Why Am I Doing This?

You know how there are things that once they get into your mind, they just won't go away? A month or so ago I thought it would be nice to put together a website on which I could share my calling to a music ministry for the Lord. I wanted to have a place that I could post some of my music, create devotions, and share ideas I have for music within a church. But I kept getting so distracted by my work, church, and home responsibilities that I couldn't find time to make this happen. Last week I attended a class, Building a Parish Music Ministry, at Trinity Lutheran Seminary http://www.trinitylutheranseminary.edu/ and am required to complete a class project. This is the result. Let's just say that when the Lord lays something on your heart, He really does remove all obstacles. Thanks to May Schwartz for her encouragement. She is truly one of the Lord's instruments.

When setting up a blog, the first thing you need to do is to give it a name. Most of the common names that came to mind were not available - Now Sings My Soul, Music Ministry, etc. So I got out my hymnal to look for inspiration and was drawn to a song that I have used numerous times in church over the past year. I am intrigued by the melodies from The Sacred Harp as well as Southern Harmony and the words written by Richard Gillard to this Beach Spring melody speak to the calling I have in my heart.

(For more on the history and background of The Sacred Harp, go to http://www.his.com/~sabol/SHhistory.html)


Title: The Servant Song
Tune: Beach Spring
Music: The Sacred Harp 1844
Words: Richard Gillard, 1953 -

We are trav'lers on a journey,
Fellow pilgrims on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
Speak the peace you long to hear.


Sister, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.
Brother, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.

I will weep when you are weeping,
When you laugh, I'll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow,
Till we've seen this journey thro'.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony.

(Recommended piano arrangement: Mark Hayes, Glory, Honor and Praise, Genevox ISBN 0-6330-1495-8)

Prayer: Dear Lord, we are your instruments. Allow us to open our hearts so that we may hear your calling for us. Remove the distractions. Keep us focused. Give us direction. We give you all honor and glory. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.