On Sunday, December 15, at 3:30 pm, the doors of our Worship Center at Lake Avenue Church were opened to people who had been waiting for the rehearsal to end. What I experienced as I watched these people coming through the doors is something I won't easily forget. Smiles, conversations with friends, people looking for their section and connecting with others who sang their part... it was a community-building event I haven't seen too many times in my life.
My church first organized a Sing Along Messiah event in December, 1996.
We have given maybe 25 of these events, basically every other year now, and I'm always amazed at the anticipation and excitement that comes with hundreds of people coming with their Messiah books, ready to tackle the challenging choruses from this monumental piece of music.
What was different this year? We all needed this. Being together with so many singers and instrumentalists who were ready to bring this music of G. F. Handel to life was at a different level. The music brought us much-needed hope and gave us renewed focus on God's promises to us.
Collaboration was at the highest level in that space on December 15. People were ready to help one another as they found their part, the correct page number, even singing in their neighbor's ear as they came alongside one another.
May this be a year when we collaborate with one another like never before. Let's trust that God will enable us to come alongside many people this year who need our help. May the spirit of Lake's Sing Along Messiah exist daily in our lives, in everything we do and say.
Duane Funderburk
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