What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Sermon for RSCM Music Sunday

    Here’s what I said on Sunday evening for the Royal School of Church Music – Music Sunday Massed Choirs Evensong

    Video available here.

    Just a few thoughts before our prayers – a few thoughts about what we are doing here tonight.

    I had it in mind to preach such simple things tonight. I was going to take as my starting place the story we heard of David playing his lyre to sooth Saul’s soul when Saul the King got crazy with his violent rages.

    My intention was to come up with a great paean of praise to music itself. For we do celebrate Music Sunday here.

    I was going simply to stand here and list the glories of the West End Festival that those of us who live in this city are enjoying and to sing the praises of the Royal School of Church Music under whose banner so many good things happen.

    I had it in mind to stand here like the conductor at the end of the Last Night of the Proms and to list the glories of our summer days. Of concerts and happenings and sung services and festival masses. And to cry for the glories of music, for music is inherently good.

    But something happened as I was sitting down to write this rhapsody of words in praise of music. (more…)

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8 responses to “Passion Sunday Sermon”

  1. Allan Ronald Avatar
    Allan Ronald

    Thank you for this excellent sermon.

    Reply
  2. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    Thanks for this sermon Kelvin. I now know more about spikenard than I did (which was nothing much!). And I also like the Gandhi reference.

    Reply
  3. Diarmuid o Avatar
    Diarmuid o

    Very thoughtful.. Love the Quote on the smell of justice.. Love etc. thank you!

    Reply
  4. RevRuth Avatar
    RevRuth

    According to my sources spikenard is a sharp smell, somewhere between mint and ginseng. Now you see, I had it more myrrh like, more heady. But I can see that mint and ginseng would be better at covering up rotting body smells.

    Reply
  5. kennedy fraser Avatar
    kennedy fraser

    Our associate priest (Bryan Owen) managed to get a spikenard candle for his sermon on Sunday

    Reply
    1. kelvin Avatar
      kelvin

      AND WHAT DID IT SMELL OF, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE?

      Reply
      1. Ruth Avatar
        Ruth

        As it’s the same family as Valerian, it may smell strongly of smelly feet – and (like Valerian) send cats into a state of frenzy…..

        Reply
  6. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/SPIKENARD-ESSENTIAL-Nardostachys-jatamansi-10ml/dp/B002RJL4C0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363812646&sr=8-1

    Reply

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