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Hello dear ones!

As you read this I am still on Study Leave, reading my textbook, writing my paper, and playing catch up. Busy bee over here!!

And so, this newsletter was actually written last week, with plans to have it ‘delivered’ to you on time.

I look forward to joining you again for worship this upcoming Sunday. We’ll be looking at the Psalms this week!

Back in 2013 when I was working in full time ministry in Toronto, I was fortunate to attend the Calvin Institute for Worship Symposium for a Conference in Michigan. Folks from all over the world came to this Conference and the workshops, guest speakers and worship was phenomenal.

One workshop in particular that I attended had a ministry team that spoke of their dedication to devote one whole year to the book of Psalms. They entitled it “Psalm-fest”, and in worship together, in children and youth ministry, in art installations, the whole year was all about the Psalms. The artwork they shared that hung in their church was indescribable and it was such a valuable time of growth for both them as leaders and as the congregation.

For the book of Psalms is ordinary people like you and me speaking to God. At that point, the rest of the biblical lessons were about God descending unto them, and the messages from prophets, teachers, leaders, etc.
The Psalms involved people crying out to God, lamenting, and also offering Thanksgiving and Praise.

These words from the beloved ‘Bono’ of the band, U2 speak to not only his faith but his connection to the Psalms and to the holy. He has beautifully captured the way I just so happen to feel about the book of Psalms, too.

“Words and music did for me what solid, even rigorous, religious argument could never do – they introduced me to God, not belief in God, more an experiential sense of GOD. Over art, literature, girls, my mates, the way into my spirit was a combination of words and music. As a result, the Book of Psalms always felt open to me and led me to the poetry of Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, the book of John…My religion could not be fiction, but it had to transcend facts. It could be mystical, but not mythical."-

And so today my friends I offer you two excerpts from Psalms with the hope that you will resonate with one of them (or perhaps both)

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?”
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:1, 6-8 NIV

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Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 95:1-2

May these words of Scripture and the exploration of the Psalms lift your spirits, challenge you, resonate with you or bring you peace.

Finally, in the theme of the Psalms, may you enjoy this musical rendition of Psalm 121.

Your sister in Christ,

Meghan
Phil.4:13