CANTATA 

The wise men and their camels couldn’t wait for Cantata Sunday at CUMC, they loved the musical ministry so much.  They “sang lustily with good courage” as John Wesley suggested in the hymnal.  But their organ playing left something to be desired.

SCRIPTURE

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  (Colossians 3: 15-16)

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5: 15-19)

FOOLISH WISDOM

Caspar wanted to improve his organ playing, so he thought he would ask Becky Jackson for lessons.  Surely, being retired, she would have time to teach him.  He asked her how much she would charge for private lessons.  “Let’s see,” she said, “$500 for the first lesson, and $100 for each lesson after that.”  “Excellent,” said Caspar, “Let’s begin with the second lesson.” (adapted Idries Shah Nasreddin folktale)

PRAYER

Come to the Cantata tomorrow and meditate on any one of the beautiful songs!