Each of us has a story: one that defines who we are; where we come from; and how we relate to others. While some may be willing to share their stories, others dare not for reasons we may or may not understand.
What strikes us are untold stories that we learn of only when something sudden and unexpected happens. Narratives are often related to people’s mental health, and we are hearing of such struggles more and more often. This is a concern that is calling us to be more sensitive and to pay closer attention to those around us who may need our ears.
This month, we give tribute to our teachers. Also called the second parent of each child, they are essential in nurturing children, students—the future of our society. But along with these responsibilities that they shoulder with us, there is weight they carry on their own.
What is the possibility of using God’s story to walk alongside the teachers to whom we entrust and our children?
The hymn, “We Are Called to Tell the Story”, was originally written as “You are called to tell the story”. Originally written for an ordination service, this hymn summons the ordinand(s) to narrate and use God’s story to mould his own, as well as the congregation’s.
God’s narrative are true stories about helplessness and hope, emptiness and grace, lament and mercy, harshness and compassion, sin and salvation. The hymn summarises God’s story with love—a love that becomes the premise and core of our way of life. This love is “embodied” by parents, teachers and the community at large.
As the hymn ends, may we find words to encourage each other to sing, dance and move to the rhythm of God’s story, making it our own. Doing so, we make Christ known in our living, then our people and our children are formed and shaped to do the same.
The music was set to a contemporary tune by Justin Chan, a Programme Executive at Methodist School of Music.
WE ARE CALLED TO TELL THE STORY
We are called to tell the story,
passing words of life along,
then to blend your voice with others
as you sing the sacred song.
Christ be known in all our singing,
filling all with songs of love,
We are called to teach the rhythm
of the dance that never ends,
then to move within the circle,
hand in hand with strangers, friends.
Christ be known in all our dancing,
touching all with hands of love.
We are called to set the table,
blessing bread as Jesus blest,
then to come with thirst and hunger,
needing care like all the rest.
Christ be known in all our sharing,
feeding all with signs of love.
May the One whose love is broader
than the measure of all space
give us words to sing the story,
move among us in this place.
Christ be known in all our living,
filling all with gifts of love.
Words: Ruth Duck
Music: Justin Chan (MSM 2021)
Words © 1992 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of GIA Publications, Inc. Any further reproduction requires permission from the publisher. For congregational reprint licensing, contact ONE LICENSE: http://www.onelicense.net
The music was set to a contemporary tune by Justin Chan, Programme Executive at Methodist School of Music. Scan the QR code to listen.
Judith Laoyan-Mosomos is the Director for Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.