Hearing The Word

I'm definitely a Radio girl- the pictures are better! As well as quizzes, whodunits, dramas, science stuff and news bulletins, I particularly like listening to Christian Worship on the radio. For years I have tuned in to "Sunday Worship" on BBC Radio 4. It is broadcast just after the 8 am news. This is my special half hour after breakfast on a Sunday morning. Sometimes sitting on my bed, other times, standing at the sink preparing the lunchtime vegetables. But I appreciate the diversity of the programmes ranging from AngloCatholic traditions of liturgy and choral music through welsh nonconformity to happy clappy worshippers from Caribbean churches or the Greenbelt Festival and all points in between.
Some weeks the music and hymns are just up my street, and I sing along in my tuneless way, other times I listen carefully to a new song. The preaching and stories vary too, and the prayers may be formal liturgical responsive pieces, or a less structured extempore offering. I think it is good for me to worship 'alongside' other groups, and hear how God is blessing them and using them in their communities. And it puts me in the mood to go to chapel later and meet with my friends there to worship in person.

During the week there is a shorter 15 minute slot on Radio 4 extra at 9.45 am  "The Daily Service" This is usually two hymns, a reading, a thought and a prayer. 

There are often themes for the week [recently we had 5 days focussing on animals in the Bible]  Because it it shorter, it tends to be well planned, no wasted words - and perhaps a little less formal. I often hear this whilst I am in the car. So I can sing as loudly as I like, knowing I am not disturbing anyone! I don't there is one 'right' way to worship - some are blest by liturgy and formality, others prefer to come to God with loud enthusiasm and dancing, and Quakers meet in silence, 'waiting on God' - it is important to be yourself and honest before God. But I value this opportunity to experience the difference worship styles, and I have learned much from them. 

Today's service is from a Salvation Army Church in Scotland - some fantastic hymns, and I know the music will be good, and the joy of their faith will shine out, and be heard in their voices. And - as many of us learned in lockdown - whilst listening over the airwaves, or watching on screen is not quite the same as being there in person - we can still enjoy worshipping 'together' and have 'fellowship' through the marvels of science.

In 1897 Marconi spoke over the radio and said "Can you hear me?"
In 1876 Bell spoke over the telephone and said "Mr Watson come here"
I am rather pleased that the first Morse communication in 1844 was a verse from the Bible, Numbers 23: 23 "what hath God wrought!" [i.e. See what God has done!] 
Technology can be so useful - as Jesus said "Those who have ears to hear, let them hear"
If you are worshipping today, I pray you will be blessed and encouraged, wherever you are, whoever you are with. "If two or three gather in my name, I will be with them"