Hymn of the Week: August 30, 2024

Listen, God is Calling  
Glory to God: 456 

TEXT   Kenyan; translated by Howard S. Olson 1987 
MUSIC:  Kenyan  arranged by Austin C. Lovelace, 1987 
Neno Lake Mungu 

Listen, listen, God is calling, through the word inviting, 
Offering forgiveness, comfort, and joy. 

Jesus gave his mandate: share the good news 
That he came to save us and set us free. 

Let none be forgotten throughout the world. 
In the triune name of God go and baptize. 

Help us to be faithful, standing steadfast, 
Walking in your precepts, led by your word. 

This song emphasizes our need to listen well,

…and includes a call to ourselves and others to receive it as God’s truth. Such prayers and exhortations implement the convictions of Belgic Confession, Article 24 and Our World Belongs to God, paragraph 32: “The Bible is the Word of God, the record and tool of his redeeming work. It is the Word of truth, breath of God, fully reliable in leading us to know God and to walk with Jesus Christ in new life.” 

The following is the scripture that is used as inspiration for this text:

Matthew 28:   19-20 
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

A Prayer Affirming God’s Call 
Faithful God, always you are calling. You call us back from dangerous schemes. You call us out from hopeless labyrinths. You call us forth to speak good news. Always you are calling. Always you are calling because it is never too late for us to listen, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen 

— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.