect One.

The power comes through

I am no expert on steel bands or the music they play. I associate the sweet, tinkling sound they make with Mardi Gras and vacations in warm places. So when I heard “How Great Thou Art” being played, I was confused. It seemed a silly medium for a song that conjures up crusades and George Beverly Shea. A funny thing happened as I listened. When I wasn’t watching I was drawn in. As I thought of the words and listened to the music my heart was strangely warmed. It wasn’t silly after all. By the time they played the “Hallelujah Chorus” my defenses were gone. As I stood and listened, I realized the power of the music comes through. Such is the glory, majesty and greatness of the Gospel that even through an (for me) unlikely medium the Spirit of God touched my heart and drew my attention heavenward. Any human endeavor offered in the service of Christ can be redeemed and become a vehicle to communicate the Creator. It didn’t hurt that they were outstanding musicians, but the unpracticed monotone can offer praise no less pleasing to God’s ear because the power comes through.

God’s family is beautiful

We’re not much to look at. We do our best, but we have bad hair, acne, poor posture. We get in bad moods and forget to smile. But something happens when you put us all together. I watched the choirs from three congregations stand together before us and somehow they were transformed. Maybe it was the spirit of the moment, maybe it was the inspiring, uplifting, holy music they performed. But it made me realize, God’s family is beautiful. One thing I value about small churches is that you get to know everyone. Whether you want to or not. It’s like family. You have relatives you’d rather you didn’t, but there they are. There’s somebody at church who rubs you the wrong way, who gets on your nerves, who is a trial for you to endure. Your feelings have been hurt and you’ve been wronged. And then there’s the person who always makes you laugh or feel wanted or happy. And also the person who seems to need you, for whom you make a difference. God’s family is beautiful. It isn’t perfect, and won’t be any time soon. But when you put us all together we reflect the character of Christ and the glory of God. And that is a beautiful thing! By the way, you’re lookin’ good!