Last night, for the second year running, the Bracebridge Ministerial offered an hour of music in our local Memorial Park. This was part of the summer concert series offered by the Town of Bracebridge. Local entertainers are invited to provide music each Thursday night through the summer. Last year our Ministerial offered to put together an evening of hymns and it was well received so we were invited (or accepted) back.
There were eight leaders from various congregations in the town, (Roman Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Anglican, Free Methodist and United) singing. Others had hoped to be there but summer vacations and pastoral duties prevented some from participating. Pentecostal Pastor Steve provided the musical backup on keyboard and guitar ably switching from one instrument to the other depending on the hymn or song. Steve brought along a drummer from his congregation which added a great element to the music.
There were about 70 people in the audience and they seemed to enjoy the hour of entertainment; well, no one got up to leave and they politely applauded after each number. Sometimes if they knew the songs they would join in, which they were encouraged to do.
The first set was old hymns which were all familiar to me. I didn’t do so well in the second and third set which were made up of contemporary hymns and choruses. Clearly I need to brush up on the Christian music that is being written and sung these days! One verse I really liked comes from 10,000 Reasons by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman. It goes like this…
The sun comes up it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
I’m going to be humming that one all day – hope I’m still singing when the evening comes!
