Sunday, August 27th - You are the Christ, O Lord!

For all of Sunday's Lectionary readings, click here

When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:13-16

It's so easy to try to put Jesus into terms we can understand. I can see why the people might have claimed Jesus was one of their familiar prophets - there is comfort in familiar, understandable things. There is an element of safety in things we can easily identify. 

But Jesus was all about breaking through preconceived notions. When people expected a king or a conqueror, Jesus came as a servant. When they expected condemnation of the people they looked down on, Jesus offered forgiveness and compassion. Jesus was revolutionary - he turned everything on its head. Want to receive? Give. Want to be exalted? Be humble. 

We are constantly being asked who Jesus is - maybe not directly, but the world is watching. People look to the Church to see who Jesus is. What is our response? Who are we showing them that Jesus is? Do our actions say that Jesus is condemnation and judgment? Or do our actions show the revolutionary Jesus who stood up for the oppressed and offered forgiveness and compassion?

If someone asked you to demonstrate with your life who you say Jesus is, what would your life show as your answer? Peter became the "rock" God built the Church on for recognizing Jesus for what he was. What can God build on us?

Sequence hymn: You are the Christ, O Lord #254 (click here to listen)

1. You are the Christ, O Lord,
the Son of God most high!
For ever be adored that Name
in earth and sky,
in which, though mortal strength may fail,
the saints of God at last prevail!

2. Oh! Peter was most blest
with blessedness unpriced,
who, taught of God, confessed
the Godhead in the Christ!
For of your Church, Lord, you made known
this saint a true foundation-stone.

Sunday, August 20th - Blessing of the Backpacks (Be Still and Know)

We're more than halfway through August, which means one thing: it's time for school to start! This Sunday is our annual Blessing of the Backpacks - the day when we invite the families and teachers of our St. George's School to come for a special service. The kids pile their backpacks on the altar and we say a prayer for the students, teachers, and administrators. 

For the sequence hymn this week, we are singing two of the songs the school kids sing every week in their chapel service. One of them is "Be Still and Know." The words are simple ("Be still and know that God is here"), and the message is timeless. It also makes a perfect prayer for the school year, for students, teachers, and those of us who have been out of school for a long time. 

"God is with you in all that you do." - Genesis 21:22b

When the alarm goes off and you start getting ready for the day - be still and know that God is here.

As you walk down the halls of the school, amidst the noise and chatter - be still and know that God is here. 

As you're grading or planning lessons - be still and know that God is here.

When you're stuck in traffic - be still and know that God is here.

When it's "one of those days" at work - be still and know that God is here. 

When you're stressed out, overwhelmed, and tired - be still and know that God is here.

When you're watching the news and it seems like the world has gone crazy - be still and know that God is here.

Take a deep breath. Listen to calming music. Close your eyes for a second. Whatever it takes to have a moment of stillness in a day full of chaos. Be still and know that God is here.

Happy school year, students, teachers and administrators! (And happy August-is-almost-over, everyone else!)



(Slightly different words here)

Sunday, August 13th - There's No Such Thing as a Perfectly Good Boat (Jesus, Lover of My Soul)

For all the Lectionary readings, click here

Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

There is a little skydiving place east of San Marcos, Texas. At the entrance is a small, broken plane, and a sign that reads "There's no such thing as a perfectly good airplane - learn to skydive!" It's a bit bleak, but the message is clear. In today's Gospel reading, I can almost imagine Peter saying "There's no such thing as a perfectly good boat."

I'm not sure if I would have had Peter's courage to get out of the boat. The wind is raging, the waves are crashing, and a spectral figure is approaching - walking on the very water itself. Those all sound like very good reasons to stay in the boat. But Peter was a fisherman; had he lost friends or even family to storms on the water? Peter knew there was no such thing as a perfectly good boat. 

Throughout the centuries, even as boats and ships have gotten sturdier and safer, storms and icebergs and warships have sunk "perfectly good" boats. Shipwrecks are the subject of poems, songs, and award-winning movies. It seems that every few years there is another story in the news of some tragedy that has befallen a cruise ship. There's no such thing as a perfectly good boat.

Peter called out, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." Peter climbed out of the boat and onto the water. No rowboat, no life jacket, just Peter and his Lord. Even when he looked around at the storm and began to sink, he called out to Jesus again. He didn't turn back for the boat. Because there's no such thing as a perfectly good boat. 

Peter knew that there is such a thing as a perfectly good Savior. Safety was not in the boat, but in the presence of Christ. 

Ships sink. Planes crash. Bodies age and crumble or give way to sickness. Nothing is perfectly good. Nothing is perfectly safe. Nothing, that is, except the love of God. The waves crash around us but our souls are safe in the arms of Christ. Truly he is the Son of God. 

Sequence Hymn: Jesus, Lover of My Soul (Tune: Aberystwyth) #699

1. Jesus, Lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high:
hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life be past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last.

2. Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me!
All my trust on thee is stayed;
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.

3. Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cleanse from every sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee:
spring thou up within my heart,
rise to all eternity. 

Words: Charles Wesley

(There is an additional verse in the video that is not included in The Hymnal 1982)

Sunday, August 6th - Transfiguration Sunday: Christ is the World's True Light

Click here for Sunday's Lectionary Readings

Have you ever been to a service or concert in a church in the evening? Did you notice the way the light changes in the stained glass windows? At first, the light of the sun shines through the windows into the church. But as the sun sets, the windows slowly go dark. Of course, they haven't really gone dark - they're just shining the other way now. You can still see the beauty of the colors and images, you just have to go outside to see it. 

In today's readings, we have two different stories about shining faces and transformative mountaintop experiences. In the Gospel, we read the story of Christ's Transfiguration. The disciples see Jesus' face and clothing shining and Peter is so overwhelmed that he can only say something ridiculous (Peter should serve as a reminder to us that sometimes the best thing to say is absolutely nothing). 

In the Old Testament reading, Moses spends time in the presence of God on the mountain and returns to the Israelites with a shining face, and they don't seem to fare much better than Peter. 

Encountering the light of God transforms us. Maybe you've never left church with your face literally shining, but I hope at some point you have encountered God in a way that has changed you. 

Which brings me back to the stained glass windows - the sun shines in during the day and our light shines out at night. May the Light of the Son shine into you, so that when the darkness comes, you can shine out to the world. Amen.

Closing hymn: Christ is the World's True Light (Tune: St. Joan) #542
1. Christ is the world’s true light,
Its Captain of salvation,
The Day-star clear and bright
Of every race and nation;
New life, new hope awakes,
For all who own his sway;
Freedom her bondage breaks,
And night is turned to day.

2. In Christ all races meet,
Their ancient feuds forgetting,
The whole round world complete,
From sunrise to its setting:
When Christ is throned as Lord,
Men shall forsake their fear,
To ploughshare bear the sword,
To pruning-hook the spear.

3. One Lord, in one great Name
Unite us all who own thee;
Cast out our pride and shame
That hinder to enthrone thee;
The world has waited long,
Has travailed long in pain;
To heal its ancient wrong,
Come, Prince of Peace, and reign.
(Words: George Wallace Briggs)

Behind the Hymns Returns! "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace"

This blog lapsed after it had served its purpose - to help my congregation become familiar with my process in selecting hymns and to help me think through that process. I was learning a new (to me) hymnal, and I felt that being open in my process could only be beneficial. After several months, I felt more comfortable with The Hymnal 1982 and that my selection process was more or less clear, so the blog fell to the wayside. 

I've been at St. George's for four years now, and I am reviving this blog with a renewed purpose. Each week, I will write a few thoughts or meditations about one (or more) of the upcoming hymns. I hope this enriches your worship experience. 

The sequence hymn this week, July 30th, is "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," a setting of the famous prayer of St. Francis. 

You can hear a pretty straight-forward version of it here.

I like to watch the Tony Awards when I can. I don't always keep abreast of what's new and interesting on Broadway, so the Tony's are a good chance to get a quick introduction to new shows. This year was no different as it introduced me to an inspiring show called "Come From Away." It tells the story of the days following the September 11th attacks. The skies over the United States were closed for the first time in history and incoming international flights were diverted to Canada and Mexico. 38 planes and some 6,600 people landed in Gander, Newfoundland, nearly doubling the population of the small town. The people of Gander put their own lives on hold for five days to take care of "the plane people." Schools, churches, and community centers were converted into shelters, people showed up in droves to help cook meals, and many offered their own homes for anyone wanting a shower or to use the phone. At every turn, the people of Gander went out of their way not just to meet the needs of the visitors physically, but also their emotional needs. The mayor of Gander said, "We started off with 7,000 strangers but we finished with 7,000 family members."

"Come From Away" appealed to me immediately because of the heavy use of folk music styles, but it was the stories of the people that really touched me. One of my favorite moments in the musical comes when several of the strandees ask to go to a church to pray. One man, Kevin, had woken up that morning with a song he couldn't place stuck in his head. At the church, he realizes that it's "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace." After a verse of this hymn is sung, two Jewish characters begin to sing a Hebrew prayer for peace: "Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu ya'aseh shalom aleynu" ("He who makes peace in his high places, he shall make peace upon us.") The song builds until "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" is interlaced with the Jewish prayer, a Hindi prayer (rough translation: "lead me from falsehood to truth, lead me from darkness to light, lead me from death to immortality"), and a spoken Muslim prayer. The voices intertwine and the music swells. Four languages, four religions, all praying for peace together. 

It's so easy to focus on what makes one religion different from another. It's easier still to focus on what makes one person different from another. But when you really get down to it, I think we all want basically the same thing: to be an instrument of peace, sowing love instead of hate and faith instead of doubt. What if, instead of focusing on our differences, we all took the time to join hands across the lines that divide us and pray for peace? 

I think that's what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like.

Here is "Prayer" from the musical "Come From Away"

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I've been on a bit of a hiatus for the season of Advent because I figured there wasn't a whole lot of mystery as to how I was selecting music. But there is something I like to share with my friends every year - the literal translation of Silent Night. 

As you may know, Silent Night is a German Christmas carol. The version we sing in English has been modified to rhyme but it is not quite the same. Here is a rough translation of the original German lyrics (the third and fifth verses are my favorite):

1. Silent night! Holy night! All are sleeping; only the Holy Pair watches the lovely boy with curly hair sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Angelic "Alleluias" sound it near and far: "Jesus, the Savior is here!"

3. Silent night! Holy night! God's Son, o how love laughs out of Your divine mouth! Then it hits us - now is the hour of our saving - Jesus, in your birth.

4. Silent night! Holy night! The healing of the world brought from heaven's golden height - we see the fullness of His grace: Jesus in human form!

5. Silent night! Holy night! Where today all the power of Fatherly love pours forth, and Jesus, like a brother, embraces all the people of the world!

6. Silent night! Holy night! Long we hoped to be freed from the Lord's wrath. In time, the Father promises to spare all mankind! 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Sunday, December 21st - First Sunday of Advent

(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)


I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving - welcome to Advent!


Opening Hymn: Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers H-68

The scripture readings this week have a lot to do with waiting, watching, and waking. So we kick off our Advent season with "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers." 

"Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear.

The evening is advancing, and darker night is near.

The Bridegroom is arising, and soon He will draw nigh.

Up, watch in expectation: At midnight comes the cry.

See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil.
Look now for your salvation, the end of sin and toil
The marriage feast is waiting, the gates wide open stand
Rise up, ye heirs of glory, the Bridegroom is at hand

Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear!
Arise, thou Sun so longed for, above this darkened sphere
With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see
The day of earth's redemption and ever be with thee!"


Sequence Hymn: Wait for the Lord G-256

Continuing the theme of watching and waiting, the sequence hymn is the Taize song, "Wait for the Lord." 
It is short and simple, repeating the same phrase; "Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord, be

strong, take heart." 

Communion Hymn: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence H-324

Every other hymnal I'm familiar with puts this hymn in the Advent section. The Hymnal 1982 is the first one I've seen that

lists it as Eucharist. To be honest, I've never much cared for this hymn - that is, until I heard this rendition. 

It needs an air of mystery. Now I love this hymn.

Recessional: The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns H-73

We conclude with "The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns." The other hymns have been mostly about waiting

in the darkness, so this hymn serves as a reminder of what comes when the darkness is over.

I hope this adds to your worship experience and I hope to see you there!