Today I met with Trish and Krise Richardt, McMurry folk, to talk with Trish about worship at our church. Krise is the SPRC chair. They were very helpful. 'Tis VBS week too so there were lots of folks at the church working on set-up and decs. Looks really good!
While talking with Krise and Trish, Krise told me that when he started coming to church, and when he moved from sitting in the balcony to the nave (he didn't say nave) after he had attended for a while, he and Trish too I guess, sat on a row with older women. He took on the task of getting these older women's hymnals opened to the right page...they wanted their hymnals on the right page for the singing of the hymns, even though most knew the hymns by heart anyway. This was before the time of the screen in the sanctuary. I think Krise said that some had eyesight that was failing, but they still wanted the hymnals turned to the page...
I get that. If you have been in worship all your life, and your body is growing old, and you are nearer death than birth, it is good to hold a hymnal. It is good to know that you can still hold the book that contains the songs you have sung all your life--and some new ones too. It is good to know that the hymns you sung while standing on the pew when you were 5, your father's arm about your waist, is there, reminding you that the Everlasting Arms upon which you lean, do keep you safe and secure from all alarm. It is good to know that that hymn which was being sung when you made a personal commitment to Christ is there, to help you remember the blush of first faith reminding you that you can come to those everlasting arms with no guile or pretence, but just as you are. It is good to know that the hymn you tried to sing at the funeral, in the darkness of your husband's death, is there, reminding you always that there is a help for the helpless, and that abiding love is Jesus.
I get that. If you have been in worship all your life, and your body is growing old, and you are nearer death than birth, it is good to hold a hymnal. It is good to know that you can still hold the book that contains the songs you have sung all your life--and some new ones too. It is good to know that the hymns you sung while standing on the pew when you were 5, your father's arm about your waist, is there, reminding you that the Everlasting Arms upon which you lean, do keep you safe and secure from all alarm. It is good to know that that hymn which was being sung when you made a personal commitment to Christ is there, to help you remember the blush of first faith reminding you that you can come to those everlasting arms with no guile or pretence, but just as you are. It is good to know that the hymn you tried to sing at the funeral, in the darkness of your husband's death, is there, reminding you always that there is a help for the helpless, and that abiding love is Jesus.
To hold that book that contains the songs of your life is like holding not just your own memories in your hands, but to hold the marvelous assurance of One who has always and will always hold you, love you as youare, and who willl be there with you when the eventide is falling fast.
And to have a young man open the book, get you on the right page, to be honored by him in such a beautiful act, is the only way that holding the book, those memories, that assurance is made more beautiful still.
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