Category: Beauty

Posted in Beauty, Holiday Joy

Taizé Two 3/19/25 “Into Life”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This evening brought the second Lenten Taize service at our church, Asbury Memorial here in Savannah.

I love the almost somber beauty of Taizé.

Here’s the simple quiet chant we sang meditatively several times during the brief service:

“Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.”

(And if you, like me, from time to time have difficulty embracing the concept of a faithful God, perhaps just switch the wording of Lord to “greater than me” or “universe” or whatever works for you.)

We also recited together the powerful Prayer of St. Francis:

Posted in Beauty, Holiday Joy

Taizé One 3/12/25 “Light”

Posted on by Neal Saye

Tonight was the first of our church’s five Taizé services during the Lenten season leading up to Easter Sunday. (Asburymemorial.org)

I LOVE the quiet, almost somber, beauty of Taizé.

A little about the history of Taizé:

“The Taizé prayer service is from an interfaith community founded in Taizé, France in 1940. A Taizé service provides a meditative style of song and prayer known for its simplicity and focus on Christ. Today the Taizé community comprises those of Catholic and Protestant backgrounds from regions around the globe. At a Taizé service we pray as we sing, as we reflect on the Scripture reading, as we sit in silence, and as we offer our prayers to Christ.” jaxcathedral.org

TONIGHT’S INVITATION: “Come into this place of peace and let its silence heal your spirit; Come into this place of memory & let its history warm your soul; Come into this place of prophecy and power and let its vision change your heart.”

Tonight’s theme focused on light.

And the MUSIC/CHANT:

“Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us.

Let not my doubts, and my darkness speak to me.

Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us.

Let my heart always welcome your love.”

Whatever your belief, or lack of, may Peace be your Portion at this time of year.

Posted in Beauty, Holiday Joy

Taize

Posted on by Neal Saye

I love this current liturgical season of Lent on the Christian calendar. For me, it’s a time to calm down, quiet down, and reflect before the exuberant excitement of Easter.

For the four Wednesdays before Palm Sunday, the church that Robert and I attend, Asbury Memorial here in Savannah, holds brief and beautifully simple Taize services.

Asbury Memorial

“The Taizé prayer service is from an interfaith community founded in Taizé, France in 1940. A Taizé service provides a meditative style of song and prayer known for its simplicity and focus on Christ. Today the Taizé community comprises those of Catholic and Protestant backgrounds from regions around the globe. At a Taizé service we pray as we sing, as we reflect on the Scripture reading, as we sit in silence, and as we offer our prayers to Christ.” jaxcathedral.org

Whatever your belief, or lack of, may Peace be your Portion at this time of year.

Here is a neat article with more info about Taize, if you are in the slightest bit interested …

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/a-look-at-the-taize-community/?amp