Three Little Birds

My friend Beth who teaches music at a school in Lancaster city recently shared this account on Facebook: 

"Two 5th grade boys were starting to exchange unpleasantries. A girl in their class stepped between them, turned to one of them and started singing sweetly  "Don't worry...about a thing...'cause every little thing...gonna be alright!" from a Bob Marley song they learned in music class. three little birds By the time she finished the boy was laughing, singing along, and went off to play with her. Peacemaking at its best!"

In checking with Beth to see if I could share this story, she added that this girl is the constant target of bullying and struggles emotionally; even so, she was a shining light and vessel of peace diffusing this situation!

Wow. Once again, God provides tools and courage to the weak and disenfranchised to make a difference in the Kingdom. This is good news, Friends! (Well, I guess it is unless you are the strong and powerful...)

The courage, sagacity, and resourcefulness of this young girl inspire me; the power of music enthralls, delights, and energizes me. 

The Goshen College Women's World Music Choir has this quote in their program, "When you sing you have no evil thoughts, and when you are dancing you feel less hungry."-- Esma Redqepova, Roma (gypsy) performer and singer

Can I hear an AMEN?

This Sunday at 10:15 AM we will be privileged to hear the Lancaster Mennonite Campus Chorale directed by Marcella Hostettler, a Goshen College graduate, :) sharing a program of world music. 

LMS Campus Chorale 
Classes for all ages are available at 9 AM. 

Our ingathering for the month includes items for MCC relief kits.  There is a sign up sheet in the lobby. 

Prayer for today: Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End--Gracious God of music and hope, we praise you! Thank You for the gift of music that touches our hearts, souls, and minds in deep and meaningful places. Grant us courage like this young girl to be peacemakers with the tools you've provided us. As we journey in grace with You, let us be the people You've called us to be that in our uniqueness we accomplish the Kingdom tasks You've prepared for each of us. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In JESUS name. AMEN. 

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!   

Love and Light, 
Carol 

Ridgeview Mennonite Church

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

 

Photo credit- Jim Lapp


 I wish you could have seen her face.  Joy and light emanated from this dear friend as she lay against the bed, oxygen prongs in place, and although was struggling with the "timeline" of reality and her very breath, she sang wholeheartedly the  "Glooooooooooooooooooooooria" in Angels We Have Heard On High with those of us who were caroling to her Wednesday night. I was reminded of the power and blessing of music, the power and blessing of this tradition, and the power and blessing of a relationship with our Lord. 

 Music is a gift that permeates our hearts and souls unlike any mere spoken word. Forgotten memories awaken as familiar melodies are rendered taking us to other times and places. Although we may no longer be able to create beautiful sound, music can incite our very souls to sing. Joy. Praise. Hope. Love. Peace.

I used to make caroling a priority during the Advent season, singing with various groups several times each season. Busyness has distracted me. I'm not a great singer, but I can hold a tune, and I certainly know Christmas songs. If you think of it next year, keep me accountable.  Ask me, "Carol, how many times are you caroling this year?" or better yet, ask if you can join me! This tradition is one that certainly blesses all the participants and truly is worship. I hope when I am 90 years old someone comes to sing for me!

My dear sister Frances has lived her life in relationship with her Lord even spending time in the convent as a teen considering if her call was to dedicate her life as a nun to her Jesus (I use the possessive pronoun "her" Lord, "her" Jesus as that is how she discusses her relationship with God.) She is very human and like all of us has struggled with living out this relationship in ways that honor God. Yet the depth of joy that radiated from her on Wednesday was more than the music; her very soul was praising the Lord  with all her being and the glory of God radiated from her face.

"Rejoice in the Lord!The fullness of time has come.  As the earth brings forth its shoots, so God sent the Son, born into the human condition, to set us free to live as beloved children.  The unexpected has happened. We belong to God."

Brother Mick will be sharing the message, "This Is Real Life" from Luke 2:1-7 reminding us of the harsh reality to which Jesus was born, yet with him the glimmer of light and hope of all.  There will be no Sunday school classes, so the service will begin at 10:15am with coffee, cookies, and fellowship time beginning at 9:30am.  

Christmas Eve service will begin at 7pm here at Ridgeview Mennonite Church, 3723 Ridge Road, Gordonville PA. http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/ 

My prayer for today:  Creator of the stars and sun, you are the one true light. You are the one hope. You are the living joy, the heart's home, the breathing love. You call each of us by name to dwell with you. O God, powerful and mighty, you became one of us that we could gaze into your eyes and know life and true love. Thank you. Bless each reader with a reminder of your loving presence today and always.  Peace. Love. Life. Joy. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too. 
Love and Light,
Carol

   "Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD