We All Are One in Mission (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 576)
1 We all are one in mission;
we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single great commission
compels us from above
to plan and work together
that all may know Christ’s love.
2 We all are called for service,
to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are diff’rent;
our purpose is the same:
to touch the lives of others
with God’s surprising grace,
so ev’ry folk and nation
may feel God’s warm embrace.
3 Now let us be united,
and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel
for God’s redeeming Word.
We all are one in mission;
we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united
by Christ, the Lord of all.
Text: Rusty Edwards; Music: Finnish folk tune
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A730924
Devotion
Written by Luther Seminary alumnus, Pastor Rusty Edwards, these words echo Paul’s metaphor of the body. We are reminded that despite our differences, as we see Jesus in our neighbor and when we point to God’s work, we turn from our selfish and self-centered ideologies and find ways to work together.
There are numerous ways to do this. In my community there is an ecumenical food pantry and an interfaith Thanksgiving service. In other places, we have worked together to provide multigenerational Advent festivals and Global Mission Bible schools. Elsewhere, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day meals were hosted for both the physically hungry and those who hunger for companionship.
What are the needs in your community? Is it shelter or a sense of belonging in a world where many feel shame or being outcasts? Something else? How can you work with others so that God’s dreams for the world can come to fruition?
Prayer
O God of surprising grace, turn us into vessels for your redeeming Word. Create dreams within us so that we may work together so that when others see us, they see Jesus and feel your compassionate love. Amen.