Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Usually when we hear the word “noise” we think of clamoring, banging or a racket. Something that is hard on the ears. But put the word “joyful” in front of it and changes the whole meaning. We are called to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. On August 13 we were invited to Bethany Lutheran Church in Ephraim for an Organ Dedication Concert “A Joyful Noise!” It was a wonderful evening coming together and making a joyful noise. Thinking about that evening it reminds me of the hymn “Earth and All Stars!”
Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets! Sing to the Lord a new song! Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorms! Sing to the Lord a new song! God has done marvelous things. I too sing praises with a new song!
Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals! Sing to the Lord a new song! Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos! Sing to the Lord a new song! God has done marvelous things. I too sing praises with a new song!
Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers! Sing to the Lord a new song! Limestone and beams! Loud building workers! Sing to the Lord a new song! God has done marvelous things. I too sing praises with a new song!
Classrooms and labs! Loud boiling test tubes! Sing to the Lord a new song! Athlete and band! Loud cheering people! Sing to the Lord a new song! God has done marvelous things. I too sing praises with a new song!
Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom! Sing to the Lord a new song! Daughter and son! Loud praying members! Sing to the Lord a new song! God has done marvelous things. I too sing praises with a new song!
Sometimes as God’s beloved children we get caught up in our every day lives. The weight of all the negative things going on in the world and around us become so over whelming that we lose sight of all the marvelous things God has done and continues to do. We need to take a step back and take a deep breath. Then we too will sing praises with a new song. We will make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
God’s Blessings,
Pastor Gary