Controversial Hymn

 

Monday, August 19, 2013

Controversial Hymn

While looking for another article on line, I ran across this news item about a hymn that was supposed to be in our new hymnal.  Click here if you want to read the entire article.

Basically, the hymnal committee, according to the article wanted to change one phrase: "The original lyrics say that “on that cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.” The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song wanted to substitute the words, “the love of God was magnified.”

This reminded me of a time in our Level Green Presbyterian Church when we never sang any hymns that were "too bloodly" or violent.  I had never paid much attention to lyrics until then.  Actually one of my favorite hymns as a child was "Onward Christian Soldier"---I especially loved the "marching into war" because our hymn leaders let us march.

So, at first when I read about this hymn I thought it was "the wrath of God" that the committee objected to, but, no, it was the word "satisfied".  First, that word implies contentment or satisfaction which I don't associate with God very often.  Second, I just like the imagery of "the love of God" over "the wrath of God."  John 3: 16 tells us: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  That just doesn't sound like a wrathful God being satisfied that his son died on the cross.  Third, I don't even know what that means:  Jesus died on the cross and God was happy?



In the article, Scott Sauls tried to explain what "satisfied" meant:

But the Rev. Scott Sauls, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, disagrees. He said the word “satisfied” means that Jesus paid the whole price for sins. 

“There’s no more work to be done,” said Sauls, whose congregation is part of the more conservative Presbyterian Church in America. “It is finished.”

Click here  for more on Rev. Scott Sauls who actually was once my daughter's pastor here in St. Louis.  Click here for the official Presbyterian statement. So, do you agree with Rev. Sauls on the meaning of "satisfied" or the Presbyterian Committee which omitted the hymn because that phrase would be mis-interpreted?

Church Choir

 

Monday, September 9, 2013

Benefits of Singing in the Choir

When I was a child, I sang in the choir at Bellefontaine Methodist Church.  Before the new sanctuary was built, we worshipped in the old historic church built by slaves.  The choir, at that time, sang in the choir loft, which we were told was where the slaves had sat.  Being out of sight, we had a lot of time and opportunity for hi-jinks, including paper "accidentally" flying out of our hands, over the edge into the congregation.  It was a wonderful, but social occasion. I am still friends with several of my fellow choir members. Occasionally, we had moments of being a part of something big, especially when we marched in with the adults on special Sundays.  I can still sing the alto section to several of our hymns, today, thanks to that wonderful experience.

Proclamation Choir 1980's

St. Mark Cherub Choir 1980's

I have not sung in a church choir since I was a teenager although I encouraged my children to sing through high school.  While none of us are soloists or have particularly good voices, I believed that church choir taught them to follow directions, read music, work as a team to achieve a goal.  But, more importantly, it was one way young people could contribute to the life of the church and to celebrate God.

Several months ago, I read an article in Huffington Post which added a benefit which I hadn't thought of.  It relieves stress!  Click here.  And NPR just wrote a piece also on the health benefits of singing in a choir. Click here.

Won't you or a member of your family, consider joining one of our choirs.  You will benefit in so many ways, while making a contribution to the St. Mark community by glorifying God.  And, you may make a friend or two.

Jaclyn Morgan, 2013 (middle row, middle singer, late 1950's) with my brother-in-law Tom in the bow tie, my cousin with the long banana curl and sister with the braid.  Click here for more information on our music programs.

Tomorrow's Back

 I have my tomorrows back. . . 

I had only lived for today. .. . 

with hesitation.

I hadn’t been alone for a while.

I grieved the loss of tomorrows

with someone I loved being with.

I was a little afraid to take a step by myself:

of breaking out of my safe coccon

You reminded me how much I loved

dancing and singing: 

It re-awakened the joy buried in my heart.

Now I can look forward to  tomorrow

With a spring in my step

a smile on my face

and love in my eyes

To have a companion to dance with and sing with,

To discuss a book with,

To collaborate on songs with

Means everything to me: 

I feel With not Without.

I love that you share your past and let me share mine.

We are what we have been

And can’t be seen without that.

I feel a little bare having revealed so much of myself

But it was necessary for a new beginning.

Shedding my cocoon, I’m fluttering my wings:

Still a little afraid to take flight,

 but soon.

Thank you for sharing your path. . .

helping me find mine.

Mister Rogers

 

Friday, January 31, 2014

Mister Rogers

1977 Premium from PBS

When I was pregnant with my first child, I started watching "Sesame Street", a fairly new show on PBS.  As a high school teacher, I loved the wit and the pace.  While visiting a friend who was a new mother, I saw "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and turned my nose up---so boring, so ordinary---none of the snap of "Sesame Street".

My friend assured me that it grew on her, and her son obviously loved it.  Shortly after that we moved to Pittsburgh, PA where Fred Rogers lived and filmed his show.  My daughter watched the show and it  started to grow on me:  I started listening to what Mr. Rogers said, the messages he was sending to our children.

Recently on Facebook, I've seen several references to Mister Rogers.

From Mashable:  "10 Mister Rogers Quotes to Remember on Bad Days". 

From Mental Floss:  "20 Gentle Quotations from Mister Rogers"

11. ON LOVE

"Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now."

Forty years later, I value "Mister Roger's Neighborhood" (and now "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood") more each day.  Click here for a previous post on Fred Rogers. What was "boring" is now calming.  What was "ordinary" is now comfortable.  With endorsements from Buzzfeed, Mashable and Mental Floss, Mister Rogers is epic, boss, awesome.

Intertwined

 My poetry, his chords

healing us—

15 years are a long time to wait

for intimate conversation

about our feelings, our losses, our lives

Sharing our needs

with each other

after so many years of hiding them 

to attend to spouses’ needs.

Now, with support

I feel alive again---

Ready to see the world

through someone else’s lens.

Ready to laugh with someone

about life’s ironies.

Ready to face aging

holding hands:

Vines intertwined for strength.

What seemed impossible—-

insurmountable alone,

Now is manageable together.

Quiet My Soul

 

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Quiet My Soul

Morning Psalm 42

1   As a deer longs for flowing streams,
          so my soul longs for you, O God.
2   My soul thirsts for God,
          for the living God.
     When shall I come and behold
          the face of God?
3   My tears have been my food
          day and night,
     while people say to me continually,
          “Where is your God?”

11  Why are you cast down, O my soul,
          and why are you disquieted within me?
     Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
          my help and my God.

And now we wait.  The last chemo was June 28 and we should be celebrating.  We wait for another PET scan to show us if my husband still has cancer.  He is feeling better, looks good, and I am hopeful that he will soon be strong again, but I can’t shake the “disquiet” in my soul.

We are grateful for a good life, caring children and loving grandchildren.  We are “comfortable” and not in need of anything, but. . . a clean scan.  Even with a clean scan, will I be worry-free?  Probably not—I will be waiting for the next scan—waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I feel battered like a ship in a storm.  The storm has moved on, but I feel damaged as I head into the port.  Will I be strong enough to withstand another storm?  What I need is peace and only I can find that, with God’s help. 

God, please give me strength and peace to navigate the troubled waters of life.  Make me strong enough to weather the next storm.  Quiet my soul.  You are bigger than the storms in my life.  Thank you for the gift of writing which helps me heal.  Thank you for our friends, family and church who are the lifeboats.  In Your name I pray. Amen.

JaclynMorgan

Photo by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash

The Owl Orion

 The sage owl, Orion, sits perched on a branch 

amid the tree tops,

sitting and watching and pondering

What was and what could be.

Is he wise  or 

is it just his quiet nature?

Alone watching the world go by.

Nighttime:  his time to shine.

His eyes are sharp, intense 

despite missing an eye.

At dusk his husky voice

laments the passing of another of day..

Still sitting but now on the hunt, watching.

He  transforms from a quiet wise soul

to a predator:

Swooping slowly down, 

he preys on the little creatures

scurrying so far beneath him.

He returns to his perch

satiated and satisfied

Surveying the underbrush again

Looking for other easy prey: 

Not wise,

but, condescending and unflinching

Looking at me.

Becoming a Hoy People

 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Becoming a Holy People

Our Presbyterian Women's Bible Study this year is An Abiding Hope.  Last month's lesson was on 

"Becoming a Holy People".

Exodus 19: 3-6  Matthew 22: 34-40

The "key idea" was "In the covenant relationship, God offers us abundant blessings.  We honor this covenant through the choices we make each day."  The study concluded with a story about a Jewish gentleman who was questioned about his kosher eating habits. "I am free to eat anything.  I choose to eat only that which declares my loyalty to God."



We discussed what we do or have which declares our loyalty to God.   One person suggested wearing a cross is a daily reminder.  Another said she listens to Chuck Swindoll on the radio each morning on her way to work which is a great way to start her day.

Several responded that reading  a daily devotional like the Upper Room, prepares them for the day.  My mother and sister used to read the Upper Room together at the same time each morning in Dallas and St. Louis.  They didn't Skype and didn't use the phone.  It was just something they did in their own homes across the miles which brought them closer to each other and to God.

 I have a towel that hangs in my laundry room which I see every day as I go in and out the door to remind me that I am God's servant.  This was given to me many years ago when I became an elder at St. Mark as a reminder to serve.  Although I am no longer on session, it was a covenant that I still take seriously.

My daughter has another idea that I love.  She takes a photo on Instagram of three things each day that she is thankful for. #ldwthankful2014.  With that hashtag (#), she can see all of the photos she has posted for the entire year. Read her explanation---Click here.  By the end of the year, she will have 1000 things she is thankful for.

What do you do every day or during Lent to remind you of your covenant with God?

Holy God, we thank you for the amazing grace that makes us treasured in your eyes.  Help us to continue to grow into the people you would have us be---a covenant community dedicated to you and you alone.  Kindle such love in our hearts that all our choices may declare our devotion to you, especially as we reach out to those around us who have come to our area out of necessity and perhaps unwillingly.  May they discover your love and care through all who seek to help them.  In Christ's name, Amen.

Thin Places

 

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Thin Places

A few days ago, V. Sherman posted on Facebook "Just about to load the car to go to the sand dunes at a place that I think of as a 'thin place'. "  

She also included a link to an article about "thin places" from the New York times (Click here).  The first time I had heard of "thin places" was when Kim Skilling gave a series at St. Mark Presbyterian's Midweek on Celtic influences on Christianity called " Beneath the Celtic Cross of Jesus" where she talked of Iona (one of the "thin places" mentioned in the article).   I always thought there was maybe a list of "thin places"---it never occurred to me that they could be personal and maybe not be places recognized by the spiritual community as being "thin".  Reading the article and V's comment about the sand dunes, it didn't take me long to realize where my "thin place" is.

I had just said last weekend, I must visit Shaw's Garden (Missouri Botanical Garden) several times a year to feel restored.  When friends post on Facebook that they are there, I feel a tugging in my heart.  I always thought it was because I grew up near there:  it was where my family including grandparents went every Sunday after church.  Even when we moved to North County, I found myself drawn there.  Just this year, I posted on Facebook a photo of nothing special at the Garden, but commented, "I am in Heaven."  I even told my daughter, "If your dad and I renew our vows at 50 years, this is where I want the ceremony."  

I am very fortunate that my "thin place" is close and not several hundred miles away like V's is. Where is your "thin place", where you feel Heaven is close to earth, where you feel your soul soaring, where you feel complete, restored, alive?