Musical Weekend

Music is a part of life in Malawi. I have written about it before (and probably will again). Music is something that everyone here participates in, and does well, from a young age. That was evident this weekend in a two separate activities, both of which thrilled my ear and my spirit.

Friday evening I spoke at the Polytechnic’s CCAPSO (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Student Association) meeting on the college campus. This was my first time to be invited, so I wasn’t exactly certain of what to expect. It was more than I imagined. They met in a classroom at the college that seats about 300 students. All the chairs were full. This was a Friday evening when there were lots of other activities on the campus to draw attention. It was a delight to see so many there. But the real delight was the spirit of the meeting. A praise team led the worship and it was spirited. The room resounded with the singing and vibrated with the dancing. The students danced freely with the singing. I was reminded of David dancing before the ark of the Lord. I was taken back to my college days when as a young Christian, I attended Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship meetings and was swept up in the emotion of singing. I felt that same thrill on Friday evening. The highlight was the CCAP Choir who sang “I Will Call Upon the Lord” in 6 part harmony. It was an inspirational time and definitely improved the preaching, for which I praise God.

But the delight of music did not end there. Sunday worship at Limbe celebrated “Synod Music Sunday.” The choirs of Limbe hosted a guest choir for the weekend from Nkhoma Synod. They had had Friday evening and all day Saturday together to share and practice for the services. We had the usual 2 services, but the focus of both was music. There were 7 choirs and 3 ensembles to participate in both services. Each choir selected their best number and presented it as praise to God, except for our guests, who gave two numbers. These songs ranged from a classical Hayden piece, done by the guest choir, to traditional Malawian music done by the Limbe Joint Choir and in between offerings of traditional hymns, contemporary praise songs, and Malawian praise choruses. Some were done to recorded backgrounds, other acapella, but all with dancing. But this was not a concert. It was worship participation. When a group sang a song that those in the congregation knew, they stood and joined in the singing or in some cases, come up front and joined the group, including the session clerk at one point. Participation was encouraged. One of the highlights was the Sunday school choir, comprised of 40 children from the ages of 6 to 13. The solo leader was a powerful 8 year old girl who captured everyone’s heart with her clear, strong voice. It was a spirit filled time of worship. But the ultimate was when the choirs joined together for a mass number. In the first service, they sang the old hymn “Peace, Be Still” in Chichewa. The harmonies were wonderful. For the second service, they sang “It Is Well with My Soul,” a favorite in Chichewa. I was moved to tears by the beauty of the sound and the power of the emotion of the music. The preaching for both services was on the place of music in worship, reminding us that music comes from God and that he invites us to praise him with song because we are created in his image. The face of God was evident in the praise of these two services.

So twice this weekend I was carried into God’s presence on the musical refrains of praise to the God of all creation, including the creation of music. For that I can only continue to praise him.