Many years ago, singing in the choir was a ministry to me. We would pray before we sang on Sunday that the Lord would sing through us.
There was one requirement for choir members and that was we had to show up at practice.
Our first baby had just been born, and this would be the first time I left him with my husband alone. I had just fed him, so I assumed that he would be quiet and not a problem while I went to Choir practice.
Maybe ten minutes into practice, and the church telephone rang. “Hazel, it is for you.” said the Pastor. I knew who it must be - - and was not too anxious to answer, but I did.
The voice on the other end was commanding, “Come home right now, the baby needs his diaper changed.” “Can’t you change it?” I asked.
“Not on your life, and you know why, so please come home at once.”
That was my last choir practice for many years until all our children were older.
I remember one Easter when we sang a special Cantata that included the song “Oh the Blood that Jesus shed for me will never loose its power.” We had prayed all holding hands prior to going into the sanctuary and asked God to speak to our audience as we sang...
When we sang that special song there were tears in the eyes of many and we were thankful for the blood that will never loose its power.
The blood that Jesus shed for me Way back on Calvary
The blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power
Oh it reaches to the highest mountains And it flows to the lowest valleys
Oh the blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power
It's soothes my doubts and calms all my fears And it dries all my tears
Oh the blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power
Oh it reaches to the highest mountains And it flows to the lowest valleys
Oh the blood that gives me strength from day to day It will never lose its power
As we approach the Easter season, there will be songs we sing and listen to and we must include “He Lives, Christ Jesus lives today, and how do I know He lives, because He lives within my heart.”
For Easter is about resurrection. He did not stay in the tomb!!
Jesus died so that our sins could be forgiven, but He lives and we can ask Him to live His life through us by inviting Him to come into our heart.
Even if you are not a choir member, you can join with the choir and sing, Amazing Grace How Sweet the Sound that sent my savior to die for me.
This post has been linked
With Laura at Faith Filled Friday
With Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays
8 comments:
I was in choirs at some points. Then played my digital horn [various sounds, but usually flute or clarinet... sometimes organ or violin] during worship on teams. It made such a difference. One aspect was to sing or play for others...to minister to them and bless them, but usually filled me with joy and heart-filled exuberance towards my Lord. B/c I'm so involved with the Bhutanese now, not knowing how soon I have to leave my church to reach there's for something special, I stepped off the worship team, but worshiping is my favorite part of the service. And, am looking forward to Easter for that reason.
What a wonderful message!!! I love reading material and hearing songs about the blood of Jesus! Somehow so much of what is shared lacks this - but the blood is the very core of our faith because it is what cleanses us and purifies us. I am so thankful for the blood of Jesus!
Music is truly a gift from God. I've never sang in the choir, but I enjoy it all the same. "He lives - within - my heart." I'll look forward to singing that this Easter season.
I really enjoyed this post and can relate! I loved singing in the choir for many years and I remember many songs that especially touched hearts.
pretty funny about your husband and the diapers!
today at mass one of the song books was a very old edition and was out of synch with the rest of the songs...so i asked the priest if we could take it home...we did..my 10 yr old came home and played amazing grace...how crazy that I just read your post!!!!
happy Sunday!
I sang in the choir at our last church and Thursday night practice was one of the highlights of my week. I know it was hard for you to be away for so long. The church we go to now is very large and there are over 100 in the choir. I love to hear them sing, but have no desire to join them. The blood of Jesus will never lose it's power. What a wonderful reality and I'm sure the song was moving. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte
That is so funny about the diaper. And I love how I feel line I can hear you song these songs through your blog. Thanks for linking up!
My twelve-year-old son and I sing in the church choir. Now that my daughters are older, I leave them w/ my husband during choir practice and put them in nursery on Sundays. When they were infants, though, I kept them w/ me all the time: at choir practice on Wednesdays, and in the choir loft on Sundays. It's a small church, and my son and I are 2 of 5 who sing, so no one minds! :)
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