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Sermon Illustrations

Its been observed that Singing Together Shapes Community.

***Songs are one way that a community has its identity and one way that individuals find their identity within a community. (therefore old songs –passed on to the next generation- help create community bonds)

Baseball has a song – during the 7th inning stretch – “take me out to the ballgame...”

Fenway Park in Boston, (1912) is the oldest baseball park in the majors... (107 years old) ...it's a baseball shrine. in the 8th inning... everyone sings ... “Sweet Caroline...” (the fans made it an anthem)... it started a just one of the favourite songs of the sound person...but it caught on and the fans joined in.

o They sing it now at every game --since 2002 - win or lose!!!

o “even on the worst day the crowd still sings” (its literally a 37,000-member choir.)

Then came the Boston Marathon of 2013...

o April 15, 2013 Boston marathon – 2 bombs exploded.

o 5 deaths

o 16 people lost limbs

o Hundreds injured

A Slogan emerged “Boston Strong”

5 days later ...there’s a baseball game at Fenway Park...Will they sing?

Isn’t it a time to mourn?

The Boston Red Sox invite Neil Diamond himself to lead the fans in the song...

April 20, 2013 Neil Diamond sings “Sweet Caroline”...“good times never seemed so good.” In the face of death – they decide to celebrate life. "Sweet Caroline" became a song of hope... a song of strength

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