WOV #726, "Oh, Sing to God Above"
Devotion
Oh sing to God above a hymn of praise and blessing,
a song of grateful love, hope and faith our hearts expressing;
creation lifts its voice to tell your might and glory,
and we, too, will rejoice to proclaim the saving story.
I love to sing -- and I love to sing in a group that loves to sing, because then I can throw my whole heart into it. What joy I find in singing praise to God in the midst of others who are likewise expressing gratitude, love, hope and faith. Sharing in the community of faith in that way binds our hearts together uniquely, I think. We share common human feelings, and we rejoice together.
Our voices as church leaders are also raised, as the last line of this hymn suggests, in proclamation of the saving story of Jesus. What an awesome privilege that is, too. Sometimes that proclamation happens in shared song, but often it happens through the spoken word, studied, prayed over, discerned and cared for. May God bless your work and preparations on this day.
Prayer
Gracious, generous God, call us into shared celebration of your wonders. Thank you for your gifts to us and to all creation. Thank you for the creation itself. Hear us as we lift our voices in praise, gratitude and proclamation. Amen.