Praise God! Psalm 150

1st day of VBS is almost done.....the church is alive with the sounds of children, big and small.  57 little ones on this first day, every face covered with smiles as the teachers tell them stories, do crafts, teach songs....it is a cacophony of praise.  I think God is pleased.

I love the sounds of music.  I have been singing for most of my life.  Church choir in the little country church.  School choir in the 60's.  Church music for most of my life and for the last 14+ years, a part of the Circuit Riders, an all male men's gospel music group.  We meet every Wednesday evening to practice.  We sing about anywhere that we are invited.  Churches, senior citizen gatherings, community celebrations.  We have done funerals and even a wedding our two.  We have traveled Missouri singing at revivals and have even gone to Pittsburgh Pa. to sing at a UMC General Conference and at a Maximum Security Prison there.  We have recorded 5 CDs and we have a great time praising God in song.

I am very pleased with the church choir that was begun this year under the leadership of Rachel Marchetti and now the new bell choir, led by Rich and Janie Wilson.  Chuck on the guitar, James on the drums, Opal, Sky, Cathy and Amy on the keyboards, Skye and Kim leading the singing; it seems that there are many joyful songs being raised at Faith.  But there are many glad songs beyond the traditional music that bring joy to the heart of God.  I think the sounds of VBS are among them.  When the church is alive with such youthful sounds; God knows that we have taken seriously his teaching regarding "suffer the little children to come unto me."  We are investing in the life of the church.  We are preparing the leaders and warriors of the faith in future generations.  I know that if I listen beyond the sounds of the children and their leaders, I hear the voices of angels celebrating this good work before the throne of God.

"Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with the tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with the resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord."

Praise him with the voices of children.
Praise him with the gift of your life.
Praise him with the work of your hands.
Praise him as you love one another.
Praise him all the days of your life.