This morning in Worship we sang the Venite from the order of Matins.  “O Come, let us sing to the Lord, let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation…” And so we did, opening the service with “Precious Lord, take my hand…I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.”  In my head the voice of Elvis Presley sang along.  But we also sang some less familiar hymns.  I always enjoy the challenge of the newer hymns, “Church of God, elect and glorious, Holy nation, chosen race…Royal priests and heirs of grace…”  but then back to Matins singing a newer version of the Te Deum Laudamus: “We praise you and acknowledge you, O God to be the Lord.”  That is exactly what the disciples did after Jesus rescued Peter from his fear caused sinking in the Sea of Galilee.  “Truly, you are the Son of God,” they confessed on the quieted waters as dawn crept in from the East.

These were hymns which called for not only full voiced singing but full- bodied singing as well, driving the music upwards from the soles of the feet through the calves of the legs and on up to finally sound forth from the mouth.  The Matins service begins with a prayer: “O Lord, open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise.”

We went out into our week singing, “How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word.”

Next Sunday we get to do it again.  Thanks be to God.