The Lord’s Day
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| Our inheritance contains not only the wealth of God’s grace but also the wealth of relationships our ancestors formed as they shared that grace in mission. One of my first experiences in discovering this heritage was during a trip to visit fellow Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Presbyterians have been involved in partnership well over one hundred years. I was meeting with some of the pastors to hear about ministry at the grassroots of that church.
Suddenly I was informed that according to local custom the eldest man in the room was going to discern a new name for me in the Tshiluba language. An elderly pastor interrupted us to say, “Her name is Mama Dinanga,” which means love. That sounded really good to me. But someone disagreed! He said, “Her name should be Hope!” With this disagreement in the air, a diplomatic pastor stepped forward and said, “Dinanga is the right name, because her love is our hope.” It was a very moving moment because it was clear to me that in the eyes of this group I represented more than myself: I represented you. I was a symbol to them of the decades of faithful partnership in mission between Presbyterians in the United States and our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Congo. It was also moving because I realized that their love is our hope, as well—our hope for meaningful involvement in God’s will for Congo, and our hope for help in evangelizing North America. Our denomination has a heritage of mission partnerships like this in some eighty countries around the world. Our restless creativity as Reformation people propels us in new mission and keeps these long-standing relationships dynamic. Pray for these many cherished friends you may not have known you had. —Rev. Dr. Marian McClure, director, Worldwide Ministries |
 Job 42:1–6, 10–17 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise PH 263, HB 85 Ps. 34:1–8 (19–22) PPCS 32 The Lord I Will at All Times Bless HB 412 Heb. 7:23–28 Jesus, Lover of My Soul PH 303, HB 216 Mark 10:46–52 O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright PH 474, HB 46 Reformation Hymns A Mighty Fortress Is Our God PH 260, HB 91 I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art PH 457, HB 144 All People That on Earth Do Dwell PH 220, HB 24 |
 God of the covenant, we thank you for those who through the ages answered your call to involvement in your mission. We thank you for the relationships they formed and pray for our fellow Christians around the world who are also remembering us in prayer. May our mission partnerships bear fruit for your kingdom! In the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen. |
