NOVEMBER 2022
CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
“THE EAST NARTHEX DOOR,” DOUG PENINGER
Darkness, the Light... Stillness, the Dancing "For Thou hast been our dwelling place from one genera8on to another; before the mountains were brought forth, or e'er the earth was formed, even from everlas8ng to everlas8ng, Thou art God.” ~ Psalm 90 ~
W
e walk now on a path toward shortening days and fading light. How do we, as people of faith, respond to the descending darkness of winter? Do we sink into despair, or do we fall with trust into God's merciful and faithful embrace?
This month in worship, the Centenary Chancel Choir reminds us of the ways that darkness, mourning, and s@llness are integral to the Chris@an faith: from the Brahms Requiem on All Saints Sunday, a promise that those who sow tears of joy will reap ines@mable joy; from Stephen Paulus' Pilgrims' Hymn, the assurance of unceasing love and endless grace in overwhelming darkness; from Howard Helvey's Comfort, Comfort Ye My People, the Advent prophecy of rough places made plain and God's unbroken word; and in Clausen's Hymn of Praise, the psalmist's vision of an everlas@ng dwelling place, a home for our restless and res@ve spirits. May we take heart and courage as we rest in these promises. May the approaching darkness remind us to be s@ll, to wait. May we speak to our own souls as T. S. Elliot did: "I said to my soul, be s8ll, and wait... So the darkness shall be the light, and the s8llness the dancing." Out of the darkness and the s@llness, may we dance in the dazzling light.
Contribute by emailing Virginia Sheffield, vsheffield@centenary-ws.org
Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries Subscribe via the QR Code: