Happy Thursday!
Here’s what you need to know this week:
This Sunday
This Sunday, full worship ministry is leading. Call time for instrumentalists, praise team, and A/V is 8:00am on stage. Choir will meet in the choir room at 8:35am.
Click below for the Scripture text and order of service, or to view/hear the music in Planning Center.
Notes
As we begin to wrap up the semester, please remember to pay attention to the schedule changes listed below. We are doing some big anthems in the month of June, and we’ll need as much participation as possible. Thank you for finishing strong with your faithful attendance!
Sunday, May 25 will be ONE SERVICE at 10:00am. Call time for band/praise team is 9:00am. Choir will meet at 9:30am.
Wednesday, May 28 will be rehearsal for orchestra, band, and praise team only (just like the June schedule).
In the month of June, there will be no Wednesday choir rehearsals. However, band/orchestra/praise team will rehearse on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00p, with the exception of June 11. Full worship ministry (choir, orchestra, band, praise team) will lead every Sunday in the month of June, with the exception of June 8, which will be led by band/praise team only due to VBS.
In the month of July, there will be no Wednesday rehearsals at all. Each Sunday in July will be led by band/praise team only. Our worship ministry interest meeting will be July 30, and we will be back in action on August 3.
Prayer requests
Betty Speck (soprano), who has been transferred to a rehab facility.
Terri Ritter, recovering from shoulder surgery.
Jean/Joe Bargovan, dealing with several health issues.
Praise: Liz Witt is home from the hospital.
Praise: Karen Hall (alto) does not need surgery on her foot.
An Extra
Why did God choose to make music such a big part of what it means to be human?
I’m working through a book for school right now called Resounding Truth: Christian Wisdom in the World of Music, by Jeremy Begbie. One chapter I found particularly interesting talks about the reasons music is well-suited to serve the purposes of God. One reason has to do with the way music demonstrates the power of tensions and resolutions. It’s a little nerdy, but hang with me.
Music is full of patterns that begin with an equilibrium which are then upset with some sort of created tension, and then move to resolution. With that in mind, consider these three thoughts related to the Gospel:
It cannot be rushed. That is, the equilibrium-tension-resolution pattern in music takes time to unfold, and the result is a glorious fullness that cannot be experienced any other way. In the same way, for instance, we experience the glory of Easter Sunday in its fullness by living through the story of Holy Week each year and all that it calls us to remember about the suffering of Christ. The beautiful drama of the cross is made richer by the shadows of Good Friday. In some sense, we have to wait to get to Easter Sunday, and we are better for it.
It invites us to live on many levels. The patterns of tension created by music exist in various levels; within individual bars of music, within phrases (musical ideas), periods (music sentences), and within the form of the piece of music itself. The resolution of tension on one level is the beginning of tension on another level, and this is what keeps music moving forward. In the same way, we live on many levels understanding that our lives are moved forward by little tensions/resolutions as part of God’s overarching story. Since we know there is a future tension that will ultimately be resolved by God —the final destruction of sin and death—we have hope.
It makes us wait. A good musician learns how to handle the delay of resolved tension—a little rest here, a little lingering of a phrase there. It teaches us the reward of patience. In the same way, Christians live in this sometimes-agonizing “already but not yet” state where we are waiting for the coming of Jesus and the future redemption of our bodies. The psalmist cries, “How long, oh Lord?” Creation itself is groaning (Romans 8:23). We must live with steadfast perseverance, with faith that God will fulfill His promises. Deferred gratification is good for us and teaches us to endure suffering with the hope of future glory.
“Corporate worship is designed to help you take the eyes of your heart off the difficulties of your situation and focus them on the grace and glory of your ever-present Savior.”
Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you Sunday.
Andy
Questions?
Respond to the worship ministry text on your phone, or use the form below.
Email Andy: ahammond@stevensstreet.org
Email April: alangford@stevensstreet.org