Come Let Us Sing (Part 3)

     Music is a gift from God. It connects people, cultivates learning, and is universal. It has been part of worship since the beginning. Countless chapters in the Bible are just people pouring their hearts out in song to God!
     Everyone experiences singing differently. Once when my cousins came to visit us from way up in Boston, they went to church with us. There we were in our pew and the congregation started to sing the first song of the service. My cousins turned to me, shell-shocked, and asked, “Where’s the choir?”
     I had never considered that my cousins, Presbyterians that they were, had grown up singing along with a choir! That was eye-opening for me: “Not everyone sings like we do?!” Then I really listened to all the voices, and how different those in Boston would sound. And how cool it was that we were both singing though we were so far away from each other! And how we had a song leader, and some places did not, and how on Sundays, all over the world, people were singing songs of worship!
     Music connects people, and nothing reminds me of that like the Youth Group. Our retreats, rallies, studies, and worships all have singing in common. And not just any singing–popcorn singing, where if there’s a song on your heart, all you have to do is be brave enough to start it, and–all of a sudden–everyone is singing! We sing standing up, sitting down, on cliffs, on floors, and even holding hands. It doesn’t matter where our youth group goes; we are singing!
     And it’s magical singing, filling me with peace. Sometimes someone will start a song I didn't even know I needed to hear! And the cool thing is, I don’t have to sound perfect or even hit all the right notes, because in all those other voices, you don’t hear the mistakes. You can sing without being ashamed or afraid!
     Music would never be possible without someone brave enough to lead it! When I think of song leading, I think of Lads to Leaders, and of Mrs. Kay [Gowen], who helped me learn how. She taught me where to put my hands and how to smile (not too big!), but she also taught me that music is something you share with others, because you want to!
     Mrs. Kay did not have to come to the building and teach me, but she did! Because she had a gift that she could share! (Mr. Reely’s help was also quite beneficial.) Now, when Mrs. Kay sees me in church, she hugs me and asks how my song leading is going!
     So music in the church is a pretty cool thing. It lights a spiritual fire in us! It connects us to others all over the world no matter how we sing. It helps us grow closer to God in its beauty and simplicity. It encourages teaching and learning from others.
     I am so grateful to be part of the music College Church makes and everything that comes with that!