The Music Sometimes Speaks to Me

Our church choir is small and consists of good people who love to sing for the glory of God. The Director is smart, qualified, and knows her music. The "Chancel" choir leads the singing of hymns every other Sunday morning. They sing no specially prepared anthems and the director is a pianist without much of a feel for volume or for finesse. Yes, she tends to bang.

We have a small historic pipe organ that I suspect could be "brought to life" by someone who believed that there was magic in playing such an instrument. It is a perfect size for the square footage of the sanctuary. All in all, what we are lacking is passion. The magic is there, asleep inside the organ.

Every other week, the congregation is blessed with music from the folk choir. This group does have passion and as the name, folk, implies, enjoys a certain amount of intimacy with the congregation. Sometimes, they remind me of a group of friends doing a little jamming, but mostly the music is beautiful. These are the same voices that we hear during the monthly Taize prayer services. I love that chanting form of worship and I believe our services would be better for incorporating that music every Sunday.

Sometimes, however, God interferes. The music becomes meaningful; yes, holy. It happened this morning during the Eucharist - my first Sunday back to church since Doc (Greg Levenduski) died. I had lit a candle for the two friends, my Wayne and Patty's Greg. All morning, I directed my private prayers to their peace. I prayed for Patty, that her life might be blessed as mine has been, with meaning and joy beyond expectation, as we journey the world alone in our two shoes apiece...

And suddenly, a quartet of men stood. The four voices sang tentatively instead of with overly practiced power... Wayne's favorite hymn. The group sounded to me as if they had become the ancient pipes themselves, brought to life here at The Church of the Holy Comforter.


T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Even a year ago I would have burst into those quiet tears that run down the face independently of what is happening in the head. The heart rules. I'm stronger now. The words simply gave me joy and reminded me of the two friends, now together in a place that has no cancer, chemo, or radiation treatments.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see. 


God bless you, Wayne and Greg.