This was “Music Sunday” at our church – so our morning service was run by the choir doing lots of music specials. At The Water’s Edge we took it in a little different direction.
We focused on “the song” instead of the music. We did play some music! Started off with “Sing to the King” (Passion) and then “Mighty to Save” (Hillsong). Then we watched a Nooma (Rob Bell film) called “Rythym” Here’s how the piece is described:
“What does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does it look like? For a lot of us it’s a hard thing to understand. If God is an infinite spirit with no shape or form, how can we possibly relate to that? And what about Jesus? He said he came to give everyone life in its fullest. He came to show us how to live. Maybe it’s through trusting Jesus and living the kind of life he taught us to live–a life of truth, love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, and sacrifice–that we have a relationship with God. Maybe the way we live every day, every single choice we make, determines how in tune with God we are.”
When the video finished we simply discussed it. I asked questions, brought out some quotes from the piece, and people shared their thoughts from their seats. Here’s some of what we discussed:
Q: When you think about God, what images do you have? What do you think God is like?
Rob said, “for many people their concept of God is built around a God who’s outside of everything, a God who essentially is some where else, a God who made the world but then stands back and watches it from this other vantage point, and then from time to time comes here.”
Q: Where do you think god is?
Rob introduced a very cool idea – he said, “When I think of God, I hear a song” He spoke about how it is captivating, and haunting, and seems to be in all and through all.
Q: What do you think of the idea of God being very present in every particle?
How can we know the song? Jesus. Jesus’ life puts notes and lyrics to the God song.
Rob said, “in his generosity, in his compassion – that’s what God’s like.
in his telling of the truth, that’s what God’s like.
in his love and forgiveness, and sacrifice, that’s what God’s like.
That’s who God is. That’s how the song goes.”
Q: Is God compassionate, truthful, loving and forgiving?
OR IS GOD compassion, truth, love and forgiveness?
And if so – WHERE is God?
Rob said, “The song is playing all around us all the time, the song is playing everywhere, it’s written on our hearts and everybody is playing the sing. See, the question isn’t whether or not you’re playing the song, the question is, ‘Are you in tune?’
Q: What does that mean? Sound like? How do you know if you’re in tune?
Can you believe in God and be out of tune with the Song?
What is more important to Jesus – what we believe or what we do?
Jesus says in John 10:10 – “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.”
Q: If we were to live the way Jesus taught us to live, being in tune with the song, do you think that you would have a better life? Why?
We shared communion when the discussion was wrapped up. I said…
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus gathered together with his disciples to celebrate, to encourage and to teach them a beautiful song. As those men had traveled and interacted with jesus they had heard it loud and clear, but on this last night with them, he wanted to be sure that they were absolutely clear.
Using the tradition and history of their religion – he taught them truth. He held up the cup and said, this is no longer any old drink, but the representation of my blood which will be shed for the forgiveness of all sin. This verse of the song is all about the grace of my salvation – it comes freely with no strings attached – you can’t earn it; you can only receive & be made clean.
He picked up the bread, and broke it and helped them see, that he too would be broken for our sakes, because death is all sin deserves. Without his perfect, heavenly body receiving the punishment for us, there would be no hope. This is that dark bridge in the song, where the tension between our intentions and our reality hangs in the balance.
But then the chorus comes – the Good News – Jesus is willing and the only one able, to be the sacrifice for our sins. To be the answer to our problem. To be the one through which we are all able to reach out and connect to God.
When we remember these things – when we take the bread, dip it in the juice, and eat it – then we are joining the choirs of angels singing in glory the intricate, complicated and real song that is our life in Christ, and Christ’s life in us.
Tonight we’re going to share in the “song” as we litteraly sing together.
We’ll share it from one person to the next, just like those disciples did that night with Jesus. We’re each going to take the role of song leader as we pass this precious gift to the person next to us. You’ll first offer the person next to you the bread – saying something like: “the body of Christ broken for you” but anything close will do. Once they’ve taken a piece of bread, you hold the cup for them to dip their bread in and say: “The blood of Christ, shed for you” – or something like that. They then dip it in and eat both at once. The elements will work their way down the rows, from one section to the next.
This song is open to any and all who would hear. This isn’t United Methodist bread, the grape juice doesn’t have a list of approved partakers – God’s table is open to any and all who would receive the gift of his love.
So, fellow musicians, may you come to see that the song is written on your heart -
That it is embodied in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
As you live in tune with the song, in tune with the creator of the universe,
may you realize that you ARE in a relationship with the living God -
That you do have a part to play and that it is a beautiful thing to hear!
We sang “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)” Tomlin, “Better is One Day” (Passion) and “Came to My Rescue” (Hillsong United) as communion was being served. It was a beautiful night.
Here are our other prayer requests this week: (Anyone can ask for prayer, just let me know! You can talk to me or drop one of our prayer request cards in the worship space Drop Boxes.)
:: Pray for the Nicaragua Mission Team (20 folks from our church and Tunnel Hill UMC are in country from 6/6-13)
:: Jackie Anderson is still traveling a VERY rough road. Pray for the details to come together. For hope and healing and willingness to hang on tight!
:: Sonya Cooper’s Aunt – Mary – is home, but not feeling good. She’s battling much more than cancer with all the effects of her treatments on her body. Pray for healing and hope.
:: Pray for Katie Thompson’s grandparents – the grandmother’s hip replacement surgery went well, but the grandfather has some dementia issues and the situation is difficult.
:: Pray for Lynn Kelly – she’s doing good, but still struggling with several recovery issues. Her sister-in-law is also battling cancer – her name is Susan.
:: Pray for Tony – job is going well, pray that he begins to get his feet under him again. His wife and he are also working on reconciliation – pray God will be in the middle of that process.
:: Pray for Christa and her sons – God provided a miracle in the transportation department; then found them a place to live – but there are some issues with her son’s asthma – so pray that they can overcome them and keep living there! She’s been offered a job, but is now wrestling with the need for a wardrobe to match it – pray God will continue to provide.
:: Pray for Lacy Thompson – she’s serving as a missionary in Ecuador until Thanksgiving.
:: A praise that Toni Ruppert’s mom and dad survived a very scary car accident with a Semi-truck that could have been MUCH worse!
