Thursday, June 26, 2025

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NEWS FOR THE PEWS                                                           

 

FROM THE PASTOR

 

Friends,

 

In 2014, BBC shared an all-star version of Brian Wilson’s popular song, “God Only Knows” to launch its new service, BBC Music. The music video, which you can watch here (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16J1q1efG2/), includes every type of popular music, from classical, instrumental, rock, folk, alternative, even operatic voices. It ends with this dedication: For the Love of Music. In less than 3 minutes, the producers remind us that music as an expression of love can unite us in ways that words alone cannot. That music is a collaborative enterprise that brings together not just the musicians but those who hear it, too. We are left with no question about the meaning behind this unique work of art: God Only Knows Where We as a Society Would Be Without Music.

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I know that’s true in my life. Ask me a question about life, and you’re likely to be offered a song in reply. Mention it’s getting dark out and I may burst out with “The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow.” Mention how time flies and you’ll hear my version of “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof. We call it an “earworm” when you get a song stuck in your head. And a friend of mine coined the term “Musical Tourrettes” to describe the way we both could spontaneously switch from speaking to singing when one of us mentioned a word that invoked a song from the past.

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While I’m in the hospital this weekend, I’ve gone off-lectionary to provide you with scriptures, prayers, and hymns that celebrate music in the church. Kurt Ebsary leads our all-music worship service. Join your voices, your instruments, and your hearts together as one. And I’ll be with you in spirit. God only knows where the church would be without music!

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Join FPCT for worship this Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 10:30am in person and livestreamed on Facebook. God calls us through the Psalms to sing praise and make a joyful noise before the Lord. In Philippians, we are called to “Rejoice in the Lord, always!” What’s the story for
us? How do we hear God’s voice through music? Scriptures this week include 1 Chronicles 15:1-3, 11-12, 16, 25-28; Psalm 150; and Philippians 4:4-9. Join us to pray together, hear stories from scripture, find your church home, here at First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda.

Join FPCT for worship this Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 10:30am in person and livestreamed on Facebook. God calls us through the Psalms to sing praise and make a joyful noise before the Lord. In Philippians, we are called to “Rejoice in the Lord, always!” What’s the story for us? How do we hear God’s voice through music? Scriptures this week include 1 Chronicles 15:1-3, 11-12, 16, 25-28; Psalm 150; and Philippians 4:4-9. Join us to pray together, hear stories from scripture, find your church home, here at First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda.

 

See you soon,

Pastor Rebecca

 

 

***Pastor Rebecca will be out for surgery 6/26. For pastoral care, please reach out to the church office or contact Marilee Mathias at 716-694-8259 or Diane Charsley at 716-481-9730 Or reach out to Pastor via her cell number: 315-317-6140.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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