Ch. 4- Organs

Yesterday Paul and Arwen got married, so that makes to weddings in two weekends. I like the trend...

This morning the Rimmers and I attended Living Word Lutheran Church in Grapevine, TX. It was good, and the Pastor (whose name I can't recall) was pleasant. He was an older, retired chaplain, and seemed to know and love the liturgy beyond the mere ceremony of it all. I still don't know what I think about all the solemnity, the muttered words of piety, the grand statements of joy, all in a carefully metered monotone. I mean...I was getting a little tired just being there. What does God think about it? It is for Him that we gather, right? To worship him, not to go about our rituals to make ourselves feel connected to God?

At the same time, I recognize the awe with which they treat God. He is worthy of all that is performed there, the words, the actions, etc. I guess I just wonder, if Jesus died so that we could be with Him, why act in a way that seems...contrary to intimacy? Or is it? I recognize my own shortcomings in all of this rambling...the fact that I'm not as comfortable in a High church setting (at least when communion and musical worship are concerned) and that God can work in many ways that are alien to me. When Jesus died he "gave a loud cry, and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." To me, that is God saying, put down your robes and rituals and come sit at my feet that I may show you the depths of my unending love for you. Come in, not just the priest once a year, but all who would believe.

But that's just me. What do you think?

The service began with a brother and sister playing a French horn/Trumpet duet. It was nice, albeit not very musical. That's most likely the music snob in me coming out. I should say, They're young, and it is great that kids are willing to worship God with their instruments.

My favorite part of High Church in the protestant realm, however, is the organ. I love that many organ pieces tend to be darker sounding than most hymns and praise songs, but end more triumphantly. It acknowledges the darker parts of life, more than just in word. It cries out in ominous and fearful strains rather than the mournful, complaining way that some songs do. Don't get me wrong, I love those other songs, but my heart is captivated when I hear the organ. It makes me think of Bruckner and Bach, and how glorious it must have been to listen to their hearts come through their fingers, out the pipes and into people's souls. I hope wherever I end up worshipping in the Czech Republic that they have an organ!

Thank you God for a heart-probing morning of worship and prayer to you. Forgive us when we mumble through our worship, incoherent and unaware of the words of love that we speak to you. May our hearts be grabbed, and tears brought to our eyes when we think of what you have done for us. We are all living on borrowed time; may we live and love well, and better each day.