A Dazzling Bouquet

Word from Wiese

26 July 2023

The lyrics.

Two weeks ago, our darling Charlotte Pointek and Olivia Milburn sang a heart-touching song in worship entitled, “A Dazzling Bouquet.” First, we were enchanted with the youthful energy and joy of these two young ladies. But secondly, worshipers loved the lyrics and asked to see them in print.

So let me provide them below. Indeed, the lyrics are so fantastic. How can you not smile with the opening line: “Mine is the church where everybody’s welcome. I know it’s true ‘cause I got through the door.” Ha! Several of you told me you feel that captures the spirit of COS, which makes me smile. What other lyrics touched you?

Refrain:

Mine is the church where everybody’s welcome. I know it’s true ‘cause I got through the door.
We are a dazzling bouquet of every kind of flower. Jump in the vase, ‘cause we’ve got space for more.

Come here, all you six-foot gladiolas; come, all you purple lilacs shining bright.
Come, let us all bloom together in the garden; a carnival of fragrance and delight.

We don’t simply tolerate each other; we ask and tell; we don’t just turn away.
We give attention to every bud and blossom. Let every face come grace the grand bouquet.

Our demons keep trying to divide us; they document their lies to make them true.
Today we’re freed from our judging and excluding. Just look around, enjoy the lovely view.

Thanks to Larry Peterson our new Director of Worship for finding this wonderful song from a group called Bread for the Journey. (Larry is open to helping any of you share your instrumental or vocal gifts as well, as he did with the dynamic duo of Olivia and Charlotte!).

But also thanks in advance for picking a phrase that really speaks to YOU. Would you send me a quick email response and let me know which one and why? How does God’s “dazzling bouquet” work for you?

In Christ’s hope,

P Fritz

Questions for reflection:

If any congregation or community is more beautiful because of its God-given diversity, who is someone in your life right now who is very different than you—even, maybe, with different opinions than you– but brings richness to your life?
Another lyric above suggests that “demons keep trying to divide us.” What’s a divisive demon you need to watch out for these days?

Let us pray. Dear God, thanks for all the dazzling bouquets you create. We’re humbled that you use each of us, with our quirks, as part of a larger work of art that you find beautiful. Send your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may see in our differences a sense of beauty more than threat. In Jesus’ name, Amen.