Part of the daily rhythm of my life as a pastor is the opportunity to visit church members who for one reason or another cannot make it to church on Sunday mornings in person. Thanks to the wonders of livestream technologies, these church members can often stay "plugged in" to the life of our congregation from afar, but I give thanks for the visits I am able to make to church members' homes and care facilities. As the COVID-19 pandemic reminded us, there is nothing like being together in person!
When I visit church members, particularly those who are older and may be experiencing memory challenges, I have a set of scripture readings that I often offer during our visits. These are scripture passages that are familiar to many folks in our church — well known psalms, the Beatitudes, and Romans 8 all fall into that category. At the top of this list is Psalm 23, which many churches will hear in worship on October 15. Many of us learned it in the King James Version: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." These familiar words of comfort are rooted within so many of us, and for good reason. They are reminders of the steadfast love of a God who cares for us as tenderly and compassionately as a skilled shepherd cares for her flock.
On our October 15 program, we will hear two musical settings of the twenty-third psalm, including a setting that was new to me, by 20th century English composer Edward Bairstow. As with many of my favorite pieces of church music, the organ part for this hymn setting is wonderfully evocative — the organ works together with the singers to paint images for us of the still waters, green pastures, dark valley, and ultimately of God's goodness, which endures "through all the length of days."
I invite you to tune in to that program and the others throughout this month. May we all be open to how the Spirit moves in new ways through familiar words and music.
Blessings to you,
