I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
I’ll sing the old, old story that I have loved so long.
I Love to Tell the Story, LBW 390
When I first moved to Findlay to join synod staff, I was very nervous about finding a new church to go to. Being a pastor’s kid, I’ve never had to venture on my own to find a worshipping community, but the time had come. I had Googled the address, looked up parking information, and triple checked worship times. Armed with all the information I needed, I headed to church.
I was nervous to walk in the sanctuary. I didn’t know anyone, but a few people knew me after receiving an email introduction from the synod. It also was weird being in worship without being surrounded by friends, family, and people who had walked with me every step of my faith journey.
And then the organ started playing.
And everyone stood.
And we started singing.
And my nerves disappeared.
I don’t remember what the hymn was, but the moment my voice joined the host of others in the room, that’s when I remembered what worship is all about.
Worship might be more comfortable with people you’ve known forever, but no matter what worshipping space we walk into, those people are our siblings in Christ, made one through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
It seems silly that a hymn written in the 1800’s could make me feel so safe and connected in 2017, but that’s the power of story. Whether told through song, through spoken word, through art, or through a Bible we hold in our hands, we are all connected by our love of the story of a man named Jesus.
2023 is the Year of Story in the Northwestern Ohio Synod. As we come back from summer vacations, get ready to go back to school, or get ready to get back into our fall routines, how are you telling the story?
- How do you tell the story of the cool ministry that’s happening in your community?
- How do you tell the story of someone in your life who should be celebrated?
- How do you tell your own faith story?
- How do you tell the story of Jesus, from your heart?
We’d love to hear the stories you have to tell!
Tag us on Facebook (@nwoselca) or email us (info@nwos-elca.org) and tell us your story, the story of someone in your life you want to lift up, or the story of your community!