St. Paul's Carondelet Church
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Coldplay as Church?

6/8/2022

2 Comments

 
Picture
Two weekends ago, I saw Coldplay perform at Soldier Field in Chicago. The above photo is the view from our seats. Over 61,000 people sang songs about love, about having a Higher Power, and other lyrics that were joyful and uplifting. 61,000 of us raised our hands in the air and crooned to each other. It was amazing.
Then the show was over and we all streamed out of the stadium. Walking along shoulder to shoulder, the whole connection vanished. As an experiment, I started humming the refrain from the concert that all 61,000 people had sung. Heck, we just sang it a few minutes ago. We were all TOGETHER as one giant voice.
But no, not one single person joined in singing with me. They just gave me the side-eye or nothing at all. We couldn't recapture the connection.

A Coldplay concert is not church. Did anyone doubt that? I hear you say, 'church is not nearly that fun.' I agree! But, both have music that lifts us and reminds us of our connection to one other and, sometimes, to God. 
Some brilliant person said, The person who sings prays twice.
 I bet you have your favorite musicians. Are they supporting your life of faith? I hope so! Remember Jesus' criterion: If they aren't against us, they're for us (Mark 9:38-41). When we sing together, with whomever we sing with, are we moving past the 
feels of positivity and putting love into action? If not, why not?
The worst thing we can possibly do is sip on the love-tonic, and not let its healing flow through our lives out to others. As Chris Martin, the lead singer for Coldplay puts it, "I'd rather be a comma than at full stop". God's purpose for us is to be a comma, always ready for love, kindness, collaboration, creativity.
I pray that where ever you are, and whose ever songs you are singing, you are carrying the love and hope of God and modeling it in your life. That is the true Music of the Spheres and when we do it together, in word and action, we're church.

--- Pastor Rebecca
2 Comments
karin
6/10/2022 11:52:44

Beautiful. Thank you

Reply
Richard Byrne
6/11/2022 10:08:27

You know that the United Church of Christ had a comma as their logo for many years, with the caption "God is still speaking."

Reply



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    Most of the blog articles are written by our Rector, The Rev. Rebecca Ragland

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  • HOME
    • Subscribe
  • ABOUT
    • Annual Meeting 2023
    • What We Believe
    • Visitors
    • Parish Leadership
    • Staff
    • Photos
    • History
    • Art in Worship
    • Tell us about yourself
  • Worship
    • La Misa
    • Order of Service
    • Sermon Archives
    • Rising Services
    • Sacrament of Baptism
    • Leadership+Music
    • Altar Guild
  • GROW
    • Adult Spirituality
    • Children's Ministry
  • Mission
    • Care for the Earth
    • Care for Community >
      • Harm Reduction Discernment
  • Events
    • Heigham House
    • Art Shows
    • First and Third Thursdays
    • Calendar
    • Rent our Space
    • Weddings
    • Funeral and Memorial Services
  • GIVE
    • Pledge for 2023
    • Vestry Minutes and Records
  • Blog
  • Contact Us