Only “God is my strength and song…”
Only “God is my strength
and song…”
A spiritual music festival that celebrated the 120th anniversary of Methodism in Russia was held October 3, 2009, at the Moscow Methodist House. This festival was a wonderful final accord that concluded the international academic conference “Breaks and Links” and in the whole the celebration of this significant anniversary in the life of the United Methodist Church.
The festival was opened by Ludmila Garbuzova, Pastor of the first UMC of Moscow “Singing Christians”, she greeted all the guests and participants of the festival and called everyone to join their voices in singing and hearts in praying to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tatiana Vladimirova, chairperson of the Administrative Council UMC Eurasia and pastor of Mytischi UMC, lifted up an opening prayer.
An amazing prayer by John Wesley and the hymn “O for a thousand tongues to sing” performed by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Sergey Stepin joined everyone gathered in one body, one organism, one family, one church. Halleluiah! The festival was opened with the performance of the Choir First UMC “Singing Christians”. This group was a mixed choir in which Bishop Hans Vaxby also took part.
To perform first is an honor, but also a responsibility. A good beginning is only half of the battle. All the participants sang joyfully with open hearts and beautiful voices.
The hymn “Child’s prayer” performed by winner of the festival “Each child is a star” Anna Vaganova, sounded amazingly clear and gentle. The audience was not left untouched by the duet of Zhanna Ivanova and Nadezhda Smolnyakova. The Holy Spirit touched everyone, who heard their singing.
A choir from the UMC of Otradnyi (Volga district) won all hearts. Five singing girls and an accompanist sounded so harmoniously that it brought tears of spiritual joy to the eyes of the audience. We thank Pastor Roman Bagdasarov and his church for finding an opportunity to cover trip expenses for this wonderful group. Halleluiah!
But the spiritual expectation of the audience was growing, and the hearts of listeners were in the anticipation of marvels, because presence of the Holy Spirit is always a miracle, always marvelous.
A famous choir “Cantilena” from Kyrgan, the UMC “Singing Christians” continued the festival. The choirmaster is the pastor and Honored Culture Worker of the Russian Federation Ludmila Egorova.
I feel sorry for those people who didn’t hear the performance of this group. The program of the choir is highly complicated and well thought-out. They were performing Russian spiritual music of 16-18 centuries with the lightness which was lifting up listeners’ hearts to heavens.
It is truly “The Choir of angels” as this group was called in the USA, where they successfully performed at the Russia Initiative Consultation.
The choir is a real ornament of any spiritual music festival. The girls love their choir and enjoy attending youth meetings in the church.
In the conversation with them we learned only one of them is studying in a music school and the others are just amateurs of singing. Among them there is a student, an accountant, a chemical expert and even a police lieutenant!!!!
We are grateful to all the participants of this choir, who answered God’s call and came in Moscow to take part in the anniversary festival. It is touching to know that they came in Moscow at their own expenses and after a two-day train trip they were still vigorous enough not only to perform at the festival, but also participate in the worship service of “Singing Christians” UMC the next day. Halleluiah! Glory to You, Lord!
We enjoyed listening the choir of the UMC “Good News”. The leader of the choir is Pastor Nina Smirnova. They sang the hymn “Love”.
As always gently and touchingly sounded the voice of our dear pastor and dean of Vnukovo UMC Lidiya Ridionova. She sang the hymn “And Can It Be That I Should Gain” (music by Ludmila Garbuzova, words by Charles Wesley).
A trio from the UMC “Sulamita” together with Pastor Alexandor Bagdanov glorified Jesus with all their souls.
The festival concluded with the youth hymns. A youth group from Vnukovo UMC surprised everyone with their joyful and sincere praise of our Lord and Savior. We thank Pastor Valentina Birukova and the leader of the group, seminary student Evgeniy Lee, who once again showed his organizing gift. Praise the Lord!
All the participants of the festival got souvenirs that were handed out by Tatiana Vladimirova.
The festival of the 120th anniversary of Methodism in Russia concluded with a blessing prayer by Bishop Hans.
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High” Psalm 92:1
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” Psalm 118:29
Only “The LORD is my strength and song…” Psalm 118:14
Pastor of the First UMC “Singing Christians”
Ludmila Garbuzova
