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The Kingdom of God

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  This local story caught my attention and has had me contemplating who and how I serve and share the love of God. "The Elkhart County Jail Ministry held its first-ever hymn-sing inside the Elkhart County Jail. A local Amish choir from Middlebury made rounds throughout the jail, singing two hymns in each ward. Hearing the slow, melodic songs reverberating off the concrete walls and ceiling had a calming and soothing effect on all of us. There were standing ovations, hands raised in worship, men singing along to songs they recognized from their childhood, requests for favorite hymns being shouted from the back of the room...and tears. This is what the Kingdom of God sounds like." Why?  Why were they singing- in spite of their current situation? Why were they requesting their favorites? Why were they brought to tears? Because of the magic of music and how it aids in feeling the Holy Spirit and whispers to our souls truths we once knew.  Even if life cho...
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Carol of the Bells

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  Carol of the Bells.   A hauntingly beautiful song from Ukranian roots. Written in 1914 by Leontovych, the song was first called  "Shchedryk" and based on an ancient tune handed down through the years.  It was about nature and springtime and, in particular, watching for the coming. From 1918-1921 a brief period of Ukraine as an independent republic called for a push in sharing their culture.  Consequently, Shchedryk was taken onto the world stage by a traveling choir.  When that choir came to North America and performed at Carnegie Hall it is believed to have led to the introduction of the tune to Peter Wilhousky.   He wrote the lyrics which made the now popular tune, a Christmas hit  that has continued to play a prominent role in our musical celebrations ever since. Ironically, Leontyvich was actually executed by Bolshevik agents for continuing to share his Ukranian culture.  And now 100 years later, similar war exists not only there but ar...
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O Little Town of Bethlehem

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  Born in 1831 and a Harvard graduate, Rector Phillips Brooks would serve congregations in Philadelphia and then later in Boston as a pastor. He preached against slavery in the south and pressed for rights for freedmen.  He also was deeply impacted by the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.  It was in this same year that his congregants sent him on a year international study through Europe and the Holy Land. As a part of this journey, he rode by horseback from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, stopping along the way in the fields where it is said the shepherds were tending flocks when angels appeared declaring the glad tidings of truly great joy.  He then journeyed into Bethlehem and attended an all night Christmas Eve service fully appreciating that he was walking where the Savior of the world had walked. And yet this gentle giant, who reached 6’8”, even at that moment thought of the voices on the other side of the world, those of his congregants.  Having a speci...
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