On this fourth Sunday in our Sustaining Grace Campaign, our Sermon will delve into the Methodist understanding of Christian Perfection. Our Organ Voluntary and Choral Prelude are both based on the traditional Scottish melody named Kelvingrove. Many of us know it to John Bell’s text “Will You Come and Follow Me”, or “The Summons”. The last verse words are such a profound affirmation of our journey towards Christian perfection as we increasingly say yes to Christ’s call each day to follow

His way of love:
      Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
      Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
      In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps.
      Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

The recording linked above is conducted by John Bell and shows the brisk, almost uncomfortable tempo he envisioned for the hymn. Similarly, each verse barely ends when we are expected to jump right into the next verse with little room for a breath. These are all “object lessons” of Christ’s call to us which may not always be comfortable or fit in the timing of our life, but miracles can only happen when we say YES and take that leap of faith.

The Choir’s Anthem is one the most tender of Charles Wesley’s hymn texts, “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”, found at Hymn #479 in our United Methodist Hymnal, where it is paired with the plaintive Welsh tune “Aberystwyth” written by Joseph Parry in 1879. I have always found this to be one of the most perfect pairings of text and tune, and it has appeared in over 1,000 hymnals which suggests I am not alone in my belief! The choir will sing this familiar hymn in a new setting by Terre Johnson who sets the tune against an almost constant “2 against 3” accompaniment pattern, presenting a counting
challenge for the pianist and choir!

The fourth Amazing Grace setting in our choral library is arranged by Jay Althouse and showcases the choir with his spare yet evocative piano accompaniment. The linked recording may not have the finesse of our Chancel Choir, but it is inspiring to see this group of Latin American youth finding hope,
faith and grace in the great hymnody of our Church during the Covid Pandemic. Each of us in the choir know that singing saved our sanity and strengthened our faith during those long months of
singing alone.

I pray that our Music Ministry strengthens your hearts and your faith each week and sends you forth with a song of Christ’s love in your hearts! And we would love to welcome you in the Choir Loft if the Spirit is calling you to do so – our Choir Family is a beautiful, supportive and tight knit group that cherishes our time in sung prayer each week. We rehearse at 7:15 Wednesdays for 90 minutes and meet for warm-up at 10:15 Sunday mornings before Worship.

With a Thankful Heart,
Kenton