The Beauty in Hymn Singing with Alice Parker

One of the many joys we had this week was the pleasure of watching our preschool students parade through the office dressed in their finest Halloween costumes. It is always a "treat" to see the excitement in their eyes.

The Sunday following Halloween was traditionally, in Protestant Churches, recognized as Reformation Sunday to mark the writing of Martin Luther's The 95 Theses, protesting against the sale of indulgences. This Sunday at our 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. services, I will focus on Reformation. I will spend some time talking about Luther plus a few moments talking about what I see as our reformation today.

In Luther's time, people walked around experiencing a great deal of guilt. I may have my head in the sand, but I don't see much of that today. What I do see today is people feeling rootless and disconnected from purpose, looking for a meaningful story that links them to yesterday while giving them hope for tomorrow. I know you will all be expecting me to then talk about the Bible, but on that note, I am not sure. If we use the Bible, we have to use it in ways that speak to people's grappling with meaning. Wandering around the sanctuary saying your sins are forgiven often today elicits more of a yawn than true excitement. Of course I could be all wrong; maybe we need a new Reformation.

At our 11:00 a.m. service, we will be hosting international choral arranger and composer, Alice Parker. She will lead the congregation in discovering the beauty in hymn singing. Many of you have heard about Alice and how much she has shaped choral singing in America. For those who haven't, you are in for a real "treat."

And perhaps most importantly to remember is that Sunday marks the end of Daylight Savings Time. So remember to "Fall Back" this Sunday, sleep in a bit and join us for a wonderful morning of worship.