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Joy Sunday

Contagious Joy

Back in September, during Open Spirit worship, Debbie and Jim Case witnessed something “so special and extraordinary in worship” that they wanted to share it with others.

As newcomers to St. Paul life, the Cases are experiencing a renewal in their own worship and spiritual life. Here’s the scene:

“While the congregation was singing A New Hallelujah, a small boy (about eight or nine years old) was singing and swaying to the music. When the song was finished, the boy — by himself — began to clap. Those around him began to clap, and then the entire congregation at the 11:45 service began to clap.”

“This boy’s love for Jesus was a catalyst to start a spark that ended with an overwhelming rejoicing within the body of Christ in the Sanctuary. His heart didn’t know Lutheran tradition not to clap. His heart knew the love of Jesus, and he couldn’t contain it.” 

“That was an extraordinary moment to witness,” recalled Debbie and Jim. “It may seem small and incidental, but to us it was a reflection of the Holy Spirit, like the wind, allowing us to ride the wave of Christ’s love. The wind filled the sanctuary and touched everyone.”

Adds Debbie of the 11:45 contemporary service, “Although we love and respect traditional Lutheran liturgy and hymns, it’s been such a blessing to have Open Spirit worship in our lives. These new songs aren’t to replace the traditional hymns, but rather to show that the Spirit is alive today, and musicians are moved by their faith. They can’t hold it in!”

“Sharing this genre of music every Sunday morning together as a community of believers is something we have yearned and hungered for in our spiritual journey.”

In the spontaneous clapping of a little boy, Debbie and Jim witnessed a phenomenon in the community of faith: The contagious enthusiasm of love and praise.

Thanks be to the God who breathes life into this community.

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"Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, author