There’s nothing quite like singing spring’s first “alleluia” on Easter Sunday morning. The joy and refreshment of it never loses its appeal. What great power, deep emotion and joyous victory are expressed in just that one little word. I cannot think of another single word that bursts forth from the lips and expresses the heart’s complete and perfect praise to God the Father, like “alleluia!”

“Alleluia” is not just for Easter. We can and should find an alleluia, or twenty, in our journey every day. Consider these daily “alleluia” moments in this anthem by Parker/Sorenson, “Nobody Shoutin’ Like Me:”

When I wake up in the morning and the sun is bright
Nobody singin’ like me.
‘Cause I know the Lord was with me all through the night
Nobody singin’ like me.

Nobody singin’ like me, O Lord!
Nobody singin’ like me!
Nobody takin’ away my joy!
Nobody singin’ like me!

When I’m won’drin’ what the Lord wants me to do
Nobody trustin’ like me.
When my eyes can only see the next step or two
Nobody trustin’ like me.

Nobody trustin’ like me, O Lord!
Nobody trustin’ like me.
Nobody takin’ away my joy!
Nobody trustin’ like me.

When I stumble and fall in temptation’s snare
Nobody prayin’ like me.
May my heart stop roaming and my feet beware
Nobody prayin’ like me.

Nobody prayin’ like me, O Lord!
Nobody prayin’ like me.
Nobody takin’ away my joy!
Nobody prayin’ like me.

And when I journey to the end of my earthly road
Nobody shoutin’ like me!
And I fin’lly get to lay down my heavy load
Nobody shoutin’ like me

Nobody shoutin’ like me, O Lord!
Nobody shoutin’ like me.
Nobody takin’ away my joy!
Nobody shoutin’ like me!

Nobody shoutin’ like me, O Lord!

Nobody Shoutin” Like Me HL 35030566

May god lead us each day to find and express our every-day alleluias!

Funny Choir Moments: It was two weeks before the big Christmas program and in rehearsal we were finalizing our plans for choir outfits. We had selected a nice cummerbund as an accessory to be worn by all singers, when this question came from the alto section (it’s ALWAYS the altos, isn’t it?): “Do we wear anything besides the cummerbund?” I said, “Yes, please!” The entire choir erupted with thunderous laughter. Rehearsal order was never restored that evening.