Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament![a]
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
– Psalm 150
Today was an amazing day of worship! 1,123 people came to experience and participate in an amazing Christmas cantata worship.
Wow. Just wow.
Over 90 musicians, along with our pastors, our Advent Family Worship Assistants, our narrator, Keith Bangs, Lily Zollner, with her monologue and all the ushers, communion assistants, hospitality and kitchen volunteers made for a great morning for our community.
Taking on a project like a cantata is a lot of work, and we are grateful to all of the musicians for the hours and hours of practice that were invested in this weekend.
Likewise, I am so grateful to Jessica Dant, who directs our Trinity Choir as well as God’s Singers; Andrea Van Gelder, our worship and music director and CHAOS director; and Michael and Tammi Ferch, who direct the Cherubs and Lifesavers; plus all their accompanists. The hours of time and planning that were put in made the music in our worship speak God’s love to our spirits. Of course, I’m also thankful to Pastor Dean who wrote the narrative.
If you ask our musicians, they will be the first to tell you, the work that they do and the music that they play or sing isn’t done to highlight themselves. This isn’t about applause or compliments (though our musicians do deserve both!).
Our musicians sing and play to the glory of God. They sing and play the story of God’s love. They sing and play because of what God has done in their lives. And they sing and play because that is the gift that they have been given. Music is the language they have been given to praise God. And when we listen, we too are reminded to give praise to God for the gift of Jesus.
To God be the glory!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Todd
Test Driving Theology 