I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will make music.
Psalm 101:1
This Sunday we are going to live into the words of this psalm.
We are going to worship Sunday morning, of course, but I am speaking of the Eastern Panhandle Mission Community fall music festival, which our congregation is hosting.
Shenandoah Presbytery, of which our congregation is a part, is divided into regional mission communities in order to more easily share in certain aspects of ministry. The Eastern Panhandle Mission Community, or EPMC, is compromised of the Presbyterian congregations in Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties.
On Sunday, the EPMC will be holding its fall music festival at CTPC beginning at 4:30pm. There will be vocal choirs, bell choirs and other musicians gathering to, as the psalmist writes, make music to the Lord.
Music is an integral part of our worship for a variety of reasons. We are made in the image of God, and God is creative. We are also created, and music is one way in which we engage in creativity in worship of God.
Music is important because it also teaches us about our faith. Do you remember how you learned your ABC’s? We all know the song! The same is true for matters of faith. Music gives us a way to learn and remember what we believe. Most importantly, we are directed by scripture to engage in worship with music. The psalms are filled with songs for and about worship. The Old and New Testaments contain countless examples of music in worship.
Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I love when fellow Christians gifted with music gather to lead in worship.
I hope you’ll be able to join us for the music festival, and for the time of fellowship that will follow. Feel free to invite someone to come with you, for this time of celebration is not to be missed!
Blessings,
Pastor John
