January 14, 2007

2^nd Sunday in Epiphany

Preparation for Worship

My Hour

has not come yet.

John 2:5

I don't want people who want to dance, I want people who have to dance. George Balanchine

There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good. Edwin Denby

We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. Japanese Proverb

Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Dave Barry

I would believe only in a God that knows how to dance. Friedrich Nietzsche

As we continue our observance of the season of Epiphany and celebrate the light of Christ present in our hearts, our worship today focuses on the “dance of the spirit.”  To introduce the dance-like spirit into the worship service, the prelude is a setting of a “sicilienne,” or an 18th century dance set in a slow triple meter time with short phrases. This classical style, which later influenced both sacred and secular music forms, was commonly linked to peasant dances of Sicily that were often set in a minor key.  The postlude is a setting of another classical dance form called a “gigue.”  A precursor to the English “jig,” the “gigue” is a lively baroque dance that is usually set in a compound meter.  The postlude setting is by the German organist, Dietrich Buxtehude.

     The processional hymn, “As With Gladness Men of Old” is an Epiphany hymn that offers reflections on the exuberance of those who seek to follow the light of Christ wherever it leads.  The choir’s anthem, “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” is a setting of an African-American Spiritual.  This is “Race Relations Sunday” in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and this spiritual echoes our collective desire to be more holy, loving, and “Christ-like” as we strive to share his light with one another and with the world.

     “Like Miriam Who Danced to Praise” continues our expression of the dance of the spirit in worship.  The text of this hymn was written by Mary Keithahn, an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ.  Pastor Keithahn has written a prolific number of hymns and other musical settings, especially for children.  She is also a member of Joe Chrisman’s home church in South Dakota .  The offertory duet, “The Lord of the Dance” is an energetic setting of the text found on page 302 in the hymnal.

     The sending hymn, “O Sing to the Lord” is a multi-cultural setting based on the text of Psalm 150.  As we leave the worship experience this morning, this hymn encourages us to “dance for our God” as we share in his light with others.