|
MAKE A JOYFUL
NOISE UNTO THE LORD
(Note: we had
permission to print the text during Lent but have had to remove
the text after Lent. Refer to your hymnal for the text.)
I remember when I
went to church camp for the first time. My brothers had gone
camping multiple times with the Boy Scouts, including weeklong
stays at summer camp. This was my first time to be away from my
parents for a whole week. Of course, my two older brothers were at
the same camp, but there were no parents.
We did the normal
camp things: slept in bunks in cabins; hiked everywhere in the
hot, humid Louisiana summer; made crafts; swam; played group
games; and went to chapel twice a day. Chapel was a place, but it
was not limited to a building. I can remember having services
outside in the evening.
Chapel was
memorable for its music, which hit an emotional chord that ever
since has been related to my “happy” feelings. I can still picture
a long-haired, ratty-jean-wearing counselor (it was the early
‘70s) strumming his acoustic guitar.
This is the song
I remember. I knew I would always have the words since I had just
received my first Bible. Psalm 100. Even I could remember the
location — basically in the center of the book. This was my first
connection with being able to find something personally meaningful
in the Bible.
I remembered this
song as my husband and I planned our wedding ceremony. I wanted to
share the pleasure it gave me with everyone who came to share the
joy of our union. My childhood pastor recited the verses of Psalm
100 in place of singing since we didn’t have music. The words
alone still evoked the same happy feelings for me.
Dear Lord, please
know that I serve you with gladness. You have given me everything
that makes me happy, including these beautiful words and my
family. Let me share your never-ending goodness with the rest of
the world.
Karen Vlamis
|
