May 28, 2024

I was blessed to discover early some of the spiritual gifts God had given me. A congregation, family, pastors and teachers noticed and called them out of me. I’ve tried to be a good steward of those gifts for a long time and I am so thankful to be included here at Prince of Peace.
 
Arguably, I was even more blessed, as were congregations I have served, to discover some spiritual gifts that I don’t have. Long time radio comedian of Jack Benny protagonist fame, Fred Allen might have been describing me when he said: “The first time I sang in the church choir, two hundred people changed their religion.” It was not a hard decision in middle school between a football helmet or a rented trombone. 
 
But when I arrived at seminary, so many of my colleagues in seminary had vocal gifts. I felt insecure, and was convinced that I could not be a pastor without the gift of music. 
 
One of my two fateful decisions was to make sure I was seated close to a classmate who could sing in daily chapel, and just try to sing with him (there weren’t many hers in seminary back then, sadly). By example, Steve Rust modeled singing joyfully for me and I’ll always be grateful.  
 
The second decision was that if I received a call, a first order of business must be locating those who have the gifts of music and use them in service of our community’s worship. I couldn’t name them all now, but Lynn Wentzel was the first on internship, Arlyss Pope in southeast Missouri, Marylou Schmidt and David Robinson for many years at Lord of Life, and Albert George Schram, who knew exactly where to position me in the annual male bonding choir to strike the least damage.
 
All of which I share to say this:
 
I know it when I experience it, and our worship this past Sunday was wonderful! You’ll be blessed to watch it from our website, even multiple times. From innovative litany honoring the mystery of the Trinity, to classic hymnody sung with the aid of our choir, to psalmody both spoken and sung so movingly, a powerful anthem drawing us closer to the mystery, and a closing hymn (ELW 887) for Memorial Day that held my heart and prayers all weekend and will for some time.  
 
Yes, I know. Remembering the sabbath and keeping it holy is about gathering together around the Word, it’s preaching and the sacraments, but oh, my, my … what a gift the shared gifts of music are to this community’s sabbath worship.
 
So, dear musicians, please accept my verbal thanks for again and again bringing me into the song and praise of God’s people of grace!
 
Pastor Jim