It has been a busy month and I keep chiding myself for not posting much but I find that blog writing ebbs and flows for me.  I’ve also been thinking that I will try to make shorter posts rather than feel that I have to write an essay each time.  So, stay tuned.

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Middletown, NY to lead worship with the Hudson River Presbytery.  The featured speaker of the morning was Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, the President of Union Seminary here in NYC.  She’s an incredibly articulate and pastoral theologian (that is rare in my experience) and gave three stunning reflections on the theology of John Calvin, who turned 500 this year!  Three themes – messy/broken/glorious – were explored through scripture, the writings of Calvin and music.  I performed three improvisations on the hymn I Greet Thee Whom My Sure Redeemer Art (which is the only hymn attributed to Calvin) and we sang a setting of Psalm 98, New Songs of Celebration Render, which I arranged for flute, violin and organ in an attempt to bring lightness and energy to this beautiful, rhythmic tune.

I also composed a simple response based on Calvin’s “motto”: Cor meum tibi offero, Domine, prompte et sincere (My heart I offer to you, O Lord, promptly and sincerely.  I have added it to the Music page and invite you to download it and try it out with your congregation.  It is like a Taizé chant, which is repeated until it has become a prayer of the heart.  It would work well in a contemplative prayer service or you could even consider using it as a Response to the Assurance of Pardon or a Doxology for Reformation Sunday at the end of October.  Either way, let me know if you use it.