I've been thinking about my roots a bit this weekend, most likely given the fact that in addition to Halloween, this was reformation Sunday at most Lutheran churches.
And while the obvious choice for the Monday following the celebration of the reformation, I'm going a different way. One of my favorite hymns growing up was a rarely heard one called "Earth and All Stars." It was in the NEW hymnbook, so we rarely sang it (we were strictly a red The Lutheran Hymnal church), but I remember always enjoying the occasions that we sang that hymn. They were generally joyful times that included lots of extras, like multiple choirs sings, handbells playing, and occasionally the church "orchestra" playing. It was almost always a service that I was looking forward to with much anticipation.
Looking at these lyrics again, they just make me well up. So often we see certain things as belonging in church and other things as belonging outside of church. We see people who are "professional" Christians (pastors, speakers, musicians) and then look at our job as a computer support person or parent or doctor or whatever and wonder how we can serve God in that. I love how this hymn speaks so clearly to how everything (everything!) can praise God. As you go about your day, doing whatever it is you do, I encourage you to seek ways to work for the glory of God. Be blessed!
1. Earth and all stars, loud rushing planets
Sing to the Lord a new song
Loud victory, loud shouting army
Sing to the Lord a new song
He has done marvelous things
I too will praise Him with a new song
2. Hail, wind and rain, loud blowing snowstorm
Sing to the Lord a new song
Flowers and trees, loud rustling leaves
Sing to the Lord a new song
He has done marvelous things
I too will praise Him with a new song
3. Trumpets and pipes, loud clashing cymbals
Sing to the Lord a new song
Harp, lute and lyre, loud humming cellos,
Sing to the Lord a new song
He has done marvelous things
I too will praise Him with a new song
4. Engines and steel, loud pounding hammers
Sing to the Lord a new song
Limestone and beams, loud building workers
Sing to the Lord a new song
He has done marvelous things
I too will praise Him with a new song
5. Classrooms and labs, loud boiling test tubes
Sing to the Lord a new song
Athlete and band, loud cheering people
Sing to the Lord a new song
He has done marvelous things
I too will praise Him with a new song
6. Knowledge and truth, loud sounding wisdom
Sing to the Lord a new song
Daughter and son, loud praying members
Sing to the Lord a new song
He has done marvelous things
I too will praise Him with a new song.
