Those who sing pray twice. You've heard this expression before? Most often it's attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo. I didn't want to publish this posting without checking to make sure of its origin. Now I'm sorry I asked! First I found out that the translation from Latin is more accurately: "Those who sing well pray twice." That one word certainly puts a different spin on it. I looked further and found that it likely was not St. Augustine who said either version!

What he said was this: (translated from the Latin) For he who sings praise, does not only praise, but also praises joyously; he who sings praise, is not only singing, but also loving Him whom he is singing about/to/for. There is a praise-filled public proclamation (praedicatio) in the praise of someone who is confessing/acknowledging (God), in the song of the lover (there is) there is deep love.

I think he's saying that when the singing is in praise of God, something happens that makes it more than just any kind of song. To the song. The singer. And, the listener.

We're about to experience this in worship tomorrow when our Chancel Choir and instrumentalists under the direction of Bill and Susan Schoeffler will perform selections from Handel's Messiah. Augustine had it right. Joy. Praise. Proclamation. Love.

I will be there singing. Our choir will be there singing well.


Sounds like a whole lot of praying going on!

Blessings,
Pastor Kris

A suggestion for today's prayer: Gratitude for the voices and talents of our musicians at Disciples Christian Church.