This week’s Midweek Hymn is “When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land — Let My People Go!” In the New Century Hymnal it’s 572 (with 4 verses). In Hymnary.org it’s page https://hymnary.org/hymn/LUYH2013/42 with 5 verses. I’m doing 5 verses, so NCH folk will need to repeat one of the verses.
This hymn is chosen for today because it foreshadows Rev. Well’s coming Corona Sabbath 26 reflection based on the story of the Hebrews crossing the Red Sea: Exodus 14:19-31.
“The Egyptians are drowned. What do we have to let go of, what has to be destroyed, so that we can be truly free?” — Rev. Wells
These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with others in your social isolation group. They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations. We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.
During these summer weeks, the theme being used is “Grounded.” Some of us feel that shelter-in-place feels like being grounded. Some would normally have travel plans and feel grounded. With the many challenges facing our society, it is important to feel grounded. So these Summer Sundays will focus on key concepts in Christianity that provide grounding. So, welcome to “Grounded.” This post focuses on awe and wonder.
There is a scripture lesson and a contemporary reading from astronaut Edgar Mitchell that was submitted by Katherine Meacham Conover. These are read by Colleen Coughenour. There is a meditation from Pastor Kim Wells followed by music from Hilton Jones.
You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside. Light a candle. Take a look around you. Breathe. Life-giving breath. Be present.
You may begin with this reading:
Our world us full of planners and programmers. They make things work, sometimes with deadly efficiency. But we also need people who put a bit of magic back into our world. The clown, the trickster, the seer, the songster, the artist, the poet. And we don’t need these simply to provide a bit of comic relief. We need the seer and the poet to help us see what we should have seen, but dared not. In the process of unveiling and opening up of new possibilities, the artist and the poet take on the mantle of the prophet. They lilt us with the lullaby of long forgotten dreams and dare us to live again with boldness and hope.
If we can no longer soar and dream and hope, we are dead while we live. But if the magic is still there, we will live, no matter how great the difficulties and pain.
As you listen to the music which follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings and that arise for you.
After viewing the music video, you are invited to offer the following closing –
I shut my eyes in order to see.
Paul Gauguin, artist, 19th century
Breathe. Breathe again. Be filled. With awe and wonder. Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.
The tune name of this famous Hymn is St Anne. The words are equally famous: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” Seems like an appropriate text for these days.
This rendition has all 6 verses as found in NCH #25. There’s a very short intro and the first verse begins when the trumpet enters. Hang on to your part because starting in verse 3 the descants begin (there’s 4 verses with descants)!
Here’s a link to three chorale preludes for solo piano I composed a couple years ago that are based on ST ANNE. They’re audio streaming (nothing to download). You can hear the famous melody used in various ways. For instance, in the slow movement, it’s the top notes of the accompaniment.
And…you’re welcome to download the score HERE, for free. Of course, every composer hopes maybe somebody will feel like playing a piece if there’s a free score on offer!
Lakewood United Church of Christ 