Back in the USA
Actually, we have been back in the USA for a week and a half now, having flown in on Friday, June 5, from our mission assignment in Singapore. We have spoken at four churches so far - Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Monterey Park, Santa Barbara 1st UMC, El Monte UMC and El Segundo UMC.
Our theme has been "A Song of Hope" which captures two significant elements of our lives and ministry in Singapore. First, there is a need for real hope in our world and second, hope often springs forth in a song. In the biblical tradition, there are tons of hopeful songs, along with some depressing ones. See who comes back after singing Psalm 137 in your praise & worship set. But the song of Moses in Exodus 15 raises the hope of settling in Zion.
You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.
And what powerful hymn did Paul and Silas sing that rocked the Philippian jailhouse? Can we use it for the opening hymn next Sunday? John and Charles Wesley were inspired by the singing of the Moravians in the storm.
We are surrounded by so many electronic music sources - radio, CD, MP3, mobile phones and walkmen, and the variety of song sources on the Internet. I hope after listening to the professionals sing that we can still lift our own voices.
We have been staying in the home of a retired clergy. I had not touched a piano since leaving Singapore, but in this house there is a 3/4 electric keyboard, but no A/C adaptor. Finally I found my way to Fry's to pick up a variable A/C to DC converter. Yesterday and today I have been again tinkling the 'ivories'.
--georgos
Our theme has been "A Song of Hope" which captures two significant elements of our lives and ministry in Singapore. First, there is a need for real hope in our world and second, hope often springs forth in a song. In the biblical tradition, there are tons of hopeful songs, along with some depressing ones. See who comes back after singing Psalm 137 in your praise & worship set. But the song of Moses in Exodus 15 raises the hope of settling in Zion.
You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance—
the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.
And what powerful hymn did Paul and Silas sing that rocked the Philippian jailhouse? Can we use it for the opening hymn next Sunday? John and Charles Wesley were inspired by the singing of the Moravians in the storm.
We are surrounded by so many electronic music sources - radio, CD, MP3, mobile phones and walkmen, and the variety of song sources on the Internet. I hope after listening to the professionals sing that we can still lift our own voices.
We have been staying in the home of a retired clergy. I had not touched a piano since leaving Singapore, but in this house there is a 3/4 electric keyboard, but no A/C adaptor. Finally I found my way to Fry's to pick up a variable A/C to DC converter. Yesterday and today I have been again tinkling the 'ivories'.
--georgos
Comments