At the end of this summer, I took my congregation's high school youth group on an overnight camping trip at a local park. We spent time hiking, made dinner and s'mores together over the campfire, and played lots of games. As the campfire dwindled down and the coals cooled, we headed into our tents for the night. While I am generally not a risk-taker when it comes to the great outdoors, one exception is my philosophy of using a rainfly on my tent. Unless the forecast looks like rain is imminent, I opt for sleeping without the rainfly*. There is just nothing quite like the beauty and freedom of sleeping under the stars! I enjoy the relative safety of the tent, and the shelter from bugs, but the mesh tent ceiling provides a magical experience.
I am grateful that on our youth group trip, we were just far enough away from the big city and it was a clear enough night to see the stars more clearly than any of us are able to in our city or suburban homes. As I fell asleep beneath the stars with the sounds of teenagers' laughter drifting from their tents nearby, I felt grateful for the gift of rest before the hectic new school year began.
Reminiscing on that camping trip, I am reminded of a favorite set of verses from the book of Psalms: "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" (Psalm 8:3-4) I love this honest question from the psalmist. Who are we that the creator of the entire universe should care so deeply for us? What a remarkable gift! Pure grace.
Psalm 8 is the lectionary Psalm for October 6, and Andy has programmed three diverse settings of that psalm for us to enjoy on that program. We'll hear four-part Anglican chant, a setting by contemporary church music composer Richard Proulx, and a German setting by 17th century Baroque composer Heinrich Schütz. Together, these three sung settings invite us to give thanks with the psalmist for the gifts of God's good creation: "O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:1 and 9).
As you move through the fall season, I hope you can find moments of rest in creation, giving thanks for the gifts of abundance that surround us. And join us on Sing For Joy as we move through the Revised Common Lectionary cycle together this October, continuing in our journey with Jesus through the gospel of Mark.
Peace to you,
