In late 2019, we moved into an independent Senior Living community in Maryville. and were welcomed by the residents around us. In a casual conversation, one of them asked, “Do you like to sing?” We had once been active in a choir and so we said,”Sure!” At that time, the ‘Singers’ was a new concept with just a handful of participants. We met in the chapel in Assisted Living because there was a piano there. This allowed us to include residents who could not travel to most activities.

Things were getting off to a great start when the pandemic hit. From March 2020 to late spring 2021, all in-person activities were canceled. When we were able to begin group activities again, everyone still had to be masked. Who would want to sing in a mask? Amazingly, on Saturday afternoons through the rest of the year, singers showed up in masks. We saw regular attendance of nearly 20. Walkers, canes, and motorized wheelchairs shared the space with those who were still mobile.

Since then, the Singers have become a staple of our weekly schedule. We have presented musical programs for our neighbors and caroled at Christmas time.

At one caroling event, I sat next to a friend in a mobilized wheelchair. The large lobby area around us was filled with memory care residents and family members. My friend leaned over to me and pointed out a resident sitting with his wife. “Do you see that gentleman over there? He was my husband’s cardiologist for a dozen years. He’s such a wonderful doctor and human being.” When we began to sing, this gentleman sang along. Most of the other memory care residents joined in as well.

The room was filled with a joyful noise. The room was filled with the presence of God’s grace. We are called to make a joyful noise in good times and in hard times. And we are blessed when we do.

Dear Lord, let us gather together to make a joyful noise in your name. Help us see you in all the stages of our lives and celebrate with singing. Amen

This devotion was written by Laura M. Derr and read by Sally Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

“Thank you for joining us for today's Grace for All podcast.

On Saturdays, we pause for a few moments to look back on our week and to review the scriptures that we have used in our podcast. We encourage you, after listening to this episode, to go back and listen to the episodes you missed, or to review the ones that were particularly meaningful for you.

We trust that the thoughts that we have shared with you this week have provided a full portion of the joy, peace, and love of Jesus Christ. Now, listen to this week's scriptures.”

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Like many of the Psalms, this passage starts out very uplifting. It truly puts joy in my heart when I hear the words, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Praise his Name, proclaim His salvation day after day.” What if we started each day with those positive words.

Perhaps we could also memorize the next part, “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples (yes, that means me as well). For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise! As I read these words, I think this is the God I want a relationship with, this would be so magnificent.

And then, the last part of verse 4 seems to change the tone completely from being positive and uplifting, to something perhaps scary when it says, “He is to be feared.” How did we suddenly go from Sing his Name to He is to be feared. How am I to have a deep relationship with someone I fear.

I don’t believe God wants me to be afraid of Him. From my reading of scripture and learning about the character of God, I truly believe God desires a loving and deep relationship with Him. I also have come to understand and to have awe, a deep respect for God’s holiness. When I read some different translations of this passage of scripture, I found one that I liked much better as it read, “He is awesome beyond all other gods.”

God is awesome and we should sing His praises, we should proclaim His salvation every day, His marvelous deeds among all peoples, for He is worthy of praise.

Lord, I want to be so in love with you that I sing your praises every day. I am in awe of your Holiness and your desire for a relationship with me. You are worthy of praise. Amen

This devotion was written and recorded by Owen Ragland.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.