You can't help responding to its honesty. Bluegrass is music that finds its way deep into your soul.
- Alison Krauss (adapted)
READING
Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! Sing to God--worship God! Get out the message—God Rules! He put the world on a firm foundation; he treats everyone fair and square. Let’s hear it from Sky, with Earth joining in, and a huge round of applause from Sea. Let Wilderness turn cartwheels, animals, come dance, put every tree of the forest in the choir—an extravaganza before God as he comes, as he comes to set everything right on earth, set everything right, treat everyone fair.
- Psalm 96.1-2a, 10-13 (The Message)
REFLECTION
Look out! Sunday, May 29, is the fifth Sunday of the month, and whenever that occurs we celebrate “Crazy Activity Sunday.” We’ve done some crazy things - kids’ carnivals, craft fairs, and what not - and this Sunday will be no different. We have built our worship experience around bluegrass music, and our music will be led by an awesome bluegrass band. If that’s not enough, we’re goin’ to follow worship with dinner on the ground and even more rousing bluegrass music.
I know what you’re thinkin’; “what’s spiritual about bluegrass?” In fact, you could make a case that it doesn’t come within a country mile of the spiritual; especially if you consider songs like: it wasn’t God who made honky-tonk angels; truck stops and pretty girls; or I know you’re married, but I love you still. Whoa Nellie!
But what about songs like: Down to the River to Pray, I Saw the Light, or Will the Circle Be Unbroken? Such songs celebrate faith, and the images they use point beyond themselves to illustrate the beauty and goodness of God’s creation, and the ways God is present to us when we will but open our hearts: light, wind, rivers and streams, verdant valleys, or majestic mountains. On Sunday we will celebrate such images, and the God to whom they point.
Appropriate attire required (whatever that means); and don’t forget your blankets or lawn chairs. I hope to see you then.
Bo
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