Weird title, I know…but those of you who know me, and most of you readers who have just started getting to know me in 2017, also know that I am, well, quirky.

I also enjoy sociology, genealogy, and life-span psychology. It occurs to me that this wonderful, JOYful congregation I serve has at least two generations within it. This, I know, is hard for you members to believe. You look around on Sunday and see all retirees. What I see are the older, “greatest generation” retirees who have been such for twenty years or more. Then, there are the “Baby Boomers”. This is hard to imagine, but ALL of that “younger generation” are now retirement, or AARP age.

I think it really hit me one Sunday. During our prayers of intercession, I spontaneously led us in singing “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” Even though a lot of folks seemed to know the words, I incorrectly assumed that it was a well-known song for ALL of our folks. For me, it is music that helps me understand where everyone is, time-wise. The older camp or Luther League folk songs are unknown to us Baby Boomers. We relate to the Maranatha collection, and some of the earlier Christian contemporary ones like “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.” What I DO know about Joy Lutheran congregation is that the classic hymns still are a cherished part of our repertoire, and I’m happy to say that newer songs of praise are being welcomed as well.

It is this “blender” of ages, styles and memories that binds us together in Christian love and unity. We experience worship through generational lenses, and there is a barely perceptible “gap” even among us who gather on the western-most 200 corridor of Ocala. We all claim a common Lutheran tradition of hymnody, begun or continued by Martin himself. He wrote thirty-six hymns, many set to the tune of beer hall favorites. Whether our singing acumen is more suited for said beer halls or master chorales, we lift up our voices to proclaim Christ died, risen and ascended. May your song blend JOYously with your fellow brothers and sisters in faith. Remember, always, that God loves you unconditionally.   

Posted by Pastor Art in his early days here at Joy