Music and Choir
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The Music Ministry is an exciting place to be called. |
Music Corner:Information from our newsletter about music and our program. Composers Page: The stories of the composers who create the music we sing. Music Photos: Music pictures around All Saints |
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Music soothes the soul. “He who sings, prays twice.” (C.S. Lewis et al) “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” (Aldous Huxley)
“If you look deep enough you will see music; the heart of nature being everywhere music.” (Thomas Carlyle) “It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of lonelinesss, of pain: of strength and freedom. The beauty of disappointment and never-satisfied love. The cruel beauty of nature and everlasting beauty of monotony.” (Benjamin Britten) “Music can change the world because it can change people.” (Bono) “Music happens to be an art form that transcends language.” Herbie Hancock “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” (Victor Hugo) “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” (Plato)
Much can be found in books, magazines and on the internet about music. So much, in fact, that I wonder how I can put words together to top the quotes listed above. And we have daily opportunities to praise our Lord with song. No matter the quality of voice (remember that it was God who gave you that voice), God loves to hear us lift our voice to Him. We are to pray unceasingly. Add a little music to that prayer and we are all lifted up. Who knows, someone may hear you and because you are singing they stop and listen.
There was a moment that happened to me. And I was not the singer. It was during a particularly bad time in my life. I was not happy with where we were living, I was not happy with how we were being received, and that particular day I was feeling ill as well. I really did not want to go grocery shopping. But the cupboards were getting bare. So shop, I must. As I headed into the deli area, a woman was stocking Lunchables, a favorite after-school snack for my children. As I reached into the cooler, I heard her singing praises. I stopped and just listened to her for a couple of phrases. And I opened up to the presence of God. He had my back and He was taking care of us and He wanted me to know that. I thanked the woman for her help. Her song put a whole new spin on the day. I finished my shopping lighter of heart and remembered that as those bad days continued. The woman, as it turned out, was also on the staff of The Potter’s House with Bishop T.D. Jakes. She invited us to visit after hearing of our troubles. We did visit and heard more of what God needed us to hear.
Music. Take it by the hand. Embrace it. And know that God will speak to you through it and speak to others by your song.
“When words leave off, music begins.” Heinrich Heine “Who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once.” Robert Browning “Without music, life would be a mistake.” Friedrich Nietzsche
Please take a look at our Composers page for more information about the composers and lyricists of the music we sing on Sunday mornings.
