Worship is the heartbeat of church.  It is the place we go apart to experience God in word, song, and movement.  While many of us grew up with a tradition that taught two movements—stand up and sit down—you are not limited to those two things.  You can bounce, you can move your fingers and toes, you can nod your head up and down, and you can even move your feet.  

 

Some of the newer songs we play in church encourage movement rather than harmony.  They invite you to engage with the beat rather than sing all the notes. 

 

You’ll see me moving on the chancel, not because I seek attention (I’m no dancer), but because I seek to enter body and soul into the music.  I want to feel God, not only in my head, but in all of me.  When I do, I feel more alive. 

 

We start this Easter season with the hymn, “Lord of the Dance.”  The very singable melody comes from a Shaker song, “Simple Gifts.”

 

From metmuseum.org we learn about how Shakers got their name. 

Known as the Shaking Quakers, or Shakers, because of their penchant for ecstatic movement and dancing during worship (a physical response to their sense of being infused with the spirit of God), these religious dissidents surrendered themselves to God and emulated Christ’s pure and humble life on earth.

 

Even the lyrics of Simple Gifts suggest movement. 

 

Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free

Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained

To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.

To turn, turn, will be our delight

Till by turning, turning we come round right. 

 

I can see old and young Shakers spinning around with joy. 

 

Consider, beloved congregation, if you can’t sing all the words, let your body move to the beat.  Feel the Spirit moving you—even a little.  Movement is simply another way to praise.  

 

In God's Love, Rev. Heather