This Sunday is Cantata Sunday at EPUMC. I’ve never looked up the word “Cantata” in a dictionary, but I have experienced a few at EPUMC and that is what I want to tell you about today.
Cantata Sunday is hearing the story of Jesus’ birth from the voices of our choir. Don and the choir spend a tremendous amount of time preparing. Don arranges for professional musicians to come. Kids love it as these musicians play their violins and oboes and trumpets and whatever you call that one thing that looks like a violin but is a bit bigger. There is usually a bassoon and the only reason I know what that one is called is that my wife plays it. Well, she used to play it but I’m going with once a musician, always a musician.
I am not a musician. I can sing but I don’t read music or really have what it takes to learn “parts.” I was drafted into a couple of church choirs early in my career when not being afraid to sing was the only requirement. Perhaps this is why I admire people who can blend their strong voices and preparation into an offering that is not only technically satisfying, but also moving.
And that is what I want you to know about Cantata Sunday. It will be moving, stirring, inspiring. Our choir may have one or two voices who if they had pursued a career, might have carved out something in the music world. But mostly they are just folks who love to sing, who look for opportunities to use this gift. On Cantata Sunday all these voices sing from the heart. And Don tends and shepherds them with an equally inspired desire to bring out the best they have to offer together.
Cantata Sunday is not just another Sunday. It is an opportunity to invite someone who may need something like an hour of being in the presence of folks just like them who have prepared to share this wonderful gift. Yes, you can go hear much more professional presentations this Christmas season. You can put an hour’s worth of songs you choose yourself on a play list. But you simply cannot reproduce what happens when people who love music and who have been willing to prepare together share what will come forth at EPUMC this Sunday.
See you on Sunday. And one thing more: Do not think for one moment that I will be preaching this Sunday. Two reasons. I don’t need to. The word will be proclaimed in song. And secondly….after watching and listening and experiencing Cantata Sunday, I couldn’t talk if I wanted to.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
Cantata Sunday is hearing the story of Jesus’ birth from the voices of our choir. Don and the choir spend a tremendous amount of time preparing. Don arranges for professional musicians to come. Kids love it as these musicians play their violins and oboes and trumpets and whatever you call that one thing that looks like a violin but is a bit bigger. There is usually a bassoon and the only reason I know what that one is called is that my wife plays it. Well, she used to play it but I’m going with once a musician, always a musician.
I am not a musician. I can sing but I don’t read music or really have what it takes to learn “parts.” I was drafted into a couple of church choirs early in my career when not being afraid to sing was the only requirement. Perhaps this is why I admire people who can blend their strong voices and preparation into an offering that is not only technically satisfying, but also moving.
And that is what I want you to know about Cantata Sunday. It will be moving, stirring, inspiring. Our choir may have one or two voices who if they had pursued a career, might have carved out something in the music world. But mostly they are just folks who love to sing, who look for opportunities to use this gift. On Cantata Sunday all these voices sing from the heart. And Don tends and shepherds them with an equally inspired desire to bring out the best they have to offer together.
Cantata Sunday is not just another Sunday. It is an opportunity to invite someone who may need something like an hour of being in the presence of folks just like them who have prepared to share this wonderful gift. Yes, you can go hear much more professional presentations this Christmas season. You can put an hour’s worth of songs you choose yourself on a play list. But you simply cannot reproduce what happens when people who love music and who have been willing to prepare together share what will come forth at EPUMC this Sunday.
See you on Sunday. And one thing more: Do not think for one moment that I will be preaching this Sunday. Two reasons. I don’t need to. The word will be proclaimed in song. And secondly….after watching and listening and experiencing Cantata Sunday, I couldn’t talk if I wanted to.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
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