Naomi's Notes - Musical Morocco Connection
Recently, as a Call to Prayer, our Sanctuary Choir introduced our congregation to We Are One in Jesus, a chorus by Phillip Landgrave. Everyone also bravely attempted some simplified signing as we sang.
Now our Sanctuary Choir is nearly ready to involve everyone in the next step of the process. Over the next couple of weeks, they will be teaching our congregation a French version of the song. With so much repetition in the text, learning it phonetically shouldn't take long.
Once everyone is fairly comfortable with the French, we will film our congregation singing--or attempting to sing, at least--the song in French at the end of a 10:30 worship service. A video of all of us singing and "signing" the song will then be sent to our sister church in Morocco as a missions project.
This will be a lot easier than it seems—trust me! I know some people are intimidated by even the thought of trying to speak--much less sing--non-English languages. Please don't be afraid. I fully understand. My French pronunciation and inflection are also very shaky despite years of effort, including singing French art songs on numerous recitals. No one is expecting perfection, just a heart for others. Presence and participation are what's important.
Remember that the Sanctuary Choir and those who've had high school French will be carrying the ball for this project. Everyone else can just follow along. The attempt is much more important than the quality. You can at least do the repetitive signing...and maybe throw in a French word or two occasionally.
This project is just one creative way--through music, the "universal language"--that we can reach out in Jesus' name to encourage Christians in other cultures. I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the future we received a video of them attempting to sing in English.
We Are One in Jesus
Nous sommes un en Jesus.
(We are one in Jesus.)
Un quand nous le louons;
(One when we are praising;)
un quand nous le prions;
(one when we are praying;)
Un quand nous l'aimons;
(One when we are loving;)
un quand nous le servons.
(one when we are serving.)
See you in worship this Sunday -
Naomi