Sing
to the Lord a new song (Ps. 96:1)
“It was in a Presbyterian church in Accra, Ghana. The
drums had called us to worship. Each group within the congregation
had its own singing band. The elders led us forward in dance
as we presented our offering to God in rhythm with the music.
It dawned upon me just how big this song might be. It was a
new song in a new context, yet it was as old as the melody sung
by the morning stars at creation’s dawn. Gift in hand,
feet moving in step with the music, my voice joined in the chorus
of this new song. It became my song, but not mine alone.”
—Jon Brown, coordinator and senior editor,
Mission Education and Promotion,
Congregational Ministries Publishing
As you think about your congregation, your presbytery, your
church, what makes you want to sing out loud? What are the strains
that draw you into the greater story of God’s redemption
song? In order to sing a new song we must first listen. Listen
to those beloved themes, our foundational themes that are summed
up in the Scriptures and our Reformed confessions. Listen, too,
for those less familiar voices. Give room for those persons,
traditions, and experiences long silenced. They, too, are a
part of God’s plan and our Presbyterian heritage. Listen
for the deeper tones of God’s Spirit giving us courage
to risk a holy transformation.
Mary, mother of Jesus, sang, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”
She went on to proclaim how God had lifted the lowly and filled
the hungry with good things. Every generation adds its chorus.
As writers for the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study,
we join a long line of the faithful, giving voice to what it
means to do God’s work at home and abroad. Sing a new
song to the Lord!
Every Presbyterian will benefit from reading the Mission
Yearbook for Prayer & Study, a resource that includes
a daily devotional guide, Scriptures, hymn selections, a message
from the Moderator, and information about local and international
mission efforts. The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer &
Study features Dr. Nora Tubbs Tisdale as writer of the
center color section. Nora has served as a parish pastor, mission
worker, member of the central committee of the World Council
of Churches, seminary professor, author, and popular preacher.
The Mission Yearbook makes a wonderful gift for conferees
and new church members. |
