Church

[dreamflower]

Over the summer the choir goes on vacation. This year the services were changed to a more informal format with a "praise band". I only went to a few of those services due to my work schedule, and they were a nice change. But I must confess that I prefer a more traditional liturgical worship for the long haul, and so it was nice to get back to such things this morning.

We sang one of my favorite hymns, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", which I joined in with heartfelt joy. But it was one that, though traditional, was new to me that really touched my heart today...

Where Charity and Love Prevail

Where charity and love prevail
There God is ever found:
Brought here together by Christ's love
By love are thus we bound.

With grateful joy and holy fear
His charity we learn:
Let us with heart and mind and soul
Now love Him in return.

Forgive we now each other's faults
As we our faults confess,
And let us love each other well
In Christian holiness.

Let strife among us be unknown;
Let all contentions cease:
Be God's the glory that we seek;
Be ours His holy peace.

Let us recall that in our midst
Dwells Christ His only son:
As members of his body joined
We are in Him made one.

No race or creed can love exclude
If honored through God's name:
Our family embraces all
Whose Father is the same.

That last verse especially spoke to me today.

Our pastor's sermon today, which did revolve around the events of 9/11, was also very moving. When it shows up on her website, I may link to it, for those who might be interested.

I hope everyone is having a pleasant and peaceful Sunday!

Comments

[harrowcatliz.livejournal.com]

Lovely words to that hymn. We started using the new translation for our Mass this morning. Just the peoples responses so far. It perked us up a bit and the volume was the best in a long time. Change can be good for us.

Hugs to all affected in any way by 9/11.

[dreamflower]

It's a beautiful hymn and I don't know why I haven't encountered it sooner.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

Those words are beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for sharing.

[dreamflower]

They are, aren't they?

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Let strife among us be unknown;
Let all contentions cease:
Be God's the glory that we seek;
Be ours His holy peace.

A lovely thought for today and every day.

[dreamflower]

It is. I do love the old traditional hymns! And this one is so beautiful. I can't imagine why we don't sing it more.

[meneleth.livejournal.com]

We opened with God of Our Fathers and ended with America the Beautiful. The lessons for the day concerned foregiveness and the pastor spoke on that topic. We also had a send-off for a young man heading to college this week (don't know why his school starts so late). He's been very involved in the church - acolyte, crucifer, worship assistant, usher - and will be missed. We have the tradition of presenting young people with a prayer shawl and laying of hands in prayer/blessing when they head to college. It's very nice.

[dreamflower]

Oh, that does sound like a nice tradition!

I enjoyed the praise services I was able to attend this summer; as I said they make a nice change with the choir on vacation. But I am very glad to get back to a more traditional service now!

[topaztook.livejournal.com]

Lovely - do you know who wrote it?

We sang "Gather Us In" by Marty Haugen today, which if you haven't yet encountered, I think you would like

http://rockhay.tripod.com/worship/music/hereinthisplace.htm

(Most particularly since I just finished rereading your "Life of a Bard" and all of the songs you included.)

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar with that hymn... but I DO love the singing of hymns in church services.

It may be a matter of "mak(ing) a joyful noise" in my case but I really do love lifting my voice in songs of praise and worship.