From your pastor…
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing. (Psalm 100: 1-2, NRSV)
Can you imagine a world without music? It would be a sad place! I was sitting in my office at the computer this morning when I heard a band marching down Opelousas Avenue. I had to go and check it out; such joyful music reached my ears and made me want to dance! It was a Mardi Gras parade put on by the Behrman School children next door. They were definitely making a joyful noise, and it was delightful. Working in Algiers is definitely NOT boring because this was the second parade of the day. At 11:00am, the Krewe of Mother’s Day Out rolled out of our church and onto the front lawn. They were wearing crowns and masks that they had made, and they were precious! Parents lined up to take photos, and the sun was shining, and it was perfect!
In the month of March, we will have many opportunities to praise God with beautiful music. On Sunday, March 5, we will have the treat of John Nilsen performing here for the second time. He will share some original compositions and other selections. The concert will be a little over an hour. PLEASE invite neighbors, friends, and others to come and enjoy with us. It is open to the community. We will take donations to help cover his costs of coming and performing, and his CD’s will be on sale after the concert. We have invited the congregations of other United Methodist churches on the Westbank and in our District. So, please don’t miss this opportunity. I find that music is a great blessing to my soul.
Also, on Sunday, March 12, we are invited by the Laity Board of the New Orleans District to participate in a concert in the Lawless Chapel at Dillard University. It will be held at 2pm. The Dillard University Choir will share, and also some local church choirs will be singing praises to the Lord. This concert is a fundraiser, and each local church is asked to donate a minimum of $100. each for the Daughenbaugh-Matheny Scholarship Fund. This fund gives scholarships to United Methodist students attending Dillard and Centenary College in Shreveport. There is an application process for the scholarships, and they are awarded at our Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in June. Not only will you hear wonderful music, it is a great opportunity to fellowship with our United Methodist sisters and brothers across New Orleans. I plan to attend both of these events and look forward to them.
All of my life I have loved the joy of singing. My voice is not the greatest, but the Lord only asks that we make a joyful music, and when it comes from a heart filled with praise to God, I believe it is considered a sweet, sweet sound in God’s ear!
Grace and peace, Rev. Becky