There is something about soaring ceilings and plenty of light that elevates the spirit and induces calm. That was the vibe at St. John’s Lutheran in Sacramento yesterday.
There was a flutist accompanying the organ. He played Telemann’s Vivace from Sonota No. 1 in F Major, and Satie’s lovely meditative Gymnopedie No. 1 from Trois Gymnopedies. It was simply divine. There was even a baptism, and who doesn’t like a wide-eyed cooing infant with proud parents and smiling sponsors clustered around up front?
The first lesson was Elijah in his cave, hearing the still small voice, and anointing his successor, Elisha. The gospel lesson was Peter attempting to walk across Galilean waters to Jesus waiting in the boat, and failing miserably when he looked down at his own two feet. The children’s sermon was an extended riff on the gospel, and featured a juggling act by the Senior Pastor with the pithy punchline, “Keep your eye on the ball.”
Everything was perfect… up until the closing hymn.
I don’t know if you can read music, but let me describe it to you: This is one of that genre of late-Lutheran post-modern hymns with a la-di-dah tune line coupled with cringe-worthy, over-sincere lyrics. “Contrasts in outlook and landscape and need… Challenge of famine, pollution, and greed.” Really? Are you freaking kidding me? I’m sorry, but a certain medieval monk is turning over in his Wittenberg grave.
Full disclosure: Just like my favorite Lutheran pastor, Nadia Bolz-Weber, I am a sucker for all the OLD hymns, preferably sung a cappella. A little organ accompaniment is fine. But “Pain of youth growing and wrinkling of age?” No thank you, I’ll pass. About the best I can say is this: At least it wasn’t “Onward Christian Soldiers” or “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” or any of their Teutonic militaristic ilk. But frankly, that’s a mighty low bar.
Anyway, soaring ceilings and beautiful light were plenty enough for me. These are things that can’t be spoiled, even by a less-than-soaring closing hymn.