Week of July 4, 2000
Nancy E.

"With a voice of singing,
declare you this and let it be heard
... Alleluia."
Psalm 104I

Singing is very important to me. When did it begin? When God created me. It started with the downbeat of the sperm meeting the egg that led to pulsating rhythm with definite meter flowing within me -- my heart beats, blood sloshing through my veins, etc. As I was expelled from my mother's womb, rhythmic breathing was added to the panoply and accompanied by sound. Yes, He "..was there to hear my borning cry.."

When did my crying turn to singing? I know not, but I can't remember a time in my life without song.

There are songs for all of life's experiences. I believe those based upon biblical text and Christian belief are the most enduring. They carry the Christian message for both the singer and the listener. The plain songs, the mass, the liturgy, the hymns, the anthems, the Bible school favorites, and the camp songs provide a wonderful venue for joy, lament, support, praise, and peace.

The many musical versions of the Magnificat teach us an important way to express our joy -- by praising God. "..My soul does magnify the Lord." My favorite Magnificat is by Stanford. Lifting my voice in this beautiful piece of music reminds me of the Biblical text -- i.e., Mary's joy when learning she would be a mother -- and my own joy when learning I too would be a mother.

Looking into a beautiful blue sky with a few patches of white clouds, I immediately connect with Haydn. Yes, "..The heavens are declaring the glory of God.."

During those times when life seems almost more than I can face, singing has helped me endure. The haunting rendition Rutter has given us for Psalm 100:
   "..Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.."
as well as the recent Ellingboe anthem our choir sang based upon Psalm 23 - "..when I walk through the valleys I'll sing..." have brought me moments of peace.

At the death of our child, solace that permits tears was -- and is still given to me 35 years later -- by a beautiful hymn "..Though he giveth or he taketh, God his children ne'er forsaketh.."

In times of trouble, such as when I have known I made a mistake and must confess it, my anxieties were brought to a realistic level with pre-confession preparation -- i.e., by first singing something such as "..He will bear you up on eagle's wings..and hold you in the palm of his hands.."

The longer one sings, the more times one gets to discover new things in the Biblical texts that have inspired composers throughout the ages. For example, I found a new understanding of the Apostle's Creed when learning the Porter anthem, On The Third Day. Just like Handel's "..Every valley shall be exhaulted..", the music rings in my head and I must make concentrated effort to be able to read these texts without using the rhythms the composers used to set the words to music.

What joy singing can bring to family relationships. Being one of three Ervins in our senior choir just feels right. One of my favorite family experiences, however, happened last December when we visited our grandson in Maine. He was preparing for the children's Christmas service at his church. His group had been chosen to sing several well known Christmas carols. First, I witnessed our son teaching these to him and singing them with them. Later, I was thrilled when he asked me to sing them with him as we traveled from place-to-place in the car. The carols of Christmas have always been special but never so much as in that time and place.

Those who write music and the text to accompany it have been given a special gift from God. They, in turn, give us the way to express ourselves. But, those who brain wash us -- indoctrinate us so intensively as to make a radical change in our beliefs -- are the true heroes. When we are privileged to sing under the direction of a Christian choir director, we are truly blessed. They indoctrinate us like nobody else.

Our younger son sang in a professional men and boys choir for 13 years under just such a man, James Litton. Jim's heavenly brain washing was demonstrated when one of the boys was in a serious bicycle accident. After being in a coma for a long period of time, the boy's journey to return to consciousness was signaled by his singing the anthems over and over that the choir had been rehearsing during the weeks before his accident. What a spiritual blessing that was for his parents; holding his hand; hearing that his subconscious was bringing forth a message of Christian hope for their son and them.

Although no miracle event such as this has been part of my own singing, my exposure to Christian music has found a way to "..guide me all the days of my life.." and, "..when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.."

Lord, thank you for giving talent to those who have given us music and text to use for our spiritual needs. Pour your blessings on our Christian choir director, Linda, who so wonderfully goes about her heavenly brain washing. Amen.

Contributed by Nancy E.
Published Tuesday July 4, 2000
Week 32 of Liturgical Year B