“Rainy days and Mondays always get me down…” So sang Karen Carpenter. How many of you woke up this morning singing that song? Or perhaps, “Rain, rain, go away” or “It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man/woman is snoring.” Or even one of the many (MANY!!) songs about rain (for a 100+ list of songs about rain see http://realityspeaks.expertscolumn.com/article/100-greatest-rain-songs-songs-about-rain). For much of this week, it has not looked the greatest outside. It’s been rather gloomy and yucky; they’ve been the kind of days that you just want to crawl back in bed or lay on the couch all day.
Rain can mean different things to different people. For many of us during this time of isolation, the rain can certainly symbolize our feelings of sadness, depression, loneliness, and brokenness. As Christians, however, rain also brings healing, renewal, and rebirth. There are a few stories concerning rain in the Bible, the most well-known being that of Noah (Genesis 7) and the rains that fell for 40 days and 40 nights flooding the earth. Another story is found in 1 Kings 17-18 where the prophet Elijah warns and promises King Ahab that there will be no rain in the land (a 3-yr. drought) until he repents of the sins he has committed (he allowed his wife Jezebel to practice and spread a pagan religion throughout the kingdom). The story ends with Elijah defeating and killing the prophets of Baal, after which he prays to God to send rain. One story that many Sunday school children grew up singing is that of the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built his on the sand (Matt. 7). As the song goes, “the rains came down and the floods came up” and the house on the rock stood firm. Rain is something we need, even though we tend to grumble when it comes. It waters the earth so the plants, trees and flowers can grow. It fills our ponds and lakes, allowing the fish and amphibious creatures to live. It fills wells, rivers and reservoirs so we can have water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. We need the rain, but oh so many times it’s hard to find the good in the rain. Most of us don’t usually go around “Singin’ in the Rain” with Gene Kelly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZYhVpdXbQ). When we do find ourselves in that frame of mind, of not seeing the good of the rain (especially after three days of it), stop and thank God for it – even if you don’t completely mean it at that moment. Find something to be thankful for the rain about – thank you, God, for watering the earth; thank you, God, for giving the rain to wash away the winter salt from the roads; thank you, God, for the rain to fill the pool so I don’t have to. I think you’ll find that the more you do, the more your attitude will start to change. You still may not want to go out dancing in the rain, but you will find that there are reasons God gives us the rain. Often, in Christian circles, we speak of “rain” as that all-powerful act of God that brings us mercy, grace, and love, and allows us to experience a renewal of our spirits, a refreshing of our relationship with God and with others. Below are three songs that help us to open ourselves up to God’s rain. In this time of uncertainty, of isolation, of the unknown, may we find and be thankful for the rain that God brings. Blessings. Pastor Amy [email protected] 518-538-3697 There Shall Be Showers of Blessing (Daniel Whittle, James McGranahan) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrDwO0TQWjM 1 There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above. Chorus: Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy drops 'round us are falling, But for the showers we plead. 2 There shall be showers of blessing-- Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain. [Chorus] 3 There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we're confessing, Now as on Jesus we call! [Chorus] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rain (Leeland Mooring) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTOcRsaUpk VERSE 1 Rain, rain on me Open the windows of Heaven Rain, rain on me Open the windows of Heaven CHORUS 1 (x2) Open up the heavens Pouring out a blessing Lord, we need refreshing Till it overflows REPEAT VERSE 1 REPEAT CHORUS 1 (x4) BRIDGE 1] It's raining (it's raining) BRIDGE 2 It's pouring (it's pouring) BRIDGE 3 Oh, I hear the sound of revival rain I hear the sound, I hear the sound BRIDGE 4 (x4) I hear the sound of revival rain I hear the sound, I hear the sound REPEAT CHORUS (x4) REPEAT BRIDGE 1 REPEAT BRIDGE 2 BRIDGE 5 (x2) Overflow (overflow) Overflow (overflow) Overflow (overflow) Overflow (overflow) ENDING Rain, rain on me Oh, open the windows of Heaven - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Holy Spirit, Rain Down (Russell Fragar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-SI_HRWooA Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down Oh, Comforter and Friend How we need Your touch again Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down Let Your power fall Let Your voice be heard Come and change our hearts As we stand on Your word Holy Spirit, rain down No eye has seen, no ear has heard No mind can know what God has in store So open up Heaven, open it wide Over Your church and over our lives Comments are closed.
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ZOOM WORSHIP SERVICE
SUNDAY @ 11 AM To join by phone, dial (929) 205-6099 and enter the meeting ID and password below: Meeting ID: 876 1875 9099 Password 333 PrayerGracious Loving Lord, please keep all of your children safe in these trying times. Guide us. Open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, our minds to understand and our hearts to know and be your love to others. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Want to support RLUMC and our missions? Donate Today
Prayer Chain
For those wishing to activate our Church Prayer Chain, contact Barbara Hurley 518-307-8238 If you want the concern to remain confidential among prayer chain members only please feel free to make that request when calling. Archives
September 2023
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