7/12 - Our Methodist Heritage

Greetings St. Andrew's Family

Next weeks  worship traces a single, intentional arc: from remembering who God has called us to be, to discovering the gifts God has entrusted to the Church, and finally being sent into the world to embody that calling. The choir begins with Mark Miller's setting of "O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing"  where echoes of the familiar tune AZMON emerge like memories woven into something new. Rather than simply revisiting a beloved Wesley hymn, Miller transforms it into what might be described as "AZMON'S GHOST"—a musical reminder that our heritage is not a museum piece but a living tradition. Just as John Wesley called believers to proclaim God's grace with every voice available to them, this opening anthem invites us to hear our Methodist story with fresh ears and to recognize that the Spirit continues to sing through the Church today.
That invitation naturally leads us into our centering song, Shirley Erena Murray's "For Everyone Born." As Music Tom names God's vision of a world where all are welcomed and valued, the congregation responds with the repeated declaration: "And God will delight when we are creators of justice and joy, compassion and peace." The refrain moves us from passive listeners to active participants, reminding us that worship is not merely about receiving God's grace but joining God's work. If the opening anthem celebrates the many voices of faith, the centering song asks what those voices are called to sing in today's world: songs of justice, compassion, hospitality, and peace.
This prepares our hearts to hear Ephesians 4:7–14, where the Apostle Paul reminds the Church that Christ has given different gifts to different people so that together the whole body may grow into maturity. In "Our Methodist Heritage," Pastor Norma will reflect on the Wesleyan conviction that every Christian is gifted for ministry and that the Church flourishes when every member offers their unique gifts in service to Christ and neighbor. Our heritage is therefore not defined merely by doctrines or traditions but by a people continually being equipped for the work of ministry.
The Bell Choir's offertory, "Fairest Lord Jesus" becomes a prayerful response to the Word. The gentle resonance of the handbells reminds us that while each bell has its own distinct voice, no single bell can perform the music alone. Together they create a harmony that reflects the very truth proclaimed in Ephesians: many gifts, one body; many voices, one song. As our offerings are received, we are invited to dedicate not only our financial gifts but also our time, talents, and lives to the beauty of Christ's kingdom.
Finally, we are sent into the world singing "And They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." The service concludes where faithful worship must always end—not within the sanctuary, but in the world. Having remembered our heritage, affirmed God's vision of justice and joy, heard the call to use our gifts, and offered ourselves anew, we are commissioned to let love become the defining witness of our lives. The true measure of our Methodist heritage is not simply what we preserve but how faithfully we love, serve, and bear Christ's image beyond these walls, so that the world may indeed know we are Christians by our love.
With love and music, 

Music Tom

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