music. singing

Are You Having a 5-String Day?

/ pastorpete51 / 4 Comments 
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. 
Mark 14:3 NIV

Every Thursday I have great fun visiting the memory-care wing of a local nursing home and singing for my friends. But last week, as I slid my guitar out of its case, I was dismayed to see that one string had come completely off its tuning peg. Being presented with the options of, putting my guitar back in the case and singing acapella, spending several minutes trying to replace the string, or playing with just five strings, I chose the latter. Sheepishly I explained to everyone that things were going to sound funny and then set off plunking away the best I could. Yet, in spite of my embarrassment, we actually had a great time praising God together. We sounded far from professional, but I felt sure that Jesus didn’t mind my out-of-tune instrument any more than our off-key voices.

Now playing with a guitar string missing was challenging, but God reminded me that for some of those folks, even their best days were five-string days, at best. I remembered that the songs we sing are a treasure, not because of a nicely tuned instrument, but because of the joy they bring to the heart of God. We are all like the alabaster jar in today’s verse. We have a precious treasure inside. Even though our jar may begin as outwardly beautiful, it is also fragile and aging. What matters is not how impressive our outside looks, but the value of the treasure on the inside. And it is only when our jars begin to crack, that the fragrant treasure hidden on the inside can pour out and its sweet fragrance fill the room!

Wonderful Jesus

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJV

Who says that nursing home music has to be slow, sad and in hushed tones? Our folks at Life Care Center love nothing more than to celebrate just how wonderful Jesus is! Every Friday they come expecting to meet with Him and we who get to lead, are so amazingly blessed to hear them singing, clapping or simply smiling as Jesus is lifted up and His presence fills the room! Yes, “Isn’t the love of Jesus something wonderful?!” Why not join us and sing along and lift up the name of our Mighty God, our Prince of Peace, our Everlasting Father and our Wonderful Counselor?

Making Melody at Nursing Home

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments 
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody 
in your heart to the Lord - Ephesians 5:19 KJV

Singing is so important that it is one of the few things we do on earth that we will also do in heaven. The key in helping seniors to sing, is finding ways, for everyone to make melody in their heart to Jesus. So, the best songs to choose are the ones that everyone can sing, because there must always be a “We” in worship. Here are three ideas that have helped me along the way.

First, remember that the voices of senior saints are not what they were when they were younger. But if George Beverly Shea and Burl Ives could record music into their 80’s and 90’s; there certainly is a way we can help seniors to participate. To begin with, the key we are playing the songs in makes a huge difference. Hymns were often written for much younger voices or for choirs to sing. Though those original keys were nice they are not sacrosanct. There is certainly nothing wrong with singing “Holy-Holy-Holy” in a key that is low enough for someone besides the cherubim and seraphim to join in!

Secondly, not only are our people’s voices changing, but their ears have also grown older. I happen to have an exceptionally loud voice (ask my wife!) and because of that I rarely use a microphone. But if you have a sound system available, please use it! If there is no microphone available, consider moving closer to your listeners. With my guitar I can walk back and forth in the room, and turn directly towards people, so that they can hear the notes, and hearing helps them to keep up with where we are at in the lyrics.

Finally remember that pacing and rhythm matter. In a nursing home meeting, even on a great day, most people only have energy to focus for about thirty minutes. Some have medications that make them sleepy, or aches and pains that make it difficult to stay put for long. The last thing we want to do is incorporate so many slow and gentle hymns, that half our audience falls asleep! I usually start out with familiar and easy songs such as “Just a Closer Walk”, so that as many people as possible join in. Then we usually pick up the pace a bit, with as many joyful songs as I have the energy for. Even Sunday school songs like, “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength” or “I’ve Got the Joy-Joy-Joy” work well. Just because they are older, doesn’t mean our friends won’t enjoy some fun and laughter. They will have plenty of problems to greet them after they leave our service. Of course, the idea is not just to sing fast songs, rather to give a variety. It is a good idea to slow down near the end of the service, for songs such as “The Old Rugged Cross”, “How Great Thou Art” or “In the Garden.” Now they are ready to focus, to pray and to allow God to speak His melody into their hearts. If you have any questions, would like to make a comment, or share your own experiences, please do. Someone may need to hear what you have to say!