Feast of Music

Mary Byrne, Tore Valdal, Alice Valdal

With the choir on vacation, one might expect the music programme at SPPC to be in slow mode, but we've been  treated to a feast of music  in July.  Our own soloists have shared their gifts, we've had two visits from my favourite flute player, Mary Byrne and on the last Sunday of the month, Raven Baroque Orchestra enriched our worship.  So much for summer doldrums!

Raven Baroque Orchestra at SPPC

   Music sings in my soul so I've always been grateful that it has been nourished in my church life.  There have been times, throughout history, when music, especially instrumental music, was banned from worship, for various reasons.  Yet, we read in 1 Chronicles 25: 1-6, that David selected three men to lead and organize the music of public worship.  Not only that, he ordered four thousand to play on instruments. (1 Chronicles 23:5)  Four thousand!  What a joyful noise they must have made.
   But music in worship, however beautiful, it not meant merely to entertain, or to give the preacher a break.  At its heart, worship is a time set aside to adore God, to seek the presence of the Holy Spirit and to proclaim the Gospel.  Music is a prime tool for achieving all these things.
     In song, choir and congregation express elements of the faith, committing great swaths of scripture to memory, and proclaiming our belief in "God who touches earth with beauty," or "The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord," to name but two.
    Music invites the congregation to participate in hymns and responses, becoming part of the whole body to experience a connection to God and with each other.  At other times, an anthem provides an opportunity for congregation members to hear a message proclaimed, not only with words, but with the resonance of music that reaches beyond the intellect and touches the soul.
   I've a saying on my wall, "When words fail, music speaks."  July at SPPC has given us a wonderful opportunity to experience the "voice" of music, ringing the faith of generations and vibrating in our hearts.

Raven Baroque Orchestra at Mt. Tolmie