Grace Notes, October 27, 2010

Unity in Christ

Two interesting events happened last Tuesday that remind me how we are
connected in Christ. First, Carla received a phone call from her cousin in
Sweden. It wasn't an ordinary call. She called from her evening choir
rehearsal so Carla could enjoy hearing them sing "Amazing Grace." (The
time difference was favorable for us…the call came about 1:00 in the
afternoon. For Carla to reciprocate with a call from our choir rehearsal,
her cousin will be receiving a singing phone call at about 3:00 AM in
Sweden.)

Later, a package arrived in the mail from a college friend who is a pastor
in France. He sent a DVD of a community concert he had sung in. While our
DVD player did not recognize the European format of the disc, it could
play in our computer. We had little or no idea what the director was
saying in the program notes and introductions to the pieces…my two years
of very elementary high school French didn't help at all. It seemed we
were foreigners…strangers. But when the choir began to sing Schubert's
Mass in G, we immediately felt at home…as if we were all back at a concert
at NIU. The notes of the melodies are not bound by country or language.
The text was sung in Latin, the universal language used by most composers
in setting after setting of the mass. We still sing or say most of these
words every Sunday…the Kyrie, "Christ have mercy"; the Gloria, "Glory to
God"; The Credo, "We believe"; the Sanctus, "Holy, Holy"; the Agnus Dei,
"Lamb of God"; and the Benedictus, or blessing.

How exciting to be reminded that we are united in Christ. Here in our
local community of faith at Salem, Sycamore. And also with the believers
at Grodinge Church in Sweden. As well as with our friend and his
congregation in Lyon, France. With the congregations at Kijenge Parish in
Tanzania. And with all Christians in every place and time. There are
differences of language and customs, to be sure, but we are all children
of the same heavenly father, sharing together Christ's saving love.

Ron Vanatta

Reformation Festival is coming soon! The rest of Sycamore may think of it
as Pumpkin Festival, but we Lutherans know the real reason for the
celebration…Festival Worship is at 5:00 pm Saturday, Oct 30. New members
will be received and there will be special music by all the choirs. A
catered meal follows at 6:30 in Fellowship Hall. Salem PuppetPraise will
share an extended program about the life of Martin Luther with dialogue
and music in a "Heavenly Hoedown." Sunday morning worship will be at 8:00
only.

Salem will host Peter Eide in concert Nov. 14th at 6:30. Watch for posters
announcing ticket sales.