We continue with pieces from “Holy People” by Gordon Lathrop.
…modern western celebrations of All Saints Day have frequently come to be observed as festivals of the church, of all the baptized, including the local and living community. In Slovakia and in Slavic communities elsewhere, Christians since the seventeenth century have made remarkable, ecumenical use of an extensive collection of hymns, assembled by the Lutheran pastor Jiri Tranovsky and called the Cithara Sanctorum the “cithera of the saints,” the harp of the holy people.”
There is nothing more moving than hearing the whole assembly sing with bold voices. One hymn sung in unison or in parts brings everyone together within one task. It is one of the times in worship that I notice people smiling, sometimes crying. The blend of words with music and our heart being lifted up within the hymn is an emotional time together. That is the important part, together. Some people may be soloist and some may never attempt to sing alone…but we sing together as the saints of God and that is a choir that is willing and longs for everyone to join in as we praise our God.
Connection: Lift every voice and sing…that’s what one hymn tells us…and it is good for our hearts and our character to jump in and take part in the choir.
Remind us of the power that comes as we join in one voice to give you praise, O God. A power for life and a power for whatever we may have to face sometimes breaks into our lives as the congregation sings and lifts us beyond the thought of ourselves and into the blessed presence and support of all your saints. Amen.
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