As I was thinking about an appropriate Scripture passage for this week’s worship service, the well-known text from 1 Corinthians 13 popped to mind.  After all, this Sunday is the day after February 14, and these well-known words are ones that celebrate love and describe its many dimensions.  Indeed, they offer good advice to everyone who’s in a committed relationship – which is why they’re so often read at weddings.  The virtues of patience, kindness, humility, generosity and faithfulness can go a long way to building and maintaining the strong and enduring bonds that will stand the test of time.

But their applicability goes far beyond those we love the most.  Indeed, the writer C.S. Lewis says that there are actually several different types of love that embody these virtues – and that these characteristics can also be found in our relationships with acquaintances, lovers and friends.  And, at the Healing Voices Choir practices I’ve attended over the last several weeks, I’ve seen the spirit of friendship emerge as new relationships have been forged, and older ones renewed.  90 of us have been gathering on Saturday mornings since the latter part of January – and our fifth and final rehearsal will take place this Saturday before our concert on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm.  It’s proving to be a rich and memorable time.

Indeed, much of this is due to the music that Kelly has chosen for this concert – which is all about friendship. We’re starting with “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” concluding with “With a Little Help From My Friends,” and singing other friendship-oriented pieces such as “Lean on Me” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” This music really strikes a deep chord, because those of us who’ve been touched by cancer – be it as patients or support persons – know that we really do need one another to survive and thrive. And the lyrics encourage us to help and support one another – not only as we learn the music – but as we continue on our own journeys towards healing, health and wholeness.

So I hope you’ll plan to attend this very special concert on Sunday at 3 pm. But regardless of whether you can or can’t, I also hope you’ll give thanks for the friends you have, and take following words to heart: “keep smiling, keep shining, knowing you can always count on me, that’s what friends are for. For good times, and bad times, I’ll be on your side forever more. That’s what friends are for.” And that’s what love – real love – can look like.