Dearly Beloved,
What sound or voice brings you great joy?
What sound or voice do you long to hear?
What are sounds or voices of God?
What are the sounds of God’s realm breaking through?
Actress and comedian Gracie Allen wrote these words in her last letter to her husband before she died: "Never place a period where God has placed a comma." They have become one of the tag lines of the United Church of Christ, our denomination. God is still speaking. Surely that's an invitation for us to still be listening.
How is it that you open yourself up anew to hear the voice of our still speaking God? I daresay, for many of us music offers a way to listen to our still-speaking God. Whether it's an old hymn, a Queen anthem, a hip hop beat, a rap rhyme, or the classical chords of an orchestral piece, where words fail, music speaks. And often music seems to bypass our thinking brain and head straight to our heart, our soul, our spirit. Sometimes music is the sound of crickets at night, the whisper of aspen leaves, summer's last cicadas, thunder rumbling in the distance, the particular sound of a loved one's foot-fall, the even breath of a sleeping child. Sometimes music is laughter. And, at least for me, music is always the sound of voices lifted together, in harmony (or maybe even not great harmony), mournful, joyful, playful, silly, beautiful.
This Sunday, our worship service centers on the song "Listening Now" by Christopher Grundy. It was written for the 25th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. The first verse draws upon Psalm 119 and the second from 1 Kings 19:13. During this celebration, the song was sung by a congregation of more than 10,00 people. Just imagine that as you read these words:
We're so thankful that you are still speaking, you're still speaking, gracious God
for the sake of the world you are seeking we are listening, listening now.
O God, your precious word has been a lamp unto our feet every time we stray
and still it lights the shadows out along our path showing us the way.
Sometimes we hind in fear but still you whisper in our ears
words of grace so fine that call us to justice, righteousness, and peace,
to let our light shine, let it shine!
I hope and pray that you listen for the sound or voice that brings you great joy. For the sounds and voices of God. For the sounds and voices of God's realm, God's kin(g)dom and realm breaking through. For God's voice of love and grace and hope.
This Sunday, as we listen, we'll get to enjoy a hymn sing in place of a sermon. So think of the hymns through which God speaks to you -- we'll use both our blue hymnals and the New Century (black) hymnals.
Please stick around after worship to hear a little bit more about plans for my sabbatical in summer 2024, to hear updates on our property at 832 N Lincoln Avenue, the budget and finances and our ministry together.
I look forward to lifting my voice with yours in love, hope and praise.
With much love and peace,
Thandiwe
