Other Blogs: The Power Of Song

Posted on May 17, 2012 by ginny

Music is a big part of worship at St Nicholas, and it’s been a big part of the experience at St Bede’s as well.

At St Nick’s, we often sing or chant psalms; St Bede’s uses a book of praise songs, and both communities are familiar with various hymns.

Here’s an item from Huffington Post on the subject:

So, I feel bad for the biblical psalms. In Hebrew, their home language, the collection is called tehillim — “songs of praise.” This ups the mystery ante. After all, the book is dominated by complaint. Evocative expressions of pain and suffering — all kinds and on all levels are far more common than happier sentiments. Yet somehow, all together, they are “Praise Songs.” And how poignant that the book’s Greek title, Psalms, comes from a word that may refer as much to a stringed instrument as the “songs” it accompanied.
Now, you may call me sacrilegious, but as much as I wish we knew the full music of those biblical texts, I do not believe that they alone possess sanctifying power. I do not believe that the sacred is bound by text or that the divine is circumscribed by religion. Holiness happens in the oddest places and may be carried along by something as profound, as singular and transitory, as a song.

Link: The Power of Music: Holiness Hitches a Ride – The Huffington Post

At St Bede’s Today: “I Am The New Vine”

Posted on May 6, 2012 by ginny

"I am the new vine," Napa Valley vineyard, photo by Ginny Gibbs

Today’s service at St Bede’s was nearly standing room only, with plenty of people gathered together to celebrate. The music was from the Songs of Praise book, and a bit of a jazz/folk jam session broke out after the end of the service. Afterwards, there was a delicious brunch served by members of St Bede’s.

The Rev. Jim Steen, Director of Ministries for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, spoke briefly during the announcements to greet the congregation and read a letter from the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D Lee, Bishop of Chicago. Father Dru read the Gospel for the day and gave the sermon, a scholarly explanation of the text:

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” — The Lectionary Page: 5th Sunday of Easter

After the service, but before the dismissal, Father Manny also responded to the Gospel by talking about the new growth he saw in his own backyard.

It is on the people of St Bede’s and St Nicholas, as we prepare to combine our communities, to bear much fruit and become disciples of Christ.

Photo credit: Ginny Gibbs, taken at Summers Winery, near Calistoga CA in the Napa Valley.